BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac arrhythmia in the elderly. This study aimed to evaluate urban-rural disparities in its prevalence and management in elderly Chinese. METHODS: Consecutive participants aged ≥ 65 years attending outpatient clinics were enrolled for AF screening using handheld single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) from April 2017 to December 2022. Each ECG rhythm strip was reviewed from the research team. AF or uninterpretable single-lead ECGs were referred for 12-lead ECG. Primary study outcome comparison was between rural and urban areas for the prevalence of AF. The Student's t-test was used to compare mean values of clinical characteristics between rural and urban participants, while the Pearson's chi-square test was used to compare between-group proportions. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the association between AF and various patient characteristics. RESULTS: The 29,166 study participants included 13,253 men (45.4%) and had a mean age of 72.2 years. The 7073 rural participants differed significantly (P ≤ 0.02) from the 22,093 urban participants in several major characteristics, such as older age, greater body mass index, and so on. The overall prevalence of AF was 4.6% (n = 1347). AF was more prevalent in 7073 rural participants than 22,093 urban participants (5.6% vs. 4.3%, P < 0.01), before and after adjustment for age, body mass index, blood pressure, pulse rate, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and prior medical history. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified overweight/obesity (OR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.17-1.54) in urban areas and cigarette smoking (OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.20-2.17) and alcohol consumption (OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.04-1.93) in rural areas as specific risk factors for prevalent AF. In patients with known AF in urban areas (n = 781) and rural areas (n = 338), 60.6% and 45.9%, respectively, received AF treatment (P < 0.01), and only 22.4% and 17.2%, respectively, received anticoagulation therapy (P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS In China, there are urban-rural disparities in AF in the elderly, with a higher prevalence and worse management in rural areas than urban areas. Our study findings provide insight for health policymakers to consider urban-rural disparity in the prevention and treatment of AF.

Objective This study aimed to investigate the potential relationship between urinary metals copper (Cu), arsenic (As), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), iron (Fe), lead (Pb) and manganese (Mn) and grip strength. Methods We used linear regression models, quantile g-computation and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) to assess the relationship between metals and grip strength.Results In the multimetal linear regression, Cu (β=-2.119), As (β=-1.318), Sr (β=-2.480), Ba (β=0.781), Fe (β= 1.130) and Mn (β=-0.404) were significantly correlated with grip strength (P < 0.05). The results of the quantile g-computation showed that the risk of occurrence of grip strength reduction was -1.007 (95％ confidence interval:-1.362, -0.652; P < 0.001) when each quartile of the mixture of the seven metals was increased. Bayesian kernel function regression model analysis showed that mixtures of the seven metals had a negative overall effect on grip strength, with Cu, As and Sr being negatively associated with grip strength levels. In the total population, potential interactions were observed between As and Mn and between Cu and Mn (Pinteractions of 0.003 and 0.018, respectively).Conclusion In summary, this study suggests that combined exposure to metal mixtures is negatively associated with grip strength. Cu, Sr and As were negatively correlated with grip strength levels, and there were potential interactions between As and Mn and between Cu and Mn.

Objective To observe the intervention effect of hypericin(HYP)on 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP)-induced Parkinson's disease(PD)mice model and its mechanism.Methods Thirty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into normal,model and experimental groups with 10 mice per group.PD mouse model was established after 7 days of intraperitoneal injection of MPTP,and drug intervention was carried out from the first day of modeling.Normal group and model group were intraperitoneally injected with 500 μL·kg·d-1 0.9％NaCl.The experimental group was intraperitoneally injected with 25 mg·kg·d-1 HYP.The three groups of rats were given the drug once each time for 14 days.The expression levels of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH),Nod-like receptor thermal protein domain protein 3(NLRP3)and ionized calcium binding adapter molecule 1(Iba1)in the striatum of nigra were detected by Western blot.Results The climbing time of normal,model and experimental groups was(5.35±0.43),(9.71±1.19)and(8.07±0.34)s;suspension scores were(2.92±0.15),(1.38±0.28)and(1.96±0.28)points;the relative expression levels of TH protein were 1.04±0.06,0.51±0.09 and 0.75±0.07;the relative expression levels of NLRP3 protein were 0.51±0.03,1.00±0.04 and 0.77±0.06;the relative expression levels of Iba1 protein were 0.68±0.10,1.30±0.28 and 0.89±0.05,respectively.The above indexes in the model group were statistically significant compared with the experimental group and the normal group(all P＜0.01).Conclusion HYP plays a therapeutic role in PD by inhibiting the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome in PD mice.

Objective To study the in vitro expression of three phenylalanine hydroxylase(PAH)mutants(p.R243Q,p.R241C,and p.Y356X)and determine their pathogenicity.Methods Bioinformatics techniques were used to predict the impact of PAH mutants on the structure and function of PAH protein.Corresponding mutant plasmids of PAH were constructed and expressed in HEK293T cells.Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of the three PAH mutants,and their protein levels were assessed using Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results Bioinformatics analysis predicted that all three mutants were pathogenic.The mRNA expression levels of the p.R243Q and p.R241C mutants in HEK293T cells were similar to the mRNA expression level of the wild-type control(P>0.05),while the mRNA expression level of the p.Y356X mutant significantly decreased(P<0.05).The PAH protein expression levels of all three mutants were significantly reduced compared to the wild-type control(P<0.05).The extracellular concentration of PAH protein was reduced in the p.R241C and p.Y356X mutants compared to the wild-type control(P<0.05),while there was no significant difference between the p.R243Q mutant and the wild type control(P>0.05).Conclusions p.R243Q,p.R241C and p.Y356X mutants lead to reduced expression levels of PAH protein in eukaryotic cells,with p.R241C and p.Y356X mutants also affecting the function of PAH protein.These three PAH mutants are to be pathogenic.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(2):188-193]

Limosilactobacillus reuteri is a microbe intricately linked to humans and animal health.A thor-ough assessment of its safety and potential benefits is imperative prior to its application in human and ani-mals.In this investigation,we performed a comprehensive analysis encompassing genome sequencing,genomic analysis,and phenotypic characterization of L.reuteri Q35,an exceptionally proficient producer of reuterin.The whole genome sequencing results showed that the complete genome sequence spans 2145158 bp with a GC content of 38.9％ and encompasses 2121 genes.Initial identification of antibiotic-re-sistant genes,virulence factors,and toxin-coding genes in the genome substantiated the strain' s low-risk status.Subsequent tests for antibiotic resistance,acute oral toxicology,and hemolysis further confirmed its elevated safety level.The genome of L.reuteri Q35 was found to contain genes associated with adhe-sion and stress tolerance.Following exposure to artificial gastric juice and bile salt,the strain exhibited a higher survival rate and demonstrated a strong scavenging ability for hydroxyl free radicals in antioxidant capacity tests.These findings suggested that L.reuteri Q35 possesses unique probiotic properties.Addi-tionally,the genome of strain Q35 harbors three truncated oxaloyl-CoA decarboxylase genes (oxc1,oxc2 and oxc3),overexpression of which resulted in a significant increase in ammonium oxalate degradation from 29.5％ to 48.8％.These findings highlight that L.reuteri Q35 exhibits both favorable safety charac-teristics alongside beneficial properties,making it a promising candidate for treating metabolic disorders such as hyperoxaluria.

Methamphetamine abuse is a major public health problem in the world,and in recent years,methamphetamine is also the most abused synthetic drug in China.The neurotoxic or addiction mechanism of methamphetamine has not been fully clarified,and there is still a lack of specific withdrawal methods and drugs for methamphetamine abuse.Mitochondria are not on-ly the organelles to which methamphetamine directly produces toxic effects,but also participate in regulating the neurotoxic damage process of methamphetamine.Mitochondrial quality is the regulatory basis for maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis and is regulated by three main mechanisms,which are mitochon-drial biogenesis,mitochondrial dynamic,and mitophagy.This review summarizes the research progress of mitochondrial quality control in methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity,which may provide theoretical support for further research on the mechanism of methamphetamine neurotoxicity and development the mito-chondria-targeting drugs.

AIM To investigate the effects of Zuogui Jiangtang Tongmai Recipe on necroptosis pathway in a rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)complicated with cerebral infarction(CI).METHODS The SD rats were randomly divided into the sham operation group,the model group,the metformin group(0.045 g/kg),and the low,medium and high dose Zuogui Jiangtang Tongmai Recipe groups(6.5,13,26 g/kg),with 9 rats in each group.In contrast to rats of the sham operation group,rats of the other groups were given 4 weeks feeding of high-sugar and high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin to establish a T2DM rat model with one week stable blood glucose,followed by gavage of corresponding drugs 3 days before the establishment of the middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)model.After 7 days of administration,the rats had their CI injury assessed by mNSS method and TTC staining;their level of blood glucose detected by blood glucose meter;their levels of glycated serum protein,serum TNF-α and IL-1β detected by ELISA;their cerebral mRNA expressions of FADD,RIPK1,RIPK3 and MLKL detected by RT-qPCR;and their cerebral protein expressions of FADD,p-RIPK1,p-RIPK3 and p-MLKL detected by Western blot.RESULTS Compared with the sham operation group,the model group displayed increased levels of blood glucose value,glycosylated serum protein,neurological function score,cerebral infarction volume,cerebral FADD,RIPK1,RIPK3 and MLKL mRNA expressions,cerebral FADD,p-RIPK1,p-RIPK3 and p-MLKL protein expressions,serum TNF-α and IL-1β levels(P＜0.01);and more disordered and morphologically diverse neurons with smaller nucleus.Compared with the model group,the groups intervened with medium or high dose Zuogui Jiangtang Tongmai Recipe,or metformin shared improvement in terms of the aforementioned indices(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);and more neurons with regular morphology neat arrangement,and reduced cell gap.CONCLUSION Zuogui Jiangtang Tongmai Recipe can improve the neurological dysfunction of the rat model of T2DM complicated with CI,which may associate with the inhibited activation of necroptosis signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at investigating the carrier rate of, and molecular variation in, α- and β-globin gene mutations in Hunan Province. METHODS: We recruited 25,946 individuals attending premarital screening from 42 districts and counties in all 14 cities of Hunan Province. Hematological screening was performed, and molecular parameters were assessed. RESULTS: The overall carrier rate of thalassemia was 7.1%, including 4.83% for α-thalassemia, 2.15% for β-thalassemia, and 0.12% for both α- and β-thalassemia. The highest carrier rate of thalassemia was in Yongzhou (14.57%). The most abundant genotype of α-thalassemia and β-thalassemia was -α ^3.7/αα (50.23%) and β ^IVS-II-654/β ^N (28.23%), respectively. Four α-globin mutations [CD108 (ACC>AAC), CAP +29 (G>C), Hb Agrinio and Hb Cervantes] and six β-globin mutations [CAP +8 (C>T), IVS-II-848 (C>T), -56 (G>C), beta nt-77 (G>C), codon 20/21 (-TGGA) and Hb Knossos] had not previously been identified in China. Furthermore, this study provides the first report of the carrier rates of abnormal hemoglobin variants and α-globin triplication in Hunan Province, which were 0.49% and 1.99%, respectively. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates the high complexity and diversity of thalassemia gene mutations in the Hunan population. The results should facilitate genetic counselling and the prevention of severe thalassemia in this region.
Humans ; beta-Thalassemia/genetics* ; alpha-Thalassemia/genetics* ; Hemoglobinopathies/genetics* ; China/epidemiology* ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing

Objective: To investigate the diagnosis and treatment of Chiari malformation patients with hoarseness and other otorhinolaryngological symptoms. Methods: The clinical data of 18 patients of Chiari malformation with hoarseness were retrospectively collected, which was composed of 5 men and 13 women, aged 3-71 with median age of 52. All the patients were admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from January 1989 to January 2020. All patients underwent brain MRI and laryngoscopy. The patient's symptoms and first diagnosis department, diagnosis time, total course of disease, hoarseness course, diagnosis and treatment, and postoperative recovery time were summarized. Follow-up time was 3-16 years, with median follow-up time of 6.5 years. Descriptive methods were used for analysis. Results: The first visit departments of 18 patients included neurology (9 cases), otorhinolaryngology head and neck surgery (5 cases), pediatrics (2 cases), orthopedics (1 case) and respiratory department (1 case). Except for the 7 cases in neurology department, the other 11 patients were not diagnosed in time. The disease duration of 18 patients with Chiari malformation ranged from 2 months to 5 years, and hoarseness was present from 20 days to 5 years. After diagnosis, 9 patients underwent posterior fossa decompression surgery, and 1 of them underwent syrinx drainage at the same time. The symptoms of 8 cases improved significantly after operation, with the improvement time from 1 to 30 days. In addition, 9 patients chose conservative treatment, among whom 8 had no improvement in symptoms and 6 progressed. Conclusions: Posterior fossa decompression is an effective treatment for Chiari malformation, and the prognosis is good. Timely diagnosis and treatment can improve the prognosis of patients.
Male ; Humans ; Female ; Child ; Hoarseness/etiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Conservative Treatment ; Drainage ; Laryngoscopy

With the acceleration of aging society, delaying aging or promoting healthy aging has become a major demand for human health. 5-Lipoxygenase (5-LOX) is a key enzyme catalyzing arachidonic acid into leukotrienes (LTs), which is a potent mediator of the inflammatory response. Previous studies showed that abnormal activation of 5-LOX and overproduction of LTs are closely related to the occurrence and development of aging-related inflammatory diseases. Therefore, inhibiting 5-LOX activation is a possibly potential strategy for treating age-related diseases. In this paper, the latest research progress in 5-LOX activation, 5-LOX in mediating aging-related diseases and its small molecule inhibitors is briefly reviewed to provide scientific theoretical basis and new ideas for the prevention and treatment of aging-related inflammatory diseases.
Humans ; Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase ; Leukotrienes ; Arachidonic Acid ; Aging ; Lipoxygenase Inhibitors/pharmacology*