Organ transplantation is a vital means of saving patients with end-stage diseases, and organ donation serves as its foundation. China’s cadaveric organ donation system adopts a dual model that recognizes both individual autonomy and next-of-kin decision-making rights. However, in practice, the next-of-kin decision-making rule faces multiple challenges, including a narrow scope of eligible decision-makers, inefficient decision-making processes, the misuse of revocation rights and the absence of disqualification mechanisms. This article explores the legal nature of next-of-kin decision-making rights and reflects on the existing rules. By integrating the principles respect, ‘non-maleficence, beneficence, and justice’ in medical ethics, it proposes three pathways for reform: hierarchical ordering of decision-makers, limitation of revocation rights, and legal codification of disqualification grounds. The aim is to balance individual autonomy, family ethics and public interest, realign the cadaveric organ donation system with its altruistic essence and public-oriented mission, and promote the development of organ donation in China.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum infections in wild rodents in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of China, so as to provide insights into formulation of technical guidelines for monitoring of and the precise control strategy for S. japonicum infections in wild rodents during the elimination phase. Methods Two administrative villages where schistosomiasis was historically highly prevalent were selected each from Dongzhi County, Anhui Province, and Duchang County, Jiangxi Province as study villages. Wild rodents were captured from study villages with baited traps or cages at night in June and September, 2021. The number of rodents captured was recorded, and the rodent species was characterized based on morphologi-cal characteristics. Liver tissues were sampled from captured rodents for macroscopical observation of the presence of egg granu- lomas, and S. japonicum infection was detected simultaneously using liver tissue homogenate microscopy, examinations of mesenteric tissues for parasites, and modified Kato-Katz thick smear technique (Kato-Katz technique). A positive S. japonicum infection was defined as detection of S. japonicum eggs or adult worms by any of these methods. The rate of wild rodent capture and prevalence of S. japonicum infections in wild rodents were compared in different study villages and at different time periods, and the detection of S. japonicum infections in wild rodents was compared by different assays. Results The overall rate of wild ro- dent capture was 8.28% (237/2 861) in Dongzhi County, and the wild rodent capture rates were 9.24% (133/1 439) and 7.31% (104/1 422) in two study villages (χ² = 3.503, P = 0.061), and were 8.59% (121/1 409) and 7.99% (116/1 452) in June and September, 2021, respectively (χ² = 0.337, P = 0.561). The overall rate of wild rodent capture was 3.72% (77/2 072) in Duchang County, and the wild rodent capture rates were 6.91% (67/970) and 0.91% (10/1 102) in two study villages (χ² = 51.901, P < 0.001), and were 4.13% (39/945) and 3.37% (38/1 127) in June and September, 2021, respectively (χ² = 0.815, P = 0.365). Rattus norvegicus was the predominant rodent species captured in both counties, accounting for 70.04% (166/237) of all captured wild rodents in Dongzhi County and 88.31% (68/77) in Duchang County. No S. japonicum infection was detected in wild rodents captured in Duchang County. Nevertheless, the overall prevalence of S. japonicum infections was 51.05% (121/237) in wild rodents captured in Dongzhi County, with prevalence rates of 50.38% (67/133) and 51.92% (54/104) in two study villages (χ² = 0.098, P = 0.755), and 54.31% (63/116) and 47.93% (58/121) in September and June, 2021, respectively (χ² = 0.964, P = 0.326). Of 237 wild rodents captured in Dongzhi County, there were 140 (59.07%) rodents with visible hepatic egg granulomas, 117 (49.47%) tested positive for S. japonicum eggs by liver tissue homogenate microscopy, 34 (14.35%) tested positive for S. japonicum eggs with Kato-Katz technique; however, no adult S. japonicum worms were detected in mesenteric tissues. In addition, hepatic egg granulomas were found in all wild rodents tested positive for S. japonicum eggs with liver tissue homogenate microscopy. Conclusions The rate of wild rodent capture and prevalence of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents vary greatly in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of China, and the prevalence of S. japonicum infection is slightly higher in wild rodents captured in autumn than in summer. Liver tissue is recommended as the preferred sample for surveillance of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents, and a combination of macroscopical observation of hepatic egg granulomas and liver tissue homogenate microscopy may be a standard method for surveillance of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents.

Objective Through integrative bioinformatics analysis of multi-source transcriptomic data, potential biomarkers to asthma epithelial cells were identified. The expression of these candidate target was subsequently validated in lung tissues and epithelial cells from asthma models. Methods The gene expression profile data of epithelial cells from three asthma patient cohorts and corresponding healthy controls were integrated from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differential expression analysis and gene co-expression network analysis were performed to identify key genes and biological pathways associated with asthma. The key genes were validated in lung tissues and epithelial cells in asthma animal models. Results Differential gene expression analysis revealed 1121 upregulated and 1484 downregulated genes in epithelial cells from asthma patients compared with healthy controls. The biological pathway enrichment analysis revealed that the upregulated genes were mainly involved in glycosylation processes, whereas the downregulated genes were mainly associated with immune cell differentiation process. The gene co-expression network analysis revealed that module 9, enriched in glycosylation-related pathways, was significantly positively correlated with asthma, whereas module 17, associated with insulin and other signaling pathways, showed a significant negative correlation with asthma. We identified the genes of polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 5 (GALNT5), pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase 1 (PYCR1), and carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 5 (CEACAM5) as key genes within module 9, all of which were significantly upregulated in asthma. Finally, we validated that the expression levels of GALNT5, PYCR1, and CEACAM5 were significantly upregulated in epithelial cells from asthmatic lung tissue. Additionally, using a rat asthma model, we further confirmed that the protein levels of these three genes were significantly upregulated in lung tissues of the model group. Conclusion Through data integration and experimental validation, this study identified key genes and biological pathways closely associated with asthma pathogenesis. These findings provide a novel theoretical basis and potential targets for the diagnosis and treatment of asthma.
Asthma/metabolism* ; Humans ; Epithelial Cells/metabolism* ; Animals ; Biomarkers/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Transcriptome ; Gene Regulatory Networks ; Rats ; Computational Biology

Ferroptosis of chondrocytes is a significant contributor to osteoarthritis (OA), for which there is still a lack of safe and effective therapeutic drugs targeting ferroptosis. Here, we screen for anti-ferroptotic drugs in Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug library via a high-throughput manner in chondrocytes. We identified a group of FDA-approved anti-ferroptotic drugs, among which vitamin K showed the most powerful protective effect. Further study demonstrated that vitamin K effectively inhibited ferroptosis and alleviated the extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation in chondrocytes. Intra-articular injection of vitamin K inhibited ferroptosis and alleviated OA phenotype in destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) mouse model. Mechanistically, transcriptome sequencing and knockdown experiments revealed that the anti-ferroptotic effects of vitamin K depended on growth arrest-specific 6 (Gas6). Furthermore, exogenous expression of Gas6 was found to inhibit ferroptosis through the AXL receptor tyrosine kinase (AXL)/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT serine/threonine kinase (AKT) axis. Together, we demonstrate that vitamin K inhibits ferroptosis and alleviates OA progression via enhancing Gas6 expression and its downstream pathway of AXL/PI3K/AKT axis, indicating vitamin K as well as Gas6 to serve as a potential therapeutic target for OA and other ferroptosis-related diseases.

Sini Decoction (SNT) is a traditional formula recognized for its efficacy in warming the spleen and stomach and dispersing cold. However, elucidating the mechanism of action of SNT remains challenging due to its complex multiple components. This study utilized a synergistic approach combining two-dimensional fluorescence difference in gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE)-based drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) with label-free quantitative proteomics techniques to identify the direct and indirect protein targets of SNT in myocardial infarction. The analysis identified 590 proteins, with 30 proteins showing significant upregulation and 51 proteins showing downregulation when comparing the SNT group with the model group. Through the integration of 2D-DIGE DARTS with proteomics data and pharmacological assessments, the findings indicate that protein disulfide-isomerase A3 (PDIA3) may serve as a potential protein target through which SNT provides protective effects on myocardial cells during myocardial infarction.
Myocardial Infarction/genetics* ; Proteomics/methods* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Animals ; Protein Disulfide-Isomerases/genetics* ; Male ; Two-Dimensional Difference Gel Electrophoresis/methods* ; Humans ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional

Objectives:To analyze and compare the disease burden of ischemic stroke due to tobacco exposure (including active and passive smoking) and its changing trends in China from 1990 to 2019,and to provide a reference for precise prevention and control of ischemic stroke. Methods:Based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 database,we analyzed the burden of ischemic stroke disease attributable to tobacco exposure and its trends in different age and sex populations in China from 1990 to 2019,and compared the epidemiological differences in the burden of ischemic stroke disease attributable to active versus passive smoking. Results:Between 1990 and 2019,the disease burden of ischemic stroke attributable to tobacco exposure showed a decreasing trend in China and globally,but the decrease was relatively small in China.In 2019,the age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) and age-standardized disability-adjusted life-year rate (ASDR) of ischemic stroke attributable to tobacco exposure in China were 10.64/100000 and 239.39/100000,both higher than the global average levels (5.85/100000 and 140.23/100000 respectively).The actual mortality and disability-adjusted life year (DALY) rates for ischemic stroke due to tobacco exposure in 2019 increased by 103.79％ and 90.48％,respectively,compared with 1990.There was a sex difference in the disease burden of ischemic stroke due to active and passive smoking,with the number of deaths,mortality,DALY,and DALY rates for ischemic stroke due to active smoking being significantly higher in men than in women.Conversely,the burden of ischemic stroke due to passive smoking was higher in women.At the age level,ischemic stroke attributable to both active and passive smoking presented the highest number of deaths,mortality,and DALY rates among those ≥70 years of age.Whereas DALY for ischemic stroke attributable to active smoking was mainly concentrated in those aged 50-69 years,DALY for ischemic stroke attributable to passive smoking was mainly concentrated in those aged ≥70 years. Conclusions:The disease burden of ischemic stroke attributable to tobacco exposure is higher in China than the global average level.The burden of ischemic stroke disease attributable to active and passive smoking varies significantly by sex and age,and more targeted tobacco control policies should be developed in China.

Objective:To describe functional disability rate of anxiety disorders in Chinese community adults and explore related risk factors of functional disability.Methods:To conduct in-depth data analysis on China Mental Health Survey(CMHS).The diagnostic tool for anxiety disorders was the Composite International Diagnostic Inter-view-3.0,according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders,Fourth Edition(DSM-Ⅳ).The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule,2nd edition,was the functional disability assessment standard for anxiety disorders.Weighted 12-month functional disability rate of DSM-Ⅳ anxiety disorder with co-morbidities and only anxiety disorder in population and those in patients,as well as days of partial disability were calculated.The effects of anxiety disorders comorbid other mental disorders and physical diseases and demographic factors on the severity and occurrence of functional disability were analyzed by multiple linear regression and logis-tic regression.Results:The functional disability rate of anxiety disorder with comorbidities in population was 1.7％,and 42.2％in patients,in which constituent rate of grade-four disability was the highest as 84.1％.The functional disability rate of only anxiety disorder in population was 0.3％,and 17.8％in patients.The medians of days of partial disability days in the past 30 days were from 0 to 14.42.Multiple linear regression showed a positive association between comorbid anxiety disorder with other mental disorders and physical diseases(β=0.24),comor-bid other mental disorders and physical diseases(β=0.21),physical diseases(β=0.18),comorbid anxiety disor-der and physical diseases(β=0.15),comorbid anxiety disorder with other mental disorders(β=0.08),other men-tal disorders(β=0.07),only anxiety disorder(β=0.06),lower education level(β=0.12),lower economic status(β=0.08),older age(β=0.06),non-marital status(β=0.06),male(β=0.02)and the severity of functional dis-ability.Logistic regression showed that comorbid anxiety with other mental disorders and physical diseases(OR=64.07),comorbid anxiety disorders with other mental disorders(OR=36.75),comorbid other mental disorders with physical diseases(OR=20.60),comorbid anxiety with physical diseases(OR=18.88),anxiety disorder(OR=9.20),other mental disorders(OR=6.65),physical diseases(OR=4.00),65 years old and over(OR=4.40),50 to 64 years old(OR=2.33),low economic status(OR=2.10),illiterate and below primary school educational level(OR=1.89),middle economic status(OR=1.70),elementary school educational level(OR=1.59),non-marital status(OR=1.47),male(OR=1.16)were the risk factors of the occurrence of functional disability.Conclusion:Comorbidity of anxiety disorders and other mental disorders,and physical diseases increases severity and occurrence of functional disability.Comorbidity,male,gender,older age,lower economic and educa-tional level and non-marital are risk factors of anxiety disorder functional disability.

Objective:To describe disability rates of dementia in community residents aged 65 years and over in China,and explore related risk factors of disability.Methods:This study conducted an in-depth data analysis of the China Mental Health Survey.World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0(WHODAS 2.0)was used to assess dementia disability,Community Screening Interview for Dementia(CSID)and Geriatric Mental Status Examination(GMS)were used for dementia screening and diagnosing.Univariate analysis was used to calcu-late the weighted disability rates of dementia in population and in patients,and their population distribution.Multiple linear regression and logistic regression were used to analyze the risk factors of the occurrence of dementia disability and its severity.Results:The weighted disability rate of dementia was 2.1％in population,and 38.6％in pa-tients.The disability rates of comorbid dementia in population and in patients were higher than those of patients with only dementia.Female,older age,lower education level,lower economic status,and lower cognitive test scores in CSID had higher disability rates of dementia in population.Female and urban resident had higher disability rates of dementia in patients.Multiple linear regression showed economic status(β=0.11),gender(β=0.11),age(β=0.10),and treatment in the last 12 months(β=-0.20)were statistically associated with WHODAS 2.0 scores.Multiple logistic regression showed female(OR=2.81)and treatment in the last 12 months(OR=2.38)were statistically associated with disability.Conclusions:Persons with low economic status,female and elderly peo-ple are the high-risk groups for dementia disability.It should be paid attention to prevent dementia and its conse-quential disabilities.

Objective To explore the differences in scapular motion and shoulder function between patients suffering from rotator cuff tears(RCT)with and without type Ⅲ scapular dyskinesis(SD).Meth-ods Between September 2021 and March 2023,sixteen patients suffering from rotator cuff tears with SD(SD group)and 17 counterparts without SD(non-SD group)were recruited from the Sports Hospital of the General Administration of Sport of China.Their scapular motion was assessed by measuring three parameters in the X-rays,including scapular spine line(LSS),scapular upward rotation angle(SU-RA),and coracoid upward shift distance(CUSD).Moreover,their shoulder range of motion in flexion,abduction and external rotation were recorded,and further evaluated using the Pain Visual Analog Scale(VAS)and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Score(ASES).Results No significant differenc-es were found between the two groups in the average score of SURA,CUSD and LSS at 0°～30° shoul-der abduction,or in that of CUSD and LSS at 60°～90°shoulder abduction.However,the average SU-RA score of the SD group at 60°～90°shoulder abduction was significantly greater than the other group(P<0.05).The shoulder ranges of motion during active flexion,abduction and external rotation were significantly smaller in the SD group than in the non-SD group(P<0.05).Moreover,the average VAS score in the SD group was significantly higher than the non-SD group(P<0.05),while the average ASES score was significantly lower than the latter group(P<0.05).Conclusions RCT patients type III SD exhibits greater scapular upward rotation during shoulder abduction compared to those without SD.Moreover,the former patients suffer from more severe pain and have worse shoulder range of motion and functional performance than the latter.

Objective:To evaluate trauma repair and reconstruction surgery mediated by near-infrared-Ⅱ (NIR-Ⅱ) imaging in practice of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) principles.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the data of 38 patients who had undergone trauma repair and reconstruction surgery mediated by near-infrared-Ⅱ (NIR-Ⅱ) imaging in practice of ERAS principles at Department of Orthopedic Trauma and Microsurgery, Zhongnan Hospital from May 2021 to December 2021. There were 22 males and 16 females with an age of (50.3±2.7) years. To implement ERAS, NIR-Ⅱ imaging was used for patency evaluation after vascular anastomosis in 14 cases, for skin flap harvesting and perfusion monitoring in 13 cases, and for evaluation of arterial/venous blood supply after finger replantation in 11 cases. Visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores at 2, 7 and 14 days after surgery, length of hospital stay, patient satisfaction [by Chinese Hospital Patient Experience and Satisfaction Monitor (CHPESM)], limb function recovery (by Likert scale) and postoperative complications were recorded.Results:All patients were followed up for more than 14 days. All surgeries succeeded. The reconstructed limbs or flaps survived to recover basically normal shape and function. The VAS scores for all patients were (2.1±0.6) points, (1.6±0.6) points and (0.8±0.4) points on postoperative 2, 7 and 14 days, respectively. The length of hospital stay was (9.8±3.4) days, and the patient satisfaction was >95% at discharge. As for the recovery of limb function at the last follow-up evaluated by the Likert 5-point scale, 12 cases experienced no stiffness, 8 ones mild stiffness, 11 ones slightly severe stiffness, 3 ones moderate to severe stiffness, 2 ones severe stiffness, and 2 ones complete stiffness. Complications related to the surgery occurred in none of the patients.Conclusion:In practice of ERAS principles, application of NIR-Ⅱ imaging in trauma repair and reconstruction surgery can effectively alleviate pain, improve satisfaction, reduce hospital stay, and accelerate functional recovery for the patients.