BACKGROUND: The use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) is a major concern for medication safety as it may entail more harm than potential benefits for older adults. This study aimed to explore the prescribing rate, healthcare utilization, and expenditure of older adults using PIMs in China. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using a national representative database of all medical insurance beneficiaries across China, extracting ambulatory visit records of adults aged 65 years and above between 2015 and 2017. Descriptive analysis was conducted to measure the rate of patients exposed to PIM, prescribing rate of each PIM, average annual outpatient visits per patient, average total medication costs for each visit, average annual cost of PIMs for each patient, and average annual medication costs for each patient. Generalized linear model with logit link function and binomial distribution was used to examine the adjusted associations between PIMs and independent variables. RESULTS: In total, 845,278 (33.2%) participants were identified to be exposed to at least one PIM. Patients aged 75-84 years (38.1%, 969,809/2,545,430) and ≥85 years (37.9%, 964,718/2,545,430) were more likely to be prescribed with PIMs. Beneficiaries of the Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance (UEBMI) and living in eastern and southern regions were more frequently prescribed with PIMs. Compared with patients without PIM exposure (7.5 visits, drug cost of RMB 1545.0 Yuan), patients with PIM exposure showed higher adjusted average annual number of outpatient visits (10.7 visits, β = 3.228, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.196-3.261) and higher annual drug costs (RMB 2461.8 Yuan, Coef. = 916.864, 95% CI = RMB 906.292-927.436 Yuan). CONCLUSIONS The results showed that the use of PIM among older adults was common in China. This study suggests that the use of PIM could be considered as a clear target, pending multidimensional efforts, to promote rational prescribing for older adults.
Humans ; Aged ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Aged, 80 and over ; Male ; Female ; China ; Inappropriate Prescribing/economics* ; Patient Acceptance of Health Care/statistics & numerical data* ; Potentially Inappropriate Medication List/statistics & numerical data* ; Health Expenditures/statistics & numerical data*

This study aims to investigate the optimal ratio of Astragali Radix-Curcumae Rhizoma(AC) for inhibiting the proliferation of 143B osteosarcoma cells, and to investigate the mechanism by which AC inhibits osteosarcoma growth and metastasis through angiogenesis and cell adhesion mediated by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt)/hypoxia inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α) pathway. A subcutaneous 143B tumor-bearing nude mouse model was successfully established and randomly divided into the model group, and the AC 1∶1, 2∶1, and 4∶1 groups. Body weight, tumor volume, and tumor weight were recorded. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR) and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of PI3K, Akt, phosphorylated Akt(p-Akt), HIF-1α, vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGFA), transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1), epithelial cadherin(E-cadherin), neural cadherin(N-cadherin), vimentin, matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP2), matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP9), B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax), and caspase-3 in the hypoxic core region of the tumor tissue. A cell hypoxia model was established, and the effects of AC-medicated serum(model group, AC 1∶1, 2∶1, and 4∶1 groups) on angiogenesis, proliferation, adhesion, invasion, and migration of 143B osteosarcoma cells were examined through CCK-8, flow cytometry, Transwell assay, cell adhesion assay, and HUVEC tube formation assay. The results showed that compared with the model group, the tumor weight and volume were smallest in the 2∶1 group. The expression levels of PI3K, Akt, p-Akt, HIF-1α, VEGFA, and TGF-β1 were significantly decreased, and the protein expression of E-cadherin was significantly increased, while the protein expression of N-cadherin, vimentin, MMP2, and MMP9 was significantly decreased. Additionally, the protein expression of Bax and caspase-3 was significantly increased, and Bcl-2 protein expression was significantly decreased. In vitro experiments showed that after intervention with AC-medicated serum at a 2∶1 ratio, the cell activity, adhesion, invasion, and migration of 143B cells were significantly reduced, apoptosis was significantly increased, and HUVEC tube formation was significantly decreased. In conclusion, the 2∶1 ratio of AC showed the most effective inhibition of 143B cell growth. AC can inhibit the growth and metastasis of osteosarcoma 143B cells by regulating the PI3K/Akt/HIF-1α signaling pathway, inhibiting angiogenesis and reducing cell adhesion, invasion, and migration.
Osteosarcoma/pathology* ; Animals ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics* ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/genetics* ; Humans ; Mice ; Cell Adhesion/drug effects* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Neovascularization, Pathologic/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Mice, Nude ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Astragalus Plant/chemistry* ; Bone Neoplasms/physiopathology* ; Male ; Rhizome/chemistry* ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Angiogenesis

Objective: To analyze changes in Rh system antibodies among antibody-positive patients and evaluate the efficacy of Rh phenotype-matched electronic cross-matching (hereinafter referred to as Rh-ECM). Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on antibody screening data of 48 254 patients in our hospital from December 2023 to March 2025. The antibody screening results were compared between the pre-application phase (n=46 346, control group) and post-application phase (n=48 254, experimental group) of Rh-ECM technology, focusing on the changes in the proportion of Rh system antibodies, with statistical analysis conducted using SPSS 26.0 software. Meanwhile, the initial and re-examination situations of Rh antibody in the antibody screening of approximately 20 000 person-times each before (June 2019 to June 2020, n=21 048) and after (July 2020 to April 2021, n=20 965) of Rh-ECM were evaluated to explore the influence of Rh-ECM on the detection rate of Rh antibody. Results: After Rh-ECM implementation, 345 positive cases (0.7%) (345/48 254) were detected among 48 254 patients, primarily consisting of mns system antibodies (128 cases, 37.1%) (128/345) and rh system antibodies (95 cases, 27.5%) (95/345). Before Rh-ECM implementation, 199 positive cases (0.4%) (199/46 346) were detected among 46 346 patients, with rh system antibodies accounting for 97 cases (48.7%) (97/199). The difference in the composition ratio of Rh antibodies between the two phases was statistically significant (P<0.001), and the relative risk ratio of Rh antibody detection after Rh-ECM implementation was 56.5% compared to before. Another set of data analysis showed that before Rh-ECM, there were 37 cases with initial positive results and 8 cases with re-examination positive results; after Rh-ECM, these numbers were 44 and 2 respectively There was a statistically significant difference in the re-examination positive rate of Rh antibodies between the two stages (P<0.05). Conclusion: The implementation of Rh-ECM technology significantly reduced the proportion of Rh system antibodies among patients with positive antibody screening results. This suggests that Rh-ECM can effectively reduce the detection rate of Rh antibodies, which may be related to the reduced risk of antibody production due to Rh-matched transfusion, thus improving transfusion safety. Therefore, Rh-ECM is worthy of broader promotion in clinical transfusion testing.

Objective:To investigate the conversion of stromal vascular fraction (SVF) in the microenvironment of radiation-induced skin injuries to provide guidance for clinical applications.Methods:Based on a random number table, C57BL/6N mice were categorized into four groups: the blank control, negative control, acute injury, and chronic injury groups, with each group containing 25 mice. The backs of mice in the blank control, acute injury, and chronic injury groups were exposed to 15 Gy X-ray irradiation. Then, the mice in the negative control, acute injury, and chronic injury groups were injected subcutaneously with the SVF derived from B6/G-R mice. The survival of these mice was observed 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 d after the injection through fluorescence tracing and in vivo imaging. Accordingly, the clinical SVF injection regimens were optimized based on the experimental result of mice. Finally, local SVF injection was performed on different frequencies for patients in different wound conditions, with the efficacy being observed. Results:The fluorescence of SVF was observed from the tissue slices of the acute injury, chronic injury, and negative control groups 14 d post-injection. The result showed that the fluorescence intensity of SVF 1, 3, and 7 d post-injection was in the order of the negative control group > the acute injury group > the chronic injury group. The acute injury group ranked at the top and the chronic injury group remained at the bottom 14 d after the injection. The fluorescence of SVF in each group was barely detected 21 d after the injection. Compared to the negative control group, the acute injury group exhibited statistical differences only 14 d post-injection ( t = 4.11, P < 0.05), while the chronic injury group displayed statistical differences 1, 3, 7, and 14 d after the injection ( t = 3.88-5.74, P < 0.05). Furthermore, the acute injury group exhibited significantly higher fluorescence intensity of SVF than the chronic injury group ( t = 4.73-8.38, P < 0.05). The half-life of SVF for the negative control, acute injury, and chronic injury groups was 6.336, 6.014, and 2.163 d, respectively. As indicated by the application of SVF transplantation based on traditional surgical protocols in the clinical trial, SVF can significantly promote wound repair, with earlier SVF transplantation being more beneficial for wound healing. Conclusions:The conversion of SVF differs in the microenvironments of acute and chronic radiation-induced skin injuries. This can serve as an essential guide for the administration timing and injection frequency of SVF in clinical applications.

Air Pollution/analysis* ; Environmental Exposure/analysis* ; China/epidemiology* ; Air Pollutants/analysis* ; Particulate Matter/analysis* ; Environmental Monitoring

Nanomaterial matrices have unique advantages in small molecule analysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry(MALDI-MS).On the basis of comparing different surfactants,a method for pre-coating nanocarbon sodium dodecyl sulfate(SDS)composite matrix was established,which could alleviate the issue of aggregation of nanocarbon particles as a matrix.The experimental results showed that the nanocarbon-SDS composite pre-coated matrix effectively suppressed the background ion peak of the nano matrix,significantly improved the MS peak intensity and signal-to-noise ratio of the tested substance.Under the optimal conditions,cholesterol,1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glyceryl-3-phosphorylcholine(DPPC),and triglyceride standards were analyzed,with intra-point repeatability(RSD)of MS peak intensity≤5%and inter-point repeatability≤7%.As to measurement of cyclic adenosine monophosphate and DPPC samples in the range of 0.05?1.0 mg/mL,linear correlation coefficient(R2)between peak intensity and concentration was greater than 0.993,indicating good quantitative analysis potential.The nanocarbon-SDS composite pre-coating matrix was used for MALDI-MS imaging of pig brain tissue,and the differences in component distribution between pig brain white matter and gray matter were observed,demonstrating the potential of nanocarbon-SDS composite pre-coating matrix for MALDI-MS imaging.

Objective To construct curcumin pyrazole derivative by the reaction of diketone of curcumin and benzylhydrazine based on the above structure-activity relationship,and to explore its antioxidant activity to provide experimental basis for the development of curcumin antioxidant derivative.Methods Curcumin-N-substituted pyrazole derivative was synthesized from curcumin and benzylhydrazine.The structures of the derivative were confirmed by infrared spectroscopy(IR),nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy(1H-NMR,13C-NMR)and LC-MS.The antioxidant activity in vitro of the derivative was evaluated by determination of curcumin and its pyrazole derivative scavenging ability for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH)free radical and 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid(ABTS)free radical.Results Curcumin pyrazole derivative was successfully synthesized.Curcumin and its pyrazole derivative showed good free radical scavenging effects in the range of 4.6-73.6,6.25-100 μg·mL-1,respectively,with a significant dose-effect relationship.The half-maximal inhibition(IC50)values of curcumin and its pyrazole derivatives determined by DPPH method were 14.24,40.37 μg·mL-1,respectively,while the IC50 values of curcumin and its pyrazole derivatives determined by ABTS method were 36.65,19.26 μg·mL-1,respectively.Conclusion The antioxidant activity of β-dione of curcumin was retained through the substitution of the pyrazole ring,and the curcumin pyrazole derivative deserves further investigation as a potential antioxidant.

Aim To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of remimazolam tosylate for administering general anesthesia in morbidly obese patients.Methods This clinical trial was conducted at a single center from De-cember 2021 to October 2023.It assessed 108 morbid-ly obese patients(body mass index,BMI≥40)who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.Patients were randomly assigned to either the remimazaolam group(Group R)or the propofol group(Group P)for general anesthesia induction and maintenance.The primary outcome was to compare the incidence of ad-verse events and postoperative recovery characteristics between the two groups.Results During induction pe-riod,the incidence of adverse events was higher in group P,including hypotension(P＜0.01),hypox-emia(P＜0.05),bradycardia(P＜0.01),and in-creased vasopressor requirement(P＜0.05).The time to loss of consciousness and BIS falling to 60 was shor-ter in group P than in group R(P＜0.01).There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of postoperative quality of recovery(QoR-40 score),24-hour postoperative pain visual an-alogue scale(VAS)scores and morphine consump-tion.In conclusion,remimazolam tosylate,utilized for anesthesia induction in morbidly obese patients,signif-icantly reduced hypotension and hypoxemia compared to propofol,while it could also maintain similar postop-erative recovery quality.Conclusions Remimazolam is effective in reducing the incidence of hypotension and hypoxaemia during the induction period of general anaesthesia in morbidly obese patients and it is compa-rable to propofol in terms of quality of postoperative re-covery.

This study used m-chloropheniperazine(MCPP) and chronic unforeseeable mild stress(CUMS) to induce the rat models of anxiety and depression, respectively. The behaviors of rats were observed by the open field test(OFT), light-dark exploration test(LDE), tail suspension test(TST), and forced swimming test(FST), and the antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of agarwood essential oil(AEO), agarwood fragrant powder(AFP), and agarwood line incense(ALI) were explored. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to determine the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT), glutamic acid(Glu), and γ-aminobutyric acid(GABA_A) in the hippocampal area. The Western blot assay was used to determine the protein expression levels of glutamate receptor 1(GluR1) and vesicular glutamate transporter type 1(VGluT1), exploring the anxiolytic and antidepressant mechanism of agarwood inhalation. The results showed that compared with the anxiety model group, the AEO, AFP, and ALI groups decreased the total distance(P<0.05), decreased the velocity of movements(P<0.05), prolonged the immobile time(P<0.05), and reduced the distance and velocity of the rat model of anxiety in the dark box(P<0.05). Compared with the depression model group, the AEO, AFP, and ALI groups increased the total distance and average velocity(P<0.05), reduced the immobile time(P<0.05), and reduced the forced swimming and tail suspension time(P<0.05). In terms of transmitter regulation, the AEO, AFP, and ALI groups decreased the level of Glu in the rat model of anxiety(P<0.05) and increased the levels of GABA_A and 5-HT(P<0.05), while the AEO, AFP, and ALI groups all increased the level of 5-HT in the rat model of depression(P<0.05) and decreased the levels of GABA_A and Glu(P<0.05). At the same time, the AEO, AFP, and ALI groups all increased the protein expression levels of GluR1 and VGluT1 in the hippocampus of the rat models of anxiety and depression(P<0.05). In conclusion, AEO, AFP, and ALI exert anxiolytic and antidepressant effects, and the mechanism might be related to the regulation of the neurotransmitter and the protein expression of GluR1 and VGluT1 in the hippocampus.
Animals ; Rats ; Anti-Anxiety Agents ; Serotonin ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; Antidepressive Agents ; Glutamic Acid ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid

The National Life Science Competition for College Students has been held for five times, which has become the largest and most influential life science competition in China. The competition is designed to follow principles of "interest-driven, scientific exploration, process evaluation and ability improvement". The holding of the competition has effectively improved the training quality of life science talents in colleges and universities. This paper summarized the development, organization and management of the competition as well as the organizational characteristics of the competition. It may serve as a guidance for colleges and universities to organize students to participate in the competition, and improve the fostering of talents in the field of life sciences in colleges and universities nationwide.
Biological Science Disciplines ; Curriculum ; Humans ; Quality of Life ; Students ; Universities