Objective To observe the effect of light emitting diode (LED) red light irradiation on serum lipid in experimental hyperlipidemia rats. Methods 36 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control group (n=12) and hyperlipidemic model group (n=24). The normal group was fed with normal diet while the hyperlipidemic model group with fat-rich forage for 6 weeks. The hyperlipidemic model group rats were randomly divided into the hyperlipidemic control group (n=12) and LED treatment group (n=12), and the latter accepted LED red light irradiation for 28 d. The levels of serum lipid including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), and the activities of lipoproteinesterase (LPL) and hepatic lipase (HL) were detected with biochemical assay. The expression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reducase (HMG-CR) of hepatic tissue were measured with immunohistochemical staining. Results Compared with the hyperlipidemic control group, the levels of serum TC, TG and LDL-C decreased while the serum HDL-C increased significantly in the LED treatment group (P<0.01) after treated with LED. The levels of LPL and HL in serum increased (P<0.01) while the activity of HMG-CR decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion LED red light irradiation might play a regulating effect on serum lipid by enhancing the activities of LPL and HL and inhibiting the expression of HMG-CR to interfere the metabolism of TC, TG, LDL-C and HDL-C.

Objective To investigate the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on aphasia recovery after stroke. Meth-ods From April, 2012 to January, 2013, 20 aphasic patients after stroke were enrolled in an A-B experiment design. During phase A, ten times of sham tDCS and language training (five days a week) were implemented, then ten times language training combined with tDCS (five days a week) were implemented in phase B. The treatment lasted for four weeks. Picture naming was measured for all patients before and af-ter treatment both in phase A and phase B. Results The D-value scores of picture naming before and after treatment were significantly more in phase B than in phase A in both treatment items and non-treatment items (t>3.030, P<0.05). Conclusion tDCS could raise the accuracy of picture naming in patients with aphasia after stroke.

BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells with strong proliferative ability have rich sources and can remarkably promote tendon-bone healing after celltransplantation.
OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells on tendon-bone healing in a bone tunnel.
METHODS:Human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells were separated using adherent separation screening method. Thirty 8-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups, 15 rats as experimental group and 15 rats as control group. Experimental group were subjected to transplantation of human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells and the control group were injected with saline solution.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Stem cells, new vessels, and fibrocartilage hyperplasia were observed on the tendon-bone interface with microscope at 2, 4 and 6 weeks after celltransplantation in the experimental group. Biomechanical y, the maximum pul out load in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group at 4 and 6 weeks after celltransplantation (P<0.05). These findings suggest that human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells can accelerate early tendon-bone healing in a bone tunnel and strengthen the biomechanical strength.

Objective To study the effect of motor imagery on balance rehabilitation in hemiplegics after stroke.Methods 20 hemiplegic patients who were in chronic stage(above 6 months)were randomly divided into two groups.Normal rehabilitation was performed in the whole stage and motor imagery was added in group A in stage Ⅰ and group B in stage Ⅱ.All patients were assessed with Berg Balance Scale(BBS),blance subscale of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment(FM-B),max affected limb-loading per weight and Functional Independence Measure(FIM)at the beginning and the ending of the every stage,respectively.Results The deference scores of BBS and FIM,as well as max affected limb-loading per weight between in the stage with motor imagery was better than those in the stage without motor imagery(P<0.01),as well as that of FM-B score(P<0.05).Conclusion Motor imagery can improve balance rehabilitation and activity of daily living in chronic hemiplegics.

Objective To analyze the feasibility of incorporation of tracking visual pathway fiber bundles by diffusion tensor imaging ( DTI) in computed tomography ( CT) simulation to develop a protective radiotherapy regimen for cerebral gliomas.Methods A total of 31 patients with cerebral gliomas who were admitted to our hospital from 2013 to 2015 and planed to receive postoperative radiotherapy were enrolled as subjects.All patients underwent CT simulation, conventional or contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, and DTI.The obtained DTI images of visual pathway fiber bundles were fused with 3DT1 anatomical scans and then imported into the treatment planning system.A protective treatment plan ( setting the entire visual pathway fiber bundles as organs at risk (OARs)) and a conventional treatment plan were made for intensity-modulated radiotherapy ( IMRT) .Comparison of treatment outcomes was made by paired t test.Results There were no significant differences in the conformity index and heterogeneity index of the planning target volume between the two treatment plans ( P=0.875,0.597), both of which had sufficient radiation doses to the target volume and conventional OARs protected.For the patients undergoing the protective treatment plan, the Dmax and Dmean values were reduced to 9.01%and 9.05%, respectively, in the ipsilateral optic tract and to 17.96%and 15.52%, respectively, in the contralateral optic tract;the Dmax and Dmean values were reduced to 5.37%and 5.48%(P=0.000), respectively, in the ipsilateral optic radiation tract and to 12.89%and 11.21%( P=0.000) , respectively, in the contralateral optic radiation tract.Conclusions The protective treatment plan based on CT simulation combined with the display of visual pathway fiber bundles by DTI can reduce the radiation dose to the entire visual pathway fiber bundles, which keeps the risk of visual dysfunction after radiotherapy as low as possible.

Intestinal fibrosis associated stricture is a common complication of inflammatory bowel disease usually requiring endoscopic or surgical intervention. Effective anti-fibrotic agents aiming to control or reverse intestinal fibrosis are still unavailable. Thus, clarifying the mechanism underpinning intestinal fibrosis is imperative. Fibrosis is characterized by an excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins at the injured sites. Multiple cellular types are implicated in fibrosis development. Among these cells, mesenchymal cells are major compartments that are activated and then enhance the production of ECM. Additionally, immune cells contribute to the persistent activation of mesenchymal cells and perpetuation of inflammation. Molecules are messengers of crosstalk between these cellular compartments. Although inflammation is necessary for fibrosis development, purely controlling intestinal inflammation cannot halt the development of fibrosis, suggesting that chronic inflammation is not the unique contributor to fibrogenesis. Several inflammation-independent mechanisms including gut microbiota, creeping fat, ECM interaction, and metabolic reprogramming are involved in the pathogenesis of fibrosis. In the past decades, substantial progress has been made in elucidating the cellular and molecular mechanisms of intestinal fibrosis. Here, we summarized new discoveries and advances of cellular components and major molecular mediators that are associated with intestinal fibrosis, aiming to provide a basis for exploring effective anti-fibrotic therapies in this field.

Objective:To explore the effects of interpregnancy interval (IPI) on pregnancy outcomes of subsequent pregnancy.Methods:A multicenter retrospective study was conducted in 21 hospitals in China. Information of age, height, pre-pregnancy weight, IPI, history of diseases, complications of pregnancy, gestational age of delivery, delivery mode, and pregnancy outcomes of the participants were collected by consulting medical records of pregnant women who had two consecutive deliveries in the same hospital during 2011 to 2018. The participants were divided into 4 groups according to IPI:<18 months, 18-23 months, 24-59 months and ≥60 months. According to the WHO′s recommendation, with the IPI of 24-59 months group as a reference, to the effects of IPI on pregnancy outcomes of subsequent pregnancy were analyzed. Stratified analysis was further carried out based on age, history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), macrosomia, and premature delivery, to explore the differences in the effects of IPI on pregnancy outcomes among women with different characteristics.Results:A total of 8 026 women were included in this study. There were 423, 623, 5 512 and 1 468 participants in <18 months group, 18-23 months group, 24-59 months group and ≥60 months group, respectively. (1) The age, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), history of cesarean section, GDM, gestational hypertension and cesarean section delivery rate of <18 months group, 18-23 months group, 24-59 months group and ≥60 months group were gradually increased, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). (2) After adjusting for potential confounding factors, compared with women in the IPI of 24-59 months group, the risk of premature delivery, premature rupture of membranes, and oligohydramnios were increased by 42% ( OR=1.42, 95% CI: 1.07-1.88, P=0.015), 46% ( OR=1.46, 95% CI: 1.13-1.88, P=0.004), and 64% ( OR=1.64, 95% CI: 1.13-2.38, P=0.009) respectively for women in the IPI≥60 months group. No effects of IPI on other pregnancy outcomes were found in this study ( P>0.05). (3) After stratified by age and adjusted for confounding factors, compared with women in the IPI of 24-59 months group, IPI≥60 months would significantly increase the risk of oligohydramnios for women with advanced age ( OR=2.87, 95% CI: 1.41-5.83, P=0.004); and <18 months could increase the risk of premature rupture of membranes for women under the age of 35 ( OR=1.59, 95% CI: 1.04-2.43, P=0.032). Both the risk of premature rupture of membranes ( OR=1.58, 95% CI: 1.18-2.13, P=0.002) and premature delivery ( OR=1.52, 95% CI: 1.07-2.17, P=0.020) were significantly increased in the IPI≥60 months group. After stratified by history of GDM and adjusted for confounding factors, compared with women in the IPI of 24-59 months group, IPI≥60 months would lead to an increased risk of postpartum hemorrhage for women with a history of GDM ( OR=5.34, 95% CI: 1.45-19.70, P=0.012) and an increased risk of premature rupture of membranes for women without a history of GDM ( OR=1.44, 95% CI: 1.10-1.90, P=0.009). After stratified by history of macrosomia and adjusted for confounding factors, compared with women in the IPI of 24-59 months group, IPI≥60 months could increase the proportion of cesarean section for women with a history of macrosomia ( OR=4.11, 95% CI: 1.18-14.27, P=0.026) and the risk of premature rupture of membranes for women without a history of macrosomia ( OR=1.46, 95% CI: 1.12-1.89, P=0.005). After stratified by history of premature delivery and adjusted for confounding factors, compared with women in the IPI of 24-59 months group, IPI≥60 months would significantly increase the risk of premature rupture of membranes for women without a history of premature delivery ( OR=1.47, 95% CI: 1.13-1.92, P=0.004). Conclusions:Both IPI≥60 months and <18 months would increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in the subsequent pregnancy. Healthcare education and consultation should be conducted for women of reproductive age to maintain an appropriate IPI when they plan to pregnant again, to reduce the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in the subsequent pregnancy.

Objective : To investigate the effect of erythropoietin producing hepatocyte kinase receptor ligand B2-erythropoietin producing hepatocyte kinase receptor B4 (EphrinB2/EphB4) on the osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells in a hypoxic environment to provide experimental evidence for hypoxia regulation of osteoblast differentiation. Methods : Control groups and cobalt chloride (CoCl2)-induced hypoxia groups were set up first. qRT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of the osteogenic markers alkaline phosphatase (ALP), collogen1 (COL I), runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) and osteocalcin (OCN). ALP staining was used to detect the activity of cell alkaline phosphatase after osteogenic induction. The mRNA and protein expression levels of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), EphrinB2 and EphB4 in the two groups were detected via qRT-PCR and Western blot. Then, the CoCl2 + inhibitor group was established. NVP-BHG712, an EphB4 phosphorylation inhibitor, was added to this group to prevent EphrinB2 from binding to EphB4 and producing signals. qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of osteogenic markers, including ALP, RUNX2, COL I, and OCN. ALP staining and Alizarin red S staining were used to measure osteoblast differentiation and mineralization. Results : Compared with the control group, the mRNA expression of the osteogenic differentiation markers ALP, RUNX2, COL-1, and OCN in MC3T3-E1 cells increased, and ALP activity and mineralization were enhanced under CoCl2-induced hypoxia in vitro (P<0.05). Additionally, the expression of HIF-1α, EphrinB2 and EphB4 was upregulated at the mRNA and protein levels under hypoxia (P<0.05). When NVP-BHG712 was used to block the connection between EphrinB2 and EphB4, the expression of osteogenic markers and ALP activity and mineralization were decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion EphrinB2/EphB4 can promote osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells and increase the expression of osteogenic markers and tissue mineralization in a hypoxic environment.

ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Xibining （XBN） and adipose stem cell exosome （ADSC-Exos） in the cases of separate or joint application on cartilage degeneration and mitochondrial autophagy and explore its mechanism of action to improve knee osteoarthritis （KOA）. MethodSD rats were divided into a sham operation group （sham group）， a model group， an ADSC-Exos group （Exos group）， an XBN group， and an ADSC-Exos+XBN group （Exos+XBN group）. KOA model was established by using anterior cruciate ligament transection （ACLT）. The pain sensitivity status of rats was evaluated， and the degeneration degree of the knee joint and cartilage tissue was detected by Micro-CT and pathological staining. The expression of p62 and LC3B was observed by immunofluorescence， and the serum levels of TNF-α， IL-1β， IL-6， and IL-15 in rats were detected by ELISA. The Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of MMP-3， MMP-13， ADAMTS5， ColⅡ， TIMP， ACAN， PINK1， Parkin， p62， and LC3A/B. ResultCompared with the sham group， rats in the model group showed decreased cold-stimulated foot-shrinkage thresholds and mechanical pain sensitivity thresholds， varying degrees of abrasion and loss of cartilage tissue， degeneration of cartilage tissue， elevated serum IL-1β， IL-6， IL-15， and TNF-α levels （P<0.01）， and increased protein expression of MMP-3， MMP-13， and ADAMTS5 in cartilage tissue. In addition， the protein expression of ColⅡ， TIMP1， and ACAN was decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， rats in each treatment group showed higher cold-stimulated foot-shrinkage thresholds and mechanical pain sensitivity thresholds， reduced cartilage tissue degeneration， lower serum levels of IL-1β， IL-6， IL-15， and TNF-α （P<0.05，P<0.01）， decreased protein expression of MMP-3， MMP-13， and ADAMTS5， and higher protein expression of Cold， TIMP1， and ACAN in cartilage tissue （P<0.05，P<0.01）. Moreover， the changes were the most obvious in the Exos+XBN group. ConclusionBoth ADSCs-Exos and XBN can increase the level of mitochondrial autophagy in chondrocytes and delay cartilage tissue degeneration by promoting the expression of the PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway， and the combination of the two can enhance the therapeutic effect.

Climate change has led to an increasing frequency and intensity of extreme climate events such as heat and drought extremes with considerable global public health burden. This systematic review collected 87 domestic and international studies from 2000 to 2023, considering the impacts of heat extremes, drought extremes, and compound hot-dry events on infectious diseases attributable to various transmission pathways such as waterborne, foodborne, insect-borne, airborne, and contact-transmitted diseases. Our results showed that high temperature was associated with increased transmission risks of waterborne and foodborne diseases including infectious diarrheal diseases (cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and paratyphoid) and infectious gastroenteritis; vector-borne diseases including dengue fever, Zika virus (ZIKV) disease, chikungunya fever, malaria, West Nile fever, and Rift Valley fever; airborne diseases including influenza-like diseases, influenza A, measles, and mumps; and contact-transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS, schistosomiasis, and leptospirosis. Additionally, drought conditions also amplified the transmission risks of waterborne and foodborne diseases including cholera, Escherichia coli infection, rotavirus infection, and hepatitis E; vector-borne diseases such as scrub typhus, schistosomiasis, hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, and West Nile fever; airborne diseases including meningococcal meningitis, pertussis, measles, and upper respiratory infections; and contact-transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS. Along with global warming, the frequency of compound high temperature and drought events shows a considerably increasing trend, causing more adverse health effects than heat or drought alone. However, there is limited research quantifying their effects on infectious diseases. These associations may be mediated through temperature and precipitation on infectious disease pathogens, transmission vectors, population susceptibility, public health services, and behaviors. In the context of climate change, the increasing occurrence of compound events of high temperatures and droughts raises health concerns, and further studies are needed to enhance our understanding of the impacts of climate change on infectious diseases and improve human adaption to climate change.