Objective: To construct a hypertension risk prediction model for residents aged 18-79 years, so as to provide an assessment tool for early screening and prevention of hypertension in high-risk groups. Methods: The permanent residents aged 18-79 years from 6 townships (streets) in Fangshan District of Beijing Municipality were selected as the study subjects using a multi-stage stratified random sampling method from March to June 2023. Demographic information, lifestyle, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and blood lipid were collected through questionnaire survey, physical examination, and laboratory tests. Subjects were randomly divided into training and validation sets at a 7∶3 ratio. The logistic regression model was used to screen the risk factors of hypertension, and a hypertension risk prediction nomogram was constructed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis were used to verify the discrimination, fit, and clinical application value of the model. Results: A total of 4 438 subjects were included, including 2 365 males (53.29%) and 2 073 females (46.71%), with a mean age of (44.99±14.90) years. The prevalence of hypertension was 35.29% (1 566 cases), and the standardized prevalence was 24.74%. The logistic regression model screened out 9 influencing factors of hypertension. The nomogram was established as ln[p/ (1-p)]= -2.873 + 0.935×40-<50 years + 1.463×50-<60 years + 1.908×60-<70 years + 2.346×70-79 years + 0.298×male-0.675×college degree or above + 0.384×smoking + 0.227×drinking + 0.572×overweight + 1.449×obesity + 0.557×heart rate ≥80 beats/min + 0.428×diabetes + 0.484×dyslipidemia. The area under the ROC curve of the validation set was 0.821 (95%CI: 0.798-0.843), and the calibration curve results showed that the calibration curve fitted the actual curve well. Decision curve analysis showed that the threshold probability was in the range of 0.10 to 0.70, and the model had good predictive value and clinical application value. Conclusion The nomogram based on age, gender, educational level, smoking, drinking, body mass index, heart rate, diabetes, and dyslipidemia can be used to predict the risk of hypertension among residents aged 18-79 years.

This study investigates the genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships of different Artemisia argyi germplasm resources to provide a basis for germplasm identification, variety selection, and resource protection. A total of 192 germplasm resources of A. argyi were studied, and EST-based simple sequence repeat(EST-SSR) primers were designed based on transcriptomic data of A. argyi. Polymerase chain reaction(PCR) amplification was performed on these resources, followed by fluorescence capillary electrophoresis to detect genetic diversity and construct DNA fingerprints. From 197 pairs of primers designed, 28 pairs with polymorphic and clear bands were selected. A total of 278 alleles were detected, with an average of 9.900 0 alleles per primer pair and an average effective number of alleles of 1.407 2. The Shannon's diversity index(I) for the A. argyi germplasm resources ranged from 0.148 1 to 0.418 0, with an average of 0.255 7. The polymorphism information content(PIC) ranged from 0.454 5 to 0.878 0, with an average of 0.766 9, showing high polymorphism. Cluster analysis divided the A. argyi germplasm resources into three major groups: Group Ⅰ contained 136 germplasm samples, Group Ⅱ contained 45, and Group Ⅲ contained 11. Principal component analysis also divided the resources into three groups, which was generally consistent with the clustering results. Mantel test results showed that the genetic variation in A. argyi populations was to some extent influenced by geographic distance, but the effect was minimal. Structure analysis showed that 190 germplasm materials had Q≥ 0.6, indicating that these germplasm materials had a relatively homogeneous genetic origin. Furthermore, 8 core primer pairs were selected from the 28 designed primers, which could distinguish various germplasm types. Using these 8 core primers, DNA fingerprints for the 192 A. argyi germplasm resources were successfully constructed. EST-SSR molecular markers can be used to study the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of A. argyi, providing theoretical support for the identification and molecular-assisted breeding of A. argyi germplasm resources.
Artemisia/classification* ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Genetic Variation ; Expressed Sequence Tags ; DNA Fingerprinting ; Phylogeny ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; DNA, Plant/genetics* ; Genetic Markers

This study aims to explore the protective effect of Chaihu Jia Longgu Muli Decoction on rats with heart failure after myocardial infarction, and to clarify its possible mechanisms, providing a new basis for basic research on the mechanism of classic Chinese medicinal formula-mediated inflammatory response in preventing and treating heart failure induced by apoptosis after myocardial infarction. A heart failure model after myocardial infarction was established in rats by coronary artery ligation. The rats were divided into sham group, model group, and low, medium, and high-dose groups of Chaihu Jia Longgu Muli Decoction, with 10 rats in each group. The low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups of Chaihu Jia Longgu Muli Decoction were given 6.3, 12.6, and 25.2 g·kg~(-1) doses by gavage, respectively. The sham group and model group were given an equal volume of distilled water by gavage once daily for four consecutive weeks. Cardiac function was assessed using color Doppler echocardiography. Myocardial pathology was detected by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, apoptosis was measured by TUNEL assay, and mitophagy was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin(IL)-1β, and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP) in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The expression of apoptosis-related proteins B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax), and cleaved caspase-3 was detected by Western blot. Additionally, the expression of phosphorylated nuclear transcription factor-κB(NF-κB) p65(p-NF-κB p65)(upstream) and nuclear factor kappa B inhibitor alpha(IκBα)(downstream) in the NF-κB signaling pathway was assessed by Western blot. The results showed that compared with the sham group, left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) and left ventricular short axis shortening(LVFS) in the model group were significantly reduced, while left ventricular end diastolic diameter(LVEDD) and left ventricular end systolic diameter(LVESD) increased significantly. Myocardial tissue damage was severe, with widened intercellular spaces and disorganized cell arrangement. The apoptosis rate was increased, and mitochondria were enlarged with increased vacuoles. Levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and NT-proBNP were elevated, indicating an obvious inflammatory response. The expression of pro-apoptotic factors Bax and cleaved caspase-3 increased, while the anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 decreased. The expression of p-NF-κB p65 was upregulated, and the expression of IκBα was downregulated. In contrast, the Chaihu Jia Longgu Muli Decoction groups showed significantly improved of LVEF, LVFS and decreased LVEDD, LVESD compared to the model group. Myocardial tissue damage was alleviated, and intercellular spaces were reduced. The apoptosis rate decreased, mitochondrial volume decreased, and the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and NT-proBNP were lower. The expression of pro-apoptotic factors Bax and cleaved caspase-3 decreased, while the expression of the anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 increased. Additionally, the expression of p-NF-κB p65 decreased, while IκBα expression increased. In summary, this experimental study shows that Chaihu Jia Longgu Muli Decoction can reduce the inflammatory response and apoptosis rate in rats with heart failure after myocardial infarction, which may be related to the regulation of the IκBα/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Animals ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Rats ; Myocardial Infarction/physiopathology* ; Male ; NF-kappa B/genetics* ; Heart Failure/etiology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha/genetics* ; Humans ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics*

Objective To investigate the population composition,seasonal dynamics,and infestation levels of cockroaches in Lanzhou,China,and to provide information for the scientific development of cockroach control strategies.Methods Monitoring was conducted at three locations using the sticky trap method.Habitats included farm product markets,catering establishments,hotels,hospitals,and residential areas.Results From 2016 to 2023,the average cockroach density was 0.77 insects per board,with an average infestation rate of 10.84%.Blattella germanica was the dominant species.Seasonal density of cockroaches showed an approximately unimodal distribution,peaking in September.The highest average density and infestation rates were observed in farm product markets.Conclusions Cockroach density and infestation levels in Lanzhou remained relatively low.A comprehensive prevention and control strategy focusing on environmental management in key areas should be implemented according to the seasonal fluctuations.

Objective To investigate the effect of remimazolam(Rem)on retinal ischemia-reper-fusion injury(RIRI)in rats and its regulatory mechanism on the high-mobility group box 1(HMGB1)/receptor for advanced glycation end products(RAGE)/nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)signaling pathway.Methods Rats were randomly divided into Sham group,Model group,Rem-L group(low-dose Rem),Rem-M group(medium-dose Rem),Rem-H group(high-dose Rem),and high-dose Rem plus HMGB1 activator dexamethasone(DEX)group(Rem-H+DEX group),with 15 rats in each group.Except for the Sham group,RIRI model was established in the other groups by increasing in-traocular pressure.Hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining was used to observe the changes in retinal tissue structure in each group.The TUNEL method was used to detect retinal tissue apoptosis.En-zyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was performed to detect the expression levels of interleu-kin-1β(IL-1β),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),and interleukin-6(IL-6)in the serum of rats in each group.Kits were used to detect the levels of oxidative stress indicators,including superoxide dis-mutase(SOD),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-PX),and malondialdehyde(MDA).Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of hypoxia-related factors[hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)]and HMGB1/RAGE/NF-κB signaling pathway-related proteins in retinal tissue.Results Compared with the Sham group,the Model group showed severe retinal edema,a significant decrease in the number of ganglion cells,vacuolar changes in cells with disordered arrangement,and widened cell gaps.With increasing doses of Rem,the degree of retinal edema gradually decreased,the number of ganglion cells increased,and their arrangement became more orderly in RIRI rats.Compared with the Sham group,the Model group exhibited increased ret-inal cell apoptosis rate,serum levels of IL-1 β,IL-6,and TNF-α and increased expression levels of MDA,HMGB1,RAGE,NF-κB,HIF-1α and VEGF in retinal tissue,while the expression levels of SOD and GSH-PX decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with the Model group,the Rem-L,Rem-M,and Rem-H groups showed dose-dependent decreases in retinal cell apoptosis rate,serum levels of IL-1 β,IL-6,and TNF-α,and expression levels of MDA,HMGB1,RAGE,NF-κB,HIF-1α and VEGF in retinal tissue,with dose-dependent increases in the expression levels of SOD and GSH-PX(P＜0.05).Compared with the Rem-H group,the Rem-H+DEX group showed reversed trends in the above indicators.Conclusion Rem can inhibit the occurrence of RIRI in rats,and its mecha-nism of action may be related to the regulation of the HMGB1/RAGE/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Background/Aims: Early detection and effective prognosis prediction in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) provide an avenue for survival improvement, yet more effective approaches are greatly needed. We sought to develop the detection and prognosis models with ultra-sensitivity and low cost based on fragmentomic features of circulating cell free mtDNA (ccf-mtDNA). Methods: Capture-based mtDNA sequencing was carried out in plasma cell-free DNA samples from 1168 participants, including 571 patients with HCC, 301 patients with chronic hepatitis B or liver cirrhosis (CHB/LC) and 296 healthy controls (HC). Results: The systematic analysis revealed significantly aberrant fragmentomic features of ccf-mtDNA in HCC group when compared with CHB/LC and HC groups. Moreover, we constructed a random forest algorithm-based HCC detection model by utilizing ccf-mtDNA fragmentomic features. Both internal and two external validation cohorts demonstrated the excellent capacity of our model in distinguishing early HCC patients from HC and highrisk population with CHB/LC, with AUC exceeding 0.983 and 0.981, sensitivity over 89.6% and 89.61%, and specificity over 98.20% and 95.00%, respectively, greatly surpassing the performance of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and mtDNA copy number. We also developed an HCC prognosis prediction model by LASSO-Cox regression to select 20 fragmentomic features, which exhibited exceptional ability in predicting 1-year, 2-year and 3-year survival (AUC=0.8333, 0.8145 and 0.7958 for validation cohort, respectively). Conclusions We have developed and validated a high-performing and low-cost approach in a large clinical cohort based on aberrant ccf-mtDNA fragmentomic features with promising clinical translational application for the early detection and prognosis prediction of HCC patients.

Background/Aims: Early detection and effective prognosis prediction in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) provide an avenue for survival improvement, yet more effective approaches are greatly needed. We sought to develop the detection and prognosis models with ultra-sensitivity and low cost based on fragmentomic features of circulating cell free mtDNA (ccf-mtDNA). Methods: Capture-based mtDNA sequencing was carried out in plasma cell-free DNA samples from 1168 participants, including 571 patients with HCC, 301 patients with chronic hepatitis B or liver cirrhosis (CHB/LC) and 296 healthy controls (HC). Results: The systematic analysis revealed significantly aberrant fragmentomic features of ccf-mtDNA in HCC group when compared with CHB/LC and HC groups. Moreover, we constructed a random forest algorithm-based HCC detection model by utilizing ccf-mtDNA fragmentomic features. Both internal and two external validation cohorts demonstrated the excellent capacity of our model in distinguishing early HCC patients from HC and highrisk population with CHB/LC, with AUC exceeding 0.983 and 0.981, sensitivity over 89.6% and 89.61%, and specificity over 98.20% and 95.00%, respectively, greatly surpassing the performance of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and mtDNA copy number. We also developed an HCC prognosis prediction model by LASSO-Cox regression to select 20 fragmentomic features, which exhibited exceptional ability in predicting 1-year, 2-year and 3-year survival (AUC=0.8333, 0.8145 and 0.7958 for validation cohort, respectively). Conclusions We have developed and validated a high-performing and low-cost approach in a large clinical cohort based on aberrant ccf-mtDNA fragmentomic features with promising clinical translational application for the early detection and prognosis prediction of HCC patients.

Background/Aims: Early detection and effective prognosis prediction in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) provide an avenue for survival improvement, yet more effective approaches are greatly needed. We sought to develop the detection and prognosis models with ultra-sensitivity and low cost based on fragmentomic features of circulating cell free mtDNA (ccf-mtDNA). Methods: Capture-based mtDNA sequencing was carried out in plasma cell-free DNA samples from 1168 participants, including 571 patients with HCC, 301 patients with chronic hepatitis B or liver cirrhosis (CHB/LC) and 296 healthy controls (HC). Results: The systematic analysis revealed significantly aberrant fragmentomic features of ccf-mtDNA in HCC group when compared with CHB/LC and HC groups. Moreover, we constructed a random forest algorithm-based HCC detection model by utilizing ccf-mtDNA fragmentomic features. Both internal and two external validation cohorts demonstrated the excellent capacity of our model in distinguishing early HCC patients from HC and highrisk population with CHB/LC, with AUC exceeding 0.983 and 0.981, sensitivity over 89.6% and 89.61%, and specificity over 98.20% and 95.00%, respectively, greatly surpassing the performance of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and mtDNA copy number. We also developed an HCC prognosis prediction model by LASSO-Cox regression to select 20 fragmentomic features, which exhibited exceptional ability in predicting 1-year, 2-year and 3-year survival (AUC=0.8333, 0.8145 and 0.7958 for validation cohort, respectively). Conclusions We have developed and validated a high-performing and low-cost approach in a large clinical cohort based on aberrant ccf-mtDNA fragmentomic features with promising clinical translational application for the early detection and prognosis prediction of HCC patients.

Objective To systematically analyze the risk prediction instruments for central line associated bloodstream infection in ICU patients,with a view to provide references for clinical practice.Methods The PubMed,Embase,Web of Science,Cochrane Library,CIN AHL,CNKI,WanFang,VIP and CBM Database were searched from inception to May 2024.There were 2 researchers who independently screened the literature,extracted the information,and assessed the risk of bias and applicability of the included literature.Results 11 studies were involved in the final review,involving 9 risk prediction models and 2 risk assessment tables,9 of which validated the predictive efficacy or reliability and validity of the instruments.Conclusion The risk prediction instruments for central line associated bloodstream infection in ICU patients had good predictive efficacy and applicability,but the overall risk of bias was high.It is recommended that further examination,verification the existing instruments should be conducted,or to build a prediction instrument with low risk of bias and high applicability.

Allergic rhinitis (AR), a globally prevalent immune-mediated inflammatory condition, is still an incurable disease. In the present study, we have validated the impact of the Kelch-like ECH associated protein 1 (Keap1)-related oxidative stress and inflammatory response in clinical AR patient peripheral blood and nasal swab samples, emphasizing the biological relevance of Keap1 and AR. Targeting Keap1 -nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) related anti-oxidative stress may be effective for AR intervention. Drawing inspiration from the Keap1 homodimerization and the E3 ligase characteristics, we herein present a design of novel bivalent molecules for chemical knockdown of Keap1. For the first time, we characterized ternary complexes of Keap1 dimer and one molecule of bivalent compounds. The best bivalent molecule 8 encompasses robust capacity to degrade Keap1 as a homoPROTAC^KEAP1. It efficaciously suppresses inflammatory cytokines in extensively different cells, including human nasal epithelial cells. Moreover, in an AR mouse model, we confirmed that the chemical degradation induced by homoPROTAC^KEAP1 led to therapeutic benefits in managing AR symptoms, oxidative stress and inflammation. In summary, our findings underscore the efficacy of targeting the Keap1 system through the homoPROTAC-ing technology as an innovative and promising treatment strategy for the incurable allergic disorders.