This study investigated the role of the nuclear factor of activated T cells c3 (NFATc3) in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) during aortic aneurysm and dissection (AAD) progression and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Cytoplasmic and nuclear NFATc3 levels were elevated in human and mouse AAD. VSMC-NFATc3 deletion reduced thoracic AAD (TAAD) and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) progression in mice, contrary to VSMC-NFATc3 overexpression. VSMC-NFATc3 deletion reduced extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and maintained the VSMC contractile phenotype. Nuclear NFATc3 targeted and transcriptionally upregulated matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and MMP2, promoting ECM degradation and AAD development. NFATc3 promoted VSMC phenotypic switching by binding to eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2) and inhibiting its phosphorylation in the VSMC cytoplasm. Restoring eEF2 reversed the beneficial effects in VSMC-specific NFATc3-knockout mice. Cabamiquine-targets eEF2 and inhibits protein synthesis-inhibited AAD development and progression in VSMC-NFATc3-overexpressing mice. VSMC-NFATc3 promoted VSMC switch and ECM degradation while exacerbating AAD development, making it a novel potential therapeutic target for preventing and treating AAD.

Abstract: Objective　To find out the causes and risk factors of this food-borne disease outbreak that occurred in November 2019 at four schools in Qinzhou, Guangxi, implement effective preventive and control measures to curb the spread and escalation of the outbreak, and provide a basis for the investigation and management of similar incidents in the future. Methods　Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the cases' clinical characteristics, three-dimensional distribution, and related risk factors. The etiological food was determined by the method of analytical epidemiology. A food hygiene investigation was conducted to trace the process of food contamination, and biological samples from cases and workers, suspicious food, and environmental samples were collected for laboratory testing. The detected Salmonella strains were analyzed for homogeneity using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Results　The event involved four schools, with 69 suspected cases identified, resulting inan attack rate of 0.52% (69/13 307). The main clinical symptoms were abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fever, with an average incubation period of 20 hours.The epidemic curve indicated a point-source outbreak. Descriptive epidemiological methods inferred that bakery products distributed by Company F were the suspect foods. The case-control study indicated the risk of illness was increased among those who purchased and consumed food supplied by Company F (OR=37.67, 95%CI:14.03-101.13),particularly those who consumed the delicious hamburger (OR=30.13，95%CI:13.22-68.67). Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) was detected in 12 anal swabsfrom patients, one patient's vomit, one flour sample used for bread-making, and one egg,with homogeneity of 100% achieved in PFGE molecular typing of the 15 positive Salmonella strains. Conclusions　The outbreak is a food-borne disease outbreak caused by Salmonella contamination. It is recommended that regulatory authorities strengthen supervision and management of production and processing enterprises, standardize food processing processes, and establish and improve food safety management systems and long-term mechanisms for food safety knowledge promotion and education in schools to enhance students' hygiene awarenessand prevent similar incidents from occurring.

Objective:To analyze the effect of vitamin D3 supplementation in combination with adefovir dipivoxil and lamivudine on liver fibrosis indicators and cellular immunity in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis.Methods:A total of 150 patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis who received treatment at The First Hospital of Yulin from February 2021 to April 2023 were included in this study. They were randomly divided into two groups using the random number table method, with 75 patients in each group. Both groups received treatment with adefovir dipivoxil and lamivudine, but the observation group also received vitamin D3 supplementation. Before and after treatment, liver function indicators, liver fibrosis indicators, and cellular immunity were measured and compared between the two groups to evaluate the efficacy of the treatments. Adverse reactions such as gastrointestinal bleeding, hypophosphatemia, and headache were observed.Results:After treatment, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels in the observation group were significantly lower compared with the control group [(30.81 ± 3.24) U/L vs. (39.82 ± 4.07) U/L, (31.78 ± 3.19) U/L vs. (37.96 ± 3.89) U/L, t = 15.00, 10.64, both P < 0.001]. After treatment, the levels of serum hyaluronic acid and laminin in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t = 4.13, 8.45, both P < 0.001). After treatment, the levels of CD 4+ and CD 4+/CD 8+ in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group, while the level of CD 8+ was significantly lower ( t = 6.32, 14.10, 8.10, all P < 0.001). The total response rate in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group [89.33% (67/75) vs. 70.67% (53/75), χ2 = 8.17, P < 0.05]. There was no statistically significant difference in the total incidence of adverse reactions such as gastrointestinal bleeding and headache between the control and observation groups ( χ2 = 0.32, P > 0.05). Conclusion:Vitamin D3 supplementation in combination with adefovir dipivoxil and lamivudine is remarkably effective in the treatment of hepatitis B cirrhosis. The combined therapy can efficiently correct cellular immune disorders in patients, mitigate liver fibrosis, enhance liver function, and is considered highly safe.

Objective:To develop and validate a risk prediction model for cognitive frailty in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes.Methods:A total of 483 elderly patients with type 2 diabetes who visited Tianjin First Central Hospital from June to December 2022 were selected using convenience sampling. They were randomly divided into a modeling group ( n=338) and a validation group ( n=145). Data were collected using a self-designed general information questionnaire, the Short-Form Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA-SF), the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15), the Frailty Phenotype (FP), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR). Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the influencing factors. A cognitive frailty risk prediction nomogram model was constructed based on the results. The model was validated in the validation group, and its predictive performance and clinical applicability were evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve ( AUC), calibration curve, and clinical decision curve analysis. A total of 483 questionnaires were distributed and all were returned as valid, resulting in a 100.0% response rate. Results:The prevalence of cognitive frailty in the 483 elderly patients with type 2 diabetes was 20.3% (98/483). Age, regular exercise, duration of diabetes, HbA1c levels, depression and nutritional status were identified as predictive factors in the model. The AUC of the model was 0.886, and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed a χ 2 value of 8.004 ( P=0.433). The optimal cutoff value was 0.335, and the accuracy was 89.0%. Conclusions:The prediction model demonstrates good fit and strong predictive performance, and can intuitively and easily identify elderly patients with type 2 diabetes who are at high risk of cognitive frailty, providing a reference for early screening and intervention.

Objective To establish an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography(UPLC)fingerprint and multi-index content determination method of Siraitiae fructus standard decoction.Methods 15 batches of Siraitiae fructus from different producing areas were collected,Siraitiae fructus standard decoction was prepared according to Technical Requirements for Quality Control and Standardization of Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula Granules,and the extract rate was calculated.UPLC was used to establish the fingerprint of 15 batches of Siraitiae fructus standard decoction and determine the contents of 11-O-mogroside V,kaempferitrin and mogroside V,which were the main effective components.The chemometrics analysis was used to evaluate the quality of Siraitiae fructus standard decoction and find possible quality markers.Results The extraction rate of 15 batches Siraitiae fructus standard decoction ranged from 24.79％to 34.95％.There were 16 common peaks in the fingerprint,and 4 components were identified.The Siraitiae fructus standard decoction was divided into 2 categories by chemometrics analysis,among which samples from Liuzhou,Guangxi were in one category and samples from Guilin,Guangxi were in another category.Seven differential markers were screened out under the condition of variable importance projection value,and the order was as follows:peak 8＞peak 7＞peak 5＞peak 12(kaempferitrin)＞peak 1＞peak 13＞peak 4.The contents of kaempferitrin,11-O-mogroside V and mogroside V in samples from Guilin,Guangxi were slightly higher than those in samples from Liuzhou,Guangxi.Conclusion The UPLC fingerprint and content determination method established in this study are feasible,which can provide a basis for the quality evaluation of Siraitiae fructus.The results of principal component analysis show that kaempferol is likely to become a quality marker of Siraitiae fructus.

Objective:To examine the factors that contribute to memory impairment in elderly stroke patients and develop a predictive model.Methods:One hundred stroke patients from the First People's Hospital of Changzhou were selected to assess the incidence of memory impairment using the Montreal cognitive assessment memory index score(MoCA-MIS).Univariate analysis and multivariate Logistic regression were performed to determine the factors influencing memory impairment in these patients.Additionally, the correlation among relevant scale scores was examined, and a prediction model was developed.Results:In the study, 49 patients(49.0%)did not exhibit memory impairment.Patients with memory impairment were found to have higher proportions of individuals over 75 years old, elevated levels of triglyceride(TG), total cholesterol(TC), low-density lipoproteins cholesterol(LDL-C), and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)scores compared to those without memory impairment.Conversely, patients without memory impairment had higher proportions of individuals with more than 9 years of education, higher levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C), mini-mental state examination(MMSE)scores, Rivermead behavioural memory test-Ⅱ(RBMT-Ⅱ)scores, and picture-based memory impairment screen(PMIS)scores(all P<0.05).Furthermore, Montreal cognitive assessment-memory index(MoCA-MIS)scores in stroke patients with memory impairment showed negative correlations with NIHSS scores, TG, and LDL-C, while showing positive correlations with HDL-C, MMSE scores, RBMT-Ⅱ scores, and PMIS scores(all P<0.05).Multifactorial Logistic regression analysis indicated that years of education, TG, HDL-C, NIHSS score, MMSE score, RBMT-Ⅱ score, PMIS score, and the location of the lesion in the cortex or temporal lobe were significant factors influencing memory impairment in stroke patients(all P<0.05).The receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)analysis revealed an area under curve(AUC)of 0.955(95% CI: 0.921-0.977)for the prediction model of memory impairment in stroke patients, with a Yoden index of 0.841. Conclusions:The risk of memory impairment in stroke patients is associated with education years and blood lipid levels.Factors such as high education level, active cognitive function, and memory training serve as protective factors against memory impairment.The prediction model developed using these influencing factors demonstrates high predictive accuracy for post-stroke memory impairment.

Objective:To perform two-step clustering analysis based on urodynamics in patients with neurogenic bladder (NB) and exploring characteristics affecting success rate of sacral neuromodulation (SNM).Methods:The data of 174 NB patients who received SNM therapy in our hospital from September 2018 to August 2023, were retrospectively analysed. There were 94 males and 80 females, with average age of (50.4±17.9)years, median duration of 2 (1, 3)years, and body mass index of 21.5 (20, 25) kg/m 2. Among them, 50 patients had chronic diseases (hypertension or diabetes). Additionally, 77 patients (44.3%) presented with voiding symptoms, 47 patients (27.0%) with storage symptoms, and 50 patients (28.7%) with mixed symptoms. The etiologies included spinal cord lesions in 110 patients (63.2%), brain lesions in 21 patients (12.1%), peripheral nerve lesions in 36 patients (20.7%), and other causes in 7 patients (4.0%). All patients underwent urodynamics and SNM phase 1 test. If patient's subjective symptoms or objective indicators improved > 50%, it is defined as treatment success and feasible to received second stage of SNM. The success rate was analyzed. Clinical indicators and urodynamic parameter were collected for exploring the difference of the above indicators between two groups (with or without conversion). The 174 patients were grouped using two-step clustering analysis, dividing them into two groups. The differences in clinical data, urodynamic parameters, and the conversion rate of SNM phase II between the two groups were compared. Results:Among these patients, 126 (72%) underwent the second stage of SNM. Compared with the non-conversion group, patients in the conversion group exhibited the following characteristics: high proportion of female[51.6% (65/126) vs. 31.2% (15/48)], younger[(48.1± 18.3)year vs. (56.4±15.4) year], lower proportion of history of chronic disease[23.9% (30/126) vs. 41.7% (20/48)], storage predominant symptoms predominant[33.3% (42/126) vs. 10.4% (5/48)], sensitive bladder sensation[50.0% (63/126) vs. 11.1% (14/48)], normal detrusor contractility [26.2% (33/126) vs. 10.4% (5/48)] and detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia [21.4% (27/126) vs. 4.2% (2/48)]and lower post-void residual [105.5(49.3, 231.3) ml vs. 197.9(114.8, 284.8) ml], ( P<0.05). After excluding multicollinearity, patients were divided into two group mainly based on coordination, detrusor stability, and detrusor contractility through two-step clustering analysis: 98 patients in Group 1 and 76 patients in Group 2. The success rate was higher in Group 2 [82.9% (63/76) vs. 64.3% (63/98), P=0.006]. Compared with Group 1, Group 2 exhibited the following characteristics: higher proportion of storage symptoms [43.4% (33/76) vs. 14.3% (14/98)], sensitive bladder sensation [67.1% (51/76) vs. 26.5% (26/98)], detrusor overactivity [46.1% (35/76) vs. 3.1% (3/98)], normal detrusor contractility [43.4% (33/76) vs. 5.1% (5/98)], and detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia [38.2% (29/76) vs. 0] ( P all<0.05). Additionally, group 2 had lower post-void residual [69.0 (23.8, 136.6) ml and 197.9 (123.2, 287.4) ml] and smaller bladder capacity [(281.9±144.9) ml vs. (430.4±176.7) ml] ( P all<0.01). Conclusions:Patients with storage symptoms, low post-void residual, sensitive bladder sensation, detrusor overactivity, normal contractility, or detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia indicate a higher conversion rate to second stage, making them more suitable for SNM testing.

Objective:To establish HPLC fingerprints of Aristolochia contorta and honey-processed Aristolochia contorta; To analyze the changes of chemical components before and after honey processing with multivariate statistics; To provide a reference for the study on the toxicity reduction of Aristolochia contorta.Methods:The fingerprints of 11 batches of Aristolochia contorta and honey-processed Aristolochia contorta were established through HPLC. Clustering analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA), orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) and independent sample t-test were used to compare the changes of chemical components of Aristolochia contorta before and after honey processing.Results:The results showed that there were 14 common peaks in the fingerprints of Aristolochia contorta and Aristolochia contorta. 7 common peaks were identified. Both HCA and PCA could clearly distinguish the samples of Aristolochia contorta before and after honey processing. OPLS-DA found and screened 7 differential markers, and the order of difference significance was peak 3 > peak 7 (7-hydroxy aristolochic acid A) > peak 5 (aristolochic acid C)> peak 8 (aristolochic acid D) > peak 6 > peak 2 (Magnolia alkaloid) > peak 14 (aristolochic acid Ⅰ). After honey processing, the content of chemical components represented by peaks 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 14 decreased ( P<0.05). Conclusion:This method is simple and specific, which can be used for the fingerprint analysis of Aristolochia contorta and honey-processed Aristolochia contorta, and can effectively distinguish Aristolochia contorta and honey-processed Aristolochia contorta, and provide a reference for the processing research of toxicity reduction of Aristolochia contorta honey processing.

Objective:To establish the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) fingerprint and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) content determination method of Curcumae Radix standard decoction; To predict the quality markers of Curcumae Radix standard decoction combined with network pharmacology.Methods:UPLC method was used to establish the fingerprint of Curcumae Radix standard decoction, and the common peaks were determined. Combined with chemical pattern recognition techniques such as similarity analysis and clustering analysis, Curcumae Radix standard decoction from different producing areas was studied, and curcumol was used as an index to determine the content of 24 batches of Curcumae Radix standard decoction. At the same time, network pharmacology was used to predict potential of curcumol and (1S, 6β)-1β-Methyl-4-(1-methylethylidene)-7β-(3-oxobutyl) bicyclo [4.1.0] heptan-3-one.Results:A total of 24 batches of Curcumae Radix standard decoction from different habitats were compared and analyzed, and 10 common peaks were calibrated. The similarity of 24 batches of samples ranged from 0.982 to 0.999. Clustering analysis and principal component analysis divided them into three categories. Heat map analysis showed that peak 8 (curcumol) and peak 9 ((1S, 6β)-1β-Methyl-4-(1-methylethylidene)-7β-(3-oxobutyl) bicyclo [4.1.0] heptan-3-one) were the main components. The content of curcumol in 24 batches of Curcumae Radix standard decoction was 0.69-1.87 mg/g; curcumol and (1S, 6β)-1β-Methyl-4-(1-methylethylidene)-7β- (3-oxobutyl) bicyclo [4.1.0] heptan-3-one may regulate the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction signaling pathway, calcium signaling, and excitation by regulating neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction signaling pathway, calcium signaling, and excitation. It was preliminarily predicted that curcumol and (1S, 6β)-1β-Methyl-4-(1-methylethylidene)-7β-(3-oxobutyl) bicyclo [4.1.0] heptan-3-one were potential quality markers of Curcumae Radix.Conclusion:Curcumol and (1S, 6β)-1β-Methyl-4-(1-methylethylidene)-7β-(3-oxobutyl) bicyclo [4.1.0] heptan-3-one are potential quality markers of Curcumae Radix standard decoction, and the established fingerprint can be used for the quality control of Curcumae Radix standard decoction.

Background::Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination are a priority in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, limited information is available on vaccination coverage among patients with acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) in China. This study aimed to determine the rates and associated factors of influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in patients hospitalized with AECOPD.Methods::Baseline data from a national, multicenter, hospital-based study that included adult inpatients with AECOPD between 2017 and 2021 were analyzed. The outcomes of interest were the influenza vaccination in the past year and the pneumococcal vaccination in the past 5 years. To ensure national representativeness, rates were weighted according to the distribution of hospital levels and types enrolled in this study. Multivariable Poisson regression based on mixed-effects models were used to determine the associated factors. The independent variables included the region and hospital features where the participants were located, sociodemographic characteristics (age, sex, rural/urban residence, education, etc.), and clinical indicators (COPD disease history, lung function parameters, comorbidities, etc.). The treatment profiles of the vaccinated and unvaccinated participants were compared.Results::Of 6949 eligible participants, the weighted rates of influenza/pneumococcal, influenza, and pneumococcal vaccination were 2.72% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.34%-3.10%), 2.09% (95% CI: 1.76%-2.43%), and 1.25% (95% CI: 0.99%-1.51%), respectively. In multivariable models, age ≥60 years (60-69 years, odds ratio [OR]: 1.90, 95% CI: 1.11-3.25; ≥80 years, OR: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.06-3.78), geographical regions (Northern China relative to Eastern China, OR: 5.09, 95% CI: 1.96-13.21), urban residence (OR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.07-2.66), a higher education level (junior high school, OR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.21-2.58; senior high school or above, OR: 2.61, 95% CI: 1.69-4.03), former smoking (OR: 1.79, 95% CI: 1.15-2.79), and regular inhaled medication treatment (OR: 3.28, 95% CI: 2.29-4.70) were positively associated with vaccination. Patients who had experienced severe exacerbations in the past year were less likely to be vaccinated (OR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.45-0.96). Compared with unvaccinated participants, vaccinated participants adhered better to pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment.Conclusions::Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination coverage are extremely low. Urgent measures are necessary to increase vaccination coverage among inpatients with AECOPD in China.