Objective To evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) preconditioning on the activity of dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) in brain tissues during cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in rats.Methods A total of 126 pathogen-free healthy adult male Wistar rats,weighing 250-300 g,were divided into 3 groups (n =42 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (group S),group I/R and EA preconditioning group (group EA).In group S,the blood vessels were only separated but not occluded.In group I/R,a nylon thread with rounded tip was inserted into the left middle cerebral artery advanced cranially until resistance was met,and middle cerebral artery occlusion was maintained for 2 h followed by reperfusion.In group EA,Baihui acupoints were stimulated with an electric stimulator (2/ 15 Hz disperse-dense waves,intensity 1 mA) for 30 min,lasting for 5 consecutive days,and the model of focal cerebral I/R was established at 24 h after the last stimulation.At 6,24 and 48 h of reperfusion,the neurologic deficit was assessed and scored,the mitochondria in the cerebral cortex on the ischemic side were extracted,the expression of Drpl in mitochondria was detected using Western blot,the mitochondrial uhrastructure was examined with an electron microscope,and neuroapoptosis was measured using TUNEL.The apoptosis rate was calculated.Results Compared with group S,the neurological deficit score and apoptosis rate were significantly increased,and the expression of Drpl in mitochondria was up-regulated at each time point in I/R and EA groups (P＜0.05).Compared with group I/R,the neurological deficit score and apoptosis rate were significantly decreased,and the expression of Drpl in mitochondria was down-regulated at each time point in group EA (P＜0.05).Conclusion The mechanism by which EA preconditioning reduces cerebral I/R injury may be related to inhibiting the activity of Drpl and thus inhibiting the excessive fission of mitochondria in rats.

Objective To evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) preconditioning on inositol-requiring kinase 1 (IRE1)-X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) signaling pathway in endoplasmic reticulum in the cortex in a rat model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R).Methods One hundred and eight pathogen-free healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 8-12 weeks,weighing 200-250 g,were assigned into 3 groups (n =36 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (group S),group I/R and EA preconditioning group (group EA).Focal cerebral I/R was induced by occlusion of right middle cerebral arteries for 2 h followed by reperfusion in rats anesthetized with chloral hydrate.In group EA,Baihui acupoints were stimulated with an electric stimulator for 30 min once a day for 5 consecutive days starting from 5 days before ischemia,and the model was established at 24 h after the last preconditioning.Rats were sacrificed after neurological deficit was scored at 6,12 and 24 h of reperfusion,brains were removed,and the ischemic area in cerebral cortex was isolated for examination of the cell ultrastructure (with an electronic microscope) and for determination of the expression of IRE1 and XBP1 (by Western blot).Results Compared with group S,the neurological deficit scores were significantly increased,and the expression of IRE1 and XBP1 in the ischemic area was up-regulated at each time point in I/R and EA groups (P＜0.01).Compared with group I/R,the neurological deficit scores were significantly decreased,and the expression of IRE1 and XBP1 was up-regulated at each time point in group EA (P＜0.05).The cell damage in the ischemic area in cerebral cortex was significantly attenuated in group EA when compared with group I/R.Conclusion The mechanism by which EA preconditioning attenuates cerebral I/R injury is related to activating IRE1-XBP 1 signaling pathway and relieving endoplasmic reticulum stress in rats.

Objective:To investigate the clinical and genetic features in a family with type 2 congenital generalized lipodystrophy, and to improve the understanging of this disease.Methods:The clinical symptoms, results of the laboratory, and radiography examinations of the patient and his family members were analyzed. The whole exome sequencing and Sanger validation were used to determine the genetic cause of the disease.Results:Generalized lipodystrophy, impaired liver function, severe hypertriglyceridemia, and acanthosis nigricans were found in the proband. His serum leptin level was much lower than normal value. The proband and three members of this family were confirmed to have insertion mutation at exon 5 of BSCL2 gene. The site was mutated from TTC to TCGGTC, resulting in the replacement of glutamate by aspartate and arginine. The mutation in proband was homozygote, and his father, mother, and brother were heterozygous.Conclusions:The mutation in exon 5 c. 545_546insCCG of BSCL2 gene leads to the occurrence of type 2 congenital generalized lipodystrophy.

Objective:To analysis the risk factors for major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) in pregnant women with valvular heart disease (VHD) and to construct a risk prediction model.Methods:The clinical data of 245 pregnant women with VHD who were hospitalized in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from January 1, 2012, to June 1, 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, including general information, pre-pregnancy and pregnancy-associated cardiac conditions, and MACE. Univariate analysis and logistic regression models were employed to identify risk factors for MACE during pregnancy among pregnant women with VHD. Furthermore, a predictive model was constructed and internal validation was conducted using bootstrap techniques.Results:(1) Among 245 pregnant women with VHD, the incidence of MACE was 18.0% (44/245), and the most common MACE was heart failure (61.4%, 27/44). The mitral valve was the most frequently affected valve (64.9%, 159/245). Prior to pregnancy, the most common type of valve surgery undertaken was mechanical valve replacement, representing 31.4% (77/245) of surgeries. In contrast, among those pregnant women who did not undergo valve surgery before pregnancy, the most common lesion type was mitral regurgitation (17.6%, 43/245). (2) Comparing the maternal and infant outcomes of warfarin, low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and LMWH sequential with warfarin, the fetal loss rate (36%, 15/42) and malformation rate (7%, 3/42) were the highest, but the MACE rate (12%, 5/42) was the lowest in warfarin group. The fetal loss rate (1/19), malformation rate (1/19) and artificial valve thrombosis rate (0) of LMWH sequential with warfarin were the lowest, and the fetal loss rate and artificial valve thrombosis rate of the three anticoagulation methods were statistically significant (all P<0.05). (3) There were no significant differences in gestational age, age of diagnosis of heart disease, weight at delivery, pre-pregnancy body mass index, proportion of multiparous women and chronic medical history between women with MACE and those without MACE (all P>0.05). (4) Binary logistic regression analysis identified the following as risk factors for MACE during the second trimester of pregnancy among pregnant women with VHD: pre-pregnancy cardiac symptoms, history of corrective surgery for congenital heart disease, pregnancy risk grade Ⅴ, anticoagulation with LMWH during pregnancy, and arrhythmia (all P<0.05). Based on the results of multivariate analysis, a receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed, with an area under the curve of 0.837, indicating good discriminative ability. The calibration plot demonstrated a close alignment between the standard curve and the calibration prediction curve, suggesting excellent calibration of the model. Conclusions:Pregnant women with VHD are at a high risk of experiencing MACE during gestation. Five risk factors, including pre-pregnancy cardiac symptoms, history of corrective surgery for congenital heart disease, pregnancy risk grade Ⅴ, anticoagulation with LMWH, and arrhythmia, could aid in identifying high-risk pregnant women.