Objective: To examine the mediating effect of frailty on social isolation and cognitive function among the elderly. Methods: Demographic information, smoking, alcohol consumption and cognitive function of the elderly at ages of 60 years and older were collected from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study 2020. Social isolation and frailty were evaluated using social isolation index and frailty index, respectively. The mediating effect of frailty on social isolation and cognitive function was analyzed using the Process program, and the significance of the mediating role was tested using the Bootstrap test. Results: A total of 2 822 individuals were enrolled, including 1 483 males (52.55%) and 1 339 females (47.45%). There were 2 497 (88.48%) and 325 (11.52%) individuals at ages of 60-<75 years and ≥75 years, respectively. The median cognitive function score was 14 (interquartile range, 16) points. There were 432 cases with social isolation (15.31%), with a median social isolation index of 10 (interquartile range, 5) points. The median frailty index was 0.11 (interquartile range, 0.15). There were 1 111 individuals without frailty, accounting for 39.37%; 1 214 individuals with pre-frailty, accounting for 43.02%; and 497 individuals with frailty, accounting for 17.61%. Mediating effect analysis showed that social isolation affected cognitive function directly and negatively with the effect value of -0.773 (95%CI: -0.899 to -0.647), and also affected cognitive function by frailty indirectly and negatively with the effect value of -0.147 (95%CI: -0.188 to -0.110), with the mediating effect contributed 15.98% of the total effect. Conclusion Frailty can directly or indirectly affect cognitive function among elderly through social isolation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy of jingjin needling combined with rehabilitation training and conventional acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training for post-stroke spastic paralysis. METHODS: A total of 60 patients with post-stroke spastic paralysis were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. Both groups received conventional rehabilitation training. In the observation group, jingjin needling was applied at tendon blockage points of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle. In the control group, conventional acupuncture was applied at Jianyu (LI15), Quchi (LI11), Hegu (LI4), Biguan (ST31), Fengshi (GB31), Taichong (LR3), etc. on the affected side. Treatment was given once daily, 5 days a week for 4 weeks in both groups. The scores of clinical spasticity index (CSI), modified Ashworth scale, modified Barthel index (MBI), and Fugl-Meyer assessment scale (FMA) were evaluated before and after treatment, and the onset time was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the scores of CSI and modified Ashworth scale were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.001), while the scores of MBI and FMA were increased compared with those before treatment (P<0.001) in the two groups. After treatment, the scores of CSI and modified Ashworth scale in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05), the MBI score in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in FMA scores between the two groups (P>0.05). The onset time of the observation group was earlier than that in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Both jingjin needling combined with rehabilitation training and conventional acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training can effectively treat post-stroke spastic paralysis, jingjin needling combined with rehabilitation training exhibits better therapeutic effect and rapider onset.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Stroke/complications* ; Adult ; Acupuncture Points ; Muscle Spasticity/etiology* ; Treatment Outcome ; Stroke Rehabilitation ; Paralysis/therapy* ; Combined Modality Therapy

BACKGROUND: Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP), a rare and recurrent autoinflammatory disease, imposes a substantial burden on patients and society. Awareness of GPP in China remains limited. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey, conducted between September 2021 and May 2023 across 14 hospitals in China, included GPP patients of all ages and disease phases. Data collected encompassed demographics, clinical characteristics, economic impact, disease severity, quality of life, and treatment-related complications. Risk factors for GPP recurrence were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 127 patients (female/male ratio = 1.35:1), the mean age of disease onset was 25 years (1st quartile [Q1]-3rd quartile [Q3]: 11-44 years); 29.2% had experienced GPP for more than 10 years. Recurrence occurred in 75.6% of patients, and nearly half reported no identifiable triggers. Younger age at disease onset ( P  = 0.021) and transitioning to plaque psoriasis ( P  = 0.022) were associated with higher recurrence rates. The median diagnostic delay was 8 months (Q1-Q3: 2-41 months), and 32.3% of patients reported misdiagnoses. Comorbidities were present in 53.5% of patients, whereas 51.1% experienced systemic complications during treatment. Depression and anxiety affected 84.5% and 95.6% of patients, respectively. During GPP flares, the median Dermatology Life Quality Index score was 19.0 (Q1-Q3: 13.0-23.5). This score showed significant differences between patients with and without systemic symptoms; it demonstrated correlations with both depression and anxiety scores. Treatment costs caused financial hardship in 55.9% of patients, underscoring the burden associated with GPP. CONCLUSIONS The substantial disease and economic burdens among Chinese GPP patients warrant increased attention. Patients with early onset disease and those transitioning to plaque psoriasis require targeted interventions to mitigate the high recurrence risk.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Psoriasis/pathology* ; Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Adolescent ; Child ; Young Adult ; Quality of Life ; Middle Aged ; China/epidemiology* ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; East Asian People

ObjectiveTaking Shengxuebao as the model traditional Chinese medicine（TCM）， this study aims to explore the methodologies and transfer patterns in the composition changes of TCM compound preparations from liquid to solid dosage forms. MethodBased on the previously established ultra-high performance liquid chromatography（UPLC） qualitative and quantitative methods for Shengxuebao， the fingerprint profiles of three preparations of Shengxuebao（homemade decoction， commercially available granules and mixtures） were established， and nineteen components were quantitatively analyzed. The similarities of fingerprint profiles among these three preparations were assessed using the Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprint of TCM（2012 edition） and the total quantum statistical moment similarity method， respectively. The molecular connectivity index （MCI） and the average molar MCI of the chemical components in the three preparations were calculated. Seventy-two MCI values across 0-8 orders， including 8 subclasses， were calculated. The average molar MCI of 0-3 orders was used to study the "imprint template" structural characteristics and transfer patterns of the medicinal component groups. ResultThe similarities of the fingerprint profile of the decoction with those of the control， granules， and mixtures were 0.971， 0.888 and 0.799， respectively， indicating that the chemical composition of the granules and mixtures differed from that of the decoction， and that the 19 components were able to basically respond to the overall situation of the component group of Shengxuebao decoction. The total mass fractions of the detectable major components in Shengxuebao decoction， granules and mixtures was measured to be 5.498 6， 2.282 0， 1.416 6 mg·g^-1， respectively. The average molar MCI of 0-3 orders showed a gradual decrease across the three preparations， with the trend of decoction>granules>mixtures， indicating subtle changes in the overall structural characteristics of the chemical components in the samples of the three preparations. ConclusionAmong the three formulations of Shengxuebao， the traditional decoction contained the highest variety and quantity of components and carried the most substantial amount of component information， with a decreasing order observed in the granules and mixtures. This study further validates that traditional decoction is a reliable and fundamental dosage form， providing a reference for the modernization of TCM dosage forms and the quality consistency evaluation of compound preparations.

Objective To explore the role and mechanism of cardiac resident macrophages in heart repair after myocardial infarction in mice.Methods Macrophage-specific Cre tool mice(CX3CR1CreER-YFP mice)with doubly transgenic mice(R26tdTomato/DTR mice)were hybridized to obtain cardiac resident macrophage-specific red fluorescent labels in mice.Sixty Cx3crlCreER-YFP:R26Td/DTR hybrid mice were randomly divided into 4 groups:Sham group,DT+Sham group,MI group,and DT+MI group,with 15 mice in each group.MI group and DT+MI group underwent myocardial infarction modeling by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery.The DT+MI group mice were induced to deplete resident macrophages in the heart tissue using diphtheria toxin(DT)to establish a cardiac resident macrophage knockout model.On the 5th day after myocardial infarction modeling,heart tissue slices of mice were stained with H-E to observe inflammation infiltration and myocardial infarct size were calculated;on the 14th day of modeling,echocardiography was used to measure cardiac function-related parameters in mice,and mRNA expression levels of inflammatory cytokines were detected.Results Compared with the MI group,the DT+MI group mice showed a significant reduction in cardiac resident macrophages([53.75±4.62]vs[6.37±1.25],P＜0.05).On the 14th day after myocardial infarction modeling,compared with the Ml group,the DT+MI group mice had significantly increased left ventricular end-diastolic diameter([5.11±0.22]mm vs[5.92±0.26]mm,P＜0.05)and left ventricular end-systolic diameter([4.77±0.17]mm vs[5.38±0.16]mm,P＜0.05),while the ejection fraction significantly decreased([27.76±1.20]％vs[17.61±0.94]％,P＜0.05);in addition,the DT+MI group mice showed increased expression levels of inflammatory cytokines,increased inflammatory cell infiltration,and significantly larger myocardial infarct size.The protein expression levels of NF-KB/p-P65 in DT+MI group mice were significantly higher than those in the MI group([0.28±0.14]vs[1.09±0.12],P＜0.05).Conclusions Cardiac resident macrophages play an important role in heart tissue repair after myocardial infarction by reducing inflammation cell infiltration and myocardial infarct size.

Objective To explore the correlation between the urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipid carrier protein(NGAL)and Brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation(FMD)in Prehypertension.Methods 156 patients with Prehypertension found to have the normal high blood pressure during a health examination at the Luo Shi Road Community Health Service Center of Wuchang Hospital in Wuhan from September 2022 to September 2023 were included and divided into the normal endothelial function group and the endothelial dysfunction group with 89 cases and 67 cases respectively in each group according to whether the FMD was above 10% .The sex,age,smoking history,height,weight,SBP,DBP,FBG,Scr,eGFR,BUN,UA,Hcy,urine NGAL,FMD and other indicators were collected.The correlation between FMD and NGAL in prehypertension was analyzed by using independent samples t-test,Pearson linear correlation,multiple linear regression,binary logistic regression,and receiver operator characteristic(ROC)curves.Results There were no significant differences in gender,smoking history,SBP,FBG,TG,LDL-c,TC,BUN,Scr,UA,eGFR and Hcy(all P>0.05).The age,BMI,DBP,HDL-c,and urine NGAL levels in the endothelial dysfunction group were significantly higher than those in the normal endothelial function group(P<0.05).Pearson linear correlation analysis showed that urine NGAL levels were negative correlated with FMD(r =-0.632 P<0.05).Multiple linear regression analysis:NGAL,DBP significantly affected FMD(all P<0.05).NGAL and diastolic blood pressure were independent risk factors for FMD.The area under the curve of ROC curve analysis was 0.813,0.895 and 0.906 respectively for urinary NGAL,DBP and urinary NGAL combined with DBP.DBP combined with urinary NGAL had the higher diagnostic efficacy.Conclusion Urinary NGAL and DBP are associated with the endothelial dysfunction,and urinary NGAL is expected to be a new biomarker for evaluating the vascular endothelial function loss and a target for the intervention of prehypertension

Objective To investigate the effect of MALAT1 expressions on cell proliferation and apoptosis in astrocytes by regulating mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK1,2)pathway.Methods The MALAT1 gene was knocked down and over-expressed in C8-D1A cells by lentiviral and plasmid vectors,respectively.The expressions of MALAT1,cell proliferation-related markers(Ki67,MCM2,PCNA)and apoptosis-related proteins(Caspase-3,Bax,Bcl-2)were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qPCR).CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry were used for cell proliferation and apoptosis in C8-D1A cells.Immunofluorescence was adopted to detect the protein expressions of Caspase-3 and Ki67.Western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions of Caspase-3,Bax,Bcl-2,ERK1/2,p-ERK1/2,p38MAPK and p-p38MAPK.Results Compared with the control group,over-expressed MALAT1 inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis in C8-D1A cells while the knockdown of MALAT1 significantly enhanced cell proliferation and anti-apoptotic ability in C8-D1A cells.The proportion of C8-D1A cells in G0/G1-phase and G2/M-phase was higher than in the control group as evidenced by flow cytometry,but was lower in S-phase.Meanwhile,data showed that Caspase-3 was increased while p-ERK1/2 was decreased in terms of protein levels.The mRNA expressions of Ki67 and PCNA were decreased.After knockdown of MALAT1,the proportion of C8-D1A cells in S-phase was higher,but was lower in G2/M-phase.The protein expressions of Caspase-3 and Bax decreased while those of p-ERK1/2 and p-p38MAPK increased.The mRNA expressions of Ki67,MCM2 and PCNA were increased.The differences were all statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion MALAT1 promotes astrocyte apoptosis and inhibits proliferation by regulating the MAPK/ERK1,2 signaling pathway.

Background::Limited information exists regarding the impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection on psoriasis patients. The objective of this study was to identify clinical factors associated with the prognosis of psoriasis following SARS-CoV-2 infection.Methods::A retrospective, multicenter study was conducted between March and May 2023. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to identify factors associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related psoriasis outcomes. The study included 2371 psoriasis patients from 12 clinical centers, with 2049 of them having been infected with SARS-CoV-2.Results::Among the infected groups, lower exacerbation rates were observed in individuals treated with biologics compared to those receiving traditional systemic or nonsystemic treatments (22.3% [236/1058] vs. 39.8% [92/231] vs. 37.5% [140/373], P <0.001). Psoriasis progression with lesions (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 8.197, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 5.685–11.820, compared to no lesions), hypertension (adjusted OR = 1.582, 95% CI = 1.068–2.343), traditional systemic (adjusted OR = 1.887, 95% CI= 1.263–2.818), and nonsystemic treatment (adjusted OR= 1.602, 95% CI= 1.117–2.297) were found to be associated with exacerbation of psoriasis after SARS-CoV-2 infection, but not biologics (adjusted OR = 0.931, 95% CI = 0.680–1.274, compared to no treatment), according to multivariable logistic regression analysis. Conclusions::A reduced risk of psoriasis exacerbation after SARS-CoV-2 infection was observed with biologics compared to traditional systemic and nonsystemic treatments. Significant risk factors for exacerbation after infection were identified as existing psoriatic lesions and hypertension.

Objective:To analyze antiviral activity against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) of interferon (IFN)-α2b and IFN-λ1 on Hep2 cells and human airway epithelial (HAE) cells.Methods:IFN-α2b or IFN-λ1 was incubated with Hep2 cells after RSV infection, and 48 hours later, the cytopathic effect was observed, the viral load was determined using real time/reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT qPCR), RSV F protein expression was detected using immunofluorescence, and cell survival rate was detected using crystal violet. HAE cells were incubated with IFN-α2b or IFN-λ1 for 24 hours, and then HAE were challenged with RSV. The viral load in the culture supernatant was determined on days 1-7 using RT qPCR, RSV F protein was determined with immunofluorescence and the viral titers in the culture supernatant was detected on day 7 by plaque assay.Results:In Hep2 cells, the CPE of the treatment groups (IFN-α2b and IFN-λ1) was alleviated compared to the virus control group, and the CPE of the high concentration group was lighter than that of the low concentration group. Different concentrations of IFN-α2b and IFN-λ1 could significantly reduce the viral load of RSV ( P<0.001), and the viral load of the high concentration group was significantly lower than that of the low concentration group ( P<0.001). In addition, IFN-α2b and IFN-λ1 could reduce the RSV F protein expression after RSV infection and improve cell survival rate. In HAE cells, IFN-α2b and IFN-λ1 could inhibit RSV virus replication, reduce virus titers ( P<0.001) and reduce RSV F protein expression. Conclusions:IFN-α2b and IFN-λ1 both showed great antiviral activity against RSV in Hep2 and HAE cells, providing data reference for the study of interferon against respiratory viruses.