Objective:To analyze the current situation and potential profile of self-disgust in peritoneal dialysis patients and explore the influencing factors of different categories of hemodialysis patients.Methods:Using convenient sampling method, 466 patients with peritoneal dialysis from 3 tertiary hospitals of Cangzhou People′s Hospital, Cangzhou Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, Cangzhou Central Hospital were selected as the survey object from April to June 2023. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using the general data questionnaire, Questionnaire for the Assessment of Self-Disgust, Social Avoidance and Distress Scale and Perceived Social Support Scale. The potential profile of self-disgust in peritoneal dialysis patients was analyzed, and the influencing factors of different potential categories were analyzed by multiple Logistic regression.Results:Finally, 458 patients were included, with 283 males and 175 females, aged (48.68 ± 13.85) years old. The Questionnaire for the Assessment of Self-Disgust was scored (38.24 ± 5.25) points, the Social Avoidance and Distress Scale was scored (22.32 ± 3.78) points, the Perceived Social Support Scale was scored (53.59 ± 8.64) points in peritoneal dialysis patients. The level of self-disgust in peritoneal dialysis patients could be divided into 3 sections: self-pity (28.38%, 130/458), self-reflection (52.18%, 239/458) and self-acceptance (19.44%, 89/458). The results of multiple Logistic regression analysis showed that age, number of comorbidities, dialysis age, Social Avoidance and Distress Scale and Perceived Social Support Scale scores were the influencing factors of self-disgust in peritoneal dialysis patients ( OR values were 0.804-2.019, all P<0.05). Conclusions:The self-disgust in peritoneal dialysis patients was at a high level and somewhat heterogeneous. Clinical workers should focus on self-pity and self-reflective peritoneal dialysis patients, and provide targeted interventions to reduce the level of patient self-disgust according to the influencing factors of different potential categories of patients.

Objectives:We evaluated the clinical significance of unipolar electrogram and bipolar electrogram in guiding radiofrequency ablation for outflow tract ventricular premature contractions(PVC).Methods:Data were collected from 78 patients who underwent successful radiofrequency ablation of PVC.Pre-procedure electrocardiogram showed a LBBB morphology on inferior leads.In the included patients,the right-side ablation was performed at first,and if the ablation failed,the left-side ablation was then performed.According to the location of the successful ablation target,they were divided into unilateral ablation successful group and bilateral ablation successful group.The differences in the earliest bipolar local activation to QRS(LATBi),unipolar-dV/dTmax to QRS(LATUni),and local activation time were compared between the two groups.Furthermore,the electrogram characteristics predicting bilateral ablation were explored.Results:Patients were divided into unilateral ablation group(n=57)and bilateral ablation group(n=21)according to the ablation site.There were statistically significant differences in LATBi(25[21,30]ms vs.14[10,24]ms),LATUni(7[0,17]ms vs.-23[-41,-11]ms),and ΔLATBi-Uni(15[11,25]ms vs.44[25,56]ms)between the unilateral ablation group and the bilateral ablation group(all P<0.05).Multivariate regression analysis suggested that LATBi,LATUni,and ΔLATBi-Uni were independent predictors of the need for bilateral ablation.There was no significant difference between left and right LATBi,LATUni and ΔLATBi-Uni in the bilateral ablation group.LATUni≤-1 was the most accurate parameter for predicting the need for bilateral ablation(AUC=0.941;specificity 80.7%;sensitivity 100%).Conclusions:LATUni≤-1ms is a useful indicator for predicting the need for bilateral PVC ablation in this patient cohort.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of Chuangling Ye(CLY)on diabetic foot ulcer(DFU)model mice based on the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)/glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)pathway and explore its potential mechanism.METHODS In animal experiments,streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic mice with full-thickness skin defects were divided into control,model,positive control(recombinant human epidermal growth factor,rhEGF),and CLY low-and high-dose groups(n=10).After 14 days of intervention,wound healing rate was measured.Serum inflammatory factors(IL-6,TNF-α,IL-1β)were detected by ELISA,while oxidative stress markers(SOD,MDA,GSH)and tissue ferrous iron(Fe2+)levels were measured by colorimetric assays.Mitochondrial ultrastructure was observed via transmission electron microscopy(TEM).Nrf2,SLC7A11,and GPX4 expression in wound tissues were analyzed by qPCR and Western blot.In cell experiments,a high glucose(HG)-induced ferroptosis model in human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs)was established and divided into control,HG,CLY,and CLY combined with pathway inhibitors(ML385,Erastin,RSL3)groups.CCK-8 was used to detect cell via-bility,FerroOrange was used to detect Fe2+content,DCFH-DA and C11-BODIPY 581/591 probes were used to detect intracellular ROS and lipid ROS content,and Western blot was used to detect the expression of proteins such as Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4.RESULTS Animal experiments showed that compared with the model group,the wound healing rate in the low-and high-dose CLY groups was significantly improved(P<0.01);the serum IL-6,IL-1β,and TNF-α levels were significantly decreased(P<0.01);the MDA con-tent was significantly reduced(P<0.01),and the SOD activity and GSH content were significantly restored(P<0.05).Colorimetric a-nalysis showed that the low-and high-dose CLY significantly reduced the abnormally elevated Fe2+levels in DFU wounds(P<0.05,P<0.001).Electron microscopy showed that the mitochondrial cristae structure was improved in the low-and high-dose groups.qPCR showed that high-dose CLY upregulated the expression levels of Rno-Nfe2l2(Nrf2),Rno-Slc7a11,Rno-Gpx4,and Rno-Acsl4 mR-NA,and inhibited the expression level of Rno-Acsl4 mRNA(P<0.001).Western blot results showed that CLY upregulated the expres-sion of Nrf2,SLC7A11,GPX4,and FTH1 in DFU wound tissues(P<0.01),while downregulated the level of ACSL4(P<0.01).Cell experiments showed that treatment with CLY increased the survival rate of high glucose-stimulated HUVECs(P<0.001).However,the protective effect of CLY was significantly inhibited after the addition of ML385,Erastin,or RSL3(P<0.01).Treatment with CLY significantly decreased the Fe2+content(P<0.001),which was reversed by ML385,Erastin,or RSL3.The levels of ROS and lipid ROS were also significantly reduced(P<0.001),while the addition of ML385,Erastin,or RSL3 partially weakened the antioxidant effect of CLY.Western blot results showed that CLY significantly upregulated the expression of Nrf2、SLC7A11 and GPX4(P<0.001)and downregulated the expression of 4-HNE and COX2(P<0.01),and ML385,Erastin,or RSL3 could reverse this protective effect.CONCLUSION CLY promotes DFU healing by activating the Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway to inhibit ferroptosis,mitigate oxidative stress,and suppress inflammation,providing a novel therapeutic target for DFU.

Objective:To analyze the current situation and potential profile of self-disgust in peritoneal dialysis patients and explore the influencing factors of different categories of hemodialysis patients.Methods:Using convenient sampling method, 466 patients with peritoneal dialysis from 3 tertiary hospitals of Cangzhou People′s Hospital, Cangzhou Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, Cangzhou Central Hospital were selected as the survey object from April to June 2023. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using the general data questionnaire, Questionnaire for the Assessment of Self-Disgust, Social Avoidance and Distress Scale and Perceived Social Support Scale. The potential profile of self-disgust in peritoneal dialysis patients was analyzed, and the influencing factors of different potential categories were analyzed by multiple Logistic regression.Results:Finally, 458 patients were included, with 283 males and 175 females, aged (48.68 ± 13.85) years old. The Questionnaire for the Assessment of Self-Disgust was scored (38.24 ± 5.25) points, the Social Avoidance and Distress Scale was scored (22.32 ± 3.78) points, the Perceived Social Support Scale was scored (53.59 ± 8.64) points in peritoneal dialysis patients. The level of self-disgust in peritoneal dialysis patients could be divided into 3 sections: self-pity (28.38%, 130/458), self-reflection (52.18%, 239/458) and self-acceptance (19.44%, 89/458). The results of multiple Logistic regression analysis showed that age, number of comorbidities, dialysis age, Social Avoidance and Distress Scale and Perceived Social Support Scale scores were the influencing factors of self-disgust in peritoneal dialysis patients ( OR values were 0.804-2.019, all P<0.05). Conclusions:The self-disgust in peritoneal dialysis patients was at a high level and somewhat heterogeneous. Clinical workers should focus on self-pity and self-reflective peritoneal dialysis patients, and provide targeted interventions to reduce the level of patient self-disgust according to the influencing factors of different potential categories of patients.

Objective:To investigate the role and mechanism of leucine-rich α-2-glycoprotein 1 (LRG1) in the fibrosis of human pterygium fibroblasts (HPFs).Methods:A total of 30 nasal primary pterygium tissues from patients who underwent pterygium excision surgery and 30 nasal normal conjunctival tissues from patients who underwent strabismus correction surgery were collected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University between January 2022 and March 2023, serving as the pterygium group and normal control group, respectively.LRG1 protein expression in both groups was detected by immunofluorescence staining.The mRNA and protein levels of LRG1 and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot.Primary HPFs were cultured from excised pterygium tissues using tissue block adhesion method, and cell morphology was observed.Vmentin and cytokeratin were identified by immunofluorescence staining.HPFs were divided into recombinant human LRG1 (rhLRG1) group and blank control group treated with or without 10 μg/ml rhLRG1 for 24 hours, respectively, and cell migration was evaluated via scratch assay.Additionally, HPFs were divided into blank control group, LRG1 overexpression group and LRG1 knockdown group.HPFs in LRG1 overexpression group and LRG1 knockdown group were transfected with LRG1 overexpression plasmids and small interfering RNA for 24 hours, respectively.TGF-β1 mRNA level was evaluated by qRT-PCR and expression of TGF-β1, fibronectin (FN), type Ⅲ collagen (COL3), and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) proteins were evaluated by Western blot.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University (No.2022IIT026).Written informed consent was obtained from each subject.Results:HPFs were successfully isolated, exhibiting spindle-shaped morphology with whorled arrangement, positive identification for vimentin, and negative immunofluorescence staining for cytokeratin.The migration rate of the rhLRG1 group was (83.01±2.56)%, significantly higher than (50.32±4.97)% of the blank control group ( t=9.59, P<0.001).Immunofluorescence staining results showed that compared with normal conjunctival tissue, LRG1 protein was significantly higher expressed in pterygium tissue and was widely distributed in fibrous connective tissue and epithelial layer.Both mRNA and protein levels of LRG1 and TGF-β1 were significantly higher in the pterygium group than in the normal control group (mRNA: t=10.18, 6.15, both P<0.05.protein: t=6.83, 8.79, both P<0.05).In the LRG1 overexpression group, mRNA level of TGF-β1, and protein levels of FN, COL3 and α-SMA were significantly increased compared with the blank control and LRG1 knockdown groups (all P<0.05). Conclusions:LRG1 promotes fibrosis and enhances the migration ability in HPFs, and its mechanism may be associated with the upregulation of the TGF-β1 signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the role and mechanism of leucine-rich α-2-glycoprotein 1 (LRG1) in the fibrosis of human pterygium fibroblasts (HPFs).Methods:A total of 30 nasal primary pterygium tissues from patients who underwent pterygium excision surgery and 30 nasal normal conjunctival tissues from patients who underwent strabismus correction surgery were collected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University between January 2022 and March 2023, serving as the pterygium group and normal control group, respectively.LRG1 protein expression in both groups was detected by immunofluorescence staining.The mRNA and protein levels of LRG1 and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot.Primary HPFs were cultured from excised pterygium tissues using tissue block adhesion method, and cell morphology was observed.Vmentin and cytokeratin were identified by immunofluorescence staining.HPFs were divided into recombinant human LRG1 (rhLRG1) group and blank control group treated with or without 10 μg/ml rhLRG1 for 24 hours, respectively, and cell migration was evaluated via scratch assay.Additionally, HPFs were divided into blank control group, LRG1 overexpression group and LRG1 knockdown group.HPFs in LRG1 overexpression group and LRG1 knockdown group were transfected with LRG1 overexpression plasmids and small interfering RNA for 24 hours, respectively.TGF-β1 mRNA level was evaluated by qRT-PCR and expression of TGF-β1, fibronectin (FN), type Ⅲ collagen (COL3), and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) proteins were evaluated by Western blot.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University (No.2022IIT026).Written informed consent was obtained from each subject.Results:HPFs were successfully isolated, exhibiting spindle-shaped morphology with whorled arrangement, positive identification for vimentin, and negative immunofluorescence staining for cytokeratin.The migration rate of the rhLRG1 group was (83.01±2.56)%, significantly higher than (50.32±4.97)% of the blank control group ( t=9.59, P<0.001).Immunofluorescence staining results showed that compared with normal conjunctival tissue, LRG1 protein was significantly higher expressed in pterygium tissue and was widely distributed in fibrous connective tissue and epithelial layer.Both mRNA and protein levels of LRG1 and TGF-β1 were significantly higher in the pterygium group than in the normal control group (mRNA: t=10.18, 6.15, both P<0.05.protein: t=6.83, 8.79, both P<0.05).In the LRG1 overexpression group, mRNA level of TGF-β1, and protein levels of FN, COL3 and α-SMA were significantly increased compared with the blank control and LRG1 knockdown groups (all P<0.05). Conclusions:LRG1 promotes fibrosis and enhances the migration ability in HPFs, and its mechanism may be associated with the upregulation of the TGF-β1 signaling pathway.

Toxoplasma gondii is a single-celled parasite that infects nearly all warm-blooded animals, including humans (Montoya and Liesenfeld, 2004). It occurs worldwide and can persist for a lifetime in mammals. Humans get infected by eating undercooked meat of animals containing the tissue cysts of this parasite. In immune-competent individuals, T. gondii infection usually does not cause significant clinical symptoms, whereas in pregnant or immunocompromised individuals, T. gondii infection (toxoplasmosis) can cause more serious problems like abortion and even death (Dunn et al., 1999; Wang et al., 2017). A combination of pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine is usually used to treat toxoplasmosis, although it is generally inefficient and causes side effects (Alday and Doggett, 2017). Worse still, there is a lack of vaccines to prevent T. gondii infection in humans or animals.
Toxoplasma/enzymology* ; Animals ; Humans ; Toxoplasmosis ; Mitochondria/enzymology* ; Protozoan Proteins/metabolism*

BACKGROUND: Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is indicated as a broad-spectrum medicine for a variety of diseases, including cancer and cardiac disease. While the role of ATO in hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury (HIRI) has not been reported. Thus, the purpose of this study was to identify the effects of ATO on HIRI. METHODS: In the present study, we established a 70% hepatic warm I/R injury and partial hepatectomy (30% resection) animal models in vivo and hepatocytes anoxia/reoxygenation (A/R) models in vitro with ATO pretreatment and further assessed liver function by histopathologic changes, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, cell counting kit-8, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) for extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 was transfected to evaluate the role of ERK1/2 pathway during HIRI, followed by ATO pretreatment. The dynamic process of autophagic flux and numbers of autophagosomes were detected by green fluorescent protein-monomeric red fluorescent protein-LC3 (GFP-mRFP-LC3) staining and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: A low dose of ATO (0.75 μmol/L in vitro and 1 mg/kg in vivo ) significantly reduced tissue necrosis, inflammatory infiltration, and hepatocyte apoptosis during the process of hepatic I/R. Meanwhile, ATO obviously promoted the ability of cell proliferation and liver regeneration. Mechanistically, in vitro  studies have shown that nontoxic concentrations of ATO can activate both ERK and phosphoinositide 3-kinase-serine/threonine kinase (PI3K-AKT) pathways and further induce autophagy. The hepatoprotective mechanism of ATO, at least in part, relies on the effects of ATO on the activation of autophagy, which is ERK-dependent. CONCLUSION Low, non-toxic doses of ATO can activate ERK/PI3K-AKT pathways and induce ERK-dependent autophagy in hepatocytes, protecting liver against I/R injury and accelerating hepatocyte regeneration after partial hepatectomy.
Animals ; Arsenic Trioxide ; Autophagy/physiology* ; Reperfusion Injury/prevention & control* ; Mice ; Male ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/physiology* ; Arsenicals/therapeutic use* ; Oxides/therapeutic use* ; Liver/metabolism* ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

Radiation-induced intestinal injury is caused by high dose of radiation in the abdomen and pelvis. The disease is characterized by complicated pathological mechanisms and poses significant challenges to clinical treatment, seriously affecting the quality of life and health of patients. Current treatments in modern medicine offer limited efficacy and are often associated with adverse side effects. Traditional Chinese medicine monomers inhibit inflammatory factors (e.g., tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β) and regulate the antioxidant enzyme system (e.g., improving the activity of superoxide dismutase) to effectively reduce the symptoms of radiation-induced intestinal injury with minimal side effects. Through targeted delivery of nanoparticles, nanotechnology can accurately deliver the active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine to damaged intestinal tissues, thus improving their bioavailability and therapeutic effects. This paper reviews the mechanisms of Chinese medicine monomers in the prevention and treatment of radiation-induced intestinal injury and the application of nanotechnology for enhanced efficiency. The paper also discusses the clinical potential of these approaches. These results provide a reference for future research and clinical practice.

Objective:To access the relation of aortic arch calcification (AoAC) volume based on parathyroid SPECT/CT imaging with hungry bone syndrome (HBS) in patients with renal secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) after parathyroidectomy (PTX).Methods:From June 2015 to May 2024, the imaging and clinical data of 89 renal SHPT patients (52 males, 37 females, age: (51.5±10.3) years) who underwent parathyroid 99Tc m-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) SPECT/CT in Affiliated Jiangyin Hospital of Nantong University were retrospectively analyzed. The AoAC volume was measured by Volume software of SPECT/CT system. The patients were divided into HBS group and non-HBS group, and the independent-sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare differences of various indicators between the two groups. Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of HBS. Results:All 89 patients underwent PTX successfully, 50 patients (56.2%) were with HBS and 39 patients (43.8%) were not. The differences of age ((47.9±9.9) vs (56.1±9.0) years, t=-3.98, P<0.001), AoAC volume (0.36(0.02, 1.30) vs 1.57(0.37, 3.77)cm 3, Z=-3.17, P=0.002), preoperative alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (345.75(218.50, 632.50) vs (203.13±114.57)U/L, Z=-4.69, P<0.001), preoperative parathyroid hormone (147.85(109.83, 227.40) vs (135.58±51.14)pmol/L, Z=-2.34, P=0.019) and preoperative serum corrected calcium ((2.38±0.21) vs 2.54(2.39, 2.62)mmol/L, Z=-3.09, P=0.002) between HBS group and non-HBS group were significant. Logistic regression analysis showed that the AoAC volume ((odds ratio, OR)=0.628, 95% CI: 0.427-0.924, P=0.018), preoperative ALP ( OR=1.007, 95% CI: 1.002-1.012, P=0.010) and preoperative serum corrected calcium ( OR=0.041, 95% CI: 0.003-0.545, P=0.016) were independent risk factors for HBS. Conclusion:The AoAC volume measured by preoperative SPECT/CT can be used for an effective criteria of evaluating HBS in patients with renal SHPT after PTX, and AoAC volume may be one of independent risk factors for HBS.