OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) in atherosclerotic plaques for regulating inflammatory responses during atherosclerosis (AS) progression. METHODS: Human coronary artery specimens from autopsy cases were examined for ATF3 protein expression and localization using immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting. Apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE^-/-) mouse models of AS induced by high-fat diet (HFD) feeding for 12 weeks were subjected to tail vein injection of adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9) to knock down ATF3 expression. After an additional 5 weeks of HFD feeding, the mice were euthanized for analyzing structural changes of the aortic plaques, and the expression levels of ATF3, inflammatory factors (CD45, CD68, IL-1β, and TNF-α), and NF-κB pathway proteins (P-IKKα/β and P-NF-κB p65) were detected. In the cell experiment, THP-1-derived foam cells were transfected with an ATF3-overexpressing plasmid or an ATF3-specific siRNA to validate the relationship between ATF3 and NF‑κB signaling. RESULTS: In human atherosclerotic plaques, ATF3 expression was significantly elevated and partially co-localized with CD68. ATF3 knockout in ApoE^-/- mice significantly increased aortic plaque volume, upregulated the inflammatory factors, enhanced phosphorylation of the NF‑κB pathway proteins, and increased the expressions of VCAM1, MMP9, and MMP2 in the plaques. In THP-1-derived foam cells, ATF3 silencing caused activation of the NF‑κB pathway, while ATF3 overexpression suppressed the activity of the NF-κB pathway. CONCLUSIONS AS promotes ATF3 expression, and ATF3 deficiency exacerbates AS progression by enhancing plaque inflammation via activating the NF-κB pathway, suggesting the potential of ATF3 as a therapeutic target for AS.
Animals ; Activating Transcription Factor 3/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Humans ; Mice ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic/metabolism* ; Inflammation/metabolism* ; Apolipoproteins E ; Atherosclerosis/metabolism* ; Diet, High-Fat

Objective To explore the characteristics,potential challenges,and optimization paths of high-quality development policies for public hospitals in China,and to provide reference for policy formulation and implementation.Methods The 31 policy documents on high-quality development of public hospitals issued at the central and provincial levels between 2021 and 2024 were coded using Nvivo 11 software,and a three-dimensional analytical framework was constructed on the basis of the policy tools,stakeholders,and system dimensions,combining both quantitative and qualitative methods for content analysis.Results It found that the distribution of policy content in the three dimensions was characterized by stage imbalance:policy tools were mainly environmental,followed by supply,and demand;stakeholder attention was focused on public hospitals and healthcare administrations,and patient attention was low;The system dimension focused mainly on the macro level,with less distribution at the meso and micro levels.Although the unbalanced distribution of policy instruments is relevant at certain stages,the long-term structural imbalance may lead to insufficient systemic policies and weakened stakeholder synergies,and there is an urgent need to optimize the structure of instruments.Conclusions It is recommended to increase the proportion of demand-based policy instruments in policy design and dynamically adjust the synergistic application of the three types of instruments;to strengthen the attention to vulnerable stakeholders,such as patients;and to optimize the design of policies at the meso-levels and micro-levels in order to enhance the systemicity and sustainability of policy implementation.

Objective:To explore the effectiveness of robotic implant technology in the postgraduate education of implant dentistry.Methods:The teaching method that combines of theory and model manipulation was used to teach 20 postgraduate students. After completing the theoretical course of implant dentistry, all students performed free hand, digital template, and dental implant robot implant surgery on the simulation jaw models. At the end of the course, an error analysis of the three and a feedback questionnaire distributed to the students were conducted in order to assess the effectiveness of the dental implant robot.Results:Compared to the freehand [2.45(1.1) mm,2.80(0.88) mm,4.95°(2.68°)] and digital template group [1.25(0.68) mm,2.00(0.90) mm, 3.35°(1.60°)], the dental robot implant group had smaller values for implant platform deviation, apical deviation and angular deviation [0.29(0.08) mm,0.26(0.20) mm,0.72°(0.13°)], and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.001). The results of the questionnaire showed that dental implant robot helps to ensure the accuracy and safety of the implanting process and stimulates students′ interest in learning. Conclusions:At postgraduate level, the safety and accuracy of the implantation process was effectively improved and good teaching result achieved by introducing dental implant robot into the process of dental implant training.

Objective: To explore the changes of mechanosensitive channels Piezos (Piezo 1 and Piezo 2) in neurogenic bladder (NB) of young rats and their effects，so as to provide reference for clinical search of new therapeutic targets. Methods: A total of 30 female young SD rats were divided into 5 groups based on random number table method：sham operation group (sham)，2-week nerve transection group (NB-2W)，6-week nerve transection group (NB-6W)，2-week nerve transection + Piezos inhibitor group (NB-P-2W) and 6-week nerve transection + Piezos inhibitor group (NB-P-6W)，with 6 rats in each group.The NB models were constructed by transecting the L6 and S1 spinal nerves of young rats.The NB-2W and NB-6W groups were not intervened after modeling，while the NB-P-2W and NB-P-6W groups were intraperitoneally injected with Piezos inhibitor GsMTx4 (10 mg/kg) every 2 days after modeling.Bladder cystometry and ultrasound were performed after 2 and 6 weeks of transection.The expressions of Piezos and fibrosis-related indexes (Collagen Ⅰ and α-smooth muscle actin) were detected in bladder tissues. Results: The results of bladder cystometry showed that the basal bladder pressure in NB-2W group was significantly increased，while it was slightly decreased but was still higher in NB-6W group than in the sham group (P<0.05).Basal bladder pressure was lower in NB-P-2W group than in NB-2W group，but was higher than that in the sham group; basal bladder pressure was lower in NB-P-6W group than in NB-6W group，but higher than that in the sham group (P<0.05).Compared with the sham group，the NB-2W and NB-6W groups had firstly increased and then decreased maximum cystometric capacity (MCC) (P<0.05).Compared with NB-2W group，NB-P-2W group had lower bladder leakage point pressure (BLPP)，but higher MCC and bladder compliance (BC) (P<0.05).Compared with NB-6W group，NB-P-6W group had significantly lower BLPP but higher MCC and BC (P<0.05).HE and MASSON staining and ultrasound results showed that，with the extension of nerve transection time，bladder fibrosis gradually worsened，the bladder wall became rough and thickened，calculi were visible inside，and hydronephrosis gradually appeared; the degree of fibrosis in NB-P-2W and NB-P-6W groups was less than that in NB-2W and NB-6W groups，and no hydronephrosis was observed in the upper urinary tract.In addition，Western blotting and immunohistochemical results showed that NB-2W and NB-6W groups had significantly higher relative expression levels of Piezos，Collagen Ⅰ and α-SMA than the sham group (P<0.01)，while NB-P-2W and NB-P-6W groups had lower relative expression levels of Piezos,Collagen Ⅰ and α-SMA than NB-2W and NB-6W groups (P<0.01). Conclusion: The increased expressions of mechanosensitive channels Piezos in NB young rats may be involved in the progression of bladder fibrosis，but its mechanism needs further study.

Objective: To investigate the influencing factors of overactive bladder (OAB) in college freshmen and the impacts of OAB on their mental health, quality of life and social interaction. Methods: An epidemiological questionnaire survey was conducted in an anonymous manner on the prevalence of OAB among 5300 freshmen aged 17 to 22 years enrolled in the 2023—2024 academic year in Xinxiang Medical University and Sanquan College of Xinxiang Medical University.The questionnaire included questions on basic information, history of urinary tract infection, constipation, smoking, history of alcohol consumption, history of coffee/strong tea drinking, history of carbonated beverage drinking, redundant prepuce, phimosis, holding urine, chronic insomnia, self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), quality of life score (QoL), and social avoidance and distress scale (SADS).The influencing factors of OAB were analyzed with multivariate logistic regression analysis.The subjects were grouped according to whether they had OAB, and the differences in SAS, QoL and SADS between the OAB group and non-OAB group were compared.The impacts of OAB on the anxiety level, quality of life, and social interaction were analyzed with multiple linear regression analysis. Results: The overall prevalence rate of OAB was 4.9% (244/5018).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the history of urinary tract infection (OR=0.177), constipation (OR=0.636), smoking (OR=0.582), alcohol consumption (OR=0.685), coffee/strong tea drinking (OR=0.387), carbonated beverage drinking (OR=0.631), redundant prepuce (OR=0.673), phimosis (OR=0.311), urine holding (OR=0.593), and chronic insomnia (OR=0.256) were influencing factors for the occurrence of OAB (P＜0.05).The OAB group had higher SAS score [(41.18±6.54) vs. (38.61±6.36)], QoL score [(3.65±1.20) vs. (2.79±0.95)], social avoidance score [(6.25±1.86) vs. (5.86±1.51)], social distress score [(6.27±1.59) vs. (5.97±1.32)], and total SADS score [(12.51±2.35) vs. (11.84±2.01)] than the non-OAB group (P＜0.05).The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that OAB could independently affect the scores of QoL, SAS, and SADS.The OAB group had higher scores of QoL, SAS, and SADS compared with the non-OAB group (P＜0.001). Conclusion: History of urinary tract infection, constipation, smoking, alcohol consumption, coffee/strong tea drinking, carbonated beverage drinking, redundant prepuce, phimosis, urine holding, and chronic insomnia are influencing factors for the occurrence of OAB in male college students.Moreover, OAB has negative impacts on their mental health, quality of life, and social interaction.

Cardiovascular disease(CVD)is currently one of the most severe diseases endangering human health,encompassing myocardial ischemia syndrome,myocardial fibrosis,atrial fibrillation,and other conditions.MicroRNAs(miRNAs/miR)are a class of small non-coding RNAs that can bind to specific se-quences and subsequently regulate post-transcriptional processing,translation,or epigenetic modifications,thereby modulating gene expression.Studies have found that miR-223 is associated with the occurrence and de-velopment of CVD and represents a potential specific therapeutic target.This article summarizes the relevant re-search on miR-223 in CVD,focusing on myocardial ischemia syndrome,myocardial fibrosis,and atrial fibrilla-tion,and discusses its application prospects and challenges as a specific therapeutic target,providing new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of CVD.

Skeletal system and immune system are 2 important systems for maintaining human life.Osteoporosis is a complex pathological change of bone tissue.Immune system disorders have become the cause of osteoporosis through affecting the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts and osteoclasts.Innate immunity,adaptive immunity,and cytokines play crucial roles in bone resorption and remodeling by regulating the signaling pathways of osteoblasts and osteoclasts.Therefore,immunoporosis has emerged for studying the inseparable relationship between osteoporosis and immune system.This article reviews the research progresses on immunoporosis,aiming to provide references for immunotherapy of osteoporosis.

Objective To optimize the processing technology of Curculigo orchioides Gaertn.Methods On the basis of single factor experiment,the ratio of material to liquid,frying temperature and frying time were taken as the influencing factors,and the comprehensive scores of appearance traits,curculigoside,orcinol glucoside and orcinol gentiobioside were taken as the evaluation indexes.The optimal processing technology was optimized by Box-Behnken response surface method combined with analytic hierarchy process,and the process verification was carried out.Results The optimal process was as follows:the raw C.orchioides pieces were mixed with the same amount of Evodia rutaecarpa juice,placed in a closed container,moistened until the juice was completely absorbed,stir-fried at 130 ℃ for 6 min,taken out and dried at 60 ℃.For each 100 kg of Curculigo,10 kg of Evodia rutaecarpa was used.Evodia rutaecarpa juice preparation method:10 kg of Evodia rutaecarpa was soaked in 12 times the amount of water for 60 min,decocted for 50 min,extracted for 3 times,combined with the filtrate,and concentrated to 100 kg to obtain Evodia rutaecarpa juice.Conclusion The optimal processing technology of Curculigo orchioides Gaertn.is stable and feasible.

Objective To investigate the effects of Jiuwei Jianbu Drink on oxidative stress and inflammatory injury in rats with knee osteoarthritis via the high mobility group box-1 protein(HMGB1)/receptor for advanced glycation endproducts(RAGE)/phosphatidyli-nositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt)signaling pathway.Methods A total of 60 rats were randomly divided into six groups according to the random number table method:blank control group,model group,positive drug group,and Jiuwei Jianbu Drink low-,medium-,and high-dose groups,with 10 rats in each group.Except for the blank control group,knee osteoarthritis models were estab-lished in the other groups,which were then subjected to corresponding treatments.Knee joint diameter and mechanical pain and thermal pain threshold changes were observed.Hematoxylin-eosin staining and safranin O/fast green staining were used to assess pathological changes in cartilage tissue.Oxidative stress markers and inflammatory factor levels in knee joint cartilage tissue of each group were meas-ured.Western blot was used to detect the expression of proteins related to the HMGB1/RAGE/PI3 K/Akt signaling pathway in knee joint tissues.Results Compared with the blank control group,the model group exhibited increased knee joint diameter and decreased mechan-ical pain and thermal pain threshold.Jiuwei Jianbu Drink at all doses groups and the positive control group significantly improved these in-dicators in a dose-dependent manner(P＜0.05).Additionally,the Mankin score and Osteoarthritis Research Society International(OARSI)score in the model group were significantly higher than those in the blank control group,while Jiuwei Jianbu Drink intervention significantly reduced the OARSI score,with the best effect observed in the high-dose group(P＜0.05).Compared with the blank con-trol group,the model group showed increased levels of nitric oxide(NO)and malondialdehyde(MDA),decreased levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px),and significantly elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α)and interleukin-1β(IL-1β).Compared with the model group,Jiuwei Jianbu Drink significantly inhibited oxidative stress and inflam-matory responses,especially at high doses(P＜0.05).Moreover,the expression of HMGB1,RAGE,p-PI3K/PI3K,and p-Akt/Akt in the model group was higher than that in the blank control group,while Jiuwei Jianbu Drink intervention dose-dependently downregulat-ed the expression of these proteins(P＜0.05).Conclusion Jiuwei Jianbu Drink alleviates oxidative stress and inflammatory injury in rats with knee osteoarthritis by inhibiting the HMGB1/RAGE/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway,thereby improving cartilage pathological chan-ges and demonstrating potential therapeutic value.

Objective:To compare the impact of preoperative pulmonary vascular resistance(PVR) levels on the prognosis of patients undergoing left ventricular assist device(LVAD)implantation.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 33 patients among September 2021 and June 2024, who underwent LVAD implantation at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University. 29 males and 4 females, with a mean age of(53.61±9.65)years old. The cohort included 30 cases of dilated cardiomyopathy, 2 cases of ischemic cardiomyopathy, and 1 case of noncompaction cardiomyopathy. Patients were grouped based on a preoperative PVR threshold of 3 WU, Preoperative data from Swan-Ganz catheterization, liver and renal function indicators, as well as other relevant clinical parameters were recorded. Patients were followed up to assess differences in survival outcomes.Results:Preoperative PVR was elevated in 18 cases(60%)of the patients, with a mean preoperative PVR of(3.16±1.71)WU. Immediate postoperative right heart catheterization was performed in 20 patients, showing a significant reduction in PVR from(3.85±1.72)WU preoperatively to(1.80±1.38)WU postoperatively( P<0.05). The cardiac index improved significantly from(1.95±0.63)L·min -1·m -2 preoperatively to(4.25±1.26)L·min -1·m -2 postoperatively( P<0.001). The mean follow-up duration was(14.78±12.06)months, no significant difference in postoperative survival was observed between the two groups(100% vs. 80%, P=0.667). Conclusion:Increased pulmonary resistance is often secondary to left heart dysfunction. After the implantation of a LVAD, pulmonary resistance can be improved. For patients with relatively normal right heart function before surgery, elevated pulmonary resistance does not affect the short-term outcomes of the implantation.