Background The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is a vast area with a wide array of ecological environments, resulting in considerable regional variations in air pollution characteristics. Current research is limited by a scarcity of systematic, region-wide studies and risk assessments. Objective To assess the health risks associated with inhalation exposure to nine heavy metal and metalloid elements in atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) for the population of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Methods From the 10th to the 16th of each month throughout 2023, atmospheric PM_2.5 samples were collected at designated monitoring sites in 12 leagues (cities) across the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to analyze the characteristics and trends in concentration. The health risk assessment model developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency was employed to evaluate both the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks associated with the heavy metal elements beryllium (Be), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), hydrargyrum (Hg), plumbum (Pb), manganese (Mn), and nickel (Ni) and the metalloid elements stibium (Sb) and arsenic (As). Results In 2023, a total of 1206 valid PM_2.5 samples were analyzed from the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The annual average PM_2.5 concentrations in Inner Mongolia, as well as in the cities of Ordos, Wuhai, and the Alxa League, all exceeded the national limit of 35 μg·m⁻³. The PM_2.5 concentrations across the leagues (cities) exhibited a clear seasonal variation, peaking in winter, followed by spring, and reaching a minimum in summer and autumn. The median PM_2.5 concentration in Ordos throughout the year was higher than that in the other leagues (cities) of the region. Concerning health risks, the non-carcinogenic risks associated with the 9 elements detected in each league (city) were all below 1, indicating acceptable levels. However, the non-carcinogenic risk values for Mn, Cr, and As were relatively high; specifically, Ordos City displayed the highest non-carcinogenic risk values for Mn (7.74×10⁻¹) and Cr (2.97×10⁻²), while Chifeng City recorded the highest value for As (2.34×10⁻³). The carcinogenic risk values for As, Cd, Cr, and Ni fell within the range of 1×10⁻⁹ to 1×10⁻⁵, representing an acceptable level. The health risks varied with age, and the elderly residents faced the highest non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks. Conclusion While the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks from heavy metals and metalloids within atmospheric PM_2.5 in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region are generally within acceptable limits, the potential risks that Mn, As, and Cr pose to the health of elderly people warrants particular attention, and Ordos and Chifeng cities exhibit notably higher health risks among other areas. It is recommended that regular, long-term monitoring be conducted, taking into account the specific conditions at monitoring sites across each league (city), and that targeted air quality management strategies be implemented to protect public health.

Hemorrhagic shock (HS) is one of the leading causes of death among young adults worldwide. Multiple organ dysfunction in HS is caused by an imbalance between tissue oxygen supply and demand, which is closely related to the poor prognosis of patient. Mitochondrial dysfunction is one of the key mechanisms contributing to multiple organ dysfunction in HS, while mitochondrial quality control regulates mitochondrial function through a series of processes, including mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial dynamics, mitophagy, mitochondrial-derived vesicles, and mitochondrial protein homeostasis. Modulating mitochondrial quality control can improve organ dysfunction. This review aims to summarize the effects of mitochondrial dysfunction on organ function in HS and discuss the potential mechanisms of mitochondrial quality control, providing insights into the injury mechanisms underlying HS and guiding clinical management.

Objective:To assess the association between diabetes mellitus and the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD), and to identify potential contributing factors.Methods:This meta-analysis was an updated version of the original study Diabetes mellitus and the risk of sudden cardiac death： a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies. The original review included all eligible case-control and cohort studies published in PubMed and Embase up to 2017 that investigated the association between diabetes and SCD risk. In this updated study, newly published studies were added, including those available in PubMed, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and WANFANG MED ONLINE up to December 3, 2023. Search terms included "diabetes""glucose""sudden cardiac death" "cardiac arrest" and their Chinese equivalent. The primary outcome was the risk of SCD, while factors such as country, ethnicity, skin color, follow-up duration, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), baseline comorbidities, and other relevant variables were analyzed as potential influencing factors. Relative risk ( RR) was used as the summary measure. A random-effects model was used when significant heterogeneity was detected, otherwise a fixed-effects model was used. Cochran′s Q test was used for subgroup analysis to assess the influence of factors such as region, baseline diseases, LVEF, and ethnicity (based on skin color) on the outcomes. Results:A total of 32 cohort/case-control studies with a combined sample size of 3 252 954 individuals were included. The meta-analysis showed that the risk of SCD in patients with diabetes was double that of non-diabetics ( RR=2.00, 95% CI: 1.83-2.19, P<0.001). In Asian populations, the risk of SCD in diabetic patients was 1.78 times that of non-diabetic individuals ( RR=1.78, 95% CI: 1.51-2.10), 2.05 times that of in European populations ( RR=2.05, 95% CI: 1.79-2.34), and 2.12 times that of in American populations ( RR=2.12, 95% CI: 1.82-2.47), with no statistically significant heterogeneity between regions ( P=0.287). Among individuals without other baseline comorbidities, the risk of SCD was 2.12 times higher in diabetic patients than in those without diabetes ( RR=2.12, 95% CI: 1.89-2.38). In patients with baseline coronary heart disease, the risk was 1.75 times that of non-diabetics ( RR=1.75, 95% CI: 1.45-2.11). In those with baseline heart failure, the risk was 1.92 times that of non-diabetics ( RR=1.92, 95% CI: 1.51-2.43). In patients with baseline atrial fibrillation, the risk was 4.00 times that of non-diabetic individuals ( RR=4.00, 95% CI: 1.38-11.56). In patients undergoing hemodialysis due to renal failure, the risk was 1.76 times that of non-diabetic individuals ( RR=1.76, 95% CI: 1.25-2.48), with no statistically significant heterogeneity between groups ( P=0.262). In cardiac patients with LVEF>50%, the risk of SCD in diabetic patients was 2.08 times that of non-diabetic individuals ( RR=2.08, 95% CI: 1.57-2.75), and in those with LVEF<50%, the risk was 1.69 times that of non-diabetic individuals ( RR=1.69, 95% CI: 1.30-2.18), with no statistically significant heterogeneity between groups ( P=0.277). In yellow-skinned populations, the risk of SCD in diabetic patients was 1.80 times that of healthy individuals ( RR=1.80, 95% CI: 1.73-1.87), and in white-skinned populations, it was 2.18 times that of healthy individuals ( RR=2.18, 95% CI: 1.88-2.54), with statistically significant heterogeneity between groups ( P=0.014). Conclusions:Diabetes mellitus significantly increased the risk of SCD, and this effect may be more pronounced in white-skinned populations, while region, baseline comorbidities, and LVEF had no further effect.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have reported that protein supplementation contributes to the attenuation of inflammation. Serious trauma such as burn injury usually results in the excessive release of inflammatory factors and organs dysfunction. However, a few reports continued to focus on the function of protein ingestion in regulating burninduced inflammation and organ dysfunction.MATERIALS/METHODS: This study established the rat model of 30% total body surface area burn injury, and evaluated the function of blended protein (mixture of whey and soybean proteins). Blood routine examination, inflammatory factors, blood biochemistry, and immunohistochemical assays were employed to analyze the samples from different treatment groups. RESULTS: Our results indicated a decrease in the numbers of white blood cells, monocytes, and neutrophils in the burn injury group administered with the blended protein nutritional support (Burn+BP), as compared to the burn injury group administered normal saline supplementation (Burn+S). Expressions of the pro-inflammatory factors (tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 [IL-6]) and chemokines (macrophage chemoattractant protein-1, regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted factor, and C-C motif chemokine 11) were dramatically decreased, whereas anti-inflammatory factors (IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13) were significantly increased in the Burn+BP group. Kidney function related markers blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine, and the liver function related markers alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase were remarkably reduced, whereas albumin levels were elevated in the Burn+BP group as compared to levels obtained in the Burn+S group. Furthermore, inflammatory cells infiltration of the kidney and liver was also attenuated after burn injury administered with blended protein supplementation. CONCLUSIONS In summary, nutritional support with blended proteins dramatically attenuates the burn-induced inflammatory reaction and protects organ functions. We believe this is a new insight into a potential therapeutic strategy for nutritional support of burn patients.

Objective:To study the effect of microglia depletion combined with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) transplantation for spinal cord injury (SCI) repair.Methods:GFP-BMSCs were cultured, identified and detected for expression levels of growth factors. The effects of BMSCs ondorsal root ganglion (DRG) axon outgrowth were observed by the co-culture of BMSCs with DRGs. Mice were depleted of microglia by administrating the colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) inhibitor PLX3397. The spinal cords of these microglia-depleted mice were subjected to crush injury. BMSCs were transplanted into SCI area after microglia depletion. Mice were randomly divided into control group (SCI+BMSCs) and experimental group (PLX3397+SCI+BMSCs). Mice were sacrificed at corresponding time points after transplantation for observing the survival of transplanted BMSCs and the repair of spinal cord. BMS score was used for evaluation of motor function recovery.Results:BMSCs secreted a large number of neurotrophic factors and promoted the growth of DRG axons when co-cultured with DRGs. Depletion of microglia significantly improved the survival of transplanted BMSCs. Compared with BMSCs transplantation alone, the combined treatments slightly but non-significantly reduced the area of the lesion ( t=2.141, P=0.065). Immunofluorescence staining showed that both BMSC transplantation alone and the combined treatments did not cause the corticospinalaxons across the lesion and into distal spinal cord. BMS scores were (1.20±0.45), (3.20±0.45), (3.80±0.45), (4.20±0.45), and (4.60±0.55) points in control group at 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 d after injury. The experimental groups were(0.60±0.55), (3.00±0.71), (3.80±0.84), (4.20±0.84), and (4.40±0.89) points, respectively. Conclusion:Depletion of microglia improves the survival of transplanted cells, depletion of microglia combined with BMSC transplantation did not result in a significant reduction in lesion area. At the same time, the damaged CST axons were notregenerated. Thus, combining cell transplantation with axon-promoting strategy may be necessary for SCI repair.

Objective:To investigate the effects and mechanism of exosomes secreted by human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells （hUC-MSCs） in repair of tendon cell injury.Methods:The hUC-MSCs which were stably subcultured were isolated and purified by a tissue block adherent method，and the immunophenotype of hUC-MSCs was detected by flow cytometry. The induction media was employed to induce the differentiation of hUC-MSCs to osteoblasts，chondroblasts and adipocytes，and cell identification was performed subsequently. The secreted exosomes of MSCs （MSCs-exosomes） were extracted using an ultracentrifugation method. The exosomes were detected by Western blot and electron microscopy，and the fusion ability of the exosome membrane was detected by PKH67 staining fluorescence. Forty Wistar rats were divided into tendon injury group （ n = 20） and normal group （ n = 20） according to the random number table. In tendon injury group，the rats were sacrificed with 100 mg/kg pentobarbital sodium one week after Achilles tendon transection，and the injured tendon cells were obtained following digestion of the Achilles tendon. In normal group，the rats were sacrificed without any treatment and the normal tendon cells were obtained concurrently. After the exosomes were co-cultured with tendon cells in vitro for 12，24，48，72 hours，the proliferation of tendon cells was detected by CCK-8 assay. After the tendon cells were treated with hUC-MSCs exosomes for 24 hours，the effects of exosomes on transforming growth factor β （TGF-β），bone morphogenetic protein （BMP），vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF），fibroblast growth factor （FGF），interleukin（IL）-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） were detected by Western blot，qPCR and immunofluorescence. Results:The hUC-MSCs were identified and hUC-MSCs-exosomes were isolated successfully. The cultured MSCs were fusiform and positive for Alanine aminopeptidase （CD13），integrin β-1 （CD29），ECTO-5'-nucleotidase （CD73），thymocyte surface antigen （CD90） and endothelin （CD105），but negative for human leukocyte DR antigen （HLA-DR），hematopoietic progenitor cell antigen （CD34） and leukocyte common antigen （CD45）. The exosomes isolated showed a round disc shape and a diameter of 30-100 nm with a depressed internal structure under the electron microscope which was verified via PKH67 staining and the motility-related protein-1 （CD9） and lysosomal associated membrane protein 3 （CD63） were highly expressed. The CCK-8 assay showed the cell viability in tendon injury group was markedly higher than that in normal group at 12 h，24 h，48 h，and 72 h following treatment of tendon cells （ P < 0.01）. The results of qPCR revealed that the mRNA expressions of TGF-β （1.850 ± 0.127），BMP （2.133 ± 0.398），FGF （1.610 ± 0.223） and VEGF （2.207 ± 0.059） in tendon injury group were markedly higher than those in normal group（1.004 ± 0.105，1.007 ± 0.145，1.007 ± 0.140，1.001 ± 0.065，respectively） （ P < 0.05）. However，the mRNA expressions of IL-1β （0.102 ± 0.009） and TNF-α （0.130 ± 0.013） in tendon injury group was markedly lower than those in normal group （1.004 ± 0.113，1.006 ± 0.134） （ P < 0.01）. The results of Western blot were consistent with those of qPCR. Conclusions:The exosomes secreted by hUC-MSCs can promote the growth of tendon cells and repair of tendon cell injury by up-regulating the expression of growth factors TGF-β，BMP，VEGF and FGF，and inhibiting the expression of inflammatory factors IL-1β and TNF-α.

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy between the pressing tendon suture with a lateral anchor and the knotted suture with a lateral anchor in the treatment of severe rotator cuff tear under shoulder arthroscopy.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted of the 42 patients who had been treated at Department of Orthopedic Sports Medicine, Affiliated Hospital to Qingdao University from December 2018 to December 2019 for severe rotator cuff tear. They were 13 males and 29 females, with an age of (58.3±10.1) years (from 32 to 74 years). The injury was on the right side in 26 cases and on the left side in 16 cases. Of them, 22 received pressing tendon suture with a lateral anchor under shoulder arthroscopy and 20 knotted suture with a lateral anchor under shoulder arthroscopy. The flexion, abduction and external rotation of the shoulder, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain score, University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) score, Constant-Murley shoulder score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score and imaging MRI Sugaya grading were compared between the 2 groups 12 months after operation.Results:There was no significant difference in the preoperative general data between the 2 groups, showing comparability between them ( P>0.05). At 12 months after operation, the pressing tendon suture group had better abduction and flexion of the shoulder, a lower VAS pain score and a higher ASES score than the knotted suture group, but the differences were insignificant ( P>0.05). At 12 months after operation, the pressing tendon suture group achieved significantly better external rotation (39.2°±11.7°) and significantly higher UCLA score (28.1±4.7) and Constant-Murley shoulder score (77.0±9.3) than the knotted suture group (29.8°±14.6°, 22.1±5.7 and 66.4±11.0) ( P<0.05). At 12 months after operation, the imaging MRI Sugaya grading was significantly lower for the pressing tendon suture group than that for the knotted suture group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:In the treatment of patients with severe rotator cuff tear under shoulder arthroscopy, the pressing tendon suture with a lateral anchor may lead to better clinical prognosis than the knotted suture with a lateral anchor.

Objective:To investigate the characteristics of short-term prognostic factors in very elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).Methods:A total of 2 912 ACS patients admitted to Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University from January 1, 2010 to October 31, 2014 and treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were enrolled and divided into two groups according to age: very elderly group (≥75 years, 480 cases) and control group (< 75 years, 2 432 cases). The clinical data and coronary artery lesions of the included patients were detected. Major cardiovascular adverse events (MACE) occurred within 30 d after discharge were followed up and recorded. The short-term prognostic factors in very elderly patients with ACS were analyzed by Logistic regression.Results:Compared with control group, the percentage of hypertension, global registry of acute coronary events (GRACE) score, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, the left main lesion ratio and Gensini score in very elderly group were higher, while the percentage of men, number of smoking, hyperlipidemia proportion, red blood cell count, white blood cell count, blood platelet count, albumin, and long term oral administration of aspirin, clopidogrel, statins, angiotensin receptor inhibitor after discharge were lower, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.01 or<0.05). During the follow-up period, the all-cause mortality in very elderly group was higher than that in control group: 2.5%(12/480) vs. 0.9% (21/2 432), and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that oral angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor was a protective factor for elderly ACS patients after discharge ( OR = 0.046, 95% CI 0.006 to 0.383, P = 0.004). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that Gensini score ≥ 87.75 scores was a threshold value for all-cause mortality. The all-cause mortality ratio in high Gensini score (≥ 87.75 scores) group was higher than that in low Gensini score (<87.75 scores) group: 6.6% (9/137) vs. 0.9% (3/343), and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.01). Conclusions:Very elderly patients with ACS have their own characteristics from both clinical history and prognostic factors. Patients with Gensini score of ≥ 87.75 scores should be closely observed, and drug treatment during hospitalization should be intensified if necessary. Follow-up should be strengthened for such patients, and oral drug treatment should be continued after discharge.

Objective:To explore the clinical effectiveness of arthroscopic treatment of tibial eminence avulsion fracture by four-point fixation with suture anchors.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed of the 58 patients with tibial eminence avulsion fracture who had been treated by the same group of surgeons using four-point fixation technique with suture anchors under arthroscopy at Department of Sports Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital to Qingdao University from January 2015 to December 2018. They were 33 males and 25 females, with an average age of 18.4 years (from 14 to 32 years). By the modified Meyers-McKeever classification, 15 fractures were type Ⅱ, 19 type Ⅲ and 24 type Ⅳ. Recorded and compared were knee Lysholm scores, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores and tibial eminence height between preoperation and one year postoperation; recorded at the last follow-up were range of knee motion and results of Lachman and pivot-shift tests.Results:The 58 patients were followed up for a mean of 20.7 months (from 12 to 33 months). Bony union was achieved in all patients within 12 weeks after operation. In this cohort, the Lysholm score (85.2±4.9) and IKDC score (86.2±4.3) at one year postoperation were significantly higher than the preoperative values (43.2±5.2 and 51.2±4.9), and the post-operative tibial eminence height [(9.1±1.2) mm] was significantly lower than the preoperative value [(12.6±1.2) mm] (all P<0.05). The correlation coefficients between the tibial eminence height and the Lysholm & IKDC scores at one year postoperation were -0.16 and -0.17, respectively. The last follow-up showed a 132°±5° range of knee motion for all patients, a positive result of pivot-shift test (grade Ⅱ) for 3 and a positive result of Lachman test (grade Ⅰ) for 2. Conclusion:Arthroscopic treatment of tibial eminence avulsion fracture by four-point fixation with suture anchors can lead to satisfactory effectiveness, showing advantages of minimal invasion, anatomic reduction, reliable fixation, and little impact on the epiphysis plate.