In recent years, the rising prevalence of obesity and its associated metabolic syndromes has emerged as a critical global public health concern. Sustained weight loss exceeding 10% of total body weight has been shown to ameliorate obesity-related comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hepatic steatosis. Recently, the potential of brown adipose tissue (BAT) to improve metabolism has garnered significant attention. However, evidence regarding weight loss therapies that promote BAT activation remains limited in preclinical models and is even scarcer in clinical studies, partly due to the paucity of appropriate BAT assessment techniques. This review aims to explore the potential impact of various weight loss therapies on BAT, with the goal of providing novel insights and strategies for the treatment of obesity.

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a clinically significant complication in elderly patients, largely driven by surgery-induced neuroinflammation. The cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) pathway, a crucial regulator of innate immunity, has been implicated in neuroinflammatory activation. This study investigated whether electroacupuncture (EA) improves POCD by modulating this pathway in aged rats. Aged male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to sevoflurane anesthesia and splenectomy to establish a POCD model. Animals were divided into sham, POCD, POCD+EA, and POCD+EA+cGAS inhibitor groups. The EA groups received stimulation at Baihui (Governor Vessel 20 (GV20)), Neiguan (Pericardium 6 (PC6)), and Zusanli (Stomach 36 (ST36)) acupoints. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Morris water maze, while hippocampal expression of cGAS-STING pathway components and downstream effectors—interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β)—was assessed by Western blot. Cellular localization was determined by immunofluorescence staining. Compared with the Sham group, rats in the POCD group showed significant impairments in spatial memory, accompanied by upregulated protein expression of cGAS, STING, NF-κB, IRF3, and IL-1β in the hippocampus. Upon pathway activation, cGAS and STING proteins were predominantly co-localized with neurons, and their fluorescence intensity in the hippocampus was markedly increased. These behavioral deficits and molecular alterations were partially reversed in both the POCD+EA and POCD+EA+inhibitor groups. Electroacupuncture alleviates POCD in aged rats by inhibiting hippocampal cGAS-STING pathway activation and reducing neuroinflammation, suggesting a promising non-pharmacological strategy for POCD management.

Approximately 10% of the global adult population has diabetes, with accumulating evidence linking suboptimal vitamin D levels to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and its complications. Current clinical studies suggest that vitamin D supplementation may enhance insulin sensitivity and improve glycemic control, prompting significant interest in its potential as a therapeutic intervention. However, further high-quality, large-scale randomized controlled trials are required to validate its efficacy in glucose metabolism regulation and clarify the underlying molecular mechanisms. These investigations will provide critical evidence to inform precision medicine approaches for diabetes prevention and management.

Objective:To establish reference ranges of central nervous system-related fetal intracranial markers during the first trimester in a local population of Suzhou.Methods:Ultrasound images of fetuses with normal birth outcomes in singleton pregnancies who underwent nuchal translucency(NT) screening during the first trimester (11-13 + 6 gestational weeks) from January 2021 to July 2022 at the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were retrospectively selected. The images including 3 planes: the midsagittal plane of the fetal head, also known as the plane for NT measurement, the trans-ventricular plane of the fetal head, and the axial plane of the fetal head at the posterior fossa level. The brainstem (BS) thickness, brainstem to occipital bone distance (BSOB), the ratio of BS to BSOB (BS/BSOB), intracranial translucency (IT) thickness, cisterna magna (CM) width, and the midbrain (MB) to falx (F) ratio MB/F were measured in the mid-sagittal plane of the fetal head. Choroid plexus length (CPL) to occipital frontal diameter (OFD) ratio CPL/OFD, and choroid plexus area (CPA) to head area (HA) ratio CPA/HA were measured in the trans-ventricular plane of the fetal head. Anteroposterior diameter of the fourth ventricle (4V) and CM were measured in the axial plane of the fetal head at the posterior fossa level.Statistical analysis was performed to obtain the corresponding normal reference range.Intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to analyze intra-observer and inter-observer consistency. Pearson correlation analysis and linear correlation analysis were used to study the correlations between crown-lump length (CRL) and intracranial markers, and the regression equation was derived. Results:A total of 2 331 fetuses were enrolled, providing 1 023 images of the midsagittal plane, 817 images of the trans-ventricular plane, and 567 images of the axial plane of the fetal head at the posterior fossa level. The intra-observer and inter-observer ICCs of intracranial markers BS, BSOB, BS/BSOB, IT thickness, CM width, MB/F in the mid-sagittal plane, the intracranial markers CPL/OFD, CPA/HA on the trans-ventricular plane, and the intracranial markers 4V and CM width in the axial plane at the posterior fossa level were all >0.75. Fetal intracranial markers were linearly correlated with CRL. The midsagittal plane: BS, BSOB, BS/BSOB, IT thickness, CM width, MB/F were linearly correlated with CRL ( r=0.508, 0.626, -0.234, 0.105, 0.508, -0.493; all P<0.05); the trans-ventricular plane: CPL/OFD, CPA/HA were linearly correlated with CRL( r=-0.324, -0.268; all P<0.001); the axial plane of the fetal head at the posterior fossa level: 4V, CM width were linearly correlated with CRL ( r=0.246, 0.467; all P<0.001). Conclusions:Quantitative analysis of fetal intracranial markers in the first trimester is feasible. This study constructed a normal reference range of multiple intracranial markers related to central nervous system in the first trimester with a local population of Suzhou. And the construction of this normal range can provide an objective basis for the detection of fetal central nervous system malformations in the first trimester.

Bioactive compounds derived from herbal medicinal plants modulate various therapeutic targets and signaling pathways associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), the world's primary cause of death. Ginkgo biloba, a well-known traditional Chinese medicine with notable cardiovascular actions, has been used as a cardio- and cerebrovascular therapeutic drug and nutraceutical in Asian countries for centuries. Preclinical studies have shown that ginkgolide B, a bioactive component in Ginkgo biloba, can ameliorate atherosclerosis in cultured vascular cells and disease models. Of clinical relevance, several clinical trials are ongoing or being completed to examine the efficacy and safety of ginkgolide B-related drug preparations in the prevention of cerebrovascular diseases, such as ischemia stroke. Here, we present a comprehensive review of the pharmacological activities, pharmacokinetic characteristics, and mechanisms of action of ginkgolide B in atherosclerosis prevention and therapy. We highlight new molecular targets of ginkgolide B, including nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidases (NADPH oxidase), lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1), sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), platelet-activating factor (PAF), proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and others. Finally, we provide an overview and discussion of the therapeutic potential of ginkgolide B and highlight the future perspective of developing ginkgolide B as an effective therapeutic agent for treating atherosclerosis.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between the duration of the second stage of labor and the amount of postpartum hemorrhage within 2 hours in primiparas using epidural analgesia.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on the clinical data of pregnant women who delivered vaginally in the obstetrics department of the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020. The data included maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), gravidity, gestational age at delivery, weight gain during pregnancy, common pregnancy complications (such as gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, hypothyroidism, and pregnancy-related anemia), types of uterotonics, duration of each stage of labor, delivery outcomes, perineal conditions, postpartum hemorrhage within 2 hours, and neonatal birth length and weight. The exposure variable was the duration of the second stage of labor, and the outcome was the amount of postpartum hemorrhage within 2 hours. Potential risk factors were analyzed using univariate analysis. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, a generalized additive model was used for linear regression analysis, smooth curve fitting, and threshold effect analysis to observe the relationship between the duration of the second stage of labor and postpartum hemorrhage within 2 hours.Results:A total of 2 067 primiparas were included in the study. The mean age of the participants was 26.5±3.6 years, the median duration of the second stage of labor was 54 min (range: 35-81 min), and the median amount of postpartum hemorrhage within 2 hours was 230 ml (range: 200-300 ml). After adjusting for factors such as maternal age, pre-pregnancy BMI, gestational age at delivery, vaginal delivery, duration of the first and third stages of labor, perineal conditions, types of uterotonics used within 2 hours postpartum, and neonatal birth length and weight, a positive relationship was found between the duration of the second stage of labor and the amount of postpartum hemorrhage within 2 hours ( ?=0.20, 95% CI: 0.00-0.30, P<0.05). The smooth curve fitting results showed a non-linear relationship between the duration of the second stage of labor and postpartum hemorrhage within 2 hours. Threshold effect analysis indicated that the two-segment regression model (Model Ⅱ) was more suitable for fitting the correlation compared to the univariate linear regression model (Model Ⅰ), with a log-likelihood ratio test P-value of 0.001, and the inflection point was 115 min for the second stage of labor (95% CI: 99-125 min). Conclusions:In primiparas using epidural analgesia, there is a non-linear relationship and threshold effect between the duration of the second stage of labor and the amount of postpartum hemorrhage within 2 hours. When the second stage of labor exceeds 115 min, the extension of the second stage may increase the amount of postpartum hemorrhage within 2 hours.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between the duration of the second stage of labor and the amount of postpartum hemorrhage within 2 hours in primiparas using epidural analgesia.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on the clinical data of pregnant women who delivered vaginally in the obstetrics department of the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020. The data included maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), gravidity, gestational age at delivery, weight gain during pregnancy, common pregnancy complications (such as gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, hypothyroidism, and pregnancy-related anemia), types of uterotonics, duration of each stage of labor, delivery outcomes, perineal conditions, postpartum hemorrhage within 2 hours, and neonatal birth length and weight. The exposure variable was the duration of the second stage of labor, and the outcome was the amount of postpartum hemorrhage within 2 hours. Potential risk factors were analyzed using univariate analysis. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, a generalized additive model was used for linear regression analysis, smooth curve fitting, and threshold effect analysis to observe the relationship between the duration of the second stage of labor and postpartum hemorrhage within 2 hours.Results:A total of 2 067 primiparas were included in the study. The mean age of the participants was 26.5±3.6 years, the median duration of the second stage of labor was 54 min (range: 35-81 min), and the median amount of postpartum hemorrhage within 2 hours was 230 ml (range: 200-300 ml). After adjusting for factors such as maternal age, pre-pregnancy BMI, gestational age at delivery, vaginal delivery, duration of the first and third stages of labor, perineal conditions, types of uterotonics used within 2 hours postpartum, and neonatal birth length and weight, a positive relationship was found between the duration of the second stage of labor and the amount of postpartum hemorrhage within 2 hours ( ?=0.20, 95% CI: 0.00-0.30, P<0.05). The smooth curve fitting results showed a non-linear relationship between the duration of the second stage of labor and postpartum hemorrhage within 2 hours. Threshold effect analysis indicated that the two-segment regression model (Model Ⅱ) was more suitable for fitting the correlation compared to the univariate linear regression model (Model Ⅰ), with a log-likelihood ratio test P-value of 0.001, and the inflection point was 115 min for the second stage of labor (95% CI: 99-125 min). Conclusions:In primiparas using epidural analgesia, there is a non-linear relationship and threshold effect between the duration of the second stage of labor and the amount of postpartum hemorrhage within 2 hours. When the second stage of labor exceeds 115 min, the extension of the second stage may increase the amount of postpartum hemorrhage within 2 hours.

Objective:To explore the independent risk factors and early diagnosis of dermatomyositis (DM) with positive anti-melanoma differentiation associated gene 5 (MDA5) antibody.Methods:A total of 223 DM patients admitted to the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2012 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, according to whether the anti-MDA5 antibody was positive or not, the patients were divided into anti-MDA5 antibody positive group ( n= 34) and anti-MDA5 antibody negative group ( n=189). The demographic data, clinical manifestations and laboratory test results of the two groups were compared. The risk factors of DM patients with positive anti-MDA5 antibody were analyzed by binary Logistic regression, and the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was drawn to evaluate the predictive value of various risk factors for anti-MDA5 antibody positive DM patients. Results:The incidence of skin ulcer [20.6%(7/34) vs 9.0%(17/189), χ2=4.03, P=0.045], the positive rate of anti-Ro52 antibody [61.8%(21/34) vs 21.2%(40/189), χ2=23.90, P<0.001], the incidence of interstitial lung disease (ILD) [91.2% (31/34) vs 38.6%(73/189), χ2=31.98, P<0.001] and rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RP-ILD) [67.6%(23/34) vs 5.3%(10/189), χ2=88.87, P<0.001], the levels of D-dimer [1.87(1.23, 2.56) μg/ml vs 1.15(0.59, 1.29) μg/ml, χ2=4.68, P<0.001] and serum ferritin (SF) [931.65(579.12, 1 160.43) ng/ml vs 507.40(200.40, 588.55) ng/ml, χ2=5.60, P<0.001] in the anti-MDA5 antibody positive group were higher than those in the anti-MDA5 antibody negative group, wherease the creatine kinase (CK) level in the anti-MDA5 anti-body positive group was significantly lower than that in the anti-MDA5 antibody negative group [85.50(61.25, 1 55.00) U/L vs 263.00(66.50, 1 111.14) U/L, χ2=3.08, P=0.002]. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that positive anti-Ro52 antibody [ OR(95% CI)=5.027(1.632, 15.483), P=0.005], increased D-dimer level [ OR(95% CI)=1.665(1.124, 2.466), P=0.011], occurrence of ILD [ OR(95% CI)=10.071(2.061, 49.207), P=0.004] and RP-ILD[ OR(95% CI)=10.91(3.294, 36.134), P<0.001] were independent risk factors for anti-MDA5 antibody positive DM patients. The ROC curve showed that the areas under the curve (95% CI) of anti-Ro52 antibody, D-dimer, ILD and RP-ILD were 0.703(0.615, 0.791), 0.752(0.661, 0.843)], 0.763(0.703, 0.822), 0.812(0.730, 0.893) respectively. The P value of all these parameters were <0.001 and their value in predicting anti-MDA5 antibody positive DM was high. Conclusion:Positive anti-Ro52-Ab, increased D-dimer level, presence of ILD and RP-ILD are independent risk factors for anti-MDA5 antibody positive DM patients, and they have certain early diagnostic value for DM patients with positive anti-MDA5 antibody.

Objective:To observe any effect of magnetic stimulation of the primary motor cortex and sacral nerve roots on urinary retention after spinal cord injury.Methods:Forty patients experiencing urine retention after a spinal cord injury were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group, each of 20. Both groups received conventional treatment and repeated magnetic stimulation of the roots of the sacral nerve. The experimental group also received repeated magnetic stimulation of the bilateral primary motor cortices (M1 region). Bladder capacity and pressure indices, residual urine volume and life quality were evaluated in both groups before and after 8 weeks of treatment.Results:After the treatment, the average maximum bladder pressure, first sensation capacity, residual urine volume and life quality score of both groups had improved significantly, but the improvements in average first sensation capacity, residual urine volume and life quality score of the experimental group were significantly greater than those of the control group. There was, however, no significant difference in the groups′ average maximum bladder pressure after the treatment.Conclusion:Magnetic stimulation of the primary motor cortex and sacral nerve roots can significantly improve the sensory function of the bladder, reduce residual urine volume and improve the life quality of persons experiencing urinary retention after a spinal cord injury.

Objective: To development teacher health literacy on students visual protection questionnaire for kindergarten, primary and middle schools, and to provide a basis for quantitative assessment of visual protection health literacy of school teachers. Methods: Based on official documents related to prevention and control of myopia as well as the integrated definition of health literacy of WHO Europe, the framework for technical evaluation was established. Totally 24 multi disciplinary experts in related fields conducted two round Delphi expert consultation. Evaluation items, questions and corresponding weights were determined based on experts opinions and scores. Results: In two rounds of Delphi consultation, the response rates were 83.3% and 79.2% respectively, and the authority coefficient was 0.91. The final questionnaire was composed by dimensions of core knowledge of myopia, daily instruction, guidance for myopic behaviors, promotion of outdoor activities, and creation of teaching light environment, including 30 and 23 items for middle and primary school teachers and kindergarten teachers respectively. The coefficient of variation ( CV ) of the five dimensions ranged from 0.07 to 0.15, and that of each question ranged from 0.08 to 0.29. Expert opinions were accordant and credible. Conclusion A reliable questionnaire of teacher health literacy on students visual protection health literacy for school teachers is established, which can be used as the entry point and effectiveness evaluation basis for the school based intervention of myopia.