Background Meteorological factors are among the key extrinsic triggers for the onset and exacerbation of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (CVD). Against the backdrop of sustained global warming, elucidating the impact of ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure on CVD, especially on pre-hospital CVD emergent events, has become imperative for evidence-based prevention and emergency preparedness. Objective To quantify the temporal trends of daily mean temperature and atmospheric pressure and their associations with pre-hospital CVD emergent events in Yantai, and to explore effect modification by demographic subgroups and geographic areas, thereby providing an empirical basis for the rational allocation of emergency medical resources. Methods Pre-hospital CVD emergency data from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2022 were selected from the Yantai 120 Emergency Medical Command System. Synchronous meteorological factors and environmental pollutant data were obtained from the websites of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Centers for Environmental Information of the United States. Time-series analysis combined with distributed lag non-linear model was used to analyze the association between daily temperature, atmospheric pressure, and pre-hospital CVD emergencies. Average annual percentage changes (AAPC) were calculated using Joinpoint (version 5.2.0.0) to reflect temporal trends. Spearman correlation analysis was employed to screen variables with low collinearity for inclusion in the multi-pollutant adjusted models. Results From 2016 to 2022, a total of 268275 pre-hospital CVD emergency cases were recorded in Yantai City, showing an increasing annual trend (AAPC=7.16%, P=0.002). Emergency volume, daily temperature, atmospheric pressure, and PM₁₀ displayed marked seasonal patterns, with summer bottoms and winter peaks for emergencies, daily temperature higher in summer and lower in winter, and the inverse for atmospheric pressure. Correlation analysis showed that both daily temperature and atmospheric pressure were positively correlated with O₃, with correlation coefficients of 0.745 and 0.723, respectively; negatively correlated with PM_2.5, with correlation coefficients of −0.246 and −0.235, respectively; and negatively correlated with PM₁₀, with correlation coefficients of −0.241 and −0.229, respectively (P < 0.05). A U-shaped correlation was revealed between daily temperature and pre-hospital CVD emergency risk. Using 24 °C as the reference, risk was elevated at both low and high daily temperatures, with the strongest cold effect at –11 ℃ (RR=1.53, 95%CI: 1.35, 1.73) and strongest heat effect at 30 ℃ (RR=1.06, 95%CI: 1.01, 1.11); cold effects were prolonged (lag0–14d) compared to heat effects. Atmospheric pressure exhibited a positive association with emergencies; using a median of 1012.2 hPa as the reference, the maximum risk occurred at 1037 hPa (RR=1.25, 95%CI: 1.03, 1.52), with a 0–5 d lag. In the subgroup analysis, the impact of low temperature was more pronounced among females (RR_{−9 ℃}=1.66), people over 60 years (RR_{−9 ℃}=1.91), and rural residents (RR_{−9 ℃}=1.76). High atmospheric pressure significantly increased the risk of pre-hospital CVD emergency among females (RR_{1035 hPa}=1.54), people under 18 years (RR_{1035 hPa}=3.62), and rural residents (RR_{1035 hPa}=1.46). The sensitivity analysis results indicated that, after excluding the impact of pandemic and the degrees of freedom for time variations, the effects of daily average temperature and atmospheric pressure on pre-hospital CVD emergency volume were consistent with the primary analysis findings. Conclusion Both non-optimal temperature and atmospheric pressure significantly increase the pre-hospital CVD emergency volume; therefore, emergency medical services should develop targeted response protocols, optimize resource allocation, and intensify public health education to mitigate the pre-hospital burden attributable to temperature and pressure fluctuations.

Objective To observe the effects of tuina of"three methods and three acupoints"on skeletal muscle α-actin,myostatin(MSTN)and atrophy gene 1(Atrogin1)expression of sciatic nerve injury(SNI)rats;To explore the mechanism of tuina therapy on motor dysfunction.Methods Male SD rats were randomly divided into blank group,sham-operation group,model group and tuina group,with 9 rats in each group.SNI model was established by clamp method in rats of the model group and tuina group.The sciatic nerve was exposed without clamping in rats of the sham-operation group,the blank group was not intervened.7 days after the operation,the intelligent tuina manipulation simulator was used to simulate the point method,dial method and knead method,which were applied to the"Yinmen"(BL37),"Chengshan"(BL57)and"Yanglingquan"(GB34)of rats in the tuina group,once a day,for 20 times.The rats in the sham-operation group and the model group were only grasped and restrained.Rats in the blank group did not receive any intervention.The hind limb muscle strength were evaluated by inclined plate test before modeling,after 10 interventions and 20 interventions.After the intervention,the rats were euthanized.The expressions of α-actin in gastrocnemius muscle tissue were detected by immunofluorescence staining,the expressions of MSTN,Atrogin1 mRNA and protein in gastrocnemius muscle tissue were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot.Results Compared with the blank group and sham-operation group,the model group showed a decrease in hind limb muscle strength(P<0.01),a significant decrease in α-actin expression in gastrocnemius muscle tissue(P<0.01),and a significant increase in MSTN,Atrogen1 mRNA and protein expression(P<0.05,P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the hind limb muscle strength in tuina group significantly increased(P<0.01),the expressions of α-actin significantly increased(P<0.01),and the expressions of MSTN,Atrogin1 mRNA and protein significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion"Three methods and three acupoints"tuina can improve hind limb muscle strength and restore motor function of SNI rats,which is related to the down-regulation of MSTN and Atrogin1 as well as increasing the expression of α-actin in gastrocnemius muscles.

Objective Network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques were used to predict the potential mechanisms by which the active components of Piper nigrum(PN)regulate depressive-like behaviors in chronic restraint stress(CRS)mice.Methods The major chemical components and targets of PN were screened using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology database.Targets related to ferroptosis and depression were obtained from the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man,GeneCards,and FerrDB databases.The intersecting targets were then subjected to Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Gnomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analyses,and molecular docking was performed to validate the binding capacities between the core targets and their corresponding active components.Finally,we established a CRS mouse model.Mice were treated with PN 75,150,and 300 mg/kg for 4 weeks,followed by behavioral assessments and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)to verify the expression of core genes.Results Nine active components were screened from PN,corresponding to 27 targets,and 8377 targets related to depression and 547 targets associated with ferroptosis were screened from the databases.The intersection of these three sets resulted in 25 target genes.KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that these core targets were predominantly enriched in signaling pathways,including cholinergic synapses,serotonergic synapses,and neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions.Molecular docking result showed that the main active components of PN had strong binding affinities for the targets CHRM2,SLC6A4,PTGS2,and SLC6A2.Behavioral assessments demonstrated that PN significantly increased the sucrose preference index(P＜0.01,P＜0.001),reduced immobility time in the tail suspension and forced swimming tests(P＜0.01,P＜0.001),and enhanced exploratory behavior in the open field test(P＜0.05.P＜0.01,P＜0.001).PN significantly reduced the serum levels of inflammation markers(P＜0.05.P＜0.01,P＜0.001),as shown by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,and neurotransmitter analysis revealed that PN significantly increased the levels of serotonin and acetylcholine in the mouse hippocampus(P＜0.05).RT-qPCR showed that PN demonstrated the mRNA expression of SLC6A4(P＜0.05.P＜0.01,P＜0.001).Conclusions PN may improve depressive-like behavior in mice by modulating serotonin and acetylcholine levels,inhibiting inflammatory responses,participating in immune regulation,and exerting neuroprotective effects.

BACKGROUND:Recent studies have shown that Du Meridian electroacupuncture has a unique effect on alleviating spinal cord injury,but the underlying mechanisms require further clarification.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the regulatory effects and the associated action mechanisms of Du Meridian electroacupuncture on ferroptosis after cervical spinal cord injury in rats.METHODS:One hundred SD rats were randomly divided into sham,model,Du Meridian electroacupuncture,RSL3,and Du Meridian electroacupuncture+RSL3 groups.The sham group underwent only laminectomy.The other four groups were subjected to cervical spinal cord injury by the Allen method.The Du Meridian electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture after cervical spinal cord injury.The RSL3 group received intraperitoneal injections of glutathione peroxidase 4 inhibitor RSL3 after cervical spinal cord injury.The Du Meridian electroacupuncture+RSL3 group received both electroacupuncture and RSL3 intervention after cervical spinal cord injury.Samples were collected on postoperative days 7 and 28 to assess motor function,histological morphology,neuronal survival,glial scar formation,oxidative stress levels,Fe2+content,glutathione peroxidase 4,and long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4 expression.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Finally,90 rats completed the follow-up experiment,with 18 rats in each group.(2)FLS and BBB scores were significantly higher in the Du Meridian electroacupuncture group compared with the model and Du Meridian electroacupuncture+RSL3 groups(P＜0.05).(3)Compared with the model group,Du Meridian electroacupuncture improved cervical spinal cord tissue morphology and mitochondrial ultrastructure,while these effects were inhibited by RSL3.(4)Du Meridian electroacupuncture increased the expression of microtubule-associated protein 2,glutathione peroxidase 4,glutathione,and superoxide dismutase(P＜0.05)and reduced the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein,long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4,reactive oxygen species,malondialdehyde,and Fe2+compared with the model group(P＜0.05).However,RSL3 reversed the inhibitory effects of Du Meridian electroacupuncture on ferroptosis,lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress.(5)The results suggest that Du Meridian electroacupuncture inhibits ferroptosis by regulating the glutathione peroxidase 4/long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4 axis,thereby reducing secondary neuronal damage and glial scar formation after cervical spinal cord injury and improving neurological function.

Objective To investigate the effect of naringenin(NAR)on right ventricular remodeling induced by hypoxic pulmonary hypertension(HPH)and its related mechanism.Methods SD rats were randomly divided into the control group(NC),the NC+NAR group,the HPH group and the HPH+NAR group,with 15 rats in each group.HPH model was established in a low-pressure hypoxic artificial chamber.After the successful construction of the model,rats in the NC+NAR group and the HPH+NAR group were given NAR 100 mg/(kg·d)gavage once a day for 4 weeks,while rats in the NC group and the HPH group were given the same volume of normal saline once a day for 4 weeks.Right ventricular free wall thickness(RVEDWT)and end-diastolic right ventricular diameter(RVEDD)were measured by echocardiography.Right ventricular systolic pressure(RVSP)and mean pulmonary artery pressure(mPAP)were measured by cardiac catheter.Right ventricular mass ratio(RV/BW)and right ventricular hypertrophy index(RVHI)were calculated.Masson and Sirius staining of right ventricle was used to calculate the collagen volume fraction(CVF).TUNEL staining was used to evaluate the apoptosis of right ventricular cardiomyocytes.The contents of malondialdehyde(MDA)and the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD)in right ventricular myocardium were detected.The expression of Rho associated kinase(ROCK)protein was detected by Western blot assay.Results Compared with the NC group and the NC+NAR group,mPAP,RVSP,RVEDWT,RV/BW,RVHI,right ventricular CVF,right ventricular myocardial cell apoptosis rate,MDA content and ROCK1 and ROCK2 protein expression in right ventricular myocardial tissue were increased in the HPH group.RVEDD and SOD activity in right ventricular myocardium were decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with the HPH group,mPAP,RVSP,RVEDWT,RV/BW,RVHI,right ventricular CVF,right ventricular myocardial cell apoptosis rate,MDA content,ROCK1 and ROCK2 protein expression in right ventricular myocardial tissue were decreased in the HPH+NAR group,and RVEDD and SOD activity in right ventricular myocardium were increased(P＜0.05).Conclusion NAR can reduce HPH-induced right ventricular remodeling,and its mechanism may be related to inhibiting ROCK signaling pathway and further improving apoptosis and oxidative stress in right ventricular myocardium.

Objective To analyze the incidence of cardiovascular events among patients with comorbid chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)and hypertension(HTN),as well as to identify the associated influ-encing factors.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients diagnosed with primary hypertension(HTN group,n=64),chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD group,n=64),and concomitant primary hypertension and COPD(combined group,n=64)at our hospital between December 2021 and January 2025.Cardiovascular event incidence,pulmonary function parameters-including forced vital capacity(FVC),forced expiratory volume in 1 second(FEV1),peak expiratory flow(PEF),and percent predicted FEV1(FEV1%pred)-and blood pressure levels(systolic blood pressure[SBP],diastolic blood pressure[DBP])were compared across the three groups.Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed to illustrate and compare the cumulative incidence of cardiovas-cular events.Covariance analysis was performed to assess the impact of hypertension on pulmonary function,and Cox proportional hazards regression was employed to identify factors associated with cardiovascular outcomes.Results The total incidence rate of cardiovascular events in the HTN group was 14.06%,which was significantly lower than that in the COPD group(29.69%)and the combined HTN-COPD group(48.44%)(P<0.05).A highly significant difference was observed in the cumulative incidence rates across the three groups(P<0.05).Specifically,the COPD group exhibited a higher cumulative incidence than the HTN group(P<0.05),while the combined group showed the highest incidence,exceeding both the COPD and HTN groups(P<0.05).Pulmonary function parameters-including FVC,FEV1,PEF,and FEV1%pred-were significantly higher in the HTN group compared to both the COPD and combined groups(P<0.05).Moreover,these indices were also higher in the COPD group than in the combined group(P<0.05).Systolic and diastolic blood pressure(SBP and DBP)levels in the combined group were significantly elevated compared to both the HTN and COPD groups(P<0.05),and SBP and DBP in the HTN group were higher than those in the COPD group(P<0.05).After adjusting for potential confounders,the intergroup dif-ference in FVC remained statistically significant(P<0.05),and the effect of group on FEV1%pred was particularly robust(partial η2=0.754,P<0.05).Compared with patients without cardiovascular events,those who experienced events differed significantly by disease type(P<0.05).The proportions of patients with HTN alone and HTN com-bined with COPD were higher in the event group than in the non-event group(P<0.05).Additionally,FVC and FEV1%pred were lower in the event group,whereas SBP and DBP were higher(all P<0.05).Multivariate analysis identified disease type,FEV1%pred,and SBP as independent predictors of cardiovascular events(P<0.05).Deci-sion tree analysis further highlighted that the coexistence of HTN and COPD constitutes a critical determinant in cardiovascular risk stratification.Conclusions The incidence of cardiovascular events in patients with COPD com-bined with HTN was significantly higher than in those with either condition alone.Furthermore,the coexistence of these diseases,along with impaired lung function(as indicated by reduced FEV1%predicted)and increased SBP,were independent risk factors for cardiovascular events.

Objective Network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques were used to predict the potential mechanisms by which the active components of Piper nigrum(PN)regulate depressive-like behaviors in chronic restraint stress(CRS)mice.Methods The major chemical components and targets of PN were screened using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology database.Targets related to ferroptosis and depression were obtained from the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man,GeneCards,and FerrDB databases.The intersecting targets were then subjected to Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Gnomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analyses,and molecular docking was performed to validate the binding capacities between the core targets and their corresponding active components.Finally,we established a CRS mouse model.Mice were treated with PN 75,150,and 300 mg/kg for 4 weeks,followed by behavioral assessments and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)to verify the expression of core genes.Results Nine active components were screened from PN,corresponding to 27 targets,and 8377 targets related to depression and 547 targets associated with ferroptosis were screened from the databases.The intersection of these three sets resulted in 25 target genes.KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that these core targets were predominantly enriched in signaling pathways,including cholinergic synapses,serotonergic synapses,and neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions.Molecular docking result showed that the main active components of PN had strong binding affinities for the targets CHRM2,SLC6A4,PTGS2,and SLC6A2.Behavioral assessments demonstrated that PN significantly increased the sucrose preference index(P＜0.01,P＜0.001),reduced immobility time in the tail suspension and forced swimming tests(P＜0.01,P＜0.001),and enhanced exploratory behavior in the open field test(P＜0.05.P＜0.01,P＜0.001).PN significantly reduced the serum levels of inflammation markers(P＜0.05.P＜0.01,P＜0.001),as shown by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,and neurotransmitter analysis revealed that PN significantly increased the levels of serotonin and acetylcholine in the mouse hippocampus(P＜0.05).RT-qPCR showed that PN demonstrated the mRNA expression of SLC6A4(P＜0.05.P＜0.01,P＜0.001).Conclusions PN may improve depressive-like behavior in mice by modulating serotonin and acetylcholine levels,inhibiting inflammatory responses,participating in immune regulation,and exerting neuroprotective effects.

Objective To analyze the incidence of cardiovascular events among patients with comorbid chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)and hypertension(HTN),as well as to identify the associated influ-encing factors.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients diagnosed with primary hypertension(HTN group,n=64),chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD group,n=64),and concomitant primary hypertension and COPD(combined group,n=64)at our hospital between December 2021 and January 2025.Cardiovascular event incidence,pulmonary function parameters-including forced vital capacity(FVC),forced expiratory volume in 1 second(FEV1),peak expiratory flow(PEF),and percent predicted FEV1(FEV1%pred)-and blood pressure levels(systolic blood pressure[SBP],diastolic blood pressure[DBP])were compared across the three groups.Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed to illustrate and compare the cumulative incidence of cardiovas-cular events.Covariance analysis was performed to assess the impact of hypertension on pulmonary function,and Cox proportional hazards regression was employed to identify factors associated with cardiovascular outcomes.Results The total incidence rate of cardiovascular events in the HTN group was 14.06%,which was significantly lower than that in the COPD group(29.69%)and the combined HTN-COPD group(48.44%)(P<0.05).A highly significant difference was observed in the cumulative incidence rates across the three groups(P<0.05).Specifically,the COPD group exhibited a higher cumulative incidence than the HTN group(P<0.05),while the combined group showed the highest incidence,exceeding both the COPD and HTN groups(P<0.05).Pulmonary function parameters-including FVC,FEV1,PEF,and FEV1%pred-were significantly higher in the HTN group compared to both the COPD and combined groups(P<0.05).Moreover,these indices were also higher in the COPD group than in the combined group(P<0.05).Systolic and diastolic blood pressure(SBP and DBP)levels in the combined group were significantly elevated compared to both the HTN and COPD groups(P<0.05),and SBP and DBP in the HTN group were higher than those in the COPD group(P<0.05).After adjusting for potential confounders,the intergroup dif-ference in FVC remained statistically significant(P<0.05),and the effect of group on FEV1%pred was particularly robust(partial η2=0.754,P<0.05).Compared with patients without cardiovascular events,those who experienced events differed significantly by disease type(P<0.05).The proportions of patients with HTN alone and HTN com-bined with COPD were higher in the event group than in the non-event group(P<0.05).Additionally,FVC and FEV1%pred were lower in the event group,whereas SBP and DBP were higher(all P<0.05).Multivariate analysis identified disease type,FEV1%pred,and SBP as independent predictors of cardiovascular events(P<0.05).Deci-sion tree analysis further highlighted that the coexistence of HTN and COPD constitutes a critical determinant in cardiovascular risk stratification.Conclusions The incidence of cardiovascular events in patients with COPD com-bined with HTN was significantly higher than in those with either condition alone.Furthermore,the coexistence of these diseases,along with impaired lung function(as indicated by reduced FEV1%predicted)and increased SBP,were independent risk factors for cardiovascular events.

Objective To investigate whether carotid artery stenting （CAS） is a protective factor against the progression of white matter hyperintensity （WMH） volume in patients with carotid artery stenosis. Methods A prospective study was conducted for the clinical， imaging， and follow-up data of patients with carotid artery stenosis who were treated in Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital from January 2021 to June 2023. A total of 99 participants were included in this study， among whom 48 received CAS treatment （CAS group） and 51 did not receive CAS treatment （non-CAS group）. The two groups were analyzed in terms of baseline data and WMH volume during the 1-year follow-up. Results There were no significant differences in baseline data between the two groups （P>0.05）. There was no significant difference in overall WMH volume after follow-up between the two groups （P>0.05）， but compared with the non-CAS group， the CAS group showed a significantly lower degree of the progression of WMH volume within one year （-0.27 ml vs 2.82 ml， P<0.001）. There was a significant difference in the proportion of patients with new-onset stroke within one year between the CAS group and the non-CAS group （18.75% vs 37.25%， P=0.041）. The binary logistic regression analysis showed that CAS was an independent protective factor against the progression of WMH volume（OR=-0.37， 95%CI -0.78 to -0.03，P=0.046） and new-onset stroke within one year （OR=0.28， 95% CI 0.09 to 0.83， P=0.022）. Conclusion CAS is a protective factor against the progression of WMH volume and can effectively reduce the risk of stroke recurrence in patients with carotid artery stenosis.

Background/Aims: Liver transplantation is the most effective treatment for the sickest patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). However, the influence of donor age on liver transplantation, especially in ACLF patients, is still unclear. Methods: In this study, we used the data of the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. We included patients with ACLF who received liver transplantation from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2017, and the total number was 13,857. We allocated the ACLF recipients by age intogroup I (donor age ≤17 years, n=647); group II (donor age 18–59 years, n=11,423); and group III (donor age ≥60 years, n=1,787). Overall survival (OS), graft survival, and mortality were com-pared among the three age groups and the four ACLF grades. Cox regression was also analyzed. Results: The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 89.6%, 85.5%, and 82.0% in group I; 89.4%, 83.4%, and 78.2% in group II; and 86.8%, 78.4%, and 71.4% in group III, respectively (p<0.001).When we analyzed the different effects of donor age on OS with different ACLF grades, in groupsII and III, we observed statistical differences. Finally, the cubic spline curve told us that the relative death rate changed linearly with increasing donor age. Conclusions Donor age is related to OS and graft survival of ACLF patients after transplanta-tion, and poorer results were associated with elderly donors. In addition, different donor ages have different effects on recipients with different ACLF grades.