Genetically modified pigs for welfare assurance is crucial for conducting xenotransplantation. However, traditional experimental animal ethics principles cannot address the social benefits issues brought about by xenotransplantation, and there is a lack of ethical justification for the assurance of experimental animal welfare. Degrazia and Bechtel proposed six principles for the welfare of experimental animals: the principle of no alternative methods, the principle of expected net benefits, the principle of adequate defense of harm, the principle of no harm without necessity, the principle of basic needs and the principle of harm limit. This paper conducts an ethical-level argumentation on the six principles for the welfare of genetically modified pigs in xenotransplantation, and points out that these six principles are of great significance in closely integrating the social benefits of xenotransplantation with the welfare of genetically modified pigs, emphasizing the moral status of genetically modified pigs, and providing standards for the ethical review of the welfare of genetically modified pigs.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms by which Bushen Tongluo Jiangzhuo prescription improves renal fibrosis in rats with chronic kidney disease （CKD） through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） signaling pathway. MethodsSeventy specific pathogen-free （SPF） Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into a control group （n=15） and a modeling group （n=55）. Rats in the modeling group were administered a 2.5% adenine suspension at a dose of 200 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 by gavage for 4 weeks to establish a CKD model. Successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group， an irbesartan group （20.25 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， and Bushen Tongluo Jiangzhuo prescription low-， medium-， and high-dose groups （5.82， 11.64， and 23.28 g·kg^-1·d^-1， respectively）， with 10 rats in each group. Each group was administered an equal volume of physiological saline， the corresponding concentration of irbesartan， or Bushen Tongluo Jiangzhuo prescription by gavage for 12 weeks. Body weight and renal function indices were dynamically monitored. Serum creatinine （SCr）， blood urea nitrogen （BUN）， urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio （ACR）， 24-hour urinary total protein （24 hUTP）， aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） levels were measured using an automatic biochemical analyzer. Renal histopathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） and Masson staining. Immunohistochemistry （IHC） was used to detect the expression of PI3K， Akt， phosphorylated Akt （p-Akt）， and mTOR in renal tissues. Western blot was performed to assess the protein expression of PI3K， p-Akt， Akt， phosphorylated mTOR （p-mTOR）， and mTOR in renal tissues. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to determine the mRNA expression levels of PI3K， Akt， and mTOR in renal tissues. ResultsCompared with the model group， rats in the irbesartan group and the low-， medium-， and high-dose Bushen Tongluo Jiangzhuo prescription groups showed significantly decreased levels of SCr， BUN， ACR， 24 hUTP， IL-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α （P<0.01）. AST levels were significantly increased （P<0.01）， while no significant difference was observed in ALT levels. Histopathological examination revealed that， compared with the model group， renal tubular epithelial cell edema and necrosis and Bowman's capsule dilation were alleviated， inflammatory cell infiltration was reduced， and interstitial and glomerular fibrosis was markedly improved in all treatment groups， with the most pronounced effect observed in the high-dose Bushen Tongluo Jiangzhuo prescription group. Real-time PCR results showed that mRNA expression levels of PI3K， Akt， and mTOR were significantly downregulated in the high-dose group （P<0.01）. IHC results demonstrated that PI3K and p-Akt expression levels in renal tissues were significantly decreased in the high-dose group （P<0.01）. Western blot analysis further confirmed that the expression levels of PI3K， p-Akt/Akt， and p-mTOR/mTOR were significantly reduced in the high-dose group （P<0.01）. ConclusionBushen Tongluo Jiangzhuo prescription improves renal function indices in CKD rats， reduces collagen deposition in renal tissues， and decreases serum inflammatory factor levels. Its protective effect on renal function may be achieved by activating autophagy through downregulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway， thereby alleviating renal fibrosis.

Objective To understand the changing trend of nutritional status of children undergoing liver transplantation within 6 months after discharge,and to explore its influencing factors,in order to provide guidance for the clinical formulation of personalized nutritional intervention programs.Methods By the convenient sampling method,153 children undergoing liver transplantation admitted to the liver transplantation center of a tertiary A hospital in Hangzhou from January 2023 to January 2024 were selected as the research subjects.Their basic and clinical data were collected.The nutritional status at the 1 day before surgery and 1 month,3 months,and 6 months after discharge was evaluated by the standard deviation evaluation method of children's nutritional status.According to the changing trend of their nutritional status,they were grouped.Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression were used to analyze the influencing factors of the changing trend of nutritional status in children undergoing liver transplantation.Results A total of 144 children who underwent liver transplantation were ultimately included in the study.The incidence of malnutrition at 1 month,3 months,and 6 months after discharge was 66.0％,54.9％,and 53.5％,respectively.According to the changing trend of nutritional status of children undergoing liver transplantation,they were divided into 3 groups:54 cases(37.5％)in the good nutritional status group,24 cases(16.7％)in the fluctuating nutritional status group,and 66 cases(45.8％)in the poor nutritional status group.The results of multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that birth weight,feeding method within 6 months after birth,age of caregivers and learning situation of nutritional knowledge were the influencing factors of the changing trend of nutritional status in children undergoing liver transplantation(P＜0.05).Conclusion The incidence of malnutrition in children undergoing liver transplantation is high within 6 months after discharge;medical staff should closely collaborate with families to formulate and implement staged personalized nutritional intervention measures based on the specific conditions and influencing factors of the children to effectively improve the nutritional status of the children after transplantation.

Objective To construct a competency evaluation model for forensic practitioners,providing a reference for their training and assessment.Methods Based on the iceberg and onion models of com-petency,and with reference to Spencer's Competency Dictionary,literature research was conducted and focus group interviews were employed to preliminarily construct core indices and measurement items for evaluating the competency of forensic practitioners.The Delphi method was applied for two rounds of expert consultation to further refine the competency evaluation index system.The analytic hierarchy process(AHP)was used to calculate the weights of the indices.Results A competency evaluation model for forensic practitioners was constructed,consisting of 7 core indices,encompassing forensic skills,identification service capabilities,and the ability to apply relevant legal knowledge and 49 mea-surement items.The weights of the core indices and measurement items were determined.Conclusion The constructed competency evaluation model for forensic practitioners is scientifically sound and inno-vative,and has unique characteristics of forensic medicine compared with other medical models.

Objective:To introduce the research and innovations around the application of aquatic rehabilitation techniques in the treatment of lumbago, and to summarize specific methods and applications in aeromedicine. Literature resource and selection Literature on the prevention and treatment of lumbago using aquatic rehabilitation techniques as well as on the rehabilitation of lumbago in pilots was retrieved and selected. Literature quotation Sixty-one references were cited. Literature synthesis Aquatic rehabilitation techniques can be classified into shower therapy, immersion therapy, and aquatic exercise therapy according to treatment regimens. Among them, immersion therapy and aquatic exercise therapy are commonly used in the treatment of lumbago. Aquatic rehabilitation techniques can effectively alleviate patients′ lumbago, improve their functional disorders, and enhance their quality of life. Prior to aquatic therapy, patients with lumbago need to have their motor function assessed to tailor the treatment protocol based on diagnostic findings and specific therapeutic objectives. Aquatic rehabilitation techniques, when used to prevent and treat lumbago in pilots under convalescence, are not only more effective than land-based training, but also more accessible to pilots due to their comfort and compliance. Many of our military rehabilitation and convalescent centers in China have integrated modern aquatic rehabilitation techniques into rehabilitation treatment by drawing on their rich water resources so as to improve the physical and mental health, social adaptability and military adaptability of pilots. Conclusions:When used for the prevention and treatment of lumbago, aquatic rehabilitation techniques are highly effective, safe and enjoyable, so they should be made more accessible to pilots during convalescence.

Radiotherapy is an important part of the standard treatment regimen for rectal cancer, bringing survival benefits and improved quality of life to patients with rectal cancer. However, the radiotherapy resistance of rectal cancer patients greatly limits the effectiveness of treatment and affects the prognosis of patients. The emergence of nanoparticles provides a new way to improve radiotherapy resistance of rectal cancer, which can overcome radiotherapy resistance by inhibiting DNA damage repair, affecting cell cycle, targeting delivery, enhancing DNA damage, and regulating tumor microenvironment, etc. In this article, complex coordination mechanism leading to radiotherapy resistance in rectal cancer was reviewed, current relevant studies on nanoparticles in improving radiotherapy response in rectal cancer were summarized, and the feasibility and future research direction of the combination of nanoparticles and radiotherapy in clinical treatment of rectal cancer were discussed.

Objective:To explore the expression of CD14 in peripheral blood monocytes to predict the prognosis of patients with severe COPD complicated with pulmonary infection.Methods:A total of 122 patients with severe COPD and pulmonary infection diagnosed and treated in East Lianyungang Hospital from January 2019 to February 2022 were selected as co-infection group,127 pa-tients with severe COPD were selected as COPD group,and 62 healthy subjects in physical examination during the same period were selected as control group.After 30 days of follow-up,patients in co-infected group were divided into death group(n=16)and survival group(n=106)according to prognosis during hospitalization.Membrane CD14(mCD14)related parameters of control group,COPD group and co-infected group were compared.Dynamic changes of mCD14 related parameters were compared between death group and survival group at day 1,3,5,7 and 14 after diagnosis.Cox proportional hazard regression was used to analyze the independent risk factors of death in patients with severe COPD complicated with pulmonary infection after 30 days.Predictive values of CD14%,CD14MFI and CD14IND on prognostic death were analyzed by ROC curve,and the area under the curve(AUC)was compared.Ka-plan-Meier method was used to draw survival curve to compare the survival of patients with different CD14IND levels.Results:Com-pared with control group,CD14%,CD14MFI and CD14IND in COPD group and co-infection group were significantly decreased;com-pared with COPD group,CD14%,CD14MFI and CD14IND in co-infection group were significantly decreased,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Expression of mCD14 in survival group increased steadily during the whole monitoring process,while expression in death group fluctuated at a low level.COPD grade,forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity(FEV1/FVC),forced expiratory volume in 1 second as a percentage of predicted value(FEV1%pred),CD14%,CD14MFI,CD14IND were all risk factors for death in patients with severe COPD complicated with pulmonary infection(P<0.05).CD14%,CD14MFI and CD14IND were negatively correlated with mortality and COPD grade in patients with severe COPD complicated with pulmonary infec-tion,while were positively correlated with FEV1%pred and FEV1/FVC(P<0.001).With CD14IND≤74.36 as cut-off value,the sensi-tivity and specificity of predicting death reached 91.22%and 95.51%respectively.The 30-day survival rate of high-risk group was 68.42%(26/38),which was significantly lower than 95.24%(80/84)of low-risk group(log-rank χ2=10.067,P=0.002).Conclusion:mCD14-related parameters are expected to be the prognostic markers of death in patients with severe COPD complicated with pulmo-nary infection,and the sensitivity and specificity of CD14IND are better than those of CD14%and CD14MFI.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the impact of glycemic control and diabetes duration on subsequent myocardial infarction (MI) in patients with both coronary heart disease (CHD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 33,238 patients with both CHD and T2D in Shenzhen, China. Patients were categorized into 6 groups based on baseline fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels and diabetes duration (from the date of diabetes diagnosis to the baseline date) to examine their combined effects on subsequent MI. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used, with further stratification by age, sex, and comorbidities to assess potential interactions. RESULTS: Over a median follow-up of 2.4 years, 2,110 patients experienced MI. Compared to those with optimal glycemic control (FPG < 6.1 mmol/L) and shorter diabetes duration (< 10 years), the fully-adjusted hazard ratio ( HR) (95% Confidence Interval [95% CI]) for those with a diabetes duration of ≥ 10 years and FPG > 8.0 mmol/L was 1.93 (95% CI: 1.59, 2.36). The combined effects of FPG and diabetes duration on MI were largely similar across different age, sex, and comorbidity groups, although the excess risk of MI associated with long-term diabetes appeared to be more pronounced among those with atrial fibrillation. CONCLUSION Our study indicates that glycemic control and diabetes duration significant influence the subsequent occurrence of MI in patients with both CHD and T2D. Tailored management strategies emphasizing strict glycemic control may be particularly beneficial for patients with longer diabetes duration and atrial fibrillation.
Humans ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/blood* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Coronary Disease/complications* ; Myocardial Infarction/etiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; China/epidemiology* ; Glycemic Control ; Blood Glucose ; Adult ; Risk Factors ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the patterns of fasting blood glucose (FBG) trajectories and analyze the relationship between various occupational hazard factors and FBG trajectories in male steelworkers. METHODS: The study cohort included 3,728 workers who met the selection criteria for the Tanggang Occupational Cohort (TGOC) between 2017 and 2022. A group-based trajectory model was used to identify the FBG trajectories. Environmental risk scores (ERS) were constructed using regression coefficients from the occupational hazard model as weights. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the effects of occupational hazard factors using the ERS on FBG trajectories. RESULTS: FBG trajectories were categorized into three groups. An association was observed between high temperature, noise exposure, and FBG trajectory ( P < 0.05). Using the first quartile group of ERS1 as a reference, the fourth quartile group of ERS1 had an increased risk of medium and high FBG by 1.90 and 2.21 times, respectively (odds ratio [ OR] = 1.90, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.17-3.10; OR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.09-4.45). CONCLUSION An association was observed between occupational hazards based on ERS and FBG trajectories. The risk of FBG trajectory levels increase with an increase in ERS.
Humans ; Male ; Adult ; Blood Glucose/analysis* ; China ; Prospective Studies ; Occupational Exposure/adverse effects* ; Risk Factors ; Middle Aged ; Steel ; Fasting/blood* ; Metal Workers ; East Asian People