Objective:To investigate the correlation between the density and volume of left atrial-epicardial adipose tissue(LA-EAT)and the occurrence and severity of atrial fibrillation(AF)in elderly patients.Methods:This was a retrospective case-control study.A total of 197 elderly patients with AF and 82 patients with sinus rhythm who were hospitalized in the Department of Cardiology and Geriatric Cardiology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from June 2023 to July 2024.were selected.The AF group was further divided into paroxysmal AF(PAF)subgroup(111 cases)and persistent AF(PeAF)subgroup(86 cases). The density and volume of LA-EAT in all patients were meansured by coronary artery enhanced CT or left atrial enhanced CT.The differences in LA-EAT density, volume and related data among the 3 groups were compared, and their relationship with different severity of senile AF was analyzed.Logistic regression was used to analyze whether LA-EAT density and volume were risk factors for senile AF.The predictive value of LA-EAT density and volume for AF in the elderly was compared throuh restricted cubic spline analysis.Results:The average LA-EAT density in the sinus rhythm group, PAF group and PeAF group was -82.75(-87.15, -79.63), -81.70(-85.55, -75.85)and -80.45(-83.40, -76.10)HU, respectively; the standard deviation of density was 34.70(31.93, 36.28), 36.20(34.30, 37.65)and 35.45(33.63, 37.28)HU, respectively; the LA-EAT volume was 23 483.40(13 964.10, 31 645.53), 25 112.20(18 479.10, 36 917.50)and 37 836.50(25 933.80, 45 537.90)mm 3, respectively.The LA-EAT density and volume in the PAF group and PeAF group were higher than those in the sinus rhythm group(all P<0.05). The LA-EAT volume in the PeAF group was greater than that in the PAF group( P<0.001), but there was no significant difference in LA-EAT density between the two groups( P>0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that LA-EAT density and volume, left atrial diameter(LAD)and body mass index(BMI)were the independent risk factors for AF in the elderly( P<0.05). Conclusions:LA-EAT density and volume are significantly correlated with occurrence of senile AF, and show a positive dose-response relationship.LA-EAT volume is significantly related to the severity of AF( P<0.05), while the density is not significantly related to it( P>0.05).

Objective:To explore the effect of social cognition and interaction training (SCIT) combined with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) on intrinsic motivation and social cognition in patients with schizophrenia.Methods:Forty-two stable schizophrenia patients were randomly divided into the SCIT + TMS group( n=22) and the SCIT group( n=20). All the subjects received 20 sessions of SCIT treatment, and the SCIT+ TMS group simultaneously received 15 sessions of intermittent theta burst stimulation(iTBS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex(DLPFC). All the subjects were assessed by intrinsic motivation inventory for schizophrenia research(IMI-SR), Chinese version of the ambiguous intentions hostility questionnaire(AIHQ-C), theory of mind-picture sequencing task(ToM-PST), mentalization scale (MentS), Chinese version of interpersonal reactivity index (IRI-C) and positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) before and after intervention. SPSS 26.0 software was used for data analysis.Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for intra-group comparison before and after treatment, while Mann-Whitney U test and covariance analysis were used for inter-group comparison.Spearman correlation analysis and Logistic regression analyses were used to explore the association between the intrinsic motivation and social cognition. Results:There were no significant differences on IMI-SR scores before and after treatment between the two groups(all P>0.05). In the SCIT+ TMS group, the total score of hostility bias (HB), HB scores in ambiguous scenes, HB scores in intentional scenes, and aggressive bias (AB) scores in ambiguous scenes of AIHQ-C scale after treatment were lower than those befor treatment( Z=-2.044--3.112, all P<0.05), while the total score of ToM-PST(18.50(16.00, 21.00) vs 15.50(11.75, 18.00), Z=-2.598, P=0.009) and IRI-C imagination score (12.18±3.79, 14.41±4.73, t=-2.694, P=0.014) were higher than those before treatment.In the SCIT group, the total score of ToM-PST after treatment was higher than that before treatment(21.00(20.00, 22.00) vs 17.00(14.50, 20.75), Z=-2.518, P=0.012).There was no significant statistical difference in MentS scores between after treatment and before treatment ( P>0.05). The difference in AIHQ-C intentional scenario AB score before and after treatment was higher in the SCIT+ TMS group than in the SCIT group ( Z=-1.996, P=0.046), while there was no statistically significant difference in the difference before and after treatment in social cognitive scores between the two groups (all P>0.05).In the combined two samples, Spearman correlation analysis showed that the total score of IMI-SR before treatment was positively correlated with the primary belief score of ToM-PST understanding, reciprocity score, MentS total score, other person mentalization score, motivation mentalization score, IRI-C total score, viewpoint taking score, and empathy concern score after treatment( r=0.341-0.509, all P<0.05), while negatively correlated with AIHQ-C total score and factor scores ( r=-0.434--0.645, P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that the total score of IMI-SR had negative impact on AIHQ-C total HB score( B=-0.047, OR=0.954, 95% CI=0.917-0.993).The value score had a positive impact on the total score of MentS ( B=0.143, OR=1.154, 95% CI=1.043-1.277), other person mentalization score( B=0.166, OR=1.181, 95% CI=1.058-1.318), motivation mentalization score( B=0.111, OR=1.117, 95% CI=1.021-1.223), IRI-C total score ( B=0.138, OR=1.148, 95% CI=1.038-1.270), and viewpoint taking score( B=0.194, OR=1.214, 95% CI=1.076-1.369). Interest score had a positive impact on IRI-C empathy concern score ( B=0.098, OR=1.103, 95% CI=0.998-1.218) and ToM-PST understanding primary belief score( B=0.130, OR=1.138, 95% CI=1.010-1.283) and reciprocity score( B=0.189, OR=1.208, 95% CI=1.057-1.380). Conclusion:The research results did not confirm the effect of TMS over the DLPFC on enhancing intrinsic motivation, as well as the synergistic effect of SCIT treatment on social cognition. But the correlation results indicates that improving schizophrenia patients' intrinsic motivation level in cognitive training is meaningful for promoting social cognition.

Objective To investigate the expression and prognostic value of microRNA-29b-2-5p(miR-29b-2-5p)and syntaxin 16(STX16)in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods The cancer tissues and adjacent tissues of 88 HCC patients diagnosed in Nantong Tumor Hospital from January 2013 to September 2020 were collected.The expressions of miR-29b-2-5p and STX16 in cancer tissues and adjacent tissues were analyzed by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR.The expression of STX16 protein in cancer tissues and adjacent tissues were analyzed by immunohistochemistry.Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation be-tween miR-29b-2-5p and STX16.Non-parametric χ2 test was used to analyze the relationship between the ex-pression of the two proteins and clinicopathological parameters,and Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to analyze the relationship between the expression of the two proteins and prognosis.Results The relative ex-pression level of miR-29b-2-5p was 0.780(0.351,1.708)in cancer tissues and 1.014(0.458,3.124)in adja-cent tissues in 88 HCC patients.The relative expression level of miR-29b-2-5p in cancer tissues was signifi-cantly lower than that in adjacent tissues(P=0.012).The relative expression level of STX16 mRNA was 0.775(0.406,0.946)in cancer tissues and 0.368(0.080,1.301)in adjacent tissues in 88 HCC patients.The relative expression level of STX16 mRNA in cancer tissues was significantly higer than that in adjacent tissues(P<0.01).Immunohistochemical results showed that STX16 was expressed in the cytoplasm,and the expres-sion of STX16 in cancer tissues was higher than that in adjacent tissues(P<0.05).The expression of miR-29b-2-5p in cancer tissues was related to cancer stage(P<0.05),and the expression of STX16 was related to cancer stage and alpha-fetoprotein(P<0.05).Patients with low miR-29b-2-5p expression had a shorter over-all survival(OS)than those with high miR-29b-2-5p expression,and patients with high STX16 expression had a shorter OS than those with low STX16 expression(P<0.05).Conclusion The expression of miR-29b-2-5p is low and STX16 is high in HCC tissues.The combined detection of miR-29b-2-5p and STX16 can effectively evaluate the prognosis of HCC patients.

Objective:To explore the effect of social cognition and interaction training (SCIT) combined with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) on intrinsic motivation and social cognition in patients with schizophrenia.Methods:Forty-two stable schizophrenia patients were randomly divided into the SCIT + TMS group( n=22) and the SCIT group( n=20). All the subjects received 20 sessions of SCIT treatment, and the SCIT+ TMS group simultaneously received 15 sessions of intermittent theta burst stimulation(iTBS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex(DLPFC). All the subjects were assessed by intrinsic motivation inventory for schizophrenia research(IMI-SR), Chinese version of the ambiguous intentions hostility questionnaire(AIHQ-C), theory of mind-picture sequencing task(ToM-PST), mentalization scale (MentS), Chinese version of interpersonal reactivity index (IRI-C) and positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) before and after intervention. SPSS 26.0 software was used for data analysis.Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for intra-group comparison before and after treatment, while Mann-Whitney U test and covariance analysis were used for inter-group comparison.Spearman correlation analysis and Logistic regression analyses were used to explore the association between the intrinsic motivation and social cognition. Results:There were no significant differences on IMI-SR scores before and after treatment between the two groups(all P>0.05). In the SCIT+ TMS group, the total score of hostility bias (HB), HB scores in ambiguous scenes, HB scores in intentional scenes, and aggressive bias (AB) scores in ambiguous scenes of AIHQ-C scale after treatment were lower than those befor treatment( Z=-2.044--3.112, all P<0.05), while the total score of ToM-PST(18.50(16.00, 21.00) vs 15.50(11.75, 18.00), Z=-2.598, P=0.009) and IRI-C imagination score (12.18±3.79, 14.41±4.73, t=-2.694, P=0.014) were higher than those before treatment.In the SCIT group, the total score of ToM-PST after treatment was higher than that before treatment(21.00(20.00, 22.00) vs 17.00(14.50, 20.75), Z=-2.518, P=0.012).There was no significant statistical difference in MentS scores between after treatment and before treatment ( P>0.05). The difference in AIHQ-C intentional scenario AB score before and after treatment was higher in the SCIT+ TMS group than in the SCIT group ( Z=-1.996, P=0.046), while there was no statistically significant difference in the difference before and after treatment in social cognitive scores between the two groups (all P>0.05).In the combined two samples, Spearman correlation analysis showed that the total score of IMI-SR before treatment was positively correlated with the primary belief score of ToM-PST understanding, reciprocity score, MentS total score, other person mentalization score, motivation mentalization score, IRI-C total score, viewpoint taking score, and empathy concern score after treatment( r=0.341-0.509, all P<0.05), while negatively correlated with AIHQ-C total score and factor scores ( r=-0.434--0.645, P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that the total score of IMI-SR had negative impact on AIHQ-C total HB score( B=-0.047, OR=0.954, 95% CI=0.917-0.993).The value score had a positive impact on the total score of MentS ( B=0.143, OR=1.154, 95% CI=1.043-1.277), other person mentalization score( B=0.166, OR=1.181, 95% CI=1.058-1.318), motivation mentalization score( B=0.111, OR=1.117, 95% CI=1.021-1.223), IRI-C total score ( B=0.138, OR=1.148, 95% CI=1.038-1.270), and viewpoint taking score( B=0.194, OR=1.214, 95% CI=1.076-1.369). Interest score had a positive impact on IRI-C empathy concern score ( B=0.098, OR=1.103, 95% CI=0.998-1.218) and ToM-PST understanding primary belief score( B=0.130, OR=1.138, 95% CI=1.010-1.283) and reciprocity score( B=0.189, OR=1.208, 95% CI=1.057-1.380). Conclusion:The research results did not confirm the effect of TMS over the DLPFC on enhancing intrinsic motivation, as well as the synergistic effect of SCIT treatment on social cognition. But the correlation results indicates that improving schizophrenia patients' intrinsic motivation level in cognitive training is meaningful for promoting social cognition.

Objective The study aims to elucidate the inhibitory effects of curcumin on the proliferation of colon cancer RKO cells,focusing on the regulatory mechanisms of tripartite motif-containing protein 2(TRIM2)expression and the mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)signaling pathway.Methods Experimental concentrations of curcumin were determined by calculating the half maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50)value.Quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR)was utilized to assess the level of TRIM2 expression in RKO and fetal human colon(FHC)cells.Western blotting analysis was conducted to investigate the level of TRIM2 expression and mTOR pathway-related proteins in curcumin-treated RKO cells.The impact of curcumin treatment,TRIM2-knockingdown,and mTOR signaling pathway on proliferation in RKO cells was quantified using the cell counting kit-8(CCK8)assay.Results The expression of TRIM2 was found to be elevated in RKO cells as determined by qPCR,compared to FHC cells.Curcumin suppressed the level of TRIM2 expression,and subsequent knockdown of TRIM2 resulted in decreased expression of mTOR-related proteins in RKO cells.Both curcumin and TRIM2-knockdown demonstrated significant inhibition of proliferation in RKO cells,with reversion upon activation of mTOR signaling pathway.Conclusion The study unveils the inhibitory effects of curcumin on RKO cells proliferation through modulation of TRIM2 expression and the mTOR signaling pathway.

Objective The study aims to elucidate the inhibitory effects of curcumin on the proliferation of colon cancer RKO cells,focusing on the regulatory mechanisms of tripartite motif-containing protein 2(TRIM2)expression and the mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)signaling pathway.Methods Experimental concentrations of curcumin were determined by calculating the half maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50)value.Quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR)was utilized to assess the level of TRIM2 expression in RKO and fetal human colon(FHC)cells.Western blotting analysis was conducted to investigate the level of TRIM2 expression and mTOR pathway-related proteins in curcumin-treated RKO cells.The impact of curcumin treatment,TRIM2-knockingdown,and mTOR signaling pathway on proliferation in RKO cells was quantified using the cell counting kit-8(CCK8)assay.Results The expression of TRIM2 was found to be elevated in RKO cells as determined by qPCR,compared to FHC cells.Curcumin suppressed the level of TRIM2 expression,and subsequent knockdown of TRIM2 resulted in decreased expression of mTOR-related proteins in RKO cells.Both curcumin and TRIM2-knockdown demonstrated significant inhibition of proliferation in RKO cells,with reversion upon activation of mTOR signaling pathway.Conclusion The study unveils the inhibitory effects of curcumin on RKO cells proliferation through modulation of TRIM2 expression and the mTOR signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between the density and volume of left atrial-epicardial adipose tissue(LA-EAT)and the occurrence and severity of atrial fibrillation(AF)in elderly patients.Methods:This was a retrospective case-control study.A total of 197 elderly patients with AF and 82 patients with sinus rhythm who were hospitalized in the Department of Cardiology and Geriatric Cardiology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from June 2023 to July 2024.were selected.The AF group was further divided into paroxysmal AF(PAF)subgroup(111 cases)and persistent AF(PeAF)subgroup(86 cases). The density and volume of LA-EAT in all patients were meansured by coronary artery enhanced CT or left atrial enhanced CT.The differences in LA-EAT density, volume and related data among the 3 groups were compared, and their relationship with different severity of senile AF was analyzed.Logistic regression was used to analyze whether LA-EAT density and volume were risk factors for senile AF.The predictive value of LA-EAT density and volume for AF in the elderly was compared throuh restricted cubic spline analysis.Results:The average LA-EAT density in the sinus rhythm group, PAF group and PeAF group was -82.75(-87.15, -79.63), -81.70(-85.55, -75.85)and -80.45(-83.40, -76.10)HU, respectively; the standard deviation of density was 34.70(31.93, 36.28), 36.20(34.30, 37.65)and 35.45(33.63, 37.28)HU, respectively; the LA-EAT volume was 23 483.40(13 964.10, 31 645.53), 25 112.20(18 479.10, 36 917.50)and 37 836.50(25 933.80, 45 537.90)mm 3, respectively.The LA-EAT density and volume in the PAF group and PeAF group were higher than those in the sinus rhythm group(all P<0.05). The LA-EAT volume in the PeAF group was greater than that in the PAF group( P<0.001), but there was no significant difference in LA-EAT density between the two groups( P>0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that LA-EAT density and volume, left atrial diameter(LAD)and body mass index(BMI)were the independent risk factors for AF in the elderly( P<0.05). Conclusions:LA-EAT density and volume are significantly correlated with occurrence of senile AF, and show a positive dose-response relationship.LA-EAT volume is significantly related to the severity of AF( P<0.05), while the density is not significantly related to it( P>0.05).

Dysbiosis can cause microenvironmental dysregulation, which can further lead to local or systemic diseases, such as caries, inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, and diabetes. Dysbiosis is primarily manifested as the disturbance of metabolic processes and products. Arginine plays an important role in various metabolic processes and homeostasis of the microbial flora and the host. This study aims to explore the potential therapeutic value of arginine and its metabolism and homeostasis regulation in diseases associated with oral-intestinal dysbiosis. Host and microbial homeostasis can be restored by regulating the composition or function of host microbiota, and arginine has been found to exhibit significant clinical potential in restoring host microbiota composition and function. For example, arginine can reduce the risk of caries by regulating the relative abundance of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguineus. Additionally, arginine metabolism may play a therapeutic role in inflammatory bowel disease and obesity by regulating the relative abundance of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. In addition, supplementation of arginine and its metabolite polyamine has clinical prospects in the treatment of diabetic patients with ketoacidosis. Although studies have demonstrated the therapeutic role of arginine in oral, intestinal, and metabolism-related diseases, the specific mechanism is yet to be explored. In addition, further research is required to determine the optimal clinical dosage of arginine that can maintain microbiota homeostasis without causing any side effects.

Objective:To explore the association between aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) gene polymorphisms and abnormal liver function-induced by acetaminophen (APAP) drugs.Methods:An ALDH2 gene knockout mouse model was constructed using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology. The obtained heterozygous mice were mated with opposite sex of heterozygotes. Genomic DNA was extracted from the tail of the offspring mouse. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was used to determine the ALDH2 genotype. APAP was further used to induce acute drug-induced liver injury models in wild-type and ALDH2 knockout mice. Blood and liver tissues of mice were collected for liver function index, HE staining, F4/80 immunohistochemistry, and other detections. The intergroup mean was compared using a one-way ANOVA. The LSD-? t test was used for pairwise comparison. Results:ALDH2 knockout mice were bred successfully. The genotyping of the offspring was segregated into the wild-type (ALDH2 +/+), heterozygous mutant (ALDH2 +/-), and homozygous mutant (ALDH2 -/-), respectively. Biochemical and histological results after APAP modeling showed that the level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total bilirubin (TBil) was not significantly increased in the blank control group ( P ?

BACKGROUND: There is little published evidence about the role of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the progression from prehypertension to hypertension. This study was conducted to investigate the association of NAFLD and its severity with the risk of hypertension developing from prehypertension. METHODS: The study cohort comprised 25,433 participants from the Kailuan study with prehypertension at baseline; those with excessive alcohol consumption and other liver diseases were excluded. NAFLD was diagnosed by ultrasonography and stratified as mild, moderate, or severe. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression was used to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of incident hypertension according to the presence and 3 categories of severity of NAFLD. RESULTS: During a median of 12.6 years of follow-up, 10,638 participants progressed to hypertension from prehypertension. After adjusting for multiple risk factors, patients with prehypertension and NAFLD had a 15% higher risk of incident hypertension than those without NAFLD (HR = 1.15, 95% CI 1.10-1.21). Moreover, the severity of NAFLD was associated with the incidence of hypertension, which was higher in patients with more severe NAFLD (HR = 1.15 [95% CI 1.10-1.21] in the mild NAFLD group; HR = 1.15 [95% CI 1.07-1.24] in the moderate NAFLD group; and HR = 1.20 [95% CI 1.03-1.41] in the severe NAFLD group). Subgroup analysis indicated that age and baseline systolic blood pressure may modify this association. CONCLUSIONS NAFLD is an independent risk factor for hypertension in patients with prehypertension. The risk of incident hypertension increases with the severity of NAFLD.
Humans ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/complications* ; Prehypertension/diagnosis* ; Risk Factors ; Hypertension ; Incidence