BACKGROUND:Observational studies have shown that intervertebral disc degeneration affects sedentary and physical activity levels;however,the causal relationship between sedentary and physical activity levels in the Oswestry disability index score and intervertebral disc degeneration is unclear. OBJECTIVE:To explore the causal relationship between sedentary and physical activity levels in the Oswestry disability index score and intervertebral disc degeneration using the Mendelian randomization method. METHODS:Five features associated with behavioral correlations in the Oswestry disability index score,including time spent watching TV,time spent on the computer,and light/moderate/vigorous physical activity,were selected from large-scale population-based genome-wide association studies,and instrumental variables were extracted for each of these behaviorally related features.Mendelian randomization analyses were performed in conjunction with the extraction of intervertebral disc degeneration as an outcome from the Finn Gen latest version 9 database.The results were analyzed using the inverse variance weighted,MR-Egger regression,simple mode,weighted mode,weighted median estimator,and regression model odds ratios(OR)and 95%confidence interval(CI)to assess the causal relationship between sedentary and physical activity levels in the Oswestry disability index scoring and intervertebral disc degeneration.Cochran's Q was used to test for heterogeneity,MR-Egger intercept to test for multiplicity,and leave-one-out to test the sensitivity of single nucleotide polymorphisms to the causal relationship between exposure factors and disc degeneration. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The results of the Mendelian randomization analysis using inverse variance weighted method showed a positive causal association between time spent watching TV/on the computer and the risk of intervertebral disc degeneration(OR=1.775,95%CI:1.418-2.221,P<0.001)/(OR=1.384,95%CI:1.041-1.839,P<0.001),an inverse causal association between light physical activity and the risk of intervertebral disc degeneration(OR=1.000,95%CI:0.999-1.000,P=0.020).MR-Egger intercept analysis indicated there was potential horizontal polytropy between light physical activity and intervertebral disc degeneration(P=0.005),while there was no horizontal pleiotropy between time spent watching TV,time spent on the computer and intervertebral disc degeneration(P=0.521,P=0.851).Cochran's Q analysis showed that heterogeneity was observed between time spent watching TV,time spent on the computer and intervertebral disc degeneration(P=3.33×10-11,P=0.001),and no significant heterogeneity was observed between light physical activity and intervertebral disc degeneration(P=0.186).Overall,there is a bidirectional causal relationship between sedentary and physical activity levels in the Oswestry disability index score and intervertebral disc degeneration,i.e.,not only does intervertebral disc degeneration affect sedentary and physical activity levels in the Oswestry disability index score,but sedentary and physical activity levels in the Oswestry disability index score also affect intervertebral disc degeneration.These findings add to the genetic evidence for a positive effect of light physical activity on intervertebral disc degeneration,indicate that moderate/vigorous physical activity shows no significant causal relationship with intervertebral disc degeneration,and expand the evidence base for sedentary behaviors such as prolonged time spent watching TV/on the computer as a risk factor for intervertebral disc degeneration.

Objective: To examine the mediating effect of resilience on AIDS-related stress and patient-reported outcome among elderly cases with HIV/AIDS, so as to provide the basis for promoting mental health and improving health outcomes of this population. Methods: From June to July 2024, elderly cases with HIV/AIDS receiving treatment in the infectious diseases department of a tertiary-level hospital in Sichuan Province and undergoing follow-up management at 12 community health service centers in Wuhou District, Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, were selected as study participants using convenience sampling method. Data on demographic information, duration since confirmed diagnosis and the most recent CD4+T lymphocyte count were collected through questionnaire surveys. The Chinese versions of the HIV/AIDS Stress Scale, the Chinese versions of the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and the Patient-Reported Outcome Scale for Elderly HIV/AIDS Patients were used to assess AIDS-related stress, resilience, and patient-reported outcome, respectively. Structural equation modeling was performed using Mplus 8.3 software to analyze the mediating effect of resilience on AIDS-related stress and patient-reported outcome. The Bootstrap method was employed to test the significance of the mediating effect. Results: A total of 424 elderly HIV/AIDS cases were included, with a mean age of (62.04±8.73) years. Among them, 315 (74.29%) were males and 109 (25.71%) were females. The median scores were 23.00 (interquartile range, 11.00) points for AIDS-related stress, 30.00 (interquartile range, 7.00) points for resilience, and 363.45 (interquartile range, 53.03) points for the total score of patient-reported outcome. Resultsof the mediation effect analysis revealed that AIDS-related stress had a direct negative effect on patient-reported outcome (β=-0.608, 95%CI: -0.742 to -0.465). It also exerted an indirect negative effect on patient-reported outcome through the mediating role of resilience (β=-0.258, 95%CI: -0.364 to -0.158), with the mediating effect accounting for 29.79% of the total effect. Conclusion AIDS-related stress among elderly cases with HIV/AIDS can directly or indirectly negatively affect patient-reported outcome through resilience.

AIM:To investigate whether casein kinase 2(CK2)/calmodulin(CaM)/small-conductance Ca2+-activated K+channel type 2(SK2)signaling pathway mediates autophagy-induced sympathoexcitation in the paraventricu-lar nucleus(PVN)of rats with chronic heart failure(CHF).METHODS:We randomly divided 180 Wistar rats,aged 6 to 8 weeks,into 10 groups:sham+dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO),sham+artificial cerebrospinal(aCSF),CHF+DMSO,CHF+aCSF,CHF+rapamycin(RAPA),CHF+3-methyladenine(3-MA),CHF+5,6-dichlorobenzimidazole riboside(DRB),CHF+calmidazolium chloride(CMDZ),CHF+N-cyclohexyl-N-[2-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine(CyPPA),and CHF+apamin groups.We measured cardiac function,hemodynamic parameters,anatomic indicators,and sympathetic drive indicators(n=18).Western blot was used to examine the protein levels of mi-crotubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3-II(LC3-II)/LC3-I,beclin-1,P62,CK2α,SK2,and phosphorylated CaM.The number of SK2-positive neurons was measured using immunofluorescence staining.The NG108 cells were randomly divided into 6 groups:DMSO,aCSF,RAPA,3-MA,RAPA+DRB,and RAPA+CMDZ groups.Radioisotope 32P-ATP pro-tein kinase activity assays were used to detect CK2 activity in cultured NG108 cells.We used Western blot to examine the protein levels of CK2α,SK2,and phosphorylated CaM.RESULTS:Compared with CHF rats treated with vehicle,CHF rats treated with RAPA or apamin exhibited increased sympathetic drive indicators,but decreased left ventricular ejection fraction and fractional shortening(P<0.01).However,CHF symptoms,including sympathoexcitation,were attenuated by 3-MA,DRB,CMDZ or CyPPA infusion into the PVN(P<0.01).In CHF rats,RAPA infusion into the PVN induced CK2 activity,up-regulated LC3-II/LC3-I,beclin-1,CK2α,and phosphorylated CaM levels,but down-regulated P62 and SK2 expression,as well as the number of SK2-positive neurons(P<0.05 or P<0.01).In CHF rats,infusion of 3-MA or DRB into the PVN decreased CK2 activity,and down-regulated phosphorylated CaM level(P<0.01).Infusion of 3-MA,DRB or CMDZ into the PVN up-regulated SK2 expression and the number of SK2-positive neurons(P<0.01).In cultured NG108 cells,RAPA induced CK2 activation and up-regulated the expression of CK2α and the phosphorylation of CaM,but down-regulated SK2 expression(P<0.01).Treatment with RAPA increased the level of phosphorylated CaM and down-regulated SK2 expression in cultured NG108 cells(P<0.01),which was inhibited by DRB and CMDZ(P<0.05 or P<0.01).CONCLUSION:In rats with CHF,the CK2/CaM/SK2 signaling pathway in the PVN contributes to autophagy-induced sympathoexcitation.

AIM:To investigate whether casein kinase 2(CK2)/calmodulin(CaM)/small-conductance Ca2+-activated K+channel type 2(SK2)signaling pathway mediates autophagy-induced sympathoexcitation in the paraventricu-lar nucleus(PVN)of rats with chronic heart failure(CHF).METHODS:We randomly divided 180 Wistar rats,aged 6 to 8 weeks,into 10 groups:sham+dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO),sham+artificial cerebrospinal(aCSF),CHF+DMSO,CHF+aCSF,CHF+rapamycin(RAPA),CHF+3-methyladenine(3-MA),CHF+5,6-dichlorobenzimidazole riboside(DRB),CHF+calmidazolium chloride(CMDZ),CHF+N-cyclohexyl-N-[2-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine(CyPPA),and CHF+apamin groups.We measured cardiac function,hemodynamic parameters,anatomic indicators,and sympathetic drive indicators(n=18).Western blot was used to examine the protein levels of mi-crotubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3-II(LC3-II)/LC3-I,beclin-1,P62,CK2α,SK2,and phosphorylated CaM.The number of SK2-positive neurons was measured using immunofluorescence staining.The NG108 cells were randomly divided into 6 groups:DMSO,aCSF,RAPA,3-MA,RAPA+DRB,and RAPA+CMDZ groups.Radioisotope 32P-ATP pro-tein kinase activity assays were used to detect CK2 activity in cultured NG108 cells.We used Western blot to examine the protein levels of CK2α,SK2,and phosphorylated CaM.RESULTS:Compared with CHF rats treated with vehicle,CHF rats treated with RAPA or apamin exhibited increased sympathetic drive indicators,but decreased left ventricular ejection fraction and fractional shortening(P<0.01).However,CHF symptoms,including sympathoexcitation,were attenuated by 3-MA,DRB,CMDZ or CyPPA infusion into the PVN(P<0.01).In CHF rats,RAPA infusion into the PVN induced CK2 activity,up-regulated LC3-II/LC3-I,beclin-1,CK2α,and phosphorylated CaM levels,but down-regulated P62 and SK2 expression,as well as the number of SK2-positive neurons(P<0.05 or P<0.01).In CHF rats,infusion of 3-MA or DRB into the PVN decreased CK2 activity,and down-regulated phosphorylated CaM level(P<0.01).Infusion of 3-MA,DRB or CMDZ into the PVN up-regulated SK2 expression and the number of SK2-positive neurons(P<0.01).In cultured NG108 cells,RAPA induced CK2 activation and up-regulated the expression of CK2α and the phosphorylation of CaM,but down-regulated SK2 expression(P<0.01).Treatment with RAPA increased the level of phosphorylated CaM and down-regulated SK2 expression in cultured NG108 cells(P<0.01),which was inhibited by DRB and CMDZ(P<0.05 or P<0.01).CONCLUSION:In rats with CHF,the CK2/CaM/SK2 signaling pathway in the PVN contributes to autophagy-induced sympathoexcitation.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of orbital septal fascia advancement in the correction of mild blepharoptosis.Methods:From December 2016 to January 2020, a total of 77 eyes of 56 patients with mild congenital ptosis who underwent double eyelid surgery were treated. The method of orbital septal fascia advancement was used to correct mild ptosis. Specifically, during double eyelid reconstruction, the orbital septum was opened and the orbital septal fascia about 2 mm in front of the fold was preserved. The posterior lip of the orbital septal fascia was pulled down to the upper part of the tarsal plate, and fixed on the tarsal plate with 3 stitches of 5-0 nylon suture, and appropriate adjustments were made to correct mild ptosis.Results:Patients (56 eyes of 40 cases) were followed up from 6 to 12 months (average 7.4 months), 46 eyes (82.1%) were satisfied with blepharoptosis correction, 8 eyes (14.3%) were basically satisfied with blepharoptosis correction, and 2 eyes (3.6%) were dissatisfied with blepharoptosis correction. 45 eyes (80.4%) were satisfied with blepharoplasty, 7 eyes (12.5%) were basically satisfied with blepharoplasty, and 4 eyes (7.1%) were dissatisfied with blepharoplasty. No double eyelid folds disappeared after surgery, and there were no complications such as incomplete closure, conjunctival prolapse, or exposed keratitis.Conclusions:The correction effect of blepharoptosis is good, and the reconstruction structure is stable with natural appearance, fast recovery and high satisfaction. Therefore, the method can be popularized.

Intestinal fibrosis is a complication of inflammatory bowel disease,and its refractory and recurrent nature impose a serious disease burden on patients.The disease's pathogenes is not clear,and there is no effective treatment.Moreover,there is still a lack of recognized intestinal fibrosis models.In this paper,we review the method used to establish animal models of intestinal fibrosis both at home and abroad,and consider the clinical relevance,key characteristics,and advantages and disadvantages of the procedures.Intestinal fibrosis models were summarized according to the modeling period and method.

Objective To study the protective effect and possible mechanism of dexmedetomidine on sevoflurane-induced cognitive impairment.Methods 40 rats were randomly divided into a blank group,model group,dexmedetomidine group,and combination group,10 for each group.A rat model of sevoflurane-induced cognitive impairment was established in the model group,dexmedetomidine group,and combination group.The dexmedetomidine group and combination group were intraperitoneally injected with dexmedetomidine of 50 μg/kg 30 min before modeling,so was the combination group injected with sulindac of 5 mg/kg.The blank group and model group were intravenously injected with equal amount of saline.Morris water maze test was used to detect cognitive function.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect serum levels of homocysteine(Hcy)and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1);high-performance liquid chromatography was used to detect hippocampal glutamate(Glu)and γ-aminobutyric acid(GABA)contents.Immunoblotting was used to detect hippocampal glycogen synthase kinase 3β(GSK-3β)and β-catenin protein expression levels.Results The escape latency in the dexmedetomidine group rats was shorter than that in the model group(P<0.05),the number of crossing the original platform was greater than that in the model group(P<0.05),and duration staying in the original platform quadrant was longer than that in the model group(P<0.05).The escape latency in the combination group was longer than that in the dexmedetomidine group(P<0.05),the number of crossing the original platform was smaller than that in the dexmedetomidine group(P<0.05),and duration staying in the original platform quad-rant was shorter than that in the dexmedetomidine group(P<0.05).Serum levels of Hcy and MCP-1 were higher in the model group than in the blank group(P<0.05),lower in the dexmedetomidine group than in the model group(P<0.05),and higher in the combination group than in the dexmedetomidine group(P<0.05).Hippocam-pal Glu content was higher in the model group than in the blank group(P<0.05),while GABA content was lower(P<0.05).Hippocampal Glu content was lower in the dexmedetomidine group than in the model group(P<0.05),whereas GABA content was higher group(P<0.05).Hippocampal Glu content was higher in the combination group than in the dexmedetomidine group(P<0.05),and GABA content was lower(P<0.05).Hippocampal GSK-3β protein expression level was higher in the model group than in the blank group(P<0.05),but the β-catenin protein expression level was lower(P<0.05).Hippocampal GSK-3β protein expression level was lower in the dexmedetomidine group than in the model group(P<0.05),while β-catenin protein expression level was higher(P<0.05).Hippocampal GSK-3β protein expression level was higher in the combination group than in the dexme-detomidine group(P<0.05),whereas β-catenin protein expression level was lower(P<0.05).Conclusions Dexmedetomidine may improve cognitive function in rats with sevoflurane-induced cognitive impairment by activat-ing the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway,reducing inflammation,and enhancing neurotransmitter activity.

BACKGROUND:In recent years,research on the interaction mechanism between the immune system and the skeleton in postmenopausal osteoporosis has become a hot topic.However,the impact of changes in key immune-related cytokine expression on postmenopausal osteoporosis remains unclear and requires further exploration. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the differential expression of immune-related cytokines in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells of mice with postmenopausal osteoporosis by bioinformatics methods. METHODS:Postmenopausal osteoporosis mouse model was established through ovariectomy.Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were obtained by the whole bone marrow adherence method and passaged to passage 2.RayBio L-Series Mouse Antibody Array 308 Glass Slide Kit immune-related factor antibody chip was used to detect the differentially expressed proteins in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from ovariectomy and sham-operation mice.Gene ontology,Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis,and protein-protein interaction network analysis were performed to screen common Hub genes by MCC,EPC,and MNC algorithms. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:This study identified a total of 68 differentially expressed genes.Gene ontology analysis revealed that the differentially expressed genes were enriched in terms including"immune system processes","extracellular regions",and"signal receptor binding".Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis revealed that the differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in"cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions","tumor necrosis factor signaling pathways",and"chemokine signaling pathways".Further screening was performed by constructing a protein-protein interaction network analysis of these 68 differentially expressed genes to identify 8 Hub genes.The violin plot and correlation matrix showed that the expression levels of these 8 Hub genes were significantly down-regulated in the ovariectomy group compared to the sham-operation group.These results demonstrated that there was differential expression of immune-related factors in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells of postmenopausal osteoporosis mice,and key genes involved in cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions,immune system-related processes,and potential targeted signaling pathways and cellular biological processes were identified,providing new promising targets for the diagnosis,treatment,and prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

BACKGROUND:It has been found in recent observational studies that assessing localized fat mass is crucial in the evaluation of disc degeneration.Although obesity has been recognized as a risk factor for disc degeneration,the causal relationship between fat mass,which is a key factor in obesity,and intervertebral disc degeneration has been unclear in previous studies. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the causal risk factors of intervertebral disc degeneration associated with different distributions of fat mass,thereby enhancing the understanding of the pathogenesis of intervertebral disc degeneration and contributing to the development of preventive,therapeutic,and prognostic strategies. METHODS:Genetic markers associated with trunk and lower limb fat mass were extracted as instrumental variables from the publicly available IEU Open GWAS under the conditions of strong correlation and fulfillment of linkage disequilibrium.These markers were combined with the Mendelian randomization analysis to investigate the relationship between body fat and intervertebral disc degeneration.We used the latest version 9 database of FinnGen and assessed the results using several regression models,including inverse variance weighting,MR-Egger regression,simple mode,weighted mode,and weighted median estimator.We also assessed the heterogeneity of the genetic markers using Cochran's Q test,and multiplicity was assessed using the MR-Egger intercept test.Additionally,we used the leave-one-out method to determine the sensitivity of individual genetic markers to the causal effect of the exposure and outcome.The results were presented as odds ratios(OR)and 95%confidence intervals(CI). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The results from the inverse variance weighting method revealed that there was a positive causal relationship between trunk fat mass and the risk of developing intervertebral disc degeneration(OR=1.25,95%CI:1.15-1.35,P＜0.001).Additionally,there was an inverse causal relationship between bilateral lower limb fat mass and the risk of developing intervertebral disc degeneration(OR=0.7,95%CI:0.63-0.78,P＜0.001;OR=0.69,95%CI:0.62-0.76,P＜0.001).Furthermore,the MR-Egger intercept analysis did not detect any potential horizontal pleiotropy.No bias single nucleotide polymorphisms were detected,while heterogeneity tests were present,and the leave-one-out sensitivity analysis suggested reliable results.The results above demonstrate a positive causal relationship between trunk fat mass and intervertebral disc degeneration.As trunk fat mass increases,the risk of intervertebral disc degeneration rises.With an increase in both lower limb fat mass,the risk of intervertebral disc degeneration decreases.Fat content and distribution affects the risk of developing intervertebral disc degeneration and should be given more attention.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of different functional dyspepsia(FD)modeling methods and explore the thera-peutic effect and potential mechanism of Banxia Xiexin Decoction on FD.METHODS BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the blank group,iodoacetamide group,loperamide group,tail clamp group and vinegar group.After 1 week of intervention,the status of mice in each group was observed and their gastrointestinal motility,hormone levels and pathological changes were detected.A more i-deal FD modeling method was evaluated and determined.After modeling,different doses of Banxia Xiexin Decoction were given to in-tervene,and the changes in the gastrointestinal function of mice were observed.The expression of related proteins was studied by im-munohistochemistry,ELISA,Western Blot and other experimental methods.RESULTS Comparing the four modeling methods,it was found that the mice in the iodoacetamide group,loperamide group,and vinegar group showed weight loss compared to the blank group;the gastric emptying rate and small intestinal propulsion rate of mice in the iodoacetamide group and vinegar group decreased;changes in gastrointestinal hormones were found in the serum of mice in the tail clip group and vinegar group.Finally,the iodoacetamide meth-od was evaluated as the optimal FD modeling method.The administration results showed that Banxia Xiexin Decoction had no signifi-cant effect on the food intake and body weight of FD mice,while medium and high doses could improve the physical condition of FD mice,increase their gastric emptying rate and small intestine propulsion rate.The experimental results of immunohistochemistry,West-ern blotting,and ELISA confirmed that medium and high doses of Banxia Xiexin Decoction can significantly reduce the expression lev-els of TNF-α and IL-6 in the duodenum and serum of FD mice.CONCLUSION The iodoacetamide method is a better FD modeling method.Banxia Xiexin Decoction can improve the condition of FD mice,increase gastrointestinal motility,reduce the secretion of in-flammatory factor,thereby achieving the therapeutic effect of treating FD.