ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the action mechanism by which Banxia Xiexintang （BXT） inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT） in chronic atrophic gastritis （CAG） rats by regulating the interleukin-17（IL-17）/extracellular regulated protein kinases（ERK）/CCAAT enhancer binding protein β（C/EBPβ）signaling pathway， thereby providing new theoretical evidence for the treatment of CAG with classic traditional Chinese medicine formulas. MethodsA CAG rat model was established by using the combined factor method. After successful modeling， the rats were randomly divided into the model group， low-， medium-， and high-dose groups （0.549， 1.098， 2.196 g·kg^-1， respectively） of BXT， and the positive drug group （vitacoenzyme， 0.3 g·kg^-1）. A normal control group was also set up. After 8 weeks of intervention， the pathological changes of gastric tissue were evaluated. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the contents of IL-17， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， cyclooxygenase-2 （COX-2）， and C/EBPβ in serum， as well as the contents of EMT markers in gastric mucosal tissue including E-cadherin， N-cadherin， and vimentin. The immunohistochemistry method was employed to determine the localization and protein expression levels of IL-17， p-ERK， and C/EBPβ in gastric mucosal tissue. Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of C/EBPβ， ERK， and its phosphorylated form （p）-ERK in gastric mucosa. Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was applied to measure the mRNA expression levels of ERK， COX-2， and C/EBPβ in gastric mucosa. ResultsCompared with those in the normal control group， the rats in the model group showed gastric mucosal glandular atrophy and inflammatory cell infiltration. The protein and their related mRNA expressions of C/EBPβ， ERK， and p-ERK in gastric mucosa were significantly increased （P<0.05，P<0.01）. The levels of IL-17， TNF-α， COX-2， and C/EBPβ in serum were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The contents of N-cadherin and vimentin in gastric mucosal tissue were significantly increased， while the content of E-cadherin was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， after intervention with different doses of BXT， the pathological damage of the gastric mucosa was improved to varying degrees. The protein and mRNA expressions of C/EBPβ， ERK， and p-ERK in gastric mucosa were significantly reduced （P<0.05，P<0.01）. The levels of IL-17， TNF-α， COX-2， and C/EBP β in serum were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The contents of N-cadherin and vimentin in gastric mucosa tissue were decreased， while the content of E-cadherin was increased （P<0.05，P<0.01）. ConclusionBXT can effectively improve the pathological damage of gastric mucosal tissue in CAG rats. Its action mechanism may be related to reducing the levels of IL-17 and TNF-α in serum， regulating the IL-17/ERK/C/EBPβ signaling pathway and inhibiting the EMT process.

Lumbar disc (LD) herniation and aging are prevalent conditions that can result in substantial morbidity. This study aimed to clarify the mechanisms connecting the LD aging and herniation, particularly focusing on cellular senescence and molecular alterations in the nucleus pulposus (NP). We performed a detailed analysis of NP samples from a diverse cohort, including individuals of varying ages and those with diagnosed LD herniation. Our methodology combined histological assessments with single-nucleus RNA sequencing to identify phenotypic and molecular changes related to NP aging and herniation. We discovered that cellular senescence and a decrease in nucleus pulposus progenitor cells (NPPCs) are central to both processes. Additionally, we found an age-related increase in NFAT1 expression that promotes NPPC senescence and contributes to both aging and herniation of LD. This research offers fresh insights into LD aging and its associated pathologies, potentially guiding the development of new therapeutic strategies to target the root causes of LD herniation and aging.
Intervertebral Disc Displacement/metabolism* ; Humans ; Aging/pathology* ; Nucleus Pulposus/pathology* ; Male ; Female ; Transcriptome ; Middle Aged ; Lumbar Vertebrae/pathology* ; Adult ; Cellular Senescence ; Stem Cells/pathology* ; Aged ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration/metabolism*

Objective:To systematically evaluate the effect of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection on the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.Methods:We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and evaluated the quality. Meta-analysis and cumulative meta-analysis were performed using R4.4.1 software. Fixed/random effects models were used to analyze heterogeneous and non-heterogeneous results. Heterogeneous modifiers were identified by subgroup analysis. Funnel plots and Peters' test were used to analyze potential publication bias.Results:A total of 48 studies involving 92 836 HBsAg-positive pregnant women and 7 123 292 HBsAg-negative pregnant women were included. In terms of adverse pregnancy outcomes, HBV infection was significantly correlated with the occurrence of gestational diabetes mellitus [odds ratio ( OR)=1.34, 95% confidence interval ( CI): 1.17-1.53] and intrahepatic cholestasis ( OR=2.48, 95% CI: 1.88-3.29), with statistically significant differences. In terms of adverse neonatal outcomes, HBV infection was significantly correlated with the occurrence of neonatal asphyxia ( OR=1.49, 95% CI: 1.20-1.86) and preterm birth ( OR=1.22, 95% CI: 1.12-1.33), with statistically significant differences. In addition, the cumulative meta-analysis demonstrated that the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus and preterm birth both tended to be stable in pregnant women with HBV infection following 2009 and 2010, respectively. The supplementary questions answered for repeated studies had limited significance. Conclusion:Intrahepatic cholestasis, gestational diabetes mellitus, neonatal asphyxia, and preterm birth occurrence risk can be raised with HBV infection in pregnant women.

Age-dependent loss of skeletal muscle mass and function is a feature of sarcopenia, and increases the risk of many aging-related metabolic diseases. Here, we report phenotypic and single-nucleus transcriptomic analyses of non-human primate skeletal muscle aging. A higher transcriptional fluctuation was observed in myonuclei relative to other interstitial cell types, indicating a higher susceptibility of skeletal muscle fiber to aging. We found a downregulation of FOXO3 in aged primate skeletal muscle, and identified FOXO3 as a hub transcription factor maintaining skeletal muscle homeostasis. Through the establishment of a complementary experimental pipeline based on a human pluripotent stem cell-derived myotube model, we revealed that silence of FOXO3 accelerates human myotube senescence, whereas genetic activation of endogenous FOXO3 alleviates human myotube aging. Altogether, based on a combination of monkey skeletal muscle and human myotube aging research models, we unraveled the pivotal role of the FOXO3 in safeguarding primate skeletal muscle from aging, providing a comprehensive resource for the development of clinical diagnosis and targeted therapeutic interventions against human skeletal muscle aging and the onset of sarcopenia along with aging-related disorders.
Animals ; Humans ; Sarcopenia/metabolism* ; Forkhead Box Protein O3/metabolism* ; Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism* ; Aging/metabolism* ; Primates/metabolism*

Objective:To explore the effect of laryngeal massage combined with feeding training on swallowing function and quality of life in patients with poststroke swallowing disorders.Methods:From November 2021 to October 2022, convenience sampling was used to select 148 patients with poststroke swallowing disorders in the Department of Neurosurgery and Rehabilitation at the North China University of Science and Technology Affiliated Hospital. The patients were divided into a control group, a laryngeal massage group, a feeding training group, and a combination group using the random number table method, with 37 cases in each group. The control group was given routine nursing, while the laryngeal massage group and feeding training group respectively received laryngeal massage and feeding training on the basis of routine nursing. The combination group underwent laryngeal massage combined with feeding training on the basis of routine nursing. Before and after 2, 4, and 8 weeks of intervention, the Water Swallowing Test, Standardized Swallowing Assessment (SSA), and Chinese version Swallowing Quality of Life Questionnaire (SWAL-QOL) were used to compare the swallowing function and quality of life of four groups of patients with poststroke swallowing disorders.Results:After 2, 4, and 8 weeks of intervention, the Water Swallowing Test rating and efficacy evaluation of the 4 groups of patients with poststroke swallowing disorders were better than those before intervention ( P<0.05). Moreover, the SSA scores decreased compared to before intervention ( P<0.05), and the SWAL-QOL scores increased compared to before intervention ( P<0.05). The Water Swallowing Test efficacy evaluation and SWAL-QOL scores in the combined group were higher than those of the other groups ( P<0.05), while the SSA scores were lower than those of the other groups ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:Laryngeal massage and feeding training can improve the swallowing function and quality of life of patients with poststroke swallowing disorders, and the combination of the 2 interventions has a significant effect.

Cell Cycle Proteins ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins

The gross specimens and tissue slices used for traditional experimental pathology curriculum are fragile, and some specimens or slices are difficult to be supplemented. Besides, the classroom and schedule for experimental pathology teaching are inflexible. Therefore, the teaching effects for experimental pathology course are limited. The development of digital technology has promoted the teaching reform of medical experimental curriculum. We have digitalized the gross specimens and tissue slices to preserve and expand the samples, and constructed pathological sample repository containing both physical samples and digital samples. Furthermore, we have established a platform for remote access, and thus improved the flexibility and autonomy of study for experimental pathology curriculum. Additionally, we have integrated clinical information of the teaching samples, and interpreted the specimens with the assistance of two-dimensional code technology and voice broadcast technology, to realize human-computer interactive learning. The questionnaire shows that the application of pathological sample repository in experimental teaching has improved student learning effect and recognition.

Objective:To investigate the effects of body mass index (BMI) on lung function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods:A total of 3 312 patients with COPD were selected from outpatients and inpatients in Department of Gerontal Respiratory Medicine of the First Hospital of Lanzhou University from August 2016 to August 2020, including 1 103 patients in stable period and 2 209 patients in acute exacerbation period. According to body mass index (BMI), these COPD patients were divided into four groups: low weight (56 cases, 131 cases), normal weight (448 cases, 945 cases), overweight (424 cases, 773 cases) and obesity groups (175 cases, 360 cases) respectively in stable stage and in acute exacerbation stage. The lung function of inspiratory capacity (IC), vital capacity (VC), residual volume (RV)/total lung capacity (TLC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV 1/FVC, maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF), diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO), DLCO normalized per liter alveolar volume (DLCO/VA), respiratory impedance (Zrs), respiratory resistance at 5 Hz (R5), respiratory resistance at 20 Hz (R20) and respiratory reactance at 5 Hz (X5) were measured using MasterScreen PFT in all patients, and the influence of BMI on lung function was analyzed respectively. The risk factors of impaired lung function were analyzed by ordered logistic regression with lung function grade as dependent variable and age, gender, smoking history, smoking index and BMI as independent variables (“%pred”represents the percentage of predicted value). Results:The proportion of patients with lung function grade Ⅲ/Ⅳ in acute exacerbation period (64.9%, 37%, 27.4%, 24.4%) was higher than that in stable stage (42.9%, 25.9%, 13.7%, 9.1%), while the proportion of patients with lung function grade Ⅰ in stable stage (21.4%, 34.2%, 38.2%, 40.0%) was higher than that in acute exacerbation period (7.6%, 20.0%, 25.4%, 22.8%) (all P<0.05). The IC%pred, VC%pred, FEV 1%pred, FVC%pred, FEV 1/FVC, MMEF%pred, DLCO%pred, DLCO/VA%pred and R20 in low weight group were significantly lower than other groups both in stable period and acute exacerbation period (all P<0.05). The RV/TLC was higher in low weight group than that of normal weight and overweight groups in both periods (all P<0.05). The IC%pred, FEV 1%pred, FEV 1/FVC, DLCO%pred, DLCO/VA%pred, R5 and R20 in overweight and obesity groups were higher than those of normal weight group (all P<0.05). The RV/TLC, FEV 1/FVC, DLCO%pred, DLCO/VA%pred, Zrs, R5 and R20 in obesity group were higher than those of overweight group (all P<0.05). The ordered logistic regression analysis showed that low weight was independent risk factor for impaired lung function of COPD both in stable period [ OR (95% CI) 2.316 (1.206-3.554)] and acute exacerbation period [ OR (95% CI): 2.457 (1.647-3.669)]. Conclusion:Lower BMI has an adverse effect on lung function, and it is an independent risk factor for impaired lung function in COPD patients.

Patient satisfaction is one of the core indicators to measure the service quality of medical institutions. To this end, a multi-campus public hospital in Shanghai constructed a management system of patient satisfaction evaluation. Since 2021, its call center has conducted a full coverage satisfaction assessment for discharged patients from its three campuses and collected dissatisfaction information feedback. The hospital organized relevant clinical departments and functional departments to fully communicate with the dissatisfied patients according to the feedback information, followed by a joint rectification. The hospital regularly conducts in-depth analysis of all complaints for timely discovery of common problems in different campuses for continuous improvement. This practice can provide reference for multi-campus hospitals to promote homogeneous management, to improve management efficiency, service quality and patient satisfaction.