OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture at "Sishencong" (EX-HN1) and "Fengchi" (GB20) on hippocampal neuronal ferritinophagy mediated by the nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (NCOA4)/ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1) signaling pathway in vascular dementia (VD) rats, and to explore the potential mechanisms of electroacupuncture for VD. METHODS: A total of 60 male rats of SPF grade were randomly divided into a blank group (12 rats), a sham surgery group (12 rats) and a modeling group (36 rats). In the modeling group, the modified 4-vessel occlusion method was used to establish the VD model. The 24 successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group and an electroacupuncture group, with 12 rats in each group. In the electroacupuncture group, electroacupuncture was applied at left and right "Sishencong" (EX-HN1), and bilateral "Fengchi" (GB20), with continuous wave, in frequency of 2 Hz and current intensity of 1 mA, 30 min a time, once daily for 21 consecutive days. The learning and memory abilities were assessed using the Morris water maze test before modeling, after modeling and after intervention, as well as the novel object recognition test after intervention. After intervention, the neuronal morphology in the hippocampus was observed by Nissl staining; the iron deposition was observed by Prussian blue staining; the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was detected by dihydroethidium (DHE) fluorescence staining; the levels of iron, malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the hippocampal tissue were measured by the colorimetric assay, TBA method, and WST-1 method, respectively; the positive expression of NCOA4, FTH1 and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) was detected by immunohistochemistry; the protein expression of NCOA4, FTH1, GPX4, and the ratio of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B (LC3B) Ⅱ/Ⅰ in the hippocampus were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the sham surgery group, in the model group, the escape latency was prolonged, and the number of platform crossings reduced (P<0.01), the recognition index (RI) was decreased (P<0.01); the hippocampal neurons displayed a blurred laminar structure, disorganized cellular arrangement, and the number of Nissl bodies was decreased (P<0.01); the percentage of iron deposition area in the hippocampus was increased (P<0.01); in the hippocampus, the levels of ROS, iron, MDA, and the protein expression of NCOA4, as well as the LC3B Ⅱ/Ⅰ ratio were increased (P<0.01), the SOD level, and the protein expression of FTH1 and GPX4 were decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, in the electroacupuncture group, the escape latency was shortened and the number of platform crossings was increased (P<0.01), the RI was increased (P<0.01); the hippocampal neurons exhibited more regular morphology, better-organized cellular structure, and the number of Nissl bodies was increased (P<0.05); the percentage of iron deposition area in the hippocampus reduced (P<0.01); in the hippocampus, the levels of ROS, iron, MDA, and the protein expression of NCOA4, as well as the LC3B Ⅱ/Ⅰ ratio were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05), the SOD level, and the protein expression of FTH1 and GPX4 were increased (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Electroacupuncture at "Sishencong" (EX-HN1) and "Fengchi" (GB20) can improve learning and memory abilities in VD rats, and its mechanism may be associated with the regulation of the hippocampal NCOA4/FTH1 signaling pathway, inhibition of ferritinophagy, and alleviation of oxidative stress damage.
Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Dementia, Vascular/genetics* ; Male ; Rats ; Signal Transduction ; Humans ; Memory ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Nuclear Receptor Coactivators/genetics* ; Ferritins/genetics* ; Learning ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Acupuncture Points

BACKGROUND: Parental myopia is an important risk factor for myopia in Chinese children and adolescents. This study aimed to assess the influence of parental myopia and the severity of myopia on offspring and to evaluate whether adopting healthy lifestyles can mitigate the effects of parental myopia on offspring. METHODS: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from children and adolescents aged 6-17 years with complete vision assessments and parental history of myopia from six provinces in China during 2013-2014. Parental demographic information, children's outdoor activity time, sleep time, and sedentary time were collected via questionnaire. Parental myopia was classified as no myopia, paternal myopia, maternal myopia, and both. The offspring were categorized into 10 groups based on parental myopia prescription. Associations of the above factors with myopia in children and adolescents were evaluated by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Among 40,864 children and adolescents (50.3% boys and 49.7% girls), 22,537 (55.2%) were diagnosed with myopia. In comparison to offspring devoid of parental myopia, children with one parent affected by myopia exhibited odds ratio (OR) of 1.75 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.62-1.88) for myopia, while those with both parents affected showed OR of 2.27 (95% CI: 2.02-2.55) after adjusted for lifestyle factors. The likelihood of myopia in offspring increased with increasing severity of parental myopia, with a 3.08-fold increase in risk observed when both parents presented high myopia. Nonetheless, children adhering to two or more healthy lifestyle factors demonstrated a diminished risk of myopia compared with those with fewer than two lifestyle factors, especially among offspring of non-myopic or mildly myopic parents. CONCLUSIONS Parental myopia has a dose-dependent association with their offspring. Healthy lifestyles may reduce the impact of parental factors on myopia in offspring. The observed associations suggest that although the genetic burden of parental myopia cannot be ignored, healthy lifestyles and nurturing are also very important.
Humans ; Myopia/epidemiology* ; Child ; Male ; Female ; Adolescent ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; China/epidemiology* ; Parents ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Risk Factors

Recent data suggest that vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibitor (VEGFRi) can enhance the anti-tumor activity of the anti-programmed cell death-1 (anti-PD-1) antibody in colorectal cancer (CRC) with microsatellite stability (MSS). However, the comparison between this combination and standard third-line VEGFRi treatment is not performed, and reliable biomarkers are still lacking. We retrospectively enrolled MSS CRC patients receiving anti-PD-1 antibody plus VEGFRi (combination group, n=54) or VEGFRi alone (VEGFRi group, n=32), and their efficacy and safety were evaluated. We additionally examined the immune characteristics of the MSS CRC tumor microenvironment (TME) through single-cell and spatial transcriptomic data, and an MSS CRC immune cell-related signature (MCICRS) that can be used to predict the clinical outcomes of MSS CRC patients receiving immunotherapy was developed and validated in our in-house cohort. Compared with VEGFRi alone, the combination of anti-PD-1 antibody and VEGFRi exhibited a prolonged survival benefit (median progression-free survival: 4.4 vs. 2.0 months, P=0.0024; median overall survival: 10.2 vs. 5.2 months, P=0.0038) and a similar adverse event incidence. Through single-cell and spatial transcriptomic analysis, we determined ten MSS CRC-enriched immune cell types and their spatial distribution, including naive CD4⁺ T, regulatory CD4⁺ T, CD4⁺ Th17, exhausted CD8⁺ T, cytotoxic CD8⁺ T, proliferated CD8⁺ T, natural killer (NK) cells, plasma, and classical and intermediate monocytes. Based on a systemic meta-analysis and ten machine learning algorithms, we obtained MCICRS, an independent risk factor for the prognosis of MSS CRC patients. Further analyses demonstrated that the low-MCICRS group presented a higher immune cell infiltration and immune-related pathway activation, and hence a significant relation with the superior efficacy of pan-cancer immunotherapy. More importantly, the predictive value of MCICRS in MSS CRC patients receiving immunotherapy was also validated with an in-house cohort. Anti-PD-1 antibody combined with VEGFRi presented an improved clinical benefit in MSS CRC with manageable toxicity. MCICRS could serve as a robust and promising tool to predict clinical outcomes for individual MSS CRC patients receiving immunotherapy.
Humans ; Colorectal Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Male ; Female ; Immunotherapy ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Tumor Microenvironment/immunology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Microsatellite Instability ; Transcriptome ; Single-Cell Analysis ; Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/immunology* ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/therapeutic use* ; Adult ; Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor/antagonists & inhibitors*

Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, shows great promise in treating methamphetamine (METH) addiction. Nonetheless, the molecular target and the mechanism through which CBD treats METH addiction remain unexplored. Herein, CBD was shown to counteract METH-induced locomotor sensitization and conditioned place preference. Additionally, CBD mitigated the adverse effects of METH, such as cristae loss, a decline in ATP content, and a reduction in membrane potential. Employing an activity-based protein profiling approach, a target fishing strategy was used to uncover CBD's direct target. ATP5A1, a subunit of ATP synthase, was identified and validated as a CBD target. Moreover, CBD demonstrated the ability to ameliorate METH-induced ubiquitination of ATP5A1 via the D376 residue, thereby reversing the METH-induced reduction of ATP5A1 and promoting the assembly of ATP synthase. Pharmacological inhibition of the ATP efflux channel pannexin 1, blockade of ATP hydrolysis by a CD39 inhibitor, and blocking the adenosine A1 receptor (A1R) all attenuated the therapeutic benefits of CBD in mitigating METH-induced behavioral sensitization and CPP. Moreover, the RNA interference of ATP5A1 in the ventral tegmental area resulted in the reversal of CBD's therapeutic efficacy against METH addiction. Collectively, these data show that ATP5A1 is a target for CBD to inhibit METH-induced addiction behaviors through the ADO-A1R signaling pathway.

Objective To analyze the correlation between inflammation indicators(systemic inflammatory response syndrome and systemic immune-inflammation index)and adverse outcomes in patients with symptomatic stroke during hospitalization.Methods This study was a prospective cohort study including consecutive patients with symptomatic stroke who were hospitalized in Fuwai Hospital from January to September 2023.The past medical history,clinical symptoms and signs of the patients were collected.The neurological damage was evaluated with National Institute of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS).Laboratory test results were recorded and the SIRI and SII in-dex were calculated.Patients were followed up for 90 days after the stroke,and their neurological outcomes were evaluated using the modified Rankin Scale.A score of 0-1 was classified as good outcome,and a score ≥2 was classified as poor outcome.The correlation between inflammatory response indicators and poor outcomes was as-sessed using multiple Logistic regression.Results A total of 97 patients with in-hospital symptomatic stroke were included with an average age of 61.8±12.7 years.Among them,there were 28 females(28.9％,28/97),9 with a history of prior stroke(9.3％,9/97),15 with atrial fibrillation(15.5％,15/97),16 with heart failure(16.5％,16/97),and 7 with myocardial infarction(7.2％,7/97).Correlation analysis showed that the NIHSS score at the time of stroke onset was significantly correlated with the patient's post-stroke SIRI(r=0.237,P＜0.05)and SII(r=0.234,P＜0.05).After 90 days of follow-up,41 cases(42.3％,41/97)had a poor outcome.Multiple Logistic regression analysis showed that post-stroke SIRI(Or=4.71,95％CI:1.24-17.90)and SII(Or=3.13,95％CI:0.88-11.06)were correlated with poor outcomes within 90 days after the stroke.Analysis using restricted cubic splines showed that as the levels of SIRI and SII increased,the risk of poor out-comes in patients with in-hospital symptomatic stroke increased.Conclusions SIRI is an independent risk factor for poor outcomes in patients with in-hospital symptomatic stroke,and the risk of poor neurological outcomes in-creases with high level of SIRI.

Objective To investigate the correlations of expression levels of serum transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)and insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1)with clinicopathological features of patients with adenomyosis,and the clinical value of their prediction of postoperative recurrence.Methods Eighty-two patients with adenomyosis were selected as study subjects(study group).Patients were followed up for two years after surgery and divided into recurrence group(n=15)and non-recur-rence group(n=67)based on their postoperative status.An additional 85 healthy individuals who un-derwent physical examinations during the same period were selected as control group.Serum TGF-β1 and IGF-1 levels were compared between the study group and the control group.The correlations of se-rum TGF-β1 and IGF-1 levels with the clinicopathological characteristics of adenomyosis patients was analyzed.Serum TGF-β1 and IGF-1 levels were compared between the recurrence and non-recurrence groups.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of serum TGF-β1 and IGF-1 levels in predicting postoperative recurrence in adenomyosis pa-tients.Results Serum TGF-β1 and IGF-1 levels in the study group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P＜0.05).Serum TGF-β1 levels were correlated with menstrual vol-ume,history of curettage,uterine volume,pathological type,lesion volume,endometrial status and ectopic gland cycle(P＜0.05).Serum IGF-1 levels were correlated with menstrual volume,history of curettage,uterine volume,pathological type,endometrial status and ectopic gland cycle(P＜0.05).Postoperative serum TGF-β1 and IGF-1 levels in the recurrence group were significantly higher than those in the non-recurrence group(P＜0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve(AUC)for predicting postoperative recurrence using serum TGF-β1,IGF-1 and their combination were 0.823,0.803 and 0.940,respectively.The clinical efficacy of TGF-β1 and IGF-1 in combination in predicting postoperative recurrence was superior to that of TGF-β1 alone(ZcombinedwithTGF-β1=2.001,ZcombinedwithIGF-1=2.318,P=0.045,0.021).Conclusion The serum levels of TGF-β1 and IGF-1 in patients with adenomyosis are significantly increased,which are closely related to the clinicopathological features of the patients.The combination of serum TGF-β1 and IGF-1 levels has high clinical efficacy in predicting postoperative recurrence.

Objective: To explore the relationship between depressive symptoms, negative life events and resilience among primary and secondary school teachers, so as to provide a reference for mental health promotion in school teachers. Methods: During November to December 2022, a questionnaire survey was conducted using convenient cluster sampling method to select 11 332 in service teachers from 38 schools in 8 provinces (cities) including Beijing, Guangdong, Anhui, Hubei, Sichuan, Xinjiang, Liaoning, and Heilongjiang. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 items, a self developed 21-item Adverse Life Events questionnaire, and a 10-item Conner-Davidson Resilience Scale were used to assess depressive symptoms, experiences of negative life events, and resilience levels of the teachers, respectively. The relationship between depressive symptoms, negative life events and psychological resilience were analyzed by multiple linear regression and stratified regression. Results: The detection rate of depressive symptoms among primary and secondary school teachers was 14.0%. Negative life events of primary and secondary school teachers were positively correlated with depressive symptoms ( r =0.35), while psychological resilience was negatively correlated with depressive symptoms ( r =-0.45) ( P <0.05). After adjusting for possible covariates including gender and marital status, negative life events were positively correlated with depressive symptoms ( β=0.22, P <0.01). Resilience played a moderating role in the association of negative life events with depressive symptoms among primary and secondary school teachers ( B=-0.15, P <0.01). Conclusions Negative life events experiences are associated with higher level of depressive symptoms among school teachers. However, resilience might mitigate the negative effects of negative life events on depressive symptoms, playing a protective role in teachers mental health.

Objective To analyze the influencing factors of clinical pregnancy and live birth rates in patients undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer(FET)for the first time.Methods The clinical data of 1 458 patients who underwent FET cycle-assisted pregnancy for the first time were retrospectively analyzed and divided into four groups according to clinical pregnancy and live bith outcomes.The clini-cal data were compared to analyze the factors affecting clinical pregnancy and live birth rates in FET cycles that were included in multiple logistic regression analysis.Results Of the 1458 cycles,the clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were 44.0% and 34.0%,respectively.The mean age of the clinical pregnancy and live birth groups was lower than that in non-clinical pregnancy and stillbirth groups(P<0.05).The clinical pregnancy and live birth rates of patients aged<35 years were higher than those aged≥35 years(P<0.05).The clinical preg-nancy and live birth rates of patients with≥8 mm endometrial thickness were higher than those with<8 mm endometrial thickness(P<0.05).The clinical pregnancy rate of natural cycles of endometrial preparation regimen was higher than that of HRT cycles(P<0.05).The clinical pregnancy and live birth rates of double-embryo transfers were higher than that of single-embryo transfers(P<0.05).The clinical pregnancy and live birth rates of blastocyst transfers were higher than those of cleavage stage(P<0.05).Conclusion Age,endometrial thickness,number of transplanted embryos,and embryo morphology were the independent factors influencing clinical pregnancy and live birth outcomes during FET cycle transplantation.

Objective:To investigate the psychological status of HD nursing staff in hospitals in Guangdong province and its influential factors.Methods:1 630 nursing staff in HD rooms of 71 hospitals or units in Guangdong Province in February and March 2020 were evaluated by using the 10-item Kessler psychological distress scale (Kessler 10), General self-efficacy scale (GSES) and Connor-Davidson resilience scale (CD-RISC) to conduct a questionnaire survey on their psychological status. Insomnia severity index (ISI) and Fatigue scale-14 (FS-14) were used to investigate their degree of insomnia and fatigue. General information on gender, age, educational level, marital status, economic income, professional title, HD working hours, average weekly overtime times and hours, total number of HD patients per day, and whether holding other positions were collected.Results:A total of 1 630 questionnaires were collected, among which 1 629 were valid, with an effective recovery rate of 99.9%. The scores of the three scales were (20.16±7.47), (27.03±4.45) and (58.37±15.75), respectively. According to the Kessler 10, 835 people (51.2%) had mental disorders. Univariate analysis showed that age, educational level, economic income, type of work unit, total number of HD patients per day and living status in recent one week were related with Kessler 10 score (all P<0.05). Economic income, type of work unit, whether holding other positions, total number of HD patients per day and living status in recent one week were related with GSES scores (all P<0.05). Age, marital status, economic income, professional title, type of work unit, whether holding other positions and living status in recent one week were related to CD-RISC score (all P<0.05). Spearman rank correlation analysis showed that the number of HD machines ( r=0.100, P<0.001), the number of nurses ( r=0.082, P=0.001), average weekly overtime times ( r=0.142, P<0.001) and overtime hours ( r=0.136, P<0.001), ISI score ( r=0.572, P<0.001) and FS-14 score ( r=0.635, P<0.001) were correlated with Kessler 10 score. ISI score ( r=-0.311, P<0.001) and FS-14 score ( r=-0.335, P<0.001) were correlated with GSES score. Working years of HD service ( r=0.112, P<0.001), ISI score ( r=-0.289, P<0.001) and FS-14 score ( r=-0.314, P<0.001) were correlated with CD-RISC score. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the economic income in 5 001-10 000 yuan (with<3 000 yuan as reference, B=-1.603, 95% CI -3.036--0.169, P=0.028) and the total number of HD patients per day >200 (with ≤50 as reference, B=-1.153, 95% CI -2.242--0.065, P=0.038) were negatively correlated with Kessler 10 score, and average weekly overtime times ( B=0.221, 95% CI 0.069-0.374, P=0.004), ISI score ( B=0.518, 95% CI 0.454-0.582, P<0.001) and FS-14 score ( B=1.166, 95% CI 1.066-1.265, P<0.001) were positively correlated with Kessler 10 score. The economic income (with<3 000 yuan as reference) in 3 001-5 000 yuan ( B=1.930, 95% CI 0.847-3.013, P<0.001), 5 001-10 000 yuan ( B=1.949, 95% CI 0.887-3.012, P<0.001), 10 001-15 000 yuan ( B=1.482, 95% CI 0.318-2.647, P=0.013), >20 000 yuan ( B=4.300, 95% CI 2.463-6.136, P<0.001), secondary hospital (with primary hospitals as reference, B= 1.078, 95% CI 0.005-2.152, P=0.049) and holding other positions ( B=0.729, 95% CI 0.277-1.181, P=0.002) were positively correlated with GSES score, and ISI score ( B=-0.169, 95% CI -0.217--0.120, P<0.001) and FS-14 score ( B=-0.403, 95% CI -0.478--0.328, P<0.001) were negatively correlated with GSES score. The economic income (with<3 000 yuan as reference) in 3 001-5 000 yuan ( B=7.631, 95% CI 3.753-11.509, P<0.001), 5 001-10 000 yuan ( B=9.236, 95% CI 5.362-13.110, P<0.001), 10 001-15 000 yuan ( B=9.039, 95% CI 4.735-13.342, P<0.001), 15 001-20 000 yuan ( B=8.639, 95% CI 2.989-14.289, P=0.003), >20 000 yuan ( B=16.101, 95% CI 9.162-23.039, P<0.001) and holding other positions ( B=3.228, 95% CI 1.510-4.945, P<0.001) were positively correlated with CD-RISC score, and ISI score ( B=-0.593, 95% CI -0.765--0.420, P<0.001) and FS-14 score ( B=-1.258, 95% CI -1.525--0.992, P<0.001) were negatively correlated with CD-RISC score. Conclusion:The psychological status of nursing staff in HD rooms of hospitals in Guangdong Province needs to be improved. Effective preventive measures should be taken to provide timely psychological support, counseling and intervention to nursing staff with psychological abnormalities, and encourage them to take the initiative to seek psychological counseling when necessary, so as to promote their physical and mental health.

Objective:To observe any effect of family rehabilitation interventions based on digital health management on elderly type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with sarcopenia.Methods:One hundred elderly T2DM patients with sarcopenia who had been discharged from hospital after treatment were divided into an observation group and a control group, each of 50. Both groups continued the diet control and training begun during their hospitalization, but the observation group was additionally provided with family rehabilitation based on digital health management. Before and after 3 months, the glucose and lipid metabolism and sarcopenia of both groups were evaluated with related symptom indexes, and their levels of diabetes self-management were compared.Results:Significant improvement was observed in both groups, but the average glucose and lipid metabolism indexes and sarcopenia-related symptom indexes of the observation group were significantly better than the control group′s averages. Their diabetes self-management was also significantly superior.Conclusion:Family rehabilitation based on digital health management can significantly improve glucose and lipid metabolism and muscle mass in elderly T2DM patients with sarcopenia. Such intervention is worthy of promotion and application in clinical practice.