OBJECTIVES: To explore the mechanism of Qingda Granules (QDG) for alleviating brain damage in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). METHODS: Twelve 5-week-old SHRs were randomized into SHR control group and SHR+QDG group treated with QDG by gavage at the daily dose of 0.9 g/kg for 12 weeks. The control rats, along with 6 age-matched WKY rats, were treated with saline only. Blood pressure changes of the rats were monitored, and pathologies and neuronal apoptosis in the cerebral cortex were examined with HE staining and TUNEL staining. Cerebral cortical expressions of miR-124 and STAT3 mRNA were detected using RT-qPCR, and the protein expressions of NeuN, STAT3, Bcl-2, Bax, and cleaved caspase-3 were detected with immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. In a HT22 cell model of oxygen and glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R), the effects of QDG on cell viability and apoptosis, expressions of miR-124 and STAT3 mRNA, and protein expressions of STAT3, Bcl-2, Bax, and cleaved caspase-3 were evaluated using CCK8 assay, Hoechst 33342 staining, RT-qPCR, and Western blotting. RESULTS: Compared with WKY rats, SHRs had significantly elevated systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure with significantly increased neuronal apoptosis in the cerebral cortex, reduced expressions of NeuN, miR-124 and Bcl-2, and enhanced expressions of STAT3, Bax and cleaved caspase-3 (P<0.05). All these changes in the SHRs were significantly ameliorated by treatment with QDG (P<0.05). In the HT22 cell model, QDG treatment obviously reduced OGD/R-induced cell apoptosis, increased the expressions of miR-124 and Bcl-2, and suppressed the elevation of protein expressions of STAT3, Bax and cleaved caspase-3. CONCLUSIONS QDG inhibits cerebral cortical neuronal apoptosis and thereby attenuates brain damage in SHR rats by modulating the miR-124/STAT3 signaling axis.
Animals ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Rats ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Male ; Hypertension

Objective To explore the mechanism of Qingda Granules(QDG)for alleviating brain damage in spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHRs).Methods Twelve 5-week-old SHRs were randomized into SHR control group and SHR+QDG group treated with QDG by gavage at the daily dose of 0.9 g/kg for 12 weeks.The control rats,along with 6 age-matched WKY rats,were treated with saline only.Blood pressure changes of the rats were monitored,and pathologies and neuronal apoptosis in the cerebral cortex were examined with HE staining and TUNEL staining.Cerebral cortical expressions of miR-124 and STAT3 mRNA were detected using RT-qPCR,and the protein expressions of NeuN,STAT3,Bcl-2,Bax,and cleaved caspase-3 were detected with immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.In a HT22 cell model of oxygen and glucose deprivation/reoxygenation(OGD/R),the effects of QDG on cell viability and apoptosis,expressions of miR-124 and STAT3 mRNA,and protein expressions of STAT3,Bcl-2,Bax,and cleaved caspase-3 were evaluated using CCK8 assay,Hoechst 33342 staining,RT-qPCR,and Western blotting.Results Compared with WKY rats,SHRs had significantly elevated systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure with significantly increased neuronal apoptosis in the cerebral cortex,reduced expressions of NeuN,miR-124 and Bcl-2,and enhanced expressions of STAT3,Bax and cleaved caspase-3(P＜0.05).All these changes in the SHRs were significantly ameliorated by treatment with QDG(P＜0.05).In the HT22 cell model,QDG treatment obviously reduced OGD/R-induced cell apoptosis,increased the expressions of miR-124 and Bcl-2,and suppressed the elevation of protein expressions of STAT3,Bax and cleaved caspase-3.Conclusion QDG inhibits cerebral cortical neuronal apoptosis and thereby attenuates brain damage in SHR rats by modulating the miR-124/STAT3 signaling axis.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze sex and age distribution of global disease burden of calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) from 1990 to 2021. METHODS: CAVD data during 1990-2021 were obtained from the IHME website for Global Burden of Disease (GBD). The prevalence, mortality, years lived with disability (YLDs), and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were analyzed by gender and age groups. Joinpoint regression was used to calculate annual percentage change (APC) and average annual percentage change (AAPC). RESULTS: In 2021, there were 13.32 million CAVD patients and 142 000 deaths caused by CAVD globally. Age-standardized prevalence was higher in males (193.2/10⁵) than that in females (128.9/10⁵). Patients in 65-<85 age group accounted for 64.0% of total cases, while those ≥85 years old accounted for 16.1%. From 1990 to 2021, prevalence increased in both sexes with an AAPC of 0.72% for males and 0.57% for females, respectively. Prevalence grew fastest from 2000 to 2010, slowed thereafter, and declined from 2015 to 2021. In <65 years old, the mortality of males was 2.4 times higher than that of females, while in ≥85 years old, mortality of females (117.3/10⁵) exceeded that of males (99.1/10⁵). YLD rates increased with age, and were higher in males for all age groups. DALY rates decreased overall but increased in ≥85 years old, with a greater increase in females. CONCLUSIONS There are significant gender and age disparities in global disease burden of CAVD, with the elderly, especially super-elderly females deserving particular attention. It is recommended to develop personalized intervention strategies for these populations.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Calcinosis/mortality* ; Prevalence ; Global Burden of Disease ; Aged, 80 and over ; Middle Aged ; Aortic Valve/pathology* ; Aortic Valve Stenosis/epidemiology* ; Age Distribution ; Adult ; Disability-Adjusted Life Years ; Sex Distribution ; Global Health ; Aortic Valve Disease/epidemiology* ; Sex Factors

Objective:To explore the effects of deep hyperthermia on chemotherapy-related adverse effects and immune-inflammatory indicators in the patients undergoing postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer.Methods:This retrospective study included 52 patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer at the Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University from September 2021 to December 2023. The patients were divided into two groups based on treatment method: the combination group ( n=29) received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy combined with deep hyperthermia, while the chemotherapy group ( n=23) received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy alone. Both groups were treated with the XELOX regimen (oxaliplatin + capecitabine). The degree of bone marrow suppression during treatment was assessed by analyzing peripheral blood parameters, including hemoglobin, leukocyte count, neutrophil count, and platelet count. Immune-inflammatory indicators, including complement, procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin-6 (IL-6), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), were compared before and after treatment in both groups to evaluate the effects of deep hyperthermia on the immune-inflammatory response. Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test (two-tailed) was used to compare bone marrow suppression rates, and the immune-inflammatory indicators between the two groups were compared using t-tests or non-parametric tests, depending on whether the data conformed to a normal distribution. Results:In terms of myelosuppression, the incidence rates of moderate to severe decreases in leukocytes, neutrophils, platelets, and hemoglobin in the combination group were 31%, 31%, 21%, and 14%, respectively, compared to 52%, 61%, 48%, and 9% in the chemotherapy group. The change in PCT levels before and after treatment was significantly greater in the combination group than in the chemotherapy group ( P = 0.010). Both the combination group and the chemotherapy group showed significant reductions in SII, NLR and PLR after treatment, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). The change in NLR before and after treatment was significantly greater in the combination group than in the chemotherapy group ( P = 0.031). Conclusions:Deep hyperthermia can alleviate chemotherapy-induced adverse effects such as thrombocytopenia and neutropenia in patients undergoing postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. It also appears to improve the inflammatory response in these patients.

Objective:To explore the effects of deep hyperthermia on chemotherapy-related adverse effects and immune-inflammatory indicators in the patients undergoing postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer.Methods:This retrospective study included 52 patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer at the Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University from September 2021 to December 2023. The patients were divided into two groups based on treatment method: the combination group ( n=29) received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy combined with deep hyperthermia, while the chemotherapy group ( n=23) received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy alone. Both groups were treated with the XELOX regimen (oxaliplatin + capecitabine). The degree of bone marrow suppression during treatment was assessed by analyzing peripheral blood parameters, including hemoglobin, leukocyte count, neutrophil count, and platelet count. Immune-inflammatory indicators, including complement, procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin-6 (IL-6), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), were compared before and after treatment in both groups to evaluate the effects of deep hyperthermia on the immune-inflammatory response. Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test (two-tailed) was used to compare bone marrow suppression rates, and the immune-inflammatory indicators between the two groups were compared using t-tests or non-parametric tests, depending on whether the data conformed to a normal distribution. Results:In terms of myelosuppression, the incidence rates of moderate to severe decreases in leukocytes, neutrophils, platelets, and hemoglobin in the combination group were 31%, 31%, 21%, and 14%, respectively, compared to 52%, 61%, 48%, and 9% in the chemotherapy group. The change in PCT levels before and after treatment was significantly greater in the combination group than in the chemotherapy group ( P = 0.010). Both the combination group and the chemotherapy group showed significant reductions in SII, NLR and PLR after treatment, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). The change in NLR before and after treatment was significantly greater in the combination group than in the chemotherapy group ( P = 0.031). Conclusions:Deep hyperthermia can alleviate chemotherapy-induced adverse effects such as thrombocytopenia and neutropenia in patients undergoing postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. It also appears to improve the inflammatory response in these patients.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of circSLC8A1_005 on the fibrotic phenotype of cardiac fibroblasts and the potential mechanism involved. MethodsThe effect of adenovirus-mediated overexpression of circSLC8A1_005 on the expression of fibrosis-related genes， collagen type I alpha 1 chain （Col1a1）， collagen type Ⅲ alpha 1 chain （Col3a1） and smooth muscle actin alpha 2 （Acta2）， in mouse cardiac fibroblasts （mCFs） were detected. The proliferation and migration activities of mCFs were detected by EdU and wound-healing assay， respectively. Dual luciferase reporter gene assay was performed to detect the activity of potential internal ribozyme entry site （IRES） in circSLC8A1_005. CircSLC8A1_005-translated protein， SLC8A1-605aa， and its intracellular distribution was identified by Western blot assay. The effect of SLC8A1-605aa protein on transcription activity of Sod2 gene was detected by the dual luciferase reporter gene assay. RNA binding protein immunoprecipitation （RIP） was utilized to verify the interaction between SLC8A1-605aa and superoxide dismutase 2 （Sod2） mRNA. Actinomycin D treatment was used to detect the effect of SLC8A1-605aa on Sod2 mRNA stability in mCFs. ResultsAn efficient adenovirus-mediated overexpression of circSLC8A1_005 was achieved in mCFs. The enforced expression of circSLC8A1_005 suppressed proliferation and migration of mCFs， and inhibited the expression of fibrosis-related genes in mCFs. The dual luciferase reporter gene assay revealed the activities of 2 IRES in circSLC8A1_005. Results of Western blot assay showed that circSLC8A1_005 could translate protein SLC8A1-605aa with the prospected molecular weight of 70 ku， which is predominantly distributed in the nucleus. Overexpression of the circSLC8A1_005 and SLC8A1-605aa could consistently inhibit the fibrotic phenotype of mCFs. SLC8A1-605aa could up-regulate superoxide dismutase 2 （Sod2） expression， but not at the transcriptional level. RIP assay indicated that SLC8A1-605aa could specifically interact with Sod2 mRNA， and the results of actinomycin D assay showed that SLC8A1-605aa could enhance the stability of Sod2 mRNA in mCFs. ConclusionCircSLC8A1_005 inhibits the fibrotic phenotype of cardiac fibroblasts via translating SLC8A1-605aa protein， and SLC8A1-605aa may be a potential target for the treatment of myocardial fibrosis.

Objective To investigate the relationships of pre-radiotherapy body weight,gender,age,EBVDNA,hemoglobin,plasma albumin,and induction chemotherapy regimen with the changes of target area and lymph node volume in adaptive radiotherapy,so as to provide a reference for the timing and population selection of adaptive radiotherapy.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 34 patients who received the first course of radiotherapy at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from January 2022 to November 2022.All patients underwent CT scans again after 20 sessions of radiotherapy for developing the secondary radiotherapy plans.The body weight,gender,age,tumor stage,hemoglobin,plasma albumin,induction chemotherapy regimen,and EBVDNA were collected.Results The tumor volume reduction in the primary focus was more evident in patients with pre-treatment plasma albumin≥40 g/L than in those with pre-treatment plasma albumin<40 g/L(t=3.971,P=0.001),and in patients with pretreatment EBVDNA≤4000 copies/mL than in those with pretreatment EBVDNA>4000 copies/mL(t=4.080,P=0.001).Pearson analysis showed that GTVnx volume difference was positively correlated with pre-radiotherapy GTVnx volume(r=0.444,P=0.009),right parotid gland volume difference(r=0.737,P<0.001),left parotid gland volume difference(r=0.435,P=0.010),and hemoglobin(r=0.722,P<0.001).Conclusion The reduction in tumor volume during radiotherapy is more pronounced in nasopharyngeal cancer patients with normal plasma albumin level and those with pretreatment EBVDNA≤4000 copies/mL.The pre-radiotherapy treatment volume of primary focus,parotid gland volume change before and after radiotherapy,and pre-radiotherapy EBVDNA,hemoglobin and plasma albumin levels can be used to predict the degree of tumor volume shrinkage during radiotherapy,providing a reference for the selection of the timing of adaptive radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Objective To observe the value of anatomical characteristics of femoral intercondylar notch of knee joint for predicting non-contact anterior cruciate ligament tear(NC-ACLT).Methods MRI data of knee joint of 55 patients with NC-ACLT(NC-ACLT group)and 55 controls(control group)were retrospectively analyzed.The parameters of intercondylar notch,including depth,width,depth/width ratio,opening width,opening width index,area and width of the femoral condyle's outer edge at the same level were measured between groups,and the types of intercondylar notch(type A,U and W)were recorded.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to screen the independent impact factors of NC-ACLT.Receiver operating characteristic curves were drawn,and the area under the curves(AUC)were calculated to evaluate the efficacy of each intercondylar notch parameter for predicting NC-ACLT.Results The depth and depth/width ratio of intercondylar notch in NC-ACLT group were both higher,while the opening width and opening width index of intercondylar notch in NC-ACLT group were both lower than those in control group(all P＜0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the depth of intercondylar notch was an independent impact factors of NC-ACLT(P＜0.05).Taken 29.55 mm in depth of intercondylar notch,1.45 in depth/width ratio of intercondylar notch,21.15 mm in opening width of intercondylar notch and 0.29 in opening width index as the optimal cut-off value,respectively,the sensitivity of the above parameters for predicting NC-ACLT was 74.55％,58.18％,67.27％and 67.27％,the specificity was 69.09％,80.00％,61.82％and 78.18％,and the AUC was 0.720,0.713,0.652 and 0.710,respectively.Conclusion The anatomical characteristics of femoral intercondylar notch of knee joint could be used to predict NC-ACLT.The depth,depth/width ratio,opening width and opening width index of intercondylar notch could be used as predictive indicators.

Objective:We aimed to develop a novel visualized model based on nomogram to predict postoperative overall survival.Methods:This was a multicenter, retrospective, observational cohort study, including participants with histologically confirmed gastric and colorectal cancer who underwent radical surgery from 11 medical centers in China from August 1, 2015 to June 30, 2018. Baseline characteristics, histopathological data and nutritional status, as assessed using Nutrition Risk Screening 2002 (NRS 2002) score and the scored Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment, were collected. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression and Cox regression were used to identify variables to be included in the predictive model. Internal and external validations were performed.Results:There were 681 and 127 patients in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. A total of 188 deaths were observed over a median follow-up period of 59 (range: 58 to 60) months. Two independent predictors of NRS 2002 and Tumor-Node-Metastasis (TNM) stage were identified and incorporated into the prediction nomogram model together with the factor of age. The model's concordance index for 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival was 0.696, 0.724, and 0.738 in the training cohort and 0.801, 0.812, and 0.793 in the validation cohort, respectively.Conclusions:In this study, a new nomogram prediction model based on NRS 2002 score was developed and validated for predicting the overall postoperative survival of patients with gastric colorectal cancer. This model has good differentiation, calibration and clinical practicability in predicting the long-term survival rate of patients with gastrointestinal cancer after radical surgery.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of the rotational arch method of revealing the spinal canal and implanting back in resection of benign intravertebral tumours.Methods:A total of 17 patients with benign intravertebral tumors of the thoracolumbar spine who underwent a rotational arch method of revealing the spinal canal and implantation back in combination with tumor resection in Luoyang Orthopaedic-Traumatological Hospital of Henan Province from April 2017 to October 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 9 males and 8 females, aged 58.59±13.57 years (range, 29-75 years). There were 7 cases of thoracic intravertebral tumors, 2 cases of thoracolumbar intravertebral tumors, and 8 cases of lumbar intravertebral tumors. The operated segments were 6 cases of single-segment, 8 cases of double-segment, and 3 cases of triple-segment. The disease duration was 20.35±16.58 months (range, 3-60 months). Histopathology showed 9 cases of schwannoma, 5 cases of meningioma, 2 cases of teratoma, and 1 case of dermoid cyst. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative spinal canal volume, stability of internal fixation, and lamina healing were recorded. The Cobb angle, American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classification and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were compared before and after operation.Results:All patients were successfully operated and followed up for an average of 10.5±2.4 months (range, 6-20 months). The operation time was 156.76±26.81 min (range, 120-210 min) and intraoperative bleeding was 338.24±97.68 ml (range, 200-600 ml). There was no neurovascular injury during the operation. Incomplete spinous process fracture occurred in 1 case due to excessive exertion, which healed well without special treatment. Postoperative drainage volume was 147.06±31.58 ml (range, 100-210 ml). The patient's local Cobb angle was 14.15°±6.58° preoperatively and 14.73°±6.34° postoperatively, with no statistically significant difference ( t=1.810, P=0.089). The patient's ODI was 63.65%±6.57% preoperatively and decreased to 23.88%±4.21% at the final follow-up, with statistically significant difference ( t=53.359, P<0.001). In 17 patients, there were 2 cases of ASIA grade B, 9 cases of grade C, and 6 cases of grade D before operation, and 1 case of ASIA grade B, 4 cases of grade C, 8 cases of grade D, and 4 cases of grade E at the final follow-up, which was a significant improvement compared with the preoperative period, and the difference was statistically significant ( Z=2.587, P=0.010). All patients' incisions healed at stage I, and none of them had complications such as cerebrospinal fluid leakage and epidural haematoma. Three-dimensional CT of the spine at 6 months after operation showed that none of the patients had displacement of the vertebral plate, loosening of the internal fixation, infection or fracture. Conclusion:The rotational arch method of revealing the spinal canal and implantation back in combination with tumor resection for the treatment of benign intravertebral canal tumors has good postoperative neurological function recovery and a low complication rate, which is a safe and effective surgical procedure for the treatment of benign intravertebral canal tumours.