Urticarial vasculitis is a skin disease with urticaria-like lesions and a histopathological pattern of leukocytoclastic vasculitis. It is considered a "hidden rash" in traditional Chinese medicine. Xuanfu is the portal that regulates qi, blood, fluid, and the ascending, descending, exiting, and entering of nutrition qi and defensive qi. Collaterals are the pathways for the circulation of qi and blood. The two accompany each other, connecting zang-fu organs, reaching the surfaces of the skin, hair, and external body, circulating qi and fluid, and moistening and protecting the skin. Based on the theory of Xuanfu-collateral, this study aimed to clarify the etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment method of urticarial vasculitis. External assault by wind and Xuanfu blockage are believed to be the initiating factors of this disease. The malnutrition of Xuanfu and collaterals and accumulated dampness-heat are important links in the occurrence and development of urticarial vasculitis. It spreads from Xuanfu to the collaterals, and blockage of the collaterals is the immanent trend of this disease. Clinically, by closely adhering to the core pathogenesis of blockage of Xuanfu-collateral, treatment method such as using wind medicinals to open Xuanfu with pungent and dispersing properties, using the method of supplement deficiency and removing the blockage, and using medicinals to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis to unblock the blocked collaterals. The herbs are flexibly added or subtracted to unblock Xuanfu and collaterals, harmonize qi and blood, thus all symptoms can be relieved. We hope that this study will provide new ideas for the treatment of urticarial vasculitis with traditional Chinese medicine.

BACKGROUND: The American Heart Association recently released a new cardiovascular health (CVH) metric, Life's Essential 8 (LE8), for health promotion. However, the association between LE8 scores and the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains uncertain. We aimed to explore the association of LE8 scores with new-onset CKD and examine whether socioeconomic deprivation and genetic risk modify this association. METHODS: A total of 286,908 participants from UK Biobank and without prior CKD were included between 2006 and 2010. CVH was categorized using LE8 scores: low (LE8 scores <50), moderate (LE8 scores ≥50 but <80), and high (LE8 scores ≥80). The study outcome was new-onset CKD, ascertained by data linkage with primary care, hospital inpatient, and death data. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to investigate the association between CVH categories and new-onset CKD. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 12.5 years, 8857 (3.1%) participants developed new-onset CKD. Compared to the low CVH group, the moderate (adjusted hazards ratio [HR], 0.50; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.47-0.53) and high CVH (adjusted HR, 0.31; 95% CI: 0.27-0.34) groups had a significantly lower risk of developing new-onset CKD. The population-attributable risk associated with high vs. intermediate or low CVH scores was 40.3%. Participants who were least deprived ( vs.  most deprived; adjusted HR, 0.75; 95% CI: 0.71-0.79) and with low genetic risk of CKD ( vs.  high genetic risk; adjusted HR, 0.89; 95% CI: 0.85-0.94) had a significantly lower risk of developing new-onset CKD. However, socioeconomic deprivation and genetic risks of CKD did not significantly modify the relationship between LE8 scores and new-onset CKD (both P -interaction >0.05). CONCLUSION Achieving a higher LE8 score was associated with a lower risk of developing new-onset CKD, regardless of socioeconomic deprivation and genetic risks of CKD.
Humans ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease/genetics* ; Aged ; Risk Factors ; Adult ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Socioeconomic Factors

The transition of cancer cells from epithelial state to mesenchymal state awarded hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) stem cell properties and induced tumorigenicity, drug resistance, and high recurrence rate. Reversing the mesenchymal state to epithelial state by inducing mesenchymal-epithelial remodeling could inhibit the progression of HCC. Using high-throughput screening, chrysin was selected from natural products to reverse epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by selectively increasing CDH1 expression. The target identification suggested chrysin exerted its anti-HCC effect through covalently and specifically binding threonine 205 (Thr205) of alpha-enolase (ENO1). For the first time, we revealed that ENO1 bound β-catenin mRNA, and recruited YTHDF2 to identify the m6A modified β-catenin in the 3'-UTR region to degrade β-catenin mRNA. Eventually, the CDH1 gene expression was improved through the regulation of β-catenin mRNA. ENO1/β-catenin mRNA interaction might be a promising target for cellular plasticity reprogramming. Moreover, chrysin could mediate mesenchymal‒epithelial remodeling through increasing degradation of β-catenin mRNA by promoting the binding of ENO1 and β-catenin mRNA. To the best of our knowledge, chrysin is the first reported small molecule inducing β-catenin mRNA degradation through binding to ENO1. The water-soluble derivative of chrysin may be a natural product-derived lead compound for circumventing metastasis, recurrence, and drug resistance of HCC by mediating mesenchymal‒epithelial remodeling.

Objective To construct a logistic regression prediction model for stress ulcer(SU)after cerebral hemorrhage.Methods A total of 230 patients with cerebral hemorrhage admitted to our hospital from January 2020 to January 2023 were prospectively selected as the study subjects.They were randomly di-vided into a training group and a validation group using a random number table method,with 115 patients in each group.The incidence of postoperative SU was statistically compared between the two groups.The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(Lasso)and logistic regression were used to analyze the influencing factors of SU after cerebral hemorrhage,and a logistic regression prediction model was established and valida-ted.Results The incidence of SU was 19.13%in the training group and 20.00%in the validation group.In-crement of age,blood loss≥30 mL,higher levels of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR),heat shock protein 70(HSP70)and HSP90 were identified as independent risk factors for SU after cerebral hemorrhage(P<0.05),while lower levels of Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS)score and albumin(Alb)were protective factors(P<0.05).The prediction model was logit(P)=0.409×age+1.288×blood loss-1.335×GCS score-1.126×Alb+0.452×NLR+1.483×HSP70+1.593×HSP90-10.325.The areas under the receiver operat-ing characteristic(ROC)curve(AUC)for the training group and the validation group were 0.845(95%CI:0.765-0.906)and 0.855(95%CI:0.777-0.913),respectively.The sensitivities were 81.82%and 90.91%,and the specificities were 76.34%and 70.97%,respectively.Conclusion A logistic regression prediction model was successfully constructed,which has certain predictive value for SU after cerebral hemorrhage.

Objective To observe the repair effect and mechanism of Danhuang Powder-containing serum on high glucose-induced vascular endothelial cell injury.Methods Danhuang Powder-containing serum was prepared.Human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs)were cultured to be divided into control group,recombinant human epidermal growth factor(called"growth factor"for short)group,Danhuang Powder group,high glucose group,high glucose+growth factor group,and high glucose+Danhuang Powder group.After corresponding intervention in each group for 48 hours,the cell ultrastructure and autophagy were observed under transmission electron microscope,apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry,and the protein expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),epidermal growth factor(EGF)and basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF)in the cells were detected by Western Blot.Results(1)The intra-mitochondrial ridges in the control group were clearly visible,autophagosomes and autolysosomes were fewer;mitochondria in the high glucose group were swollen and irregular,and appeared vacuolated;and the more typical autophagy-like structures were seen in the high glucose+Danhuang Powder group.(2)Compared with the high glucose group and high glucose+growth factor group,the apoptosis rate of cells in the high glucose+Danhuang Powder group was significantly decreased(P<0.05).(3)Compared with the high glucose group and the high glucose+growth factor group,the protein expression levels of VEGF,EGF and bFGF in the cells of the high glucose+Danhuang Powder group were significantly increased(P<0.05).Conclusion Danhuang Powder-containing serum can reduce the high glucose-induced damage in HUVEC cells,and its mechanism may be related to the activation of mitochondrial autophagy,and the inhibition of apoptosis,as well as the up-regulation of the expression of VEGF,EGF and bFGF.

Objective To explore the value of combined detection of serum mitogen-activated protein kinase 1(MAPK1)and lysyl oxidase-like protein 2(LOXL2)in early diagnosis of cervical cancer.Methods A total of 218 patients with cervical lesions were selected as study group(103 ca-ses in cervical cancer group,115 cases in benign tumor group).Additionally,100 patients with cer-vical intraepithelial neoplasia grade Ⅱ were selected as precancerous lesion group,and 79 healthy in-dividuals undergoing physical examinations during the same period were selected as control group.Se-rum levels of MAPK1 and LOXL2 were measured in each group.Pearson correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlations of serum MAPK1 and LOXL2 levels in patients with cervical cancer.Logistic regression analysis was performed to screen influencing factors for the occurrence of cervical cancer.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were plotted to assess the diagnostic efficacy of serum MAPK1 and LOXL2 for cervical cancer.Results Serum MAPK1 and LOXL2 levels in the study group were higher than those in the precancerous lesion group and the control group,and those in the precancerous lesion group were higher than those in the control group,with statistically signif-icant differences(P＜0.05).The proportion of patients with high-risk human papillomavirus(HPV)infection and serum MAPK1 and LOXL2 levels in the cervical cancer group were higher than those in the benign tumor group,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).Serum MAPK1 and LOXL2 levels in patients with stage Ⅲ to Ⅳ cervical cancer were higher than those in patients with stage Ⅰ to Ⅱ cervical cancer,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between serum MAPK1 and LOXL2 levels in patients with cervical cancer(r=0.468,P＜0.001).Logistic regression analysis showed that high-risk HPV infection,MAPK1 and LOXL2 were all influencing factors for the occurrence of cervi-cal cancer(P＜0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve(AUC)for com-bined diagnosis of serum MAPK1 and LOXL2 was 0.911,which was significantly greater than the AUCs for individual diagnoses(0.848 and 0.843,respectively).Conclusion Serum MAPK1 and LOXL2 levels in patients with cervical cancer are significantly upregulated,and the two indicators were positively correlated.High-risk HPV infection,serum MAPK1 and LOXL2 levels were influen-cing factors for the occurrence of cervical cancer.Combined detection of MAPK1 and LOXL2 levels is expected to assist in the diagnosis of cervical cancer.

Objective To translate the Maternal Childbirth Fatigue Perception Questionnaire(MCFQ)into Chinese and examine its reliability and validity among women undergoing vaginal deliv-ery.Methods Following the Brislin translation model,the MCFQ was translated,back-translated,culturally adapted and pre-tested to develop a Chinese version.By using the convenience sampling method,574 parturients were selected for a questionnaire survey from January to April 2024,and the reliability and validity of the Chinese questionnaire were evaluated.Results The Chinese version of MCFQ consisted of 3 dimensions and 13 items,namely physical fatigue(7 items),perceived fatigue(3 items)and emotional fatigue(3 items).The item-level content validity index ranged from0.813 to 1.000,and the scale-level content validity index was 0.938.The overall Cronbach's α coefficient of the scale was 0.870,and the split-half reliability coefficient was 0.848.Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated that the question naire had a good fit.Conclusion The Chinese version of MCFQ has good reliability and validity and can be used as an effective tool to assess the fatigue level of parturients during the delivery process.It is helpful for clinical medical staff to optimize the management of the la-bor process,improve the quality of delivery,and ensure the safety of mothers and infants.

Objective To investigate the association of proton pump inhibitors(PPIs)use with short-term and long-term mortality risk in patients with severe ischemic stroke.Methods This retrospective study based on the U.S.Medical Information Mark for Intensive Care Ⅲ(MIMIC-Ⅲ)database,ICU patients aged ≥18 years with the first ICU admission and a diagnosis of ischemic stroke were finally included in the study.All enrolled subjects were divided into PPIs group and non-PPIs group according to whether they had used PPIs(pantoprazole,lansoprazole and omeprazole)during hospitalization.Kaplan-Meier survival analyses and Cox regression models were used to analyze the association between the use of PPIs and the risk of ICU death,30 d risk of death,90 d risk of death in patients with severe ischemic stroke.Results A total of 1 015 patients were included,402 cases in the PPIs group and 613 in the non-PPIs group.The ICU-mortality,30 d and 90 d mortality were 15.37％,13.60％and 20.10％,respectively.Kaplan-Meier survival analyses illustrated that the PPIs group survived better than non-PPIs group in ICU mortality analysis(P=0.002).In Cox regression analysis,after adjustment for potential confounders,the hazard ratio(HR)for ICU mortality in the PPIs group relative to the non-PPIs group was 0.671 9(95％CI 0.478 8 to 0.942 8,P=0.021),but there was no significant difference between 30 d and 90 d mortality(P＞0.05).Conclusion In patients with severe ischemic stroke,the use of PPIs may be effective in reducing the risk of ICU death,but does not improve 30 d and 90 d risk of death in patients.

Objective To investigate the effects of dimethyl itaconate(DMI)on the secretion of pro-inflammatory factors in dendritic cells(DCs)and on the interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein(IRBP)1-20-specific T helper 17(Th17)cells in mice with experimental autoimmune uveitis(EAU).Methods Bilateral femur and tibia of C57BL/6J mice were isolated to obtain bone marrow cells,and these bone marrow cells were directionally induced with granulocyte macrophage-colony-stimulating factor(GM-CSF)and interleukin(IL)-4 to differentiate DCs.After 6 days,DCs were ran-domly divided into the DMI group and the phosphate-buffered saline(PBS)group.Cells in the DMI group were pretreated with 250 μmol·L-1 DMI,and cells in the PBS group were pretreated with the same volume of PBS for 3 hours.After-wards,100 μg·L-1 lipopolysaccharide was added in the every group to stimulate cells for 24 hours.The relative mRNA ex-pression levels of IL-6,IL-1 β,and IL-23 in DCs were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR).The EAU model was constructed by actively immunizing mice with IRBP1-20,Freund's incomplete adjuvant,and my-cobacterium tuberculosis H37RA.Thirteen days after immunization,T cells in the spleen and lymph node isolated from EAU mice were cocultured with DMI-treatedor PBS-treated DCs in the medium containing IRBP1-20.They polarized toward Th17 cells.The percentage of Th17 cells in the cocultured cells was detected by flow cytometry.The IL-17 level in the coculture supernatant was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).qRT-PCR was performed to detect the relative mRNA expression levels of retinoid-related orphan receptor gamma t(RORγt),IL-17,IL-23R,and GM-CSF in the cocultured cells.Results qRT-PCR analysis revealed that the relative mRNA expression levels of IL-6,IL-1β,and IL-23 in the DMI group were significantly lower thanthose in the PBS group(all P＜0.05).Flow cytometry analysis showed that the proportion of Th17 cells in the cocultured cells in the DMI group was significantly lower than that in the PBS group(P＜0.05).ELISA analysis exhibited that the IL-17 level in the coculture supernatant in the DMI group was significantly lower than that in the PBS group(P＜0.05).The relative mRNA expression levels of IL-17,ROR-γt,IL-23R and GM-CSF in cocultured cells in the DMI group significantly decreased compared with the PBS group(all P＜0.05).Conclusion DMI can reduce the expression of IL-6,IL-1β and IL-23 in DCs,thus negatively modulating the responses of IRBP1-20-specific Th17 cells.

Objective:To investigate the effect of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) 5033413D16Rik (lncRNA 5033413D16Rik) on the activity of interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein 1-20 (IRBP) 1-20-specific T helper 17 (Th17) cells in experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU). Methods:Twelve SPF grade C57BL/6 female mice aged 8 to 10 weeks were selected and divided into EAU group and normal control group using the random number table method, with 6 mice in each group.Mice in the normal control group received no treatment.Mice in the EAU group were immunized with IRBP 1-20 emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant to induce EAU.On day 13 after immunization, fundus examination and inflammation scoring were performed, and retinal histopathological changes were observed with hematoxylin and eosin staining.T cells were isolated from the spleen and lymph nodes of EAU mice, and the relative expression of lncRNA 5033413D16Rik was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR).In addition, the isolated T cells were divided into short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-5033413D16Rik transfected group and shRNA-negative control (NC) transfected group, and transfected with corresponding shRNAs, respectively.The knockdown efficiency of shRNA-5033413D16Rik was verified by qRT-PCR.T cells in the two groups were co-cultured with bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) under Th17 polarizing conditions.The relative expression of retinoic acid-related orphan receptor (RORγt), interleukin 17 (IL-17), IL-23 receptor (IL-23R), and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) mRNA in co-cultured cells were analyzed by qRT-PCR.The IL-17 concentration in co-culture supernatants was assayed by ELISA and percentages of Th17 cells were determined by flow cytometry.The use and care of experimental animals complied with the Regulations for the Administration of Affairs Concerning Experimental Animals promulgated by the State Science and Technology Commission.The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Experimental Animal Ethics Committee of Tianjin Medical University (No.TJYY2019110117). Results:EAU model was established successfully.qRT-PCR analysis showed that the expression of lncRNA 5033413D16Rik was significantly decreased in T cells from EAU mice compared with normal control mice ( t=-13.332, P<0.001).Compared with the shRNA-NC transfected group, the relative expression of lncRNA 5033413D16Rik in T cells of the shRNA-5033413D16Rik transfected group was significantly reduced ( t=-6.338, P<0.01).In co-cultured T cells, the expression levels of RORγt, IL-17, IL-23R, and GM-CSF mRNA in shRNA-5033413D16Rik transfected group were 1.61±0.13, 1.51±0.13, 1.85±0.33 and 1.45±0.11, which were significantly higher than 1.00±0.01, 1.00±0.01, 1.00±0.01 and 1.00±0.01 in shRNA-NC-transfected group ( t=-6.839, -8.221, -4.538, -4.189; all at P<0.05).ELISA analysis revealed that IL-17 concentraion in shRNA-5033413D16Rik transfected group was (2 350.39±367.02)pg/ml, which was significantly higher than (1 513.31±310.37)pg/ml ( t=-3.016, P=0.039).Flow cytometry showed that the percentage of Th17 cells in shRNA-5033413D16Rik transfected group was (17.20±0.44)%, which was higher than (14.10±0.84)% in normal control group ( t=-3.264, P=0.031). Conclusions:LncRNA 5033413D16Rik can inhibit the expression of pathogenicity related genes in antigen-specific Th17 cells and negatively regulates IRBP 1-20-specific Th17 cell responses.