ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the effects of 4-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on synaptic plasticity in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of rats exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), and to explore its potential mechanisms. MethodsA total of 48 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control (C), model (M), control plus HIIT (HC), and model plus HIIT (HM). Rats in groups M and HM underwent 8 weeks of CUMS to establish depression-like behaviors, while groups HC and HM received HIIT intervention beginning from the 5th week for 4 consecutive weeks. The HIIT protocol consisted of repeated intervals of 3 min at high speed (85%-90% maximal training speed, S_max) alternated with one minute at low speed (50%-55% S_max), with 3 to 5 sets per session, conducted 5 d per week. Behavioral assessments and tail-vein blood lactate levels were measured at the end of the 4th and 8th weeks. After the intervention, rat PFC tissues were collected for Golgi staining to analyze synaptic morphology. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were employed to detect brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1), lactate, and glutamate levels in the PFC, as well as serotonin (5-HT) levels in serum. Additionally, Western blot analysis was conducted to quantify the expression of synaptic plasticity-related proteins, including c-Fos, activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc), and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 1 (NMDAR1). ResultsCompared to the control group (C), the CUMS-exposed rats (group M) exhibited significant reductions in sucrose preference rates, number of grid crossings, frequency of upright postures, and entries into and duration spent in open arms of the elevated plus maze, indicating marked depressive-like behaviors. Additionally, the group M showed significantly reduced dendritic spine density in the PFC, along with elevated levels of c-Fos, Arc, NMDAR1 protein expression, and increased concentrations of lactate and glutamate. Conversely, BDNF and MCT1 contents in the PFC and 5-HT levels in serum were significantly decreased. Following HIIT intervention, rats in the group HM displayed considerable improvement in behavioral indicators compared with the group M, accompanied by significant elevations in PFC MCT1 and lactate concentrations. Furthermore, HIIT notably normalized the expression levels of c-Fos, Arc, NMDAR1, as well as glutamate and BDNF contents in the PFC. Synaptic spine density also exhibited significant recovery. ConclusionFour weeks of HIIT intervention may alleviate depressive-like behaviors in CUMS rats by increasing lactate levels and reducing glutamate concentration in the PFC, thereby downregulating the overexpression of NMDAR, attenuating excitotoxicity, and enhancing synaptic plasticity.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major health concern in northwest China; however, the impact of particulate matter (PM) exposure during sand-dust storms (SDS) remains poorly understood. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between PM exposure on SDS days and COPD hospitalization risk in arid regions. METHODS: Data on daily COPD hospitalizations were collected from 323 hospitals from 2018 to 2022, along with the corresponding air pollutant and meteorological data for each city in Gansu Province. Employing a space-time-stratified case-crossover design and conditional Poisson regression, we analyzed 265,379 COPD hospitalizations. RESULTS: PM exposure during SDS days significantly increased COPD hospitalization risk [relative risk ( RR) for PM _2.5, lag 3:1.028, 95% confidence interval ( CI): 1.021-1.034], particularly among men and the elderly, and during the cold season. The burden of PM exposure on COPD hospitalization was substantially high in Northwest China, especially in the arid and semi-arid regions. CONCLUSION Our findings revealed a positive correlation between PM exposure during SDS episodes and elevated hospitalization rates for COPD in arid and semi-arid zones in China. This highlights the urgency of developing region-specific public health strategies to address adverse respiratory outcomes associated with SDS-related air quality deterioration.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/chemically induced* ; Particulate Matter/analysis* ; Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Air Pollutants/analysis* ; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects* ; Spatio-Temporal Analysis ; Adult ; Sand ; Air Pollution

Objective To investigate the effects of total flavones from Oxytropis falcata Bunge on hepatic fibrosis(HF)induced by carbon tetrachloride and liver transforming growth factor(TGF-β)/Smad signaling pathway.Methods Forty-eight male rats were randomly divided into normal group(intraperitoneal injection of peanut oil,intragastric administration of 0.9％NaCl),model group(intraperitoneal injection of 40％CC14 peanut oil solution induced HF model,intragastric administration of 0.9％NaCl),positive control group(modeling,intragastric administration of 0.2 mg·kg-1 of colchicine),experimental-L,-M,-H groups(modeling,intragastric administration of 100,200 and 400 mg·kg-1 of total flavonoid extract of Oxytropis falcata Bunge),8 individuals in each group,for 4 consecutive weeks.The histopathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin and Masson staining.Serum liver function and liver fibrosis were measured;erum inflammatory factors were detected;fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)was used to determine gene expression in liver.Results The pathological injury of liver tissue in the model group was serious,and a large number of inflammatory factors and collagen fibers were accumulated,while the rest of the treatment groups had different degrees of remission.In normal group,model group,positive control group,experimental-L,-M,-H groups,glutamic-pyruvic transaminase levels were(49.28±12.44),(5 885.42±948.37),(4 454.60±489.27),(4 650.47±843.53),(3 761.75±887.30)and(3 544.90±1 066.75)μg·L-1;glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase levels were(186.90±46.89),(5 936.23±793.81),(3 971.37±780.28),(4 360.30±863.35),(3 943.10±439.47)and(3 971.38±631.08)μg·L-1;hyaluronic acid levels were(45.08±17.16),(104.32±36.06),(66.83±20.09),(70.30±21.07),(60.00±9.68)and(59.02±10.73)μg·L-1;laminin levels were(23.13±3.89),(60.85±13.66),(35.67±9.92),(39.98±9.39),(36.55±12.21)and(34.68±24.83)μg·L-1;type Ⅲ procollagen level were(24.98±5.34),(82.58±30.14),(40.70±16.14),(51.08±23.21),(43.60±12.48)and(44.20±11.66)p±g·L-1;interleukin(IL)-1β levels were(37.63±1.24),(46.10±3.23),(39.22±2.36),(41.33±0.93),(40.25±2.04)and(39.18±2.23)pg·mL-1;tumor necrosis factor-α levels were(314.58±20.56),(383.71±16.97),(349.00±7.93),(348.88±25.11),(325.75±27.84)and(335.07±21.33)pg·mL-1;TGF-β1 mRNA expression of relative quantity respectively were 1.00±0.00,60.99±15.70,9.61±1.59,7.37±1.09,6.41±0.64,6.87±1.09;Smad7 mRNA relative expression were 1.00±0.00,0.34±0.05,0.21±0.03,0.35±0.02,0.38±0.02,0.42±0.03.The above indexes in the model group were compared with the normal group,and the above indexes in the experimental-M,-H groups were compared with the model group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05,P＜0.01,P＜0.001).Conclusion Total flavonoids of Oxytropis falcata Bunge have protective effects on CC14-induced liver fibrosis in rats,and the mechanism may be related to the regulation of TGF-β/Smad pathway.

Aim To investigate the regulatory role and mechanism of resveratrol in inhibiting autophagy and promoting apoptosis in choroidal melanoma cells. Methods Choroidal melanoma cells (MUM2B) were divided into control and experimental groups, and treated with different concentrations of resveratrol (0, 10, 20,40,60,80 μmol ·L

Objective:To evaluate the effect of five-element acupuncture on clinical symptoms, brain metabolism and immunoglobulin level in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.Methods:It was a randomized controlled trial. A total of 94 patients with chronic fatigue syndrome in our hospital from January 2021 to January 2022 were selected and divided into two groups according to the random number table method, with 47 in each group. The conventional western medicine group was treated with conventional western medicine, and the five-element acupuncture group was treated with five-element acupuncture on the basis of the conventional western medicine group. Both groups were treated for 4 weeks. Before and after treatment, the serum levels of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), corticosterone (CORT), IL-2 and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were detected by ELISA; the levels of natural killer (NK) cells, CD4 +, CD8 +, IgG and IgM were detected by flow cytometry; the whole body superconducting MRI scanner was used to scan T2 Flair, T2WI and TlWI sequences of the hippocampus, and the spectral curves and the areas under the peak of N-acetylaspartic acid (NAA), creatine (Cr) and choline (Cho) were obtained, and the ratios of Cho/Cr and NAA/Cr were calculated. the fatigue Scale-14 (FS-14) and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) were used to evaluate the fatigue state of the patients, and the Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were used to evaluate the anxiety state of the patients. Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) and Somatic and Mental Health Report Score (SPHERE) were used to evaluate the quality of life of patients. And the clinical efficacy was evaluated. Results:After treatment, the levels of IgG, CD4 + and NK in the five-element acupuncture group were significantly higher than those in the conventional western medicine group ( t values were 4.76, 3.65, 6.42, respectively, P<0.01), and the level of IgM, CD8 + was significantly lower than that in the conventional western medicine group ( t values were 7.30, 4.79, P<0.01); the levels of IFN-γ, IL-2 and 5-HT in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the conventional western medicine group ( t values were 7.60, 4.05, 2.79, respectively, respectively, P<0.01), and the level of CORT was significantly lower than that in the conventional western medicine group ( t=6.72, P<0.01); the NAA/Cr levels in the left [(1.10±0.04) vs. (1.05±0.03), t=6.86] and right [(1.18±0.02) vs. (1.21±0.03), t=8.23] hippocampus of the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the conventional western medicine group ( P<0.01), and the Cho/Cr levels in the left [(1.08±0.04) vs. (1.03±0.03), t=5.70] and right [(1.17±0.02) vs. (1.20±0.03), t=5.71] hippocampus of the experimental group were significantly lower than those of the conventional western medicine group ( P<0.01). After treatment, the scores of physical fatigue, mental fatigue and FSS in the five-element acupuncture group were significantly lower than those in the conventional western medicine group ( t values were 8.08, 9.08 and 7.07, respectively, P<0.01). The scores of DASS-21, BAI, SCL-90 and SPHERE in the conventional western medicine group were significantly lower than those in the conventional western medicine group ( t values were 3.63, 5.77, 8.74, 5.92, respectively, P<0.01).The total effective rate was 95.74% (45/47) in the five-element acupuncture group and 82.98% (39/47) in the conventional western medicine group, and there was no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2=2.80, P=0.094). Conclusion:Five-elements acupuncture can improve the expression of T lymphocytes, increase the levels of immunoglobulin and NK, reduce the level of CORT, regulate the brain metabolism of NAA in the left and right hippocampus, improve the clinical symptoms and negative emotions, and improve the clinical efficacy and quality of life in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Objective This study investigated the impact of occupational mercury(Hg)exposure on human gene transcription and expression,and its potential biological mechanisms. Methods Differentially expressed genes related to Hg exposure were identified and validated using gene expression microarray analysis and extended validation.Hg-exposed cell models and PTEN low-expression models were established in vitro using 293T cells.PTEN gene expression was assessed using qRT-PCR,and Western blotting was used to measure PTEN,AKT,and PI3K protein levels.IL-6 expression was determined by ELISA. Results Combined findings from gene expression microarray analysis,bioinformatics,and population expansion validation indicated significant downregulation of the PTEN gene in the high-concentration Hg exposure group.In the Hg-exposed cell model(25 and 10 μmol/L),a significant decrease in PTEN expression was observed,accompanied by a significant increase in PI3K,AKT,and IL-6 expression.Similarly,a low-expression cell model demonstrated that PTEN gene knockdown led to a significant decrease in PTEN protein expression and a substantial increase in PI3K,AKT,and IL-6 levels. Conclusion This is the first study to report that Hg exposure downregulates the PTEN gene,activates the PI3K/AKT regulatory pathway,and increases the expression of inflammatory factors,ultimately resulting in kidney inflammation.

Objective Based on the multi-software visual analysis of the literature on the effect of Janus kinase(JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription(STAT)signaling pathway on rheumatoid arthritis in the past decade,the development trend and research hotspot in this field are summarized.To provide researchers with new directions and ideas to promote the innovative development of the field.Methods The literatures related to JAK/STAT signaling pathway in rheumatoid arthritis were collected from the Web of Science Core Collection database from 2013 to 2023.CiteSpace and VOSviewer software were used to analyze the number of publications,countries,authors and keywords of 354 articles retrieved.Results The number of published papers in this field continues to increase.According to the author's research direction,the presentation of high-frequency words,and the attention to the preface and hot topics,it is suggested that this field focuses on gene expression,immune mechanism,inflammatory mechanism,pathway inhibitors,drug therapy,etc.Future research will focus on the safety,mechanism and controlled trials of pathway inhibitors and antirheumatic drugs.Conclusion The effect of JAK/STAT signaling pathway on rheumatoid arthritis has attracted much attention in the past,present and future.There are differences in the research of different teams in this field,and the regional development is unbalanced,suggesting that we should strengthen cooperation and exchanges,focus on the international frontier,and carry out more high-quality research to promote the development and progress of this field,and provide clinical basis.

Objective:To explore the effect of early essential newborn care technology during cesarean section on early health outcomes of mothers and infants and breast feeding.Methods:This study was a randomized controlled study. From October 2020 to August 2021, 104 delivery women and their newborns who were scheduled for full-term cesarean section in Peking University First Hospital were selected as the study subject. The subjects were randomly divided into control group and intervention group, 52 cases in each group. The control group received routine nursing of the newborn after cesarean section, while the intervention group received early essential newborn care technology after cesarean section. The amount of postpartum hemorrhage, hospital stay, Apgar score at one and five minutes after birth, the incidence of abnormal conditions within 90 minutes after birth, the time of umbilical cord shedding, the time of the first feeding sign of the newborn, the success rate of early initiation of breastfeeding and the implementation of breast feeding at discharge were compared between the two groups.Results:There was no statistical difference between the two groups in the amount of postpartum hemorrhage within two hours, the amount of postpartum hemorrhage within two to 24 hours and the number of days in hospital ( P>0.05) . There was no statistical difference between the two groups in Apgar scores at one and five min after birth ( P>0.05) . There was no statistical difference between the two groups in the occurrence of re-attraction, respiratory abnormalities, resuscitation, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) transfer and other abnormalities within 90 minutes after birth ( P>0.05) . There was no statistical difference in the time of umbilical cord shedding between the two groups ( P>0.05) , and no umbilical infection occurred. The first foraging reflex in the intervention group was earlier than that in the control group, and the success rate of early initiation of breastfeeding was higher than that in the control group, and the differences was statistically significant ( P<0.05) . There was no statistical difference in the implementation of breast feeding between the two groups at discharge ( P>0.05) . Conclusions:It is safe and feasible to implement early essential newborn care technology during cesarean section, and it can effectively promote early initiation of breastfeeding, which is of great significance for breast feeding and has the value of clinical promotion.

Objective:To compare the setup errors in the supraclavicular regions of two different postures (arms placed on each side of the body, namely the body side group; arms crossed and elbows placed above forehead, namely the uplifted group) using the chest and abdomen flat frame fixation device in lung and esophageal cancer.Methods:Clinical data of patients with stage Ⅰ to Ⅳ lung or esophageal cancer who received three-dimensional radiotherapy with chest and abdomen flat frame fixation device in our institution from November 2020 to April 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The setup errors of two postures were compared.Results:A total of 56 patients were included, including 31 patients (55%) in the body side group and 25 patients (45%) in the uplifted group. A total of 424 CBCTs were performed in the whole group. The overall setup errors in the X, Y and Z directions were similar in both groups ( P>0.05). The setup errors of sternoclavicular joint in the X and RZ directions in the body side group were significantly smaller than those in the uplifted group [(0.163±0.120) cm vs. (0.209 ±0.152) cm, P=0.033; 0.715°±0.628° vs. 0.910°±0.753°, P=0.011]. The setup errors of acromioclavicular joint in the Y, Z and RZ directions in the body side group were significantly smaller than those in the uplifted group [(0.233±0.135) cm vs. (0.284±0.193) cm, P=0.033; (0.202±0.140) cm vs. (0.252±0.173) cm, P=0.005; 0.671°±0.639° vs. 0.885°±0.822°, P=0.023]. The margins of target volume for setup errors were smaller in the X (0.45 cm vs. 0.54 cm) and Y (0.54 cm vs. 0.65 cm) directions of the sternoclavicular joint, as well as in the Y (0.59 cm vs. 0.78 cm) and Z directions (0.53 cm vs. 0.72 cm) of the acromioclavicular joint in the body side group. Conclusions:For lung and esophageal cancer patients requiring supraclavicular irradiation, the body side group yields smaller setup errors and corresponding margins of target volume than the uplifted group. In clinical practice, it is necessary to take comprehensive consideration of the accuracy of radiotherapy and additional radiation of the limbs to select appropriate posture.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether the combination of Naoxintong Capsule with standard care could further reduce the recurrence of ischemic stroke without increasing the risk of severe bleeding. METHODS: A total of 23 Chinese medical centers participated in this trial. Adult patients with a history of ischemic stroke were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio using a block design to receive either Naoxintong Capsule (1.2 g orally, twice a day) or placebo in addition to standard care. The primary endpoint was recurrence of ischemic stroke within 2 years. Secondary outcomes included myocardial infarction, death due to recurrent ischemic stroke, and all-cause mortality. The safety of drugs was monitored. Results were analyzed using the intention-to-treat principle. RESULTS: A total of 2,200 patients were enrolled from March 2015 to March 2016, of whom 143 and 158 in the Naoxintong and placebo groups were lost to follow-up, respectively. Compared with the placebo group, the recurrence rate of ischemic stroke within 2 years was significantly lower in the Naoxintong group [6.5% vs. 9.5%, hazard ratio (HR): 0.665, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.492-0.899, P=0.008]. The two groups showed no significant differences in the secondary outcomes and safety, including rates of severe hemorrhage, cerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage (P>0.05). CONCLUSION The combination of Naoxintong Capsule with standard care reduced the 2-year stroke recurrence rate in patients with ischemic stroke without increasing the risk of severe hemorrhage in high-risk patients. (Trial registration No. NCT02334969).
Adult ; Humans ; Secondary Prevention/methods* ; Ischemic Stroke ; Stroke/prevention & control* ; Cerebral Hemorrhage/complications* ; Double-Blind Method ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors