Echinococcosis is categorized into alveolar echinococcosis and cystic echinococcosis, a potentially fatal zoonotic disease that seriously damages the host. MicroRNA is a type of endogenous small non-coding RNA that binds specifically to the target gene mRNA sequence to promote mRNA degradation, or combines with other non-coding RNA to regulate or inhibit translation. Echinococcus-derived microRNA participates in various biological processes in the Echinococcus lifecycle and in the interaction and pathogenesis between Echinococcus and host through extracellular vesicle transport. This article reviews the research progress of parasite-derived microRNA in regulating the growth and development of echinococcosis and cross-species regulation of hosts, providing a reference for diagnosing and treating echinococcosis.

AIM To investigate the variations in mercury dissolution from HgS-containing traditional medicines in three kinds of simulated gastrointestinal dissolution media.METHODS 39 batches of 15 types of HgS-containing traditional medicines were collected,total mercury content and dissolved mercury concentrations in simulated gastric fluid,simulated intestinal fluid,and L-cysteine-containing simulated intestinal fluid were measured.The maximum daily intake of total mercury and soluble mercury was calculated based on the maximum daily clinical dosage.RESULTS Among the 15 types of medicines,the maximum daily intake of total mercury varied by 156 times,the daily intake of soluble mercury varied by 3 502 times in simulated gastric fluid,313 times in simulated intestinal fluid,and 10 663 times in L-cysteine-containing simulated intestinal fluid,approximately.CONCLUSION For the 15 types of HgS-containing traditional medicines,the daily maximum intake of soluble mercury showed greater variations than that of total mercury.Soluble mercury concentration is more closely correlated with intestinal absorption of mercury and thus represents a more rational quality control indicator for HgS-containing traditional medicines.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with common pathophysiological processes, such as inflammation and fibrosis, in both the heart and the kidney. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms that drive these processes are not yet fully understood. Therefore, this study focused on the molecular mechanism of heart and kidney injury in CKD. METHODS: We generated an microRNA (miR)-26a knockout (KO) mouse model to investigate the role of miR-26a in angiotensin (Ang)-II-induced cardiac and renal injury. We performed Ang-II modeling in wild type (WT) mice and miR-26a KO mice, with six mice in each group. In addition, Ang-II-treated AC16 cells and HK2 cells were used as in vitro models of cardiac and renal injury in the context of CKD. Histological staining, immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and Western blotting were applied to study the regulation of miR-26a on Ang-II-induced cardiac and renal injury. Immunofluorescence reporter assays were used to detect downstream genes of miR-26a, and immunoprecipitation was employed to identify the interacting protein of LIM and senescent cell antigen-like domain 1 (LIMS1). We also used an adeno-associated virus (AAV) to supplement LIMS1 and explored the specific regulatory mechanism of miR-26a on Ang-II-induced cardiac and renal injury. Dunnett's multiple comparison and t -test were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Compared with the control mice, miR-26a expression was significantly downregulated in both the kidney and the heart after Ang-II infusion. Our study identified LIMS1 as a novel target gene of miR-26a in both heart and kidney tissues. Downregulation of miR-26a activated the LIMS1/integrin-linked kinase (ILK) signaling pathway in the heart and kidney, which represents a common molecular mechanism underlying inflammation and fibrosis in heart and kidney tissues during CKD. Furthermore, knockout of miR-26a worsened inflammation and fibrosis in the heart and kidney by inhibiting the LIMS1/ILK signaling pathway; on the contrary, supplementation with exogenous miR-26a reversed all these changes. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that miR-26a could be a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of cardiorenal injury in CKD. This is attributed to its ability to regulate the LIMS1/ILK signaling pathway, which represents a common molecular mechanism in both heart and kidney tissues.
Animals ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Angiotensin II/toxicity* ; Mice ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/chemically induced* ; Mice, Knockout ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male ; Signal Transduction/genetics* ; LIM Domain Proteins/genetics* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Cell Line ; Humans

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the chain mediating role of family care and emotional management in the relationship between social support and anxiety among rural primary school students. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was conducted among students in grades 4 to 6 from four counties in Hunan Province. Data were collected using the Social Support Rating Scale, Family Care Index Scale, Emotional Intelligence Scale, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder -7. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of anxiety symptoms. Mediation analysis was conducted to assess the chain mediating effects of family care and emotional management between social support and anxiety. RESULTS: A total of 4 141 questionnaires were distributed, with 3 874 valid responses (effective response rate: 93.55%). The prevalence rate of anxiety symptoms among these students was 9.32% (95%CI: 8.40%-10.23%). Significant differences were observed in the prevalence rates of anxiety symptoms among groups with different levels of social support, family functioning, and emotional management ability (P<0.05). The total indirect effect of social support on anxiety symptoms via family care and emotional management was significant (β=-0.137, 95%CI: -0.167 to -0.109), and the direct effect of social support on anxiety symptoms remained significant (P<0.05). Family care and emotional management served as significant chain mediators in the relationship between social support and anxiety symptoms (β=-0.025,95%CI:-0.032 to -0.018), accounting for 14.5% of the total effect. CONCLUSIONS Social support can directly affect anxiety symptoms among rural primary school students and can also indirectly influence anxiety symptoms through the chain mediating effects of family care and emotional management. These findings provide scientific evidence for the prevention of anxiety in primary school students from multiple perspectives.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Social Support ; Anxiety/etiology* ; Child ; Students/psychology* ; Emotions ; Logistic Models

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

Objective:To assess the effect of transversus abdominis plane block (TAPB) with liposomal bupivacaine and general anesthesia on postoperative delirium (POD) in elderly patients with prior novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19).Methods:In this randomized double-blind controlled study, 416 patients of either sex, aged 65-90 yr, weighing 50-90 kg, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰ-Ⅲ, diagnosed as having COVID-19 within 6 months prior to surgery, who underwent laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery under combination of elective TAPB and combined intravenous-inhalational general anaesthesia at Qingdao Municipal Hospital from June 2023 to December 2024, were selected. The patients were divided into liposomal bupivacaine group ( n=208) and bupivacaine hydrochloride group ( n=208) using the random number table method. After induction of anaesthesia, bilateral TAPB was performed with liposomal bupivacaine injectio 266 mg (40 ml) in liposomal bupivacaine group and with 0.5% bupivacaine hydrochloride 40 ml in bupivacaine hydrochloride group. The primary outcome measure was the occurrence of POD within 7 days after surgery. Secondary outcome measures included severity of POD, pain scores at 24, 48 and 72 h after operation, the rate of postoperative rescue analgesia and consumption of morphine, duration of post-anesthesia care unit stay, and length of hospital stay. The occurrence of complications such as death, reoperation, atelectasis and pneumonia was recorded at 30 days after surgery. Results:Compared with bupivacaine hydrochloride group, the incidence of POD was significantly decreased (21.5% [43/200]versus 12.0% [24/200]), pain scores at 24, 48 and 72 h after operation were decreased, the rate of postoperative rescue analgesia and consumption of morphine were decreased, and the duration of post-anesthesia care unit stay and length of hospital stay were shortened in liposomal bupivacaine group ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the severity of POD and the case fatality rate and related complications within 30 days after surgery between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Liposomal bupivacaine TAPB combined with general anesthesia can reduce the development of POD in elderly patients with prior COVID-19.

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between preoperative concentrations of soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (sTREM2) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and postoperative delirium (POD) in patients undergoing total knee/hip arthroplasty.Methods:Six hundred and twenty-five patients of either sex, aged 50-90 yr, weighing 50-80 kg, with American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰor Ⅱ, with the preoperative Mini-Mental State Examination score > 23, who underwent elective knee/hip arthroplasty under combined spinal-epidural anesthesia at Qingdao Municipal Hospital from January 2022 to December 2023, were selected. The CSF specimens 2 ml were withdrawn from the subarachnoid space after successful subarachnoid puncture for determination of the concentrations of sTREM2, Amyloid beta protein (Aβ 42), total tau protein (T-tau), and phosphorylated tau protein (p-tau) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. POD was assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method. Patients were divided into POD group and non-POD group based on whether POD occurred. Logistic regression was used to identify the risk and protective factors for POD. The performance of CSF sTREM2 concentration combined with CSF biomarker levels in predicting POD was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and clinical decision curve. The mediating effect of CSF biomarker concentrations in the relationship between CSF sTREM2 concentration and POD was analyzed. Results:Five hundred and nineteen patients were finally included, with 112 patients in POD group and 407 patients in non-POD group. The results of logistic regression analysis showed that the elevated preoperative sTREM2 concentration in CSF was the risk factor for POD after adjusting for multiple confounding factors such as age, sex, body mass index, years of education, Mini-Mental State Examination score, history of smoking, history of drinking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease. The area under the ROC curve of the preoperative sTREM2 concentration in CSF in predicting POD was 0.716, and the area under the ROC curve of the preoperative sTREM2 concentration in CSF combined with CSF biomarkers in predicting POD was 0.796. This model had high clinical application value and predictive efficacy. The relationship between the preoperative sTREM2 concentration in CSF and POD was partially mediated by the CSF p-tau concentration (proportion of mediated effect 24.67%) and t-tau protein concentration (proportion of mediated effect 17.33%).Conclusions:The elevated preoperative concentration of sTREM2 in CSF is a risk factor for POD in patients undergoing total knee/hip arthroplasty, and concentrations of t-tau and p-tau in CSF play a mediating role in the relationship between the preoperative CSF sTREM2 concentration and POD.

Objective:To evaluate the association between postoperative delirium (POD) and preoperative frailty in elderly patients undergoing knee or hip arthroplasty.Methods:This nested case-control study utilized medical records from elderly patients who underwent knee or hip arthroplasty under combined spinal-epidural anesthesia at Qingdao Municipal Hospital between September 2021 and May 2023. Participants were divided into 2 groups based on clinically diagnosed POD: POD group ( n=53) and non-POD group ( n=256). Univariate analysis was conducted on suspected influencing factors, and logistic regression analysis was utilized to identify the risk factors for POD. Receiver operating characteristic and clinical decision curves were plotted to evaluate the predictive performance of these risk factors for POD. Mediation analysis was performed, and a clinically applicable nomogram was constructed to achieve visual prediction of outcomes. Results:There were statistically significant differences in age, preoperative frailty, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification, Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale scores, and concentrations of Aβ 42, Aβ 40, phosphorylated tau protein (p-tau protein) and tau protein, Aβ 42/tau ratio and Aβ 42/p-tau ratio in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) between non-POD group and POD group ( P<0.05). Preoperative frailty was a risk factor for POD ( P<0.05). Mediation analysis revealed that the association between preoperative frailty and POD was mediated by CSF tau protein concentrations. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of preoperative frailty and CSF biomarker concentrations in predicting POD was 0.974 ( P<0.05). The clinical decision curve demonstrated that the model combining the preoperative frailty and CSF biomarker concentrations predicted a higher net benefit ( P<0.05). The clinical decision curve showed that the model combining preoperative frailty and CSF biomarker concentrations predicted a higher net benefit. Conclusions:Preoperative frailty is a risk factor for POD in elderly patients undergoing knee or hip arthroplasty, and its combination with CSF biomarker concentrations can effectively predict the occurrence of POD. CSF tau concentration mediates the association between preoperative frailty and development of POD.