ObjectiveFunctional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), a novel non-invasive technique for monitoring cerebral activity, can be integrated with upper limb rehabilitation robots to facilitate the real-time assessment of neurological rehabilitation outcomes. The rehabilitation robot is designed with 3 training modes: passive, active, and resistance. Among these, the resistance mode has been demonstrated to yield superior rehabilitative outcomes for patients with a certain level of muscle strength. The control modes in the resistance mode can be categorized into dynamic and static control. However, the effects of different control modes in the resistance mode on the motor function of patients with upper limb hemiplegia in stroke remain unclear. Furthermore, the effects of force, an important parameter of different control modes, on the activation of brain regions have rarely been reported. This study investigates the effects of dynamic and static resistance modes under varying resistance levels on cerebral functional alterations during motor rehabilitation in post-stroke patients. MethodsA cohort of 20 stroke patients with upper limb dysfunction was enrolled in the study, completing preparatory adaptive training followed by 3 intensity-level tasks across 2 motor paradigms. The bilateral prefrontal cortices (PFC), bilateral primary motor cortices (M1), bilateral primary somatosensory cortices (S1), and bilateral premotor and supplementary motor cortices (PM) were examined in both the resting and motor training states. The lateralization index (LI), phase locking value (PLV), network metrics were employed to examine cortical activation patterns and topological properties of brain connectivity. ResultsThe data indicated that both dynamic and static modes resulted in significantly greater activation of the contralateral M1 area and the ipsilateral PM area when compared to the resting state. The static patterns demonstrated a more pronounced activation in the contralateral M1 in comparison to the dynamic patterns. The results of brain network analysis revealed significant differences between the dynamic and resting states in the contralateral PFC area and contralateral M1 area (F=4.709, P=0.038), as well as in the contralateral PM area and ipsilateral M1 area (F=4.218, P=0.049). Moreover, the findings indicated a positive correlation between the activation of the M1 region and the increase in force in the dynamic mode, which was reversed in the static mode. ConclusionBoth dynamic and static resistance training modes have been demonstrated to activate the corresponding brain functional regions. Dynamic resistance modes elicit greater oxygen changes and connectivity to the region of interest (ROI) than static resistance modes. Furthermore, the effects of increasing force differ between the two modes. In patients who have suffered a stroke, dynamic modes may have a more pronounced effect on the activation of exercise-related functional brain regions.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is the predominant form of chronic liver disease worldwide. This study was designed to investigate the proportion and characteristics of MAFLD within the general Chinese population and to identify the contributory risk factors for liver fibrosis among MAFLD individuals. METHODS: The participants were recruited from a cohort undergoing routine health evaluations at the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University between May 2019 and March 2023. The diagnosis of MAFLD was based on the established clinical practice guidelines. The fibrosis-4 index score (FIB-4) was employed to evaluate hepatic fibrosis, with a FIB-4 score of ≥1.3 indicating significant fibrosis. Binary logistic regression analyses were used to determine risk factors associated with significant hepatic fibrosis in MAFLD. RESULTS: A total of 22,970 participants who underwent comprehensive medical examinations were included in the analysis. The overall proportion of MAFLD was 28.77% (6608/22,970), with 16.87% (1115/6608) of these patients showing significant fibrosis as assessed using FIB-4. Independent risk factors for significant liver fibrosis in MAFLD patients were male (odds ratio [OR] = 0.676, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.558-0.821), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity (OR = 2.611, 95% CI: 1.557-4.379), body mass index ≥23.00 kg/m 2 (OR = 0.632, 95% CI: 0.470-0.851), blood pressure ≥130/85 mmHg (OR = 1.885, 95% CI: 1.564-2.272), and plasma glucose ≥5.6 mmol/L (OR = 1.815, 95% CI: 1.507-2.186) (all P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS The proportion of MAFLD in an urban Chinese population is 28.77%. About 16.87% of MAFLD patients presented with significant liver fibrosis. Independent risk factors for significant liver fibrosis in MAFLD patients should be noticed.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Liver Cirrhosis/pathology* ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Adult ; Fatty Liver/pathology* ; Aged ; China/epidemiology* ; Logistic Models ; Urban Population ; East Asian People

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk factors associated with the development of knee osteoarthritis (OA) following arthroscopic surgery for degenerative lesions of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus. METHODS: Between January 2012 and January 2014, a retrospective analysis was conducted on 506 patients who underwent arthroscopic surgery for degenerative disease of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus. The cohort included 230 males and 276 females, aged from 32 to 58 years old with an average of (46.77±9.02) years old. According to the results of postoperative follow-up, patients were categorized into a knee osteoarthritis(OA) group and a non-OA group. The following parameters were recorded for each subject:gender, medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA), hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA), presence of bone edema on MRI, physical characteristics (including McMurray test results, locking symptoms, and medial knee tenderness points), meniscus protrusion, type of meniscus injury, and free body condition as observed via arthroscopy. Multivariate unconditional Logistic regression analysis was employed to investigate the associated factors influencing the 10-year postoperative incidence of knee osteoarthritis following surgery for degenerative injury of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus. Independent risk factors potentially influencing the development of postoperative OA were identified, and a nomogram-based predictive model for postoperative OA was established. The discriminatory ability and calibration accuracy of the model were assessed using the C-index and Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test, respectively. Furthermore, internal validation was performed using the bootstrap resampling method. RESULTS: Within a 10-year period following arthroscopic surgery, there were 123 patients in the OA group and 383 patients in the non-OA group. Significant differences were observed between two groups with respect to gender (χ²=5.156, P=0.023), MPTA<86.6° (χ²=21.671, P<0.001), varus lower limb alignment( χ²= 80.086, P<0.001). Additionally, meniscus extrusion (χ²=6.371, P=0.012), meniscus transverse tear (χ²=14.573, P<0.001), and bone edema detected on MRI(χ²=9.881, P=0.002) were identified as factors associated with the development of postoperative knee OA. The multifactorial Logistic regression analysis revealed that the lower limb line of force inversion OR=4.324, 95%CI (1.391, 13.443), P=0.011;MPTA <86.6°, OR=2.519, 95%CI (1.150, 5.519), P=0.021;transverse meniscus tear, OR=4.546, 95%CI (1.827, 11.310), P=0.001;meniscus ectropion, OR=5.401, 95%CI (1.992, 14.646), P=0.001;and bone edema manifestation on MRI OR=2.692, 95%CI (1.169, 6.200), P=0.020. They were independent risk factors associated with the development of postoperative OA. The area under the ROC curve predicted by the model was 0.927, 95%CI (0.903, 0.950). The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test, used to evaluate the accuracy of the model, yielded P=0.689. Additionally, the internally sampled calibration curve demonstrated good consistency with the actual postoperative OA outcomes. CONCLUSION Varus alignment of the lower extremity, MPTA <86.6°, transverse meniscus tear, lateral meniscus injury, and bone marrow edema observed on MRI were independent risk factors for the development of knee osteoarthritis following arthroscopic surgery. Additionally, the prognostic model demonstrated excellent predictive performance.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Arthroscopy/adverse effects* ; Adult ; Retrospective Studies ; Tibial Meniscus Injuries/surgery* ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/epidemiology* ; Risk Factors ; Menisci, Tibial/surgery* ; Incidence ; Postoperative Complications/epidemiology*

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the impact of glycemic control and diabetes duration on subsequent myocardial infarction (MI) in patients with both coronary heart disease (CHD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 33,238 patients with both CHD and T2D in Shenzhen, China. Patients were categorized into 6 groups based on baseline fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels and diabetes duration (from the date of diabetes diagnosis to the baseline date) to examine their combined effects on subsequent MI. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used, with further stratification by age, sex, and comorbidities to assess potential interactions. RESULTS: Over a median follow-up of 2.4 years, 2,110 patients experienced MI. Compared to those with optimal glycemic control (FPG < 6.1 mmol/L) and shorter diabetes duration (< 10 years), the fully-adjusted hazard ratio ( HR) (95% Confidence Interval [95% CI]) for those with a diabetes duration of ≥ 10 years and FPG > 8.0 mmol/L was 1.93 (95% CI: 1.59, 2.36). The combined effects of FPG and diabetes duration on MI were largely similar across different age, sex, and comorbidity groups, although the excess risk of MI associated with long-term diabetes appeared to be more pronounced among those with atrial fibrillation. CONCLUSION Our study indicates that glycemic control and diabetes duration significant influence the subsequent occurrence of MI in patients with both CHD and T2D. Tailored management strategies emphasizing strict glycemic control may be particularly beneficial for patients with longer diabetes duration and atrial fibrillation.
Humans ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/blood* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Coronary Disease/complications* ; Myocardial Infarction/etiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; China/epidemiology* ; Glycemic Control ; Blood Glucose ; Adult ; Risk Factors ; Time Factors

Objective To construct a canine model of vocal cord scar by low-termperature plasma ablation and screen the target genes closely related to the formation of vocal cord scar.Methods Four Chinese rural canines were treated with plasma ablation under the support of laryngoscope and endoscope,and the left vocal cords were injured to the muscle layer.The contralateral sides were left untreated.The gross morphology of vocal cord was observed before operation,immediately after operation,3 weeks after operation and 12 weeks after operation.The pathologi-cal structure of vocal cords was observed by HE stainning,and the ultrastructure of vocal cords was observed by transmission electron microscopy.In addition,high-throughput sequencing was used to analyze the differences in gene expression between the bilateral vocal cords,and the target genes with significantly different expression were screened out.Results In general morphology,the normal vocal cords were banded and well closed.At 3 weeks af-ter operation,the vocal cords were congested and swollen,with uneven edges and red granulation tissues were seen.At 12 weeks after operation,the vocal cord wound was localized contracture and depression,and scar was formed.HE staining showed obvious thickening of the squamous epithelium of the scarred vocal cords,thickening and disor-dered arrangement of the fiber layer,local clumping or bundle aggregation,and scattered fiber bundles were also seen in the muscle layer.Transmission electron microscopy showed interstitial thickening,uneven density,cell swelling,unclear intercellular boundary,proliferation of nuclei and mitochondria,and cells in an active state.High-throughput sequencing analysis revealed that many gene families were involved in the process of vocal cord scar re-pair,including IL family,CCL and CXCL family,MMPs family and its inhibitor TIMPs family,Wnt family,HSP family,MAPK family and TGF-β family.Conclusion We successfully constructed the canine model of vocal cord scar by low-temperature plasma ablation and screened out the target genes closely related to the formation of vocal cord scar by high-throughput sequencing,which provides certain reference value for exploring the mechanism of vo-cal cord scar.

Objective To investigate the effect of ERK inhibitor PD98059 on the proliferation and differentia-tion of rat otocyst osteoblasts.Methods SD neonatal rat osteoblasts were extracted by two-step digestion with 0.25％pancreatin and type Ⅰ collagenase,and co-cultured with ERK inhibitor PD98059 at concentrations of 0 μmol/L,10 μmol/L,25 μmol/L and 50 μmol/L,respectively.Then,the osteoblasts proliferation of the four groups were assessed by EDU method for 4 consecutive days.The proliferation trend of each group was compared and analyzed.Osteoblasts were differentiated by β-sodium glycerophosphate,L-vitamin C and dexamethasone at concentrations of 10 mmol/L,50 ug/ml and 10-7 mol/L.After 24 h,the mRNA expression levels of osteogenic fac-tors which include Ocn,Bsp,Runx2,Bmp2,OPG and RANKL in each group were detected by RT-qPCR,and the differences of the results were analyzed.Results All the concentrations of ERK inhibitor PD98059 could inhibit the proliferation of osteoblasts in SD neonatal rat,and the inhibitory effect of PD98059 at concentrations of 10 μmol/L was significantly greater than that of the other three groups(P＜0.05).In addition,all the concentrations of PD98059 could inhibit the expressions of Ocn,Bsp,Runx2,Bmp2 and OPG mRNA.The mRNA expressions of Ocn,Bsp,Runx2 and Bmp2 in 10 μmol/L PD98059 group were significantly lower than those in 0 μmol/L,25μmol/L and 50 μmol/L PD98059 groups(P＜0.05).The mRNA expressions of OPG in 10 and 25 μmol/L PD98059 groups were significantly lower than those in 0 and 50 μmol/L PD98059 groups(P＜0.05),and there was no significant difference between the first two groups(P＞0.05).The CT value of RANKL mRNA was not detec-ted in all groups.Conclusion ERK pathway inhibitor PD98059 can both inhibit the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts in rat otocyst.Therefore,we speculate that ERK1/2-MAPK pathway may mediate the formation of tympanosclerosis by affecting the proliferation and differentiation of rat otocyst osteoblasts.

Malaria is an insect-borne disease transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes or the importation of Plasmodium-infected blood, posing a serious threat to human health and life safety. This study aims to analyze the incidence of malaria in Qingdao at various stages from 1949 to 2021, to collate the control measures taken at different epidemic stages to assess the effectiveness of malaria control, and to identify a set of malaria control strategies suitable for Qingdao, while providing Chinese experience for other countries or cities in their malaria elimination efforts. A retrospective survey was used to collect information on malaria cases, control measures and prevention and control effects in Qingdao from 1949 to 2021, and to evaluate malaria control strategies and measures in Qingdao. 704 155 cases have been reported from 1949 to 2021, with three epidemic peaks: the incidence rate was 1715.9/100 000 in 1961, 1409.7/100 000 in 1965, and the most severe case occurred in 1972, with an incidence rate of 1635.6/100 000 and a case count exceeding 90 000. Throughout the various stages of malaria epidemics, Qingdao has effectively eliminated indigenous malaria by implementing diverse preventive and control measures. Since the last indigenous case of Plasmodium vivax was reported in 2002, all locally reported cases have been imported, mainly by returning migrant workers from Africa. This study examines a range of malaria prevention and control strategies and interventions that are appropriate for Qingdao. These measures have enabled Qingdao to successfully eliminate malaria and maintain malaria-free status for more than 20 years. These measures can also serve as a reference for similarly situated cities in Africa and Southeast Asia.

Objective To evaluate the safety,tolerability and pharmacokinetic profiles of naldemedine in Chinese healthy adult subjects after single and multiple administrations.Methods After single and multiple oral administrations of naldemedine to 10 healthy Chinese subjects,the plasma concentrations of naldemedine and its metabolite(nor-naldemedine)were measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry,and the pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by Phoenix WinNonlin 8.3.1 software.Results Compared with single administration,naldemedine showed no significant change in the tmax(1.06 h for single and 1.08 h for multiple)and Cmax(4.16 ng·mL-1 for single and 4.11 ng·mL-1 for multiple),higher AUC0-τ than that of single(23.88 ng·h·mL-1 for single and 28.93 ng·h·mL-1 for multiple),slightly prolonged t1/2(9.26 h for single,12.50 h for multiple),there was a slight drug accumulation after multiple doses(accumulation ratio of 0.99 for Cmax and 1.22 for AUC);t1/2(18.10 h for single,29.30 h for multiple),Cmax(0.19 ng·mL-1 for single,0.38 ng·mL-1 for multiple),and AUC0-τ(3.13 ng·h·mL-1 for single,6.02 ng·h·mL-1 for multiple)were all significantly elevated with nor-naldemedine,and the tmax(single was 3.49 h and multiple was 3.56 h)did not change significantly.The Cmax ratio and AUC ratio of metabolites to naldemedine were significantly elevated,and accumulation was present after multiple administrations(accumulation ratio of 2.01 for Cmax and 1.95 for AUC).All adverse events that occurred after treatment were mild.Conclusion After multiple oral administrations of 0.2 mg naldemedine tablets to Chinese healthy subjects(single dose on day 1 and once daily on days 4-13),the drug was eliminated rapidly with mild accumulation,and reached a steady state before the second dose of the multiple-dosing phase,and the product has a favorable safety and tolerability profiles.

Objective To compare the changes of the medical animal resources(MAR)in Sichuan based on the data of the 3rd Chinese Materia Medica Resource Inventory(CMMRI,1983-1986)and the 4th CMMRI(2020-2022).Methods After field investigation and identification of the photos of the animals,the data of the MAR in Sichuan found in the 4th CMMRI were analyzed and compared with the data of 3rd CMMRI.Results 745 species of MAR were found in Sichuan during the 4th CMMRI,including 212 families and 468 genera.Compared with the 108 species found in 3rd CMMRI,the number of MAR in Sichuan had greatly increased,The Aves was found to have 243 species of MAR,which is the most plenty one among the 7 classes.There were 14 families which have more than 10 species of MAR.The family,Cyprinidae had 48 species of MAR.There were 33 common Chinese medicinal herbs and 3 genuine medicinal materials including Cordyceps sinensis,musk and Venenum bufonis were found in this investigation.The new distributions of Liangshan Cordyceps and Cordyceps gunnii were found in the investigation,and the new resources of Atypus heterothecus was found in Mountain Emei.There were 140 species of key protection of wild medicinal animals,including 44 species of animals under first-class protection and 96 species of animals under second-class protection.There were 230 species of animals which had important ecological,scientific,and social values,too.Conclusion Sichuan was plenty of medical animal resources and the protection of the forest musk deer,the Cordyceps sinensis and the pangolin was need to be strengthened.