Background: and Purpose Accurately predicting long-term functional outcomes of basilar artery occlusion (BAO) remains challenging. We compared the predictive performance of the baseline, 24-hour, and 72-hour National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores for 90-day BAO functional outcomes using the Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion: Endovascular Thrombectomy versus Standard Medical Treatment (ATTENTION) trial data. We identified the optimal assessment time point, determined treatment-specific NIHSS cutoff values, and explored the role of early neurological function in treatment effects. Methods: This retrospective post hoc analysis included 324 patients with acute BAO with baseline NIHSS scores ≥10 and complete NIHSS assessments at each time point. The primary outcome was a favorable 90-day functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score, 0–3). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to assess the predictive ability of NIHSS scores. The optimal 72-hour NIHSS predictive cutoff values were determined for the endovascular treatment (EVT) and best medical management (BMM) subgroups. Results: The 72-hour NIHSS score showed the highest predictive accuracy for the primary outcome (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC]: 0.954), outperforming the 24-hour (AUC: 0.903) and baseline (AUC: 0.688) scores; its optimal predictive cut-off value was ≤11 in the EVT group (sensitivity: 85.6%, specificity: 92.9%, positive predictive value [PPV]: 91.8%, negative predictive value [NPV]: 87.4%) and ≤9 in the BMM group (sensitivity: 84.6%, specificity: 95.1%, PPV: 84.6%, NPV: 95.1%). Conclusions The 72-hour NIHSS score outperformed the baseline and 24-hour scores in predicting 90-day functional outcomes and mediating the effects of EVT. Treatment-specific 72-hour NIHSS cut-off values may guide early risk stratification and prognostic assessments.

OBJECTIVES: Investigating the protective effect of naringenin (NAR) on the osteogenic potential of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) under oxidative stress and its related mechanisms. METHODS: The oxidative damage model of hPDLSCs was established using hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) andthe hPDLSCs were treated with different concentrations of NAR and 0.5 μmol/L forkhead box protein O-1 (FOXO1) inhibitor AS1842856. After that, the cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) was used to determine the optimal concentrations of H₂O₂ and NAR. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and real time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were employed to assess the expression of ALP, runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) and osteocalcin (OCN) in hPDLSCs of each group. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA) staining were utilized to evaluate the expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in hPDLSCs. Meanwhile, qRT-PCR and western blot were used to detect the expression levels of FOXO1 and β-catenin, both are pathway related genes and proteins. RESULTS: H₂O₂ exposure led to an increase in oxidative damage in hPDLSCs, characterized by a rise in intracellular ROS levels and increased expression of MDA and LDH (P<0.05). At the same time, the osteogenic differentiation ability of hPDLSCs decreased, as evidenced by lighter ALP staining and reduced expression levels of osteogenic differentiation-related genes ALP, RUNX2 and OCN (P<0.05). Co-treatment with NAR alleviated the oxidative damage in hPDLSCs, enhanced their antioxidant capacity, and restored their osteogenic ability. The FOXO1 inhibitor AS1842856 downregulated the expression of β-catenin (P<0.05) and significantly diminished both the antioxidant effect of NAR and its ability to restore osteogenesis (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS NAR can enhance the antioxidant capacity of hPDLSCs by activating the FOXO1/β-catenin signaling pathway within hPDLSCs, thereby mitigating oxidative stress damage and alleviating the loss of osteogenic capacity.
Humans ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Periodontal Ligament/cytology* ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; Forkhead Box Protein O1/metabolism* ; Stem Cells/cytology* ; Flavanones/pharmacology* ; beta Catenin/metabolism* ; Osteogenesis/drug effects* ; Signal Transduction ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit/metabolism* ; Alkaline Phosphatase/metabolism* ; Osteocalcin/metabolism* ; Cells, Cultured ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects*

Objective:To analyze the genetic characteristics of varicella-zoster virus（VZV）in Anhui province from 2022 to 2023.Methods:Vesicle fluid and throat swab samples were collected from suspected varicella patients in Anhui province during 2022—2023. Fresh vesicle fluid samples were selected for VZV isolation，and real-time PCR was used for VZV nucleic acid detection. For positive samples，the region containing five single nucleotide polymorphism（SNP）sites in the open reading frame 22（ORF22）fragment was amplified，and PCR products were sequenced to identify viral genotypes. Reference sequences of VZV genotypes were downloaded from GenBank，sequence alignment and phylogenetic tree analysis were performed using Sequencher and MEGA5.0 software. Additionally，four SNP sites in ORF38 and ORF62 fragments were detected to distinguish vaccine strains from wild strains.Results:Among 96 samples from suspected varicella cases，55 of 61 vesicle fluid samples and 21 of 35 throat swab samples were positive for VZV nucleic acid. The virus isolation rate for vesicle fluid samples was 14.75%. Genetic sequencing was successful for 51 strains，all of which were wild strains belonging to the clade 2 genetic branch. Compared with the reference strain of clade 2，the nucleotide and amino acid homologies of the ORF22 fragment were 99.46%~100% and 98.39%~100%，respectively. One strain（2023VZVCZ45）exhibited an A→G mutation at site 37916.Conclusion:The prevalent VZV strains detected in Anhui province during 2022—2023 were all wild strains of clade 2，with no vaccine-associated cases identified.

Objective:To explore the risk assessment and intervention effect of WeChat platform-based health management in high-risk populations for cardiovascular diseases (CVD).Methods:It was a randomized controlled trial. A total of 480 individuals at high risk of CVD who underwent physical examinations at the Health Management Center of Sichuan Provincial People′s Hospital from February to April in 2023 were selected using a simple random sampling method. The participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group (240 cases each) using a random number table. The control group received routine follow-up and health assessments, while the intervention group received an additional 12-month WeChat-based health management intervention. During the study, 28 participants were lost to follow-up, resulting in 227 participants in the intervention group and 225 in the control group being included in the final analysis. The 10-year CVD risk was assessed using the prediction for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk in China (China-PAR) model, and psychological status was evaluated using the self-rating anxiety Scale (SAS) and the self-rating depression scale (SDS). Changes in health behaviors, adherence, life style, blood pressure, metabolic indicators, psychological status, and CVD risk were compared before and after the intervention in both groups to evaluate the intervention′s effectiveness.Results:Among the 452 high-risk participants analyzed, the intervention group included 227 individuals [mean age: (53.16±10.81) years; 117 males and 110 females], and the control group included 225 individuals [mean age: (52.60±10.25) years; 118 males and 107 females]. There was no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups (all P>0.05). After 12 months of intervention, the intervention group showed significant improvements in medication adherence, intake of vegetables and fruits, exercise duration, sleep time, proportion of regular lifestyle, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, all of which were all higher than both the baseline values and those in the control group (all P<0.05). Conversely, the intervention group showed reductions in medical visit rate, smoking and drinking rates, high-salt diet, meat intake, body mass index (BMI), fasting blood glucose, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol, triglycerides, SAS and SDS scores when compared to the baseline values and those in the control group (all P<0.05). The proportions of participants with 10-year CVD risk levels of 10%-<20%, 20%-<30%, 30%-<40%, and ≥40% significantly decreased in the intervention group after intervention (18.94% vs 36.12%, 12.78% vs 26.43%, 7.93% vs 19.82%, 3.96% vs 17.63%), and were also significantly lower than those in the control group (18.94% vs 40.45%, 12.78% vs 30.67%, 7.93% vs 22.67%, 3.96% vs 16.89%) (all P<0.001). After 12 months, the intervention group showed significantly higher improvement rates in both medication adherence and non-medication-related compliance behaviors, including smoking, alcohol consumption, meat and salt intake, fruit and vegetable intake, exercise duration, sleep duration, and lifestyle regularity, when compared to those in the control group (16.74% vs -3.11%, 14.54% vs -0.89%, 16.74% vs -0.44%, 57.71% vs 8.44%, 21.15% vs -0.44%, 56.83% vs -6.67%, 51.54% vs -3.56%, 60.79% vs -7.11%, 26.87% vs -13.78%, 22.91% vs -1.78%) (all P<0.001). Conclusion:The WeChat platform-based health management intervention can effectively improve the behavioral patterns, compliance, control of CVD risk factors and psychological status of high-risk populations for CVD, and help reduce their 10-year risk of CVD.

Rapid developments in biotechnology have led researchers to seek new method to improve the efficiency and accuracy of biomedical research and drug development,promoting interdisciplinary integration.Recent advancements in artificial intelligence(AI)technologies have brought unprecedented opportunities to this field.The integration of various AI models allows researchers to better utilize multi-omics data,identify disease phenotypes,interpret animal behavior,assess treatment effects,improve experimental designs,reduce the use of experimental animals,enhance animal facility management,and improve animal welfare.This article reviews the advancements in AI biomedical research over the past decade and discusses its contributions to disease phenotype identification,the selection and design of experimental animal models,animal behavior analysis,and animal facility management.It also points out the challenges related to data standardization,AI model selection and interpretability,the extrapolation process from AI models to animal experiments and clinical practice,as well as ethical considerations in using AI in sensitive areas involving human genetics and personalized medicine.This review aims to help researchers and practitioners in relevant fields understand the current state and opportunities of AI development,thus providing support for its broader application.

Objective To explore the isolation and significance of Oligella in urine specimens,improve clinical awareness,and enhance the level of clinical diagnosis and treatment of the bacterium.Methods Clinical data of 3 patients from whom Oligella was detected in urine cultures in a hospital were retrospectively analyzed,and relevant literatures were retrieved from databases for review.Results Among these 3 cases in this hospital,one patient had asymptomatic bacteriuria and did not receive antimicrobial treatment,after receiving supportive treatments such as kidney protection and blood sugar control,the condition improved.Two cases were clinically diagnosed as infection and improved after treatment with phosphomycin and moxifloxacin,respectively.Three cases in this study and 85 cases in the literature review showed that 59 cases had asymptomatic bacteriuria,27 cases had urinary tract infec-tions,and 2 cases had symptoms of urinary incontinence(urinary tract infection was possible).Oligella urethralis was susceptible to most antimicrobial agents except fluoroquinolones.However,Oligella ureolytica exhibited un-certain antimicrobial susceptibility.Conclusion Oligella mainly exists in a colonized state in the urinary system and can also cause urinary tract infections,it can also be isolated from a small number of urinary incontinence patients,and its relationship with urinary incontinence needs further research.There are differences in antimicrobial suscepti-bility among different species of Oligella,clinical practice should correctly understand the significance of detecting this bacteria from urine specimens and use antimicrobial agents rationally.

Objective:To investigate the impact of blood pressure outcomes on the risk of arteriosclerosis in non-hypertensive populations.Methods:This study was a retrospective cohort study. All data were derived from Kailuan Cohort. Non-hypertensive individuals who completed two brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) measurements between January 2014 and December 2019 (using the first measurement as the baseline and the second as the follow-up) were enrolled, and clinical data such as blood pressure and baPWV were collected. According to the blood pressure level at baseline and follow-up, participants were divided into new-onset hypertension group (no hypertension at baseline but diagnosed at follow-up) and non-hypertension group (no hypertension at both baseline and follow-up). Multiple linear regression and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the impact of new-onset hypertension on arteriosclerosis progression. Subgroup analysis further classified participants into six blood pressure transition categories: normal-maintained, normal-to-high-normal, normal-to-hypertensive, high-normal-to-normal, high-normal-maintained, and high-normal-to-hypertensive groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the impact of different blood pressure outcomes on arteriosclerosis progression.Results:A total of 7 049 participants were enrolled, with the age of (40.45±9.04) years, including 3 645 males (51.71%). There were 800 cases in the new-onset hypertension group and 6 249 individuals in the non-hypertension group. During follow-up, arteriosclerosis occurred in 2 154 cases (30.56%). Multivariable linear regression analysis revealed a positive correlation between new-onset hypertension and baPWV levels. The baPWV in the new-onset hypertension group was significantly higher by 63.94 cm/s compared to the non-hypertension group ( β=63.94, P<0.01). Additionally, the risk of arteriosclerosis in the new-onset hypertension group was 2.09 times that of the non-hypertension group ( OR=2.09, 95% CI: 1.77-2.46, P<0.01). Subgroup analysis revealed significantly higher arteriosclerosis risks in normal-to-high-normal ( OR=1.65, 95% CI 1.38-1.98, P<0.01), normal-to-hypertensive ( OR=2.47, 95% CI 1.70-3.59, P<0.01), high-normal-maintained ( OR=1.50, 95% CI 1.21-1.86, P<0.01), and high-normal-to-hypertensive groups ( OR=2.86, 95% CI 2.20-3.73, P<0.01) than normal-maintained group, except for a non-significant difference in high-normal-to-normal group ( OR=0.95, 95% CI 0.74-1.20, P>0.05). Conclusion:Blood pressure outcome in non-hypertensive populations is closely related to arteriosclerosis risk. Progression to or maintenance of high-normal blood pressure or higher levels substantially increases arteriosclerosis risk, while regression from high-normal to normal blood pressure shows no significant increase in arteriosclerosis risk.

Rapid developments in biotechnology have led researchers to seek new method to improve the efficiency and accuracy of biomedical research and drug development,promoting interdisciplinary integration.Recent advancements in artificial intelligence(AI)technologies have brought unprecedented opportunities to this field.The integration of various AI models allows researchers to better utilize multi-omics data,identify disease phenotypes,interpret animal behavior,assess treatment effects,improve experimental designs,reduce the use of experimental animals,enhance animal facility management,and improve animal welfare.This article reviews the advancements in AI biomedical research over the past decade and discusses its contributions to disease phenotype identification,the selection and design of experimental animal models,animal behavior analysis,and animal facility management.It also points out the challenges related to data standardization,AI model selection and interpretability,the extrapolation process from AI models to animal experiments and clinical practice,as well as ethical considerations in using AI in sensitive areas involving human genetics and personalized medicine.This review aims to help researchers and practitioners in relevant fields understand the current state and opportunities of AI development,thus providing support for its broader application.

Objective To explore the isolation and significance of Oligella in urine specimens,improve clinical awareness,and enhance the level of clinical diagnosis and treatment of the bacterium.Methods Clinical data of 3 patients from whom Oligella was detected in urine cultures in a hospital were retrospectively analyzed,and relevant literatures were retrieved from databases for review.Results Among these 3 cases in this hospital,one patient had asymptomatic bacteriuria and did not receive antimicrobial treatment,after receiving supportive treatments such as kidney protection and blood sugar control,the condition improved.Two cases were clinically diagnosed as infection and improved after treatment with phosphomycin and moxifloxacin,respectively.Three cases in this study and 85 cases in the literature review showed that 59 cases had asymptomatic bacteriuria,27 cases had urinary tract infec-tions,and 2 cases had symptoms of urinary incontinence(urinary tract infection was possible).Oligella urethralis was susceptible to most antimicrobial agents except fluoroquinolones.However,Oligella ureolytica exhibited un-certain antimicrobial susceptibility.Conclusion Oligella mainly exists in a colonized state in the urinary system and can also cause urinary tract infections,it can also be isolated from a small number of urinary incontinence patients,and its relationship with urinary incontinence needs further research.There are differences in antimicrobial suscepti-bility among different species of Oligella,clinical practice should correctly understand the significance of detecting this bacteria from urine specimens and use antimicrobial agents rationally.

Objective:To investigate the impact of blood pressure outcomes on the risk of arteriosclerosis in non-hypertensive populations.Methods:This study was a retrospective cohort study. All data were derived from Kailuan Cohort. Non-hypertensive individuals who completed two brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) measurements between January 2014 and December 2019 (using the first measurement as the baseline and the second as the follow-up) were enrolled, and clinical data such as blood pressure and baPWV were collected. According to the blood pressure level at baseline and follow-up, participants were divided into new-onset hypertension group (no hypertension at baseline but diagnosed at follow-up) and non-hypertension group (no hypertension at both baseline and follow-up). Multiple linear regression and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the impact of new-onset hypertension on arteriosclerosis progression. Subgroup analysis further classified participants into six blood pressure transition categories: normal-maintained, normal-to-high-normal, normal-to-hypertensive, high-normal-to-normal, high-normal-maintained, and high-normal-to-hypertensive groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the impact of different blood pressure outcomes on arteriosclerosis progression.Results:A total of 7 049 participants were enrolled, with the age of (40.45±9.04) years, including 3 645 males (51.71%). There were 800 cases in the new-onset hypertension group and 6 249 individuals in the non-hypertension group. During follow-up, arteriosclerosis occurred in 2 154 cases (30.56%). Multivariable linear regression analysis revealed a positive correlation between new-onset hypertension and baPWV levels. The baPWV in the new-onset hypertension group was significantly higher by 63.94 cm/s compared to the non-hypertension group ( β=63.94, P<0.01). Additionally, the risk of arteriosclerosis in the new-onset hypertension group was 2.09 times that of the non-hypertension group ( OR=2.09, 95% CI: 1.77-2.46, P<0.01). Subgroup analysis revealed significantly higher arteriosclerosis risks in normal-to-high-normal ( OR=1.65, 95% CI 1.38-1.98, P<0.01), normal-to-hypertensive ( OR=2.47, 95% CI 1.70-3.59, P<0.01), high-normal-maintained ( OR=1.50, 95% CI 1.21-1.86, P<0.01), and high-normal-to-hypertensive groups ( OR=2.86, 95% CI 2.20-3.73, P<0.01) than normal-maintained group, except for a non-significant difference in high-normal-to-normal group ( OR=0.95, 95% CI 0.74-1.20, P>0.05). Conclusion:Blood pressure outcome in non-hypertensive populations is closely related to arteriosclerosis risk. Progression to or maintenance of high-normal blood pressure or higher levels substantially increases arteriosclerosis risk, while regression from high-normal to normal blood pressure shows no significant increase in arteriosclerosis risk.