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 construct and identify an organoid model of human placental site trophoblastic tumor(PSTT).Methods The tumor cells were obtained by digesting and separating the PSTT tissues and then embedded in Matrigel.The organoids were cultured in the specific organoid medium.The histological morphology of the organoid model was observed by HE staining and the expression levels of the PSTT specific markers[human placental prolactin(HPL),human leukocyte antigen-G(HLA-G)and placental alkaline phosphatase(PLAP)]were detected by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence,so as to evaluate the consistency between the organoid model and the PSTT tissue.Meanwhile,the morphology and forming efficiency of the constructed model were observed under a microscope after primary culture,passage generation and cryopreservation to evaluate its potential application as an organoid model in basic and clinical translational research of PSTT.Results The constructed organoid model could proliferate stably,growing from small microspheres into compact solid spheres or spheres with follicle-like structures,and could passage after fully grown in 7-10 days.The cell state remained stable after passage,frozen storage and recovery.HE staining showed that the morphology of the cells in the organoids was similar to that of the primary PSTT tumor cells,and immunofluorescence staining showed that the organoids highly expressed HLA-G and lowly expressed β-HCG,indicating that the constructed organoid model mainly contained intermediate trophoblast.Conclusion The adult-derived PSTT organoid(ADPO)models were successfully established.

Objective To construct a set of graduation internship curriculum system suitable for undergraduate students majoring in biomedical engineering to facilitate standardizing the curriculum system of biomedical engineering major.Methods An initial version of the curriculum system was established with the way of letter and the methods of questionnaire survey,Delphi,expert interview and expert brainstorming;then the initial version was adjusted and refined using 2 rounds of expert consultation to form a set of curriculum system for graduation internship for undergraduate students majoring in biomedical engineering,and the curriculum system was validated.Results The curriculum system included 5 first-level catalogs,11 second-level catalogs and 39 third-level catalogs;the 36 third-level catalogs had a curriculum compliance rate of 0.85 to 0.97.Conclusion The curriculum system constructed can be used for graduation internship of biomedical engineering undergraduates,and references are provided for developing standardized and generally applicable graduation internship curriculum system for biomedical engineering undergraduates.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(9):89-94]

Purpose/Significance To design a comprehensive data platform to meet the needs of collecting and sharing survey data on meteorological sensitive diseases,so as to enhance monitoring capabilities for meteorological sensitive diseases in China.Method/Process Through various methods such as data extraction,data exchange,data import and customized collection,disease data,meteoro-logical data,environmental data and diagnosis and treatment data are processed and integrated into the platform for unified management.Result/Conclusion This platform realizes the functions of data collection,aggregation,visualization display and data sharing,which can provide support for scientific researchers in various bases across the country to better manage and utilize meteorological sensitive disease survey data.

AIM To observe the effects of Danggui Buxue Decoction on myocardial ferroptosis in a rat model of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction(HFpEF).METHODS The rats were randomly divided into the control group,the model group and the Danggui Buxue Decoction group.After 8 weeks feeding of 8%high-salt diet in the model and trial groups to induce the rats into HFpEFd models,rats of the Danggui Buxue Decoction group were given 4 g/kg Danggui Buxue Decoction once daily for 4 weeks,in contrast to those of the control group given 12 weeks feeding of 0.3%low-salt diet.The rats had their left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),left ventricular fraction shortening(LVFS),left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVIDD),and end-diastolic left ventricular posterior wall thickness(LVPWd)detected by echocardiography;their pathological changes of myocardial tissue by HE and Masson staining;their myocardial mitochondrial morphology observed by transmission electron microscopy;their serum BNP,NT-proBNP levels,myocardial tissue Fe3+levels,and their levels of ROS,MDA,LPO and GSH,and SOD activity in serum and myocardium detected by ELISA method;and their myocardial expressions of ferroptosis marker proteins GPX4,FTH1 and xCT detected by immunofluorescence staining and Western blot method.RESULTS Compared with the model group,the Danggui Buxuetang group displayed increased LVEF,LVFS(P＜0.01);decreased LVIDD,LVPWd(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);decreased serum BNP,NT-proBNP levels(P＜0.01);decreased myocardial Fe3+level(P＜0.01);decreased MDA,ROS and LPO levels in serum and myocardium(P＜0.01);increased GSH level and SOD activity(P＜0.01);and increased expressions of myocardial ferroptosis related protein GPX4,FTH1 and xCT(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).CONCLUSION Danggui Buxue Decoction protects the cardiac function of the rat model of HFpEF through inhibiting the occurrence of myocardial ferroptosis and reducing the myocardial oxidative stress level as well.

As artificial intelligence technology rapidly advances, its deployment within the medical sector presents substantial ethical challenges. Consequently, it becomes crucial to create a standardized, transparent, and secure framework for processing medical data. This includes setting the ethical boundaries for medical artificial intelligence and safeguarding both patient rights and data integrity. This consensus governs every facet of medical data handling through artificial intelligence, encompassing data gathering, processing, storage, transmission, utilization, and sharing. Its purpose is to ensure the management of medical data adheres to ethical standards and legal requirements, while safeguarding patient privacy and data security. Concurrently, the principles of compliance with the law, patient privacy respect, patient interest protection, and safety and reliability are underscored. Key issues such as informed consent, data usage, intellectual property protection, conflict of interest, and benefit sharing are examined in depth. The enactment of this expert consensus is intended to foster the profound integration and sustainable advancement of artificial intelligence within the medical domain, while simultaneously ensuring that artificial intelligence adheres strictly to the relevant ethical norms and legal frameworks during the processing of medical data.
Artificial Intelligence/legislation & jurisprudence* ; Humans ; Consensus ; Computer Security/standards* ; Confidentiality/ethics* ; Informed Consent/ethics*

Endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) disrupts vascular endothelial integrity and induces atherosclerosis. Active integrin β1 plays a pivotal role in promoting EndMT by facilitating TGFβ/Smad signaling in endothelial cells. Here, we report a novel anthraquinone compound, Kanglexin (KLX), which prevented EndMT and atherosclerosis by activating MAP4K4 and suppressing integrin β1/TGFβ signaling. First, KLX effectively counteracted the EndMT phenotype and mitigated the dysregulation of endothelial and mesenchymal markers induced by TGFβ1. Second, KLX suppressed TGFβ/Smad signaling by inactivating integrin β1 and inhibiting the polymerization of TGFβR1/2. The underlying mechanism involved the activation of FGFR1 by KLX, resulting in the phosphorylation of MAP4K4 and Moesin, which led to integrin β1 inactivation by displacing Talin from its β-tail. Oral administration of KLX effectively stimulated endothelial FGFR1 and inhibited integrin β1, thereby preventing vascular EndMT and attenuating plaque formation and progression in the aorta of atherosclerotic Apoe^-/- mice. Notably, KLX (20 mg/kg) exhibited superior efficacy compared with atorvastatin, a clinically approved lipid-regulating drug. In conclusion, KLX exhibited potential in ameliorating EndMT and retarding the formation and progression of atherosclerosis through direct activation of FGFR1. Therefore, KLX is a promising candidate for the treatment of atherosclerosis to mitigate vascular endothelial injury.
Animals ; Atherosclerosis/prevention & control* ; Mice ; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Anthraquinones/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Integrin beta1/metabolism* ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/drug effects* ; Male ; Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/drug effects*

Depressive disorder is manifested as emotional and physical abnormality. Theoretically, the governor vessel is distributed along the spine, related to the brain and communicated with five zang and six fu organs. It is the key meridian for understanding the various symptoms of depressive disorder. Depressive disorder is caused by dysfunction, stagnation or emptiness of the governor vessel, resulting in malnutrition of the brain. In clinical diagnosis and treatment, based on the theory of the governor vessel, the etiology and pathogenesis are analyzed in the patients with depressive disorder. In order to achieve harmonizing mutually the mental and physical conditions, acupuncture is delivered to adjust the spirit and physical state, moving cupping is to regulate the governor vessel, tuina manipulation is to promote meridians and collaterals and physical exercise is to coordinate the body and the spirit.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Meridians ; Acupuncture ; Brain ; Depressive Disorder ; Acupuncture Points

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is a chronic metabolic condition with rapidly increasing incidence, becoming a public health issue of worldwide concern. Studies have shown that farnesoid X receptor(FXR)-based modulation of downstream targets can improve liver function and metabolic status in the patients with NAFLD and may be a potential drug target for treating this di-sease. Great progress has been achieved in the development of drugs targeting FXR for the treatment of NAFLD. A number of studies have explored the traditional Chinese medicine and their active ingredients for the treatment of NAFLD via FXR considering the high safety and efficacy and mild side effects. This paper systematically describes the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicines in the treatment of NAFLD via FXR and the downstream targets, aiming to provide precise targets for the drug development and clinical treatment of NAFLD.
Humans ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/metabolism* ; Liver ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/adverse effects* ; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/metabolism*

Purpose: Loss-of-function mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene are common in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). However, the characteristic of APC specific mutations in mCRC is poorly understood. Here, we explored the clinical and molecular characteristics of N-terminal and C-terminal side APC mutations in Chinese patients with mCRC. Materials and Methods: Hybrid capture-based next-generation sequencing was performed on tumor tissues from 275 mCRC pati-ents to detect mutations in 639 tumor-associated genes. The prognostic value and gene-pathway difference between APC specific mutations in mCRC patients were analyzed. Results: APC mutations were highly clustered, accounting for 73% of all mCRC patients, and most of them were truncating mutations. The tumor mutation burden of the N-terminal side APC mutations group (n=76) was significantly lower than that of the C-terminal side group (n=123) (p < 0.001), further confirmed by the public database. Survival analysis showed that mCRC patients with N-terminus side APC mutations had longer overall survival than C-terminus side. Tumor gene pathway analysis showed that gene mutations in the RTK/RAS, Wnt and transforming growth factor β signaling pathways of the C-terminal group were significantly higher than those of the N-terminal group (p < 0.05). Additionally, KRAS, AMER1, TGFBR2, and ARID1A driver mutations were more common in patients with C-terminal side APC mutations. Conclusion APC specific mutations have potential function as mCRC prognostic biomarkers. There are obvious differences in the gene mutation patterns between the C-terminus and N-terminus APC mutations group, which may have certain guiding significance for the subsequent precise treatment of mCRC.