BACKGROUND:Myocardial hypertrophy often leads to severe cardiovascular diseases and is difficult to diagnose due to its early stages being hard to detect.Circulating inflammatory proteins have been found to be significantly associated with cardiovascular diseases,yet the specific mechanisms linking them to myocardial hypertrophy remain unclear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relationship between circulating proteins and myocardial hypertrophy using multiple Mendelian randomization approaches.METHODS:Utilizing data from 91 circulating inflammatory proteins in the GWAS Catalog database and the latest myocardial hypertrophy data from the R11 FinnGen database,we employed bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization,multivariate Mendelian randomization,and Genome-Wide Association Studies co-localization to investigate the causal relationship between circulating inflammatory proteins and myocardial hypertrophy.The accuracy of the results was verified through sensitivity tests including MR-PRESSO,Cochran's Q test,MR-Egger intercept assessment,leave-one-out analysis,and funnel plot analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In the results of two-sample Mendelian randomization,the primary method used for evaluation was the Inverse Variance Weighting(IVW)approach.It was found that the level of T-cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoform(IVW:P=0.046,OR=0.74,95％Cl:0.66-1.00),level of slit chemokine(IVW:P=2.1×10-2,OR=0.74,95％CI:0.556-0.95),level of Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptor(IVW:P=3.7×10-4,OR=0.66,95％CI:0.49-0.87),level of interleukin-2(IVW:P=3.8×103,OR=0.667,95％CI:0.50-0.88),and sulfotransferase 1A1(IVW:P=1.42×102,OR=0.80,95％CI:0.67-0.96)had a unidirectional causal effect on cardiac hypertrophy.(2)Among the findings in multivariate Mendelian randomization,the levels of the CD6 isoform of T-cell surface glycoprotein(IVW:P=1.39×102,OR=0.81,95％CI:0.69-0.96)and the levels of Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptor(IVW:P=3.7×10-2,OR=0.73,95％CI:0.55-0.98)were positive,indicating that the results remained significant after excluding the effects of other circulating inflammatory proteins that had an impact on myocardial hypertrophy.(3)In colocalization,T-cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoform levels had H3+H4=0.96,with the most significant single nucleotide polymorphism being rs59570070,suggesting an intrinsic link between T-cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoform levels and myocardial hypertrophy.(4)Sensitivity results showed no abnormalities,indicating no heterogeneity or pleiotropic effects influencing the results.(5)These results verified that T cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoforms,Slit chemokine,Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptors,interleukin-2,and sulfotransferase 1A1 had a unidirectional causal effect on myocardial hypertrophy.T cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoforms and Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptors had the deepest impact,suggesting that there may be related pathways between T cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoforms and myocardial hypertrophy.Mendelian randomization studies require large amounts of clinical data and therefore often use European samples from international databases for analysis.Since this analytical method has significant advantages in causal inference,precision medicine,and cross-population validation,its research results still hold great significance for the medical development in China.As Mendelian randomization research deepens,it also promotes the collection and analysis of clinical data in China to some extent.In the future,we can further analyze key protein mechanisms,combine multiomics and clinical validation,develop an inflammatory marker monitoring system and novel anti-inflammatory therapies,thereby promoting the prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases and the development of personalized medicine.

BackgroundPatients with depressive episode and schizophrenia have a high risk of suicide. The sleep electroencephalogram power spectral density characteristics of patients with depressive episode accompanied by suicidal behavior and those with schizophrenia may be different， but there is currently a lack of direct comparative studies on these two groups of patients. ObjectiveTo compare the sleep electroencephalogram power spectral density between depressive episode and schizophrenic patients with suicidal behavior， in order to provide references for exploring predictive indicators of suicidal behavior. MethodsFrom June 2018 to December 2020， 20 patients with depressive episode and 20 patients with schizophrenia who had committed suicide within the past month and were treated at the outpatient department of Shenzhen Kangning Hospital were selected. All of them met the diagnostic criteria for depressive episode or schizophrenia as defined in the International Classification of Diseases， tenth edition （ICD-10）. Using a random sampling method， 20 volunteers with matching gender and age to the patient groups were selected from the Cuiping community in Shenzhen as the control group. The subjective sleep of the patients was evaluated using the Insomnia Severity Index （ISI）， the Dysfunctional Belief and Attitude about Sleep （DBAS）， the Disturbing Dreams and Nightmare Severity Index （DDNSI）， and the Epworth Somnolence Scale （ESS）. The objective sleep of the patients was assessed using polysomnography. The sleep electroencephalogram was filtered and the power spectral density of the brain wave was analyzed and processed for all the subjects. The subjective and objective sleep conditions of the two patient groups were compared， and the sleep electroencephalogram power spectral density of the patient groups and the control group were also compared. ResultsA comparison of subjective and objective sleep conditions between patients with depressive episode accompanied by suicidal behavior and patients with schizophrenia accompanied by suicidal behavior showed no statistically significant differences （P>0.05）. Comparisons of sleep electroencephalogram power spectral density in the W stage （average power of α wave， total power of δ wave， average power of δ wave， average power of θ wave）， N1 stage （average power of β wave， total power of α wave， total power of δ wave）， N2 stage （total power of α wave， average power of α wave， total power of δ wave， average power of δ wave）， N3 stage （average power of α wave， average power of δ wave）， and R stage （total power of α wave， average power of α wave， total power of δ wave， average power of δ wave） between patients with depressive episode accompanied by suicidal behavior， patients with schizophrenia accompanied by suicidal behavior， and the control group showed statistically significant differences （P<0.05 or 0.01）. The total power of δ wave in the W stage and the average power of β wave and δ wave in the N1 stage were higher in two patient groups were higher than those of the control group. The total power of α wave and the average power of α wave in the N2 stage were lower than those of the control group， while the average power of δ wave was higher than that of the control group. The average power of α wave in the N3 stage of both patient groups were lower than that of the control group， while the average power of δ wave was higher than that of the control group. The total power and average power of α wave in the R stage were lower than those of the control group， while the total power and average power of δ wave were higher than those of the control group. All the differences were statistically significant. Patients with depressive episode accompanied by suicidal behavior had higher average powers of α wave， δ wave， and θ wave in the W stage compared with the control group， while the total power of α wave in the N1 stage was lower in the former group. All these differences were statistically significant （P<0.05）. ConclusionThe depressive episode patients accompanied by suicidal behavior have highly overlapping sleep electroencephalogram abnormal patterns with those of schizophrenia patients， mainly manifested as a general decrease in α wave power （N2， N3， R stage） and a general increase in δ wave power （W， N1， N2， N3， R stage） as well as β wave power in N1 stage. At the same time， patients with depressive episode accompanied by suicidal behavior also show specific changes， including an increase in the average power of α and θ waves during the wakefulness period （W stage）， and a decrease in the total power of α wave in N1 stage. ［Funded by Guangdong Province High-level Clinical Key Specialty （with supporting funds from Shenzhen City） （number， SZGSP013）； Shenzhen Key Medical Discipline （number， SZXK041）； Shenzhen Clinical Medicine Research Center Project （number， 20210617155253001）］

BACKGROUND:Myocardial hypertrophy often leads to severe cardiovascular diseases and is difficult to diagnose due to its early stages being hard to detect.Circulating inflammatory proteins have been found to be significantly associated with cardiovascular diseases,yet the specific mechanisms linking them to myocardial hypertrophy remain unclear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relationship between circulating proteins and myocardial hypertrophy using multiple Mendelian randomization approaches.METHODS:Utilizing data from 91 circulating inflammatory proteins in the GWAS Catalog database and the latest myocardial hypertrophy data from the R11 FinnGen database,we employed bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization,multivariate Mendelian randomization,and Genome-Wide Association Studies co-localization to investigate the causal relationship between circulating inflammatory proteins and myocardial hypertrophy.The accuracy of the results was verified through sensitivity tests including MR-PRESSO,Cochran's Q test,MR-Egger intercept assessment,leave-one-out analysis,and funnel plot analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In the results of two-sample Mendelian randomization,the primary method used for evaluation was the Inverse Variance Weighting(IVW)approach.It was found that the level of T-cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoform(IVW:P=0.046,OR=0.74,95％Cl:0.66-1.00),level of slit chemokine(IVW:P=2.1×10-2,OR=0.74,95％CI:0.556-0.95),level of Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptor(IVW:P=3.7×10-4,OR=0.66,95％CI:0.49-0.87),level of interleukin-2(IVW:P=3.8×103,OR=0.667,95％CI:0.50-0.88),and sulfotransferase 1A1(IVW:P=1.42×102,OR=0.80,95％CI:0.67-0.96)had a unidirectional causal effect on cardiac hypertrophy.(2)Among the findings in multivariate Mendelian randomization,the levels of the CD6 isoform of T-cell surface glycoprotein(IVW:P=1.39×102,OR=0.81,95％CI:0.69-0.96)and the levels of Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptor(IVW:P=3.7×10-2,OR=0.73,95％CI:0.55-0.98)were positive,indicating that the results remained significant after excluding the effects of other circulating inflammatory proteins that had an impact on myocardial hypertrophy.(3)In colocalization,T-cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoform levels had H3+H4=0.96,with the most significant single nucleotide polymorphism being rs59570070,suggesting an intrinsic link between T-cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoform levels and myocardial hypertrophy.(4)Sensitivity results showed no abnormalities,indicating no heterogeneity or pleiotropic effects influencing the results.(5)These results verified that T cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoforms,Slit chemokine,Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptors,interleukin-2,and sulfotransferase 1A1 had a unidirectional causal effect on myocardial hypertrophy.T cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoforms and Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptors had the deepest impact,suggesting that there may be related pathways between T cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoforms and myocardial hypertrophy.Mendelian randomization studies require large amounts of clinical data and therefore often use European samples from international databases for analysis.Since this analytical method has significant advantages in causal inference,precision medicine,and cross-population validation,its research results still hold great significance for the medical development in China.As Mendelian randomization research deepens,it also promotes the collection and analysis of clinical data in China to some extent.In the future,we can further analyze key protein mechanisms,combine multiomics and clinical validation,develop an inflammatory marker monitoring system and novel anti-inflammatory therapies,thereby promoting the prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases and the development of personalized medicine.

Curzerene, a sesquiterpene compound isolated from Curcuma Radix, exhibits various therapeutic effects, such as anti-tumor and anti-hyperlipidemic properties. However, its neuroprotective effects have not yet been reported. This study focused on exploring the neuroprotective effect of curzerene and elucidating its potential mechanism by combining molecular biotechnology with multi-omics approaches. Curzerene was orally administered to LPS-induced depressive-like behaviors and cognitive impairment in mice for 14 days, and the related biochemical parameters were evaluated. The possible mechanisms were elucidated using qRT-PCR, Western Blot, immunofluorescence, untargeted metabolomics, GC-MS and 16S rDNA comprehensively. Curzerene ameliorated depression symptoms and cognitive impairment by increasing the preference for sucrose in SPT and the central area and total distance traveled in OFT, reducing the immobility time in TST and FST, as well as rising the spontaneous alternation ratio in Y maze. Multiple molecular biology techniques analyses indicated the ameliorative effect of curzerene via HMGB1/RAGE/ TLR4 pathway. Moreover, curzerene primarily regulates purine metabolism, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, phenylalanine metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, etc. Furthermore, intervention increased the relative abundance of Parabacteroides, Clostridia_UCG-014_unclassified, and Rhodospirillales_unclassified, and enhanced the production of SCFAs. This work demonstrated that curzerene effectively protects against LPS-induced neurological damage, potentially by inhibiting the HMGB1/ RAGE/TLR4 pathway through the restoration of gut microbiota homeostasis, modulation of metabolites, and enhancement of SCFAs. In conclusion, this study offers new perspectives on the therapeutic possibilities of curzerene in mitigating depressive-like behaviors and cognitive impairment.

Objective The analgesic effect of manual acupuncture on acute adjuvant arthritis(AA)rats was evaluated using flurbiprofen cataplasm as a positive control,and the role of mast cells in the mechanism of analgesia was explored.Methods 24 SD rats were randomly divided into model group,10-minute manual acupuncture group,and 30-minute flurbiprofen cataplasm treatment group.AA rat models were established,and treatments were applied at the Zusanli acupoint,while the model group received no treatment.The rats'pain thresholds under mechanical and thermal stimuli were measured before and after the therapy.Acupoint tissue sections were collected and stained,and the mast cell degranulation rate at the acupoint tissue was calculated for each experimental group.Results Mechanical and thermal pain thresholds were significantly increased in 10-minute manual acupuncture group compared to those before therapy(P＜0.000 1),while there was no significant difference in mechanical and thermal pain pain threshold recovery rates between 10-minute manual acupuncture group and 30-minute flurbiprofen cataplasm treatment group(P＞0.05).The mast cell degranulation rate in 10-minute manual acupuncture group and the 30-minute flurbiprofen cataplasm treatment group was significantly higher than that of the model group(P＜0.001).Conclusions Short-term application of manual acupuncture provides immediate analgesia in AA rats,comparable to flurbiprofen cataplasm treatment.The analgesic effects of manual acupuncture and flurbiprofen cataplasm treatment may be closely related to the degranulation of mast cells in the Zusanli acupoint tissue.This study provides an optimized clinical protocol for treating inflammatory joint diseases while laying the groundwork for future research on treatment mechanisms,long-term outcomes,and combination therapy applicability in varied patient groups.

Objective To evaluate the effect of clinical pharmacists in prescription intervention on rivaroxaban anticoagulation within non-valvular atrial fibrillation(NVAF)patients.Methods We collected 101 NVAF patients from January to June 2022 as the control group,and 125 NVAF patients from January to June 2023 after clinical pharmacists intervention as observation group.We audited the rivaroxaban prescriptions of the two groups of patients according to the evaluation criterion of appropriateness of rivaroxaban prescriptions for NVAF patients in our hospital.The rationality of rivaroxaban prescriptions,rivaroxaban anticoagulation-related thrombotic events,and bleeding events were compared between two groups.Results Clinical pharmacists provided 105 prescription interventions for observation group patients,of which 69(65.7%)were adopted and implemented by doctors.The rational rate of rivaroxaban prescription in the observation group was significantly increased(85.7%vs.16.8%,P<0.05).There were no statistical differences between the observation group and the control group in thrombotic events and major bleeding events during hospitalization(P>0.05),with a significant difference in thrombotic events 6 months after discharged(0.8%vs.7.9%,P<0.05).Conclusion The clinical pharmacist prescription intervention can improve the rational rate of rivaroxaban prescription and reduce the risk of thrombotic and bleeding events,which is an important measure to advance the safety and effectiveness of anticoagulant therapy.

Objective:The Social Isolation Scale for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was developed and tested for reliability and validity, which provided an effective tool for measuring the social isolation level of patients with T2DM.Methods:The initial scale was developed through literature review, qualitative interviews, and expert consultation. Convenience sampling method was used to select T2DM patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria for questionnaire survey. The item analysis method was used to select the items of the scale. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to evaluate construct validity. The content validity of the scale was evaluated by the scale-level content validity index and the item-level content validity index. The criterion validity was verified by using the Lubben Social Network Scale-6 and the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale. Reliability was tested through internal consistency and test-retest reliability.Results:Through literature review and qualitative interviews, 30 items of the scale were selected to form the first version scale. After two rounds of inquiries from 16 experts (expert authority coefficient = 0.897), the second version of the scale was formed. A total of 407 questionnaires were distributed in two stages using the second version scale. Among the 407 patients, there were 214 males and 193 females. Exploratory factor analysis extracted 4 common factors, with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 61.338%. The final scale was determined to include 4 dimensions and 16 items, with the dimensions being "social support network", "frequency of social participation", "satisfaction with interpersonal relationships", and "diabetes-related sense of isolation".The average content validity index at the scale level was 0.929, the content validity index at the item level was 0.830 - 1.000, and the criterion validity was - 0.647 and 0.681. The Cronbach′s α coefficient of the total scale was 0.822, and the test-retest reliability was 0.858.Conclusions:The Social Isolation Scale for people with T2DM has good reliability and validity. It is a reliable and valid tool for assessing social isolation in T2DM patients.

BACKGROUND:A large number of studies have shown that neurodegenerative diseases are closely related to oxidative stress injury and the imbalance of mitochondrial dynamics.Lycium barbarum polysaccharides have a neuroprotective effect.However,it is not clear whether lycium barbarum polysaccharides can ameliorate apoptosis induced by oxidative stress injury by regulating abnormal mitochondrial dynamics.OBJECTIVE:To study the effect of lycium barbarum polysaccharides on apoptosis induced by H2O2 in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells.METHODS:SH-SY5Y cells were cultured in three groups.The control group was cultured for 24 hours.The hydrogen peroxide group was treated with H2O2 for 24 hours,and the lycium barbarum polysaccharide group was treated with lycium barbarum polysaccharide for 2 hours and then treated with H2O2 for 24 hours.After treatment,the levels of malondialdehyde,glutathione,and superoxide dismutase in the precipitation of the cells were detected by kit.Mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by JC-1 kit.Cell viability was detected by MTT assay.Apoptosis was detected by TUNEL.The expression levels of mitochondrial dynamics-related proteins (phosphorylated promoter protein 1,mitochondrial fission protein 1,mitochondrial fusion protein 1,mitochondrial fusion protein 2,and optic atrophy protein 1) and apoptotic proteins (Bax,Bcl-2,and Caspase-3) were detected by immunofluorescence staining and western blot assay.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Compared with the control group,the levels of malondialdehyde were increased (P<0.05),and the levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione were decreased (P<0.05) in the H2O2 group.Compared with the H2O2 group,the malondialdehyde level was decreased (P<0.05),and the superoxide dismutase and glutathione levels were increased (P<0.05) in the lycium barbarum polysaccharide group.(2) The mitochondrial membrane potential in the H2O2 group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05),and that of lycium barbarum polysaccharide group was higher than that of the H2O2 group (P<0.05).(3) Compared with the control group,the apoptosis rate and the expression of Bax and Caspase-3 protein were increased (P<0.05),while the cell viability and the expression of Bcl-2 protein were decreased (P<0.05) in the H2O2 group.Compared with the H2O2 group,the apoptosis rate and the expression of Bax and Caspase-3 protein were decreased (P<0.05),while the cell viability and the expression of Bcl-2 protein were increased (P<0.05) in the lycium barbarum polysaccharide group.(4) Compared with the control group,the protein expression levels of phosphorylated promoter protein 1 and mitochondrial fission protein 1 were increased (P<0.05),and the protein expression levels of mitochondrial fusion protein 1,mitochondrial fusion protein 2,and optic atrophy protein 1 were decreased (P<0.05) in the H2O2 group.Compared with the H2O2 group,the protein expression levels of phosphorylated promoter protein 1 and mitochondrial fission protein 1 were decreased (P<0.05),and the protein expression levels of mitochondrial fusion protein 1,mitochondrial fusion protein 2,and optic atrophy protein 1 were increased (P<0.05) in the lycium barbarum polysaccharide group.(5) These results indicate that lycium barbarum polysaccharide can improve SH-SY5Y cell apoptosis caused by oxidative stress damage by regulating mitochondrial dynamics.

Objective To compare and analyze the application value of brain black blood technology three-dimensional BrainVIEW(3D-BrainVIEW)and conventional three-dimensional turbo field echo T1 weighted imaging(3D-TFE T1WI)in brain metastases of lung cancer.Methods A total of 60 patients with pathologically confirmed lung cancer were selected.All patients underwent brain enhanced MRI using 3D-BrainVIEW and 3D-TFE T1WI.The signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)of the two groups were compared and analyzed,respectively.The diagnostic efficacy(including number,size,and location)of the two groups of images in detecting brain metastases was evaluated by two experienced radiologists via double-blind method.Results The diagnostic consistency between the two radiologists was excellent[intraclass correlation coefficient(ICC)=0.998,P<0.001].There were significant differences in SNR,CNR,and the number and location of brain metastases between 3D-BrainVIEW sequence and 3D-TFE T1WI sequence(P<0.05),and 3D-BrainVIEW sequence was significantly superior to 3D-TFE T1WI sequence.In addition,the number of brain metastases detected by 3D-Brain VIEW sequence was significantly higher than that detected by 3D-TFE T1WI sequence in lesions with minimum diameter(Dmin)<5 mm(P<0.001).There was no difference in the number of lesions detected by the two sequences in lesions with Dmin>5 mm(P>0.05).Conclusion The SNR and CNR of 3D-Brain VIEW enhanced scan images are significantly higher than those of 3D-TFE T1WI,which has higher detection efficiency for lung cancer brain metastases,and can effectively reduce misdiagnosis caused by microvascular enhance-ment,which has high clinical application value.

Objective The analgesic effect of manual acupuncture on acute adjuvant arthritis(AA)rats was evaluated using flurbiprofen cataplasm as a positive control,and the role of mast cells in the mechanism of analgesia was explored.Methods 24 SD rats were randomly divided into model group,10-minute manual acupuncture group,and 30-minute flurbiprofen cataplasm treatment group.AA rat models were established,and treatments were applied at the Zusanli acupoint,while the model group received no treatment.The rats'pain thresholds under mechanical and thermal stimuli were measured before and after the therapy.Acupoint tissue sections were collected and stained,and the mast cell degranulation rate at the acupoint tissue was calculated for each experimental group.Results Mechanical and thermal pain thresholds were significantly increased in 10-minute manual acupuncture group compared to those before therapy(P＜0.000 1),while there was no significant difference in mechanical and thermal pain pain threshold recovery rates between 10-minute manual acupuncture group and 30-minute flurbiprofen cataplasm treatment group(P＞0.05).The mast cell degranulation rate in 10-minute manual acupuncture group and the 30-minute flurbiprofen cataplasm treatment group was significantly higher than that of the model group(P＜0.001).Conclusions Short-term application of manual acupuncture provides immediate analgesia in AA rats,comparable to flurbiprofen cataplasm treatment.The analgesic effects of manual acupuncture and flurbiprofen cataplasm treatment may be closely related to the degranulation of mast cells in the Zusanli acupoint tissue.This study provides an optimized clinical protocol for treating inflammatory joint diseases while laying the groundwork for future research on treatment mechanisms,long-term outcomes,and combination therapy applicability in varied patient groups.