BACKGROUND:The guinea pig is considered to be the most useful spontaneous model for evaluating primary osteoarthritis in humans because of its similar knee joint structure and close histopathologic features to those of humans. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the pathological process of spontaneous knee osteoarthritis in guinea pigs by analyzing the histopathology of the total knee joint of guinea pigs aged 1 to 18 months. METHODS:Eight healthy female Hartley guinea pigs in each age group of 1,6,10,14,16,and 18 months old were selected.The quadriceps femoris was taken for hematoxylin-eosin staining,and the total knee joint was stained with hematoxylin-eosin and toluidine blue.The histopathology of the cartilage,subchondral bone,synovium,meniscus,and muscles were observed under light microscope.Mankin's score and synovitis score were compared,and the correlation analysis was conducted. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:As the guinea pig age increased,the Mankin's score increased(P<0.05),and the pathological score of synovitis also gradually increased(P<0.05),and there was a significant positive correlation between the two(r=0.641,P<0.001).The incidence rate of subchondral bone marrow lesion in 18-month-old guinea pigs was 50%,and the incidence of meniscus injury was 37.5%.In addition,osteophyte and narrowing of the joint space were observed,and only a few guinea pigs had inflammation in the quadriceps femoris.To conclude,guinea pigs develop significant cartilage defects,synovial inflammation,subchondral bone lesions,meniscus injury,osteophyte formation,and joint space narrowing as they age,all of which are similar to the pathological processes of primary knee osteoarthritis in humans,making it an ideal model of spontaneous knee osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of Setaria italica extract on improving insomnia model mice and to explore its potential mechanisms. METHODS The mice were randomly assigned into blank group， model group， positive control group （diazepam， 2.6 mg/kg）， and S. italica extract low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose groups （1.2， 2.4， 4.8 g/kg）， with 10 mice in each group. Except for the blank group， all other groups received intraperitoneal injection of para-chlorophenylalanine （PCPA） to establish the insomnia model. After modeling， the blank group and model group were given a constant volume of normal saline intragastrically， and administration groups were given relevant medicine intragastrically， with a volume of 0.01 mL/g， once a day， for 7 consecutive days. After the administration， the open-field test was conducted to observe the praxiological changes of mice， and to determine the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT） and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid （5-HTAA） in the hippocampal tissue， as well as the contents of 5-HT， brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF）， interleukin-2 （IL-2）， IL-6， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl- 2）， and Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax） in the serum. The expression of phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/nuclear factor- κB （PI3K/Akt/NF-κB） signaling pathway related protein was determined in the hippocampus of mice. RESULTS Compared with the model group， the total exercise time of mice in S. italica extract high-dose group was significantly prolonged， but the total rest time was significantly shortened （P＜0.01）； the number of standing times and modification times were significantly reduced （P＜ 0.01）. The contents of 5-HT， BDNF， and Bcl-2 in serum， and Bcl-2/Bax were significantly increased， while the contents of IL-2， IL-6， and Bax were significantly reduced （P＜0.05 or P＜ 0.01）. The content of 5-HTAA in the hippocampal tissue and 202104010910029）；the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt proteins were increased significantly， while the phosphorylation level of NF-κB p65 protein was decreased significantly （P＜0.05）.CONCLUSIONS High-dose of S. italica extract demonstrates significant therapeutic effects on insomnia in mice， and the mechanism of which may be associated with the regulation of PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway.

mRNA vaccine technology has made significant progress in recent years, especially with the large-scale application driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines have become central tools in the global fight against the virus, demonstrating the potential of the mRNA platform for rapid design, production, and strong immune responses. These vaccines showcase the unique advantages of rapid response and effective protection. At the same time, mRNA technology still faces challenges, such as stability and targeted delivery. Future research will focus on improving the stability and safety of mRNA vaccine and expanding its application to more infectious diseases and cancer treatments. This article reviews platforms of mRNA vaccine, vaccine design, development of delivery system, and the application of mRNA vaccines, in order to enhance the understanding of professionals and accelerate the layout of this technology in vaccine research and application in China.

mRNA vaccine technology has made significant progress in recent years, especially with the large-scale application driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines have become central tools in the global fight against the virus, demonstrating the potential of the mRNA platform for rapid design, production, and strong immune responses. These vaccines showcase the unique advantages of rapid response and effective protection. At the same time, mRNA technology still faces challenges, such as stability and targeted delivery. Future research will focus on improving the stability and safety of mRNA vaccine and expanding its application to more infectious diseases and cancer treatments. This article reviews platforms of mRNA vaccine, vaccine design, development of delivery system, and the application of mRNA vaccines, in order to enhance the understanding of professionals and accelerate the layout of this technology in vaccine research and application in China.

Objective To analyze the incidence of venous thromboembolism(VTE)in pulmonary patients and explore the assessment and prevention of the risk of pneumonia accompanied VTE.Methods The patients with pneumonia were divided into control group(simple pneumonia)and treatment group(with VTE)according to the condition of VTE.Demographic data,blood routine,coagulation index,liver and kidney function index and blood gas index were collected.Statistical methods like chi square test,t-test and nonparametric rank sum test were applied to compare the differences between the two groups.Finally,the nomogram was established according to the logistic regression results and the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was calculated.Results 106 cases in control group and 29 cases in treatment group.Univariate analysis showed that age,D-dimer,fibrinogen degradation products,white blood cell count,neutrophil count,albumin-globulin ratio were statistically significant(P＜0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis suggests that age[odds ratio(OR)=1.052],D-dimer(OR=2.339),and albumin/globulin(OR=0.042)are independent affecting factors for VTE in pneumonia patients.A nomogram was developed and ROC was calculated,the area under curve(AUC)was 0.754.Conclusion High age,elevated D-dimer and decreased albumin/globulin are independent risk factors for VTE in pneumonia patients.More over,the established prediction model has good accuracy.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on postoperative fatigue syndrome in patients with Parkinson′s diseases undergoing bilateral deep brain electrical stimulation.Methods:Sixty patients with Parkinson′s disease, aged 60-80 yr, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅱ or Ⅲ, with body mass index of 18.5-29.9 kg/m 2, undergoing elective bilateral deep brain electrical stimulation, were divided into transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation group (TEAS group) and sham stimulation group (Sham group), with 30 patients in each group, using the random number table method. The TEAS of bilateral Zusanli and Sanyin points was performed on admission to the operating room with alternative stimulation at a frequency of 2/10 Hz and an intensity of 6-15 mA. The stimulation was stopped when the neurosurgeon performed the microelectrode recording, and TEAS was continued until the end of operation after the microelectrode recording was finished. In Sham group, electrode pads were only placed at the acupoint with no stimulation. The Christensen score was assessed at 1 day preoperatively (T 0) and 1, 3 and 7 days postoperatively (T 1-3) to evaluate the occurrence of postoperative fatigue syndrome. The 15-item Quality of Recovery scale score, emergence agitation and rescue analgesia within 48 h after surgery were recorded. Results:Compared with Sham group, Christensen scores were significantly decreased at T 1-3, 15-item Quality of Recovery scale scores were increased, and the incidence of postoperative fatigue syndrome and emergence agitation and rate of rescue analgesia were decreased in TEAS group than in Sham group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:TEAS can reduce the development of postoperative fatigue syndrome in the patients with Parkinson′s diseases undergoing bilateral deep brain electrical stimulation.

Objective:To evaluate the incidence of malnutrition in hospitalized patients with liver cirrhosis using the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria, and to identify the risk factors of malnutrition.Methods:A total of 305 inpatients with liver cirrhosis were included from the Department of Gastroenterology of the People's Hospital of Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture between January 1, 2023 to September 30, 2023. The patient characteristics, clinical indicators, complications, unplanned readmission within 90 days and death outcomes were collected. Malnutrition was diagnosed according to the GLIM criteria, the differences in various indicators were compared between the malnutrition group and the well-nourished group, and the influencing factors of malnutrition were analyzed. The relationship between malnutrition and short-term prognosis was also discussed.Results:Among the enrolled patients, 188 (61.6%) were diagnosed with malnutrition per GLIM criteria, of whom 18 were with Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) Grade A liver function, 108 Grade B, and 62 Grade C. Compared with the well-nourished group, the malnutrition group showed prolonged length of hospital stay ( P<0.001), lower body mass index P=0.003), lower levels of red blood cell count, hemoglobin, serum albumin, serum albumin/globulin ratio, and serum calcium ( P<0.001), higher level of aspartate aminotransferase ( P=0.025), and increased levels of C-reactive protein, total bilirubin, international normalized ratio, plasma prothrombin time and model for end-stage liver disease score ( P<0.001). The proportion of patients with ascites, esophageal gastric varices, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy and unplanned readmission within 90 days were significantly increased ( P<0.001) in malnutrition group, and the mortality within 90 days was also higher ( P=0.042). Logistic regression analysis identified lower body mass index level ( OR=0.910, P=0.038), ascites ( OR=0.065, P<0.001) and upper gastrointestinal bleeding ( OR=0.184, P=0.001) as the influencing factors of malnutrition in liver cirrhosis patients. Conclusions:The prevalent malnutrition in patients with liver cirrhosis may affect the short-term prognosis. Lower body mass index, ascites and upper gastrointestinal bleeding are influencing factors for malnutrition in liver cirrhosis patients. Therefore, patients with liver cirrhosis should be screened for malnutrition to allow timely nutritional intervention measures.

This study investigated the prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi,Anaplasma phagocy tophilum,Rickettsia typhi,Orientia tsutsugamushi,Leptospira interrogans,Francisella tularensis,and Babesia spp.in small mammals in the Qinghai plateau region,to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of local zoonotic diseases.Small mammals were cap-tured with snap traps at six sampling sites in the Qinghai plateau region.Liver,spleen,and kidney tissues were collected for detection of six bacterial pathogens with real-time PCR.Conventional PCR(cPCR)was used for Babesia detection,and the positive PCR products were sequenced and analyzed.The differences in pathogen detection rates among species and habitats were analyzed with x2 test or Fisher's exact test.In to-tal,235 small mammals from 15 species were captured.B.burgdorferi,L.interrogans,and Babesia were detected in 11 spe-cies of small mammals,whereas A.phagocytophilum,R.typhi,O.tsutsugamushi,and F.tularensis were not detected.B.burgdorferi was detected in 41 small mammals from nine species(Cricetulus longicaudatus,Apodemus peninsulae,Ochotona curzoniae,Mus m usc ulus,Meriones meridians,Microtus arvalis,Cricetidae,Ochotona cansus,and Allactaga sibirica),with an infection rate of 17.45％(41/235).L.interrogans was detected in eight small mammals from four species(C.longicaudatus,M.musculus,M.arvalis,and Microtus oeconomus),with an infection rate of 3.40％(8/235).Babesia was detected in only one Mustela altaica,with an infection rate of 0.85％(1/235).Statistically significant differences were ob-served in the detection rates of pathogens among small mammal species(x2=200.54,P＜0.05).Among habitats,the detection rate of B.burgdorferi was highest in the forest(Fisher's exact test,P＜0.05).B.burgdorferi and L.interrogans co-infection was observed in three M.arvalis and two C.longicaudatus.In addition,one Babesia sequence was obtained,which clustered with Babesia vulpes in the phylogenetic tree.B.burgdorferi,L.interrogans,and Babesia were the main pathogens prevalent in small mammals in the Qinghai plateau region and have potential to cause human diseases.Local authori-ties should strengthen the surveillance of corresponding zoonotic diseases,and formulate corresponding prevention and control measures.