OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of in vitro cultured calculus bovis (ICCB) on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (CIRI) and its mechanism. METHODS: A CIRI rat model and a cell model were induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in Sprague Dawley rats and oxygen glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) in BV2 cells, respectively. The CIRI rat model was evaluated using the modified neurological severity score (mNSS), brain water content, and cerebral infarction volume after 1.5 h of ischemia followed by 72 h of reperfusion. Histopathological changes in the cortex and hippocampal CA1 region were observed with hematoxylin and eosin staining. Microglial polarization and NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein (NLRP) 3 inflammasome expression in the cortex were examined by immunofluorescence. BV2 cell viability was measured via MTT assay after treatment with ICCB and Nigericin. The expressions of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1 proteins and inflammatory cytokines were detected with Western blotting in OGD/R treated BV2 cells (0.5 h OGD+24 h reperfusion) and in cells pretreated with Nigericin for 24 h. RESULTS: ICCB treatment significantly improved neurological function, reduced cerebral infarct volume and brain water content, and mitigated pathological damage in the cortical and hippocampal CA1 regions of rats subjected to CIRI (all P<0.05). ICCB promoted the transition of cortical microglia from M1 to M2 phenotypes and suppressed NLRP3 activation in microglial cells (all P<0.01). ICCB significantly down-regulated the expression of NLRP3, ASC, and caspase-1 proteins, and reduced the secretion of IL-18 and IL-1β in BV2 cells of OGD/R model (all P<0.01). In addition, Nigericin significantly reversed the salvage effect of ICCB on model cells (both P<0.01) and the modulation of inflammatory cytokines (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS ICCB exerts a protective effect against CIRI by mitigating neuroinflammation, through the reduction of M1 microglial polarization, promotion of M2 conversion, and suppression of the NLRP3/ASC/caspase-1 signaling pathway.
Animals ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury/prevention & control* ; Microglia/metabolism* ; Rats ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein ; Brain Ischemia/metabolism* ; Male

This study aims to evaluate the application of flower petal-structured electrodes in pulsed field ablation (PFA) technology, with a particular focus on their performance in myocardial tissue ablation. Through a combination of simulation techniques and in vitro experiments, the study investigates the effects of different voltage levels, electrode-to-tissue contact distances, and their impact on ablation depth, continuity, and transmurality. The research methods include the construction of a myocardial tissue simulation model, electric field distribution simulation using COMSOL Multiphysics, and in vitro ablation experiments on potato tissue. The results indicate that as voltage increases, the ablation depth significantly increases. At a voltage of 2500 V, a transmural ablation depth of 4 mm can be achieved, and the ablation area remains relatively continuous. The in vitro experiments confirm the consistency of the simulation results, and pulsed field ablation does not induce significant temperature rise, confirming its non-thermal characteristic. The conclusion suggests that PFA technology requires less electrode contact and offers higher ablation efficiency, providing a new technological pathway for the clinical treatment of atrial fibrillation and effectively reducing the risk of complications associated with traditional ablation techniques.
Electrodes ; Catheter Ablation/instrumentation* ; Computer Simulation ; Flowers ; Atrial Fibrillation/surgery* ; Myocardium

Objective: To explore the impact of online sexuality education courses on the sexual knowledge, attitudes and related behaviors of rural girls, so as to provide the practical guidance for promoting sexual health and development. Methods: From February to June 2023, by posting information online and through commonweal organization websites, rural primary schools in 12 provinces were recruited for a semester of online sexuality education courses from October to November 2023. A self compiled sexuality education questionnaire was used to survey the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of rural girls before and after the course intervention, with pre tests in September 2023 and post tests in December 2023. The eligible samples were 3 058 and 2 602 , respectively. Independent sample t tests and text frequency and sentiment analysis were used to process the data Results: In terms of sexual knowledge, the scores of rural girls before and after the test were (8.49±3.29) and (9.40±3.35), respectively, with the post test score being higher than the pre test ( t =-10.20, P <0.01). In terms of attitudes, the scores of rural girls before and after the test were (11.50±4.62) and (10.82±4.80), respectively, with a decrease in stigmatization towards physiological development in the post test ( t =5.40, P <0.01). Regarding sexual related behaviors, the frequency of sexualbased bullying among rural girls was (5.12±2.13) before and (4.89±2.18) after, with a statistically significant difference ( t =3.99, P <0.01). The frequency and willingness of rural girls to discuss sexual topics with significant others both increased on post test (pre test:8.45±2.62; post test: 8.73± 2.62) and (pre test:8.90±2.46, post test:9.16±2.46), with a statistically significant difference ( t =-3.91, -4.03, P < 0.01 ). Text analysis revealed that "boys" "girls" and "menstruation" were the most concerned topics among the participants, and compared to before receiving sex education (69.91%), the proportion of negative emotions among rural girls decreased ( 18.59 %). Conclusion Online sexuality education courses can improve the sexual knowledge of rural girls, reduce stigma and negative emotions towards sex, decrease the incidence of sexual based bullying and increase the frequency and willingness to discuss sexual topics with parents, teachers, and peers.

Objective To quantitatively evaluate the structure and content of the long-term care policy for the older people in the 14th Five-Year Plan in China. Methods The primary indicators were constructed based on multi-source flow model,using Policy Modeling Consisten-cy(PMC)model,and the secondary indicators were constructed based on World Health Organization reports Long-term care for older people:Package for universal health coverage and Decade of healthy ageing:Plan of action.An evaluation system was formed,containing nine primary indicators and 35 secondary indicators.A total of eight policies issued by the nation between November,2021 and January,2024 were included.High-frequency words were extracted using ROSTCM 6.0,a semantic network map of keywords was created using Gephi,and the policies were analyzed using the evaluation system. Results The policies mainly focused on nursing,community,rehabilitation and nursing home,etc.The average PMC in-dex was 6.77.For the policy content coverage,one policy was perfect,five were excellent and two were accept-able.In the dimension of policy content,the indexes of three primary indicators of policy function,policy recep-tors and infrastructure construction were 0.85 or more;while the indexes of three primary indicators of caregiver assistance,support for the elderly and human resources building were 0.7 or less. Conclusion The content of long-term care policies for the older people issued in the 14th Five-Year Plan in China covers well in policy functions,policy recipients and infrastructure,and needs to be upgraded in the three dimensions of caregiver assistance,support for the elderly and human resource building.It is important to strengthen the policy content and measures in three areas,namely,the comprehensive care support network,the creation of an age-friendly environment and support for informal care.

Objective To investigate the application of intra pelvic pressure(IPP)in ultramicro-channel percutaneous nephrolithotripsy.Methods From January 2022 to January 2023,60 patients with urinary calculi who needed Super mini-PCNL(SMP)in The First Hospital of Jiaxing selected as the study objects.According to random number method,the patients were divided into control group and experimental group,with 30 cases.Both groups were treated with ultra-micro channel percutaneous nephrolithotripsia,while the experimental group was monitored and regulated IPP in real time during the operation,and observed and compared clinical indicators,IPP,fever,urinary protein,renal function,hemoglobin(Hb)and adverse reactions between the two groups.Results Compared with the control group,the hospitalization time of experimental group was shortened and the stone clearance rate was increased(P<0.05).The IPP levels of experimental groups at 6min,12min,24min and 36min were lower than those of control group(P<0.05).The fever of experimental group was lower than that of control group at 2d,3d,4d and 5d after operation(P<0.05).The urinary protein level of experimental group was lower than that of control group at 1d,2d,3d and 4d after operation(P<0.05).Compared with control group,blood urea nitrogen(BUN)and serum creatinine(SCr)levels of experimental group were decreased,and Hb levels were increased(P<0.05).The incidence of adverse reactions in experimental group was lower than that in control group(P<0.05).Conclusion Monitoring and adjusting intrapelvic pressure during super-mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy is beneficial in reducing postoperative fever in patients with urolithiasis,reducing urinary protein expression and kidney function damage,and controlling the occurrence of adverse reactions.It is worth recommending.

Objective:To establish and validate a risk prediction model of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) by the screening independent risk factors for the occurrence of DIC in patients with electrical burns.Methods:The retrospective case series study was conducted. The clinical data of 218 electrical burn patients admitted to Baogang Hospital of Inner Mongolia from January 2015 to January 2023 who met the inclusion criteria were collected, including 198 males and 20 females, with the age of (38±14) years. The patients were divided into DIC group and non DIC group based on whether they were diagnosed with DIC during the treatment period. The following data of patients of two groups were collected and compared, including age, gender, total burn area, full-thickness burn area, injury voltage, whether osteofascial compartment syndrome occurred within 1 day after injury, duration of stay in burn intensive care unit, total length of hospital stay, whether combined with inhalation injury and multiple injuries, whether shock occurred upon admission, the abbreviated burn severity index score, and the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ score. The laboratory examination data of the patients within 24 hours after admission were also collected, including blood routine indexes: white blood cell count (WBC), hemoglobin level, platelet count (PLT), and neutrophil count; coagulation indexes: activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time, thrombin time, and levels of D-dimer and fibrinogen (FIB); blood biochemistry indexes: aspartic transaminase, alanine transaminase, direct bilirubin, total bilirubin, total protein, albumin, blood glucose, creatinine, and urea nitrogen; blood gas analysis indexes: blood pH value, arterial partial pressure of oxygen, arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide, bicarbonate, and base excess; and cardiac zymogram indexes: levels of myoglobin, troponin, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase (CK), and α-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase. Data were statistically analyzed with chi-square test, Fisher's exact probability test, independent sample t test, and Mann-Whitney U test. For the variables with statistically significant differences in single factor analysis, the least absolute value selection and shrinkage operator (LASSO) regression was used to reduce the dimension, and the predictive factors for DIC in 218 patients with electrical burns were screened. The above-mentioned predictors were included in multivariate logistic regression analysis to find out the independent risk factors for DIC in 218 patients with electrical burns, and to draw the prediction model nomograms. The performance of the prediction model was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under the ROC curve, and the prediction model was validated by the calibration curve and clinical decision curve analysis (DCA). Results:Compared with those in non DIC group, the total burn area, full-thickness burn area, total length of hospital stay, and the proportions of high voltage caused injury, occurrence of osteofascial compartment syndrome within 1 day after injury, combination of inhalation injury, and occurrence of shock upon admission of patients in DIC group were significantly increased/prolonged (with Z values of -2.53, -4.65, and -2.10, respectively, with χ2 values of 11.46, 16.00, 7.98, and 18.93, respectively, P<0.05). Compared with those in non DIC group, the APTT, level of D-dimer, myoglobin, WBC, PLT, and levels of FIB, total bilirubin, and CK of patients within 24 hours after admission in DIC group were significantly prolonged/increased (with Z values of -2.02, -4.51, and -3.82, respectively, with t values of -3.84, -2.34, -2.77, -2.70, and -2.61, respectively), and the level of total protein and blood pH value were significantly reduced ( t=-2.85, Z=-2.03), P<0.05. LASSO regression analysis was carried out for the above 17 indicators with statistically significant differences. The results showed that injury voltage, the occurrence of shock upon admission, the occurrence of osteofascial compartment syndrome within 1 day after injury, and levels of D-dimer and total protein within 24 hours after admission were predictive factors for the occurrence of DIC in 218 patients with electrical burns (with regression coefficients of 0.24, 0.52, 0.35, 0.13, and -0.001, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that injury voltage, the occurrence of shock upon admission, the occurrence of osteofascial compartment syndrome within 1 day after injury, and D-dimer level within 24 hours after admission were independent risk factors for DIC in 218 patients with electrical burns (with odds ratios of 3.33, 4.24, 2.68, and 1.38, respectively, with 95% confidence intervals of 1.43-7.79, 1.78-10.07, 1.17-6.13, and 1.19-1.61, respectively, P<0.05). Based on the aforementioned four independent risk factors, the nomogram of prediction model for evaluating the probability of DIC in patients was drawn. The area under the ROC curve of prediction model was 0.88, and the 95% confidence interval was 0.82-0.95, indicating that the model had good predictive ability; the curve of prediction model tended to be near the ideal curve, indicating that the model had a high calibration degree; the clinical DCA of prediction model showed that the threshold probability of patients ranged from 4% to 97%, indicating that the model had good predictive ability. Conclusions:The injury voltage, the occurrence of shock upon admission, the occurrence of osteofascial compartment syndrome within 1 day after injury, and D-dimer level within 24 hours after admission are independent risk factors for the occurrence of DIC in patients with electrical burns. The prediction model established based on the above indicators can provide early warning for the occurrence of DIC in these patients.

Humans ; Synovial Fluid ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Exosomes/genetics* ; Osteoarthritis/genetics* ; Synovial Membrane

The NLRP3 inflammasome's core and most specific protein, NLRP3, has a variety of functions in inflammation-driven diseases. Costunolide (COS) is the major active ingredient of the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Saussurea lappa and has anti-inflammatory activity, but the principal mechanism and molecular target of COS remain unclear. Here, we show that COS covalently binds to cysteine 598 in NACHT domain of NLRP3, altering the ATPase activity and assembly of NLRP3 inflammasome. We declare COS's great anti-inflammasome efficacy in macrophages and disease models of gouty arthritis and ulcerative colitis via inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation. We also reveal that the α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone motif in sesquiterpene lactone is the certain active group in inhibiting NLRP3 activation. Taken together, NLRP3 is identified as a direct target of COS for its anti-inflammasome activity. COS, especially the α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone motif in COS structure, might be used to design and produce novel NLRP3 inhibitors as a lead compound.