Lupus nephritis (LN), one of the most severe complications of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), has a complex pathogenesis involving various endogenous factors including autoimmune complex deposition, inflammatory cell infiltration, and cellular damage. Recent research has increasingly highlighted the prominent role of inflammasomes, particularly the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, in LN pathogenesis. Substantial evidence has confirmed its significant role in both the onset and progression of LN. Given that the NLRP3 inflammasome is a critical factor in triggering and exacerbating LN, its mechanism of action warrants in-depth exploration. Furthermore, research on intervention strategies targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome to ameliorate LN is of great significance. This article reviews the latest advances in the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in LN pathogenesis and related intervention studies, which may offer new insights for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of LN.
Humans ; Lupus Nephritis/etiology* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Inflammasomes/immunology* ; Animals

The emergency management of biosafety for laboratory animals in Hunan Province is an essential component of the province's implementation of the national biosafety strategy.To strengthen the prevention and control of biosafety risks in laboratory animals and to ensure a quick and effective response to laboratory animal biosafety emergencies,Hunan Province has formulated the"Emergency Response Plan for Laboratory Animal Biosafety Emergencies in Hunan Province".This plan aims to minimize damages caused to practitioners,public health,and laboratory animal industry,protect lives and property,and safeguard public safety and social stability.This paper analyzes the necessity,guiding ideology,principles,and basis for formulating the plan.It details the main contents of the plan,which includes scope of application,incident classification,organizational structure and responsibilities,monitoring and early warning mechanisms,emergency reporting and response,post-incident assessment,and safeguard measures.Moreover,this paper provides a summary and outlook on the emergency management of biosafety laboratory animals in Hunan Province in recent years.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the current status of biosafety management in laboratory animal institutions in Hunan Province, identify management shortcomings, and provide targeted recommendations for improvement. MethodsA questionnaire survey was conducted in July 2023 among 40 laboratory animal institutions in Hunan Province, covering topics such as the establishment of laboratory management system and its overall operation status, emergency management for incidents, medical waste disposal, animal transportation, personnel practitioner management, environmental disinfection, and equipment maintenance. The awareness of biosafety, animal bite incidents, and vaccination history was surveyed from at least one animal feeder or experimental operation practitioner from each institution, totaling 50 practitioners. Through literature review and comparative analysis, this paper analyzed the current status of biosafety management in production, transportation, and use of laboratory animals in Hunan Province from aspects such as biosafety management systems, personnel training, disinfection of environmental facilities and waste disposal, and provided recommendations. ResultsAmong the 40 laboratory animal institutions in Hunan Province,39 institutions (97.5%) had established laboratory management systems, 37 (92.5%) had emergency response plans for incidents of to transport laboratory animals, 15 (37.5%) had complete records of emergency drills for laboratory animal biosafety, and 39 (97.5%) had established protocols for carcass and waste management. Moreover, 26 institutions (65.0%) had laboratory biosafety risk assessment reports. 4 out of 8 (50.0%) production units had emergency plans for animal transportation, with 7 (87.5%) using special vehicles to transport laboratory animals. 2 (4.0%) of the 50 practitioners were unaware of emergency response plans, 6 participants (12.0%) did not consistently wear personal protective equipment, and 38 participants (76.0%) had been bitten or scratched by laboratory animals. The results of the survey showed that emergency management, transportation management and personnel management of laboratory animal incidents still need improvement in Hunan Province. Relevant functional departments should strengthen supervision and management efforts, establish local regulations for the transportation management of laboratory animals, ensure strict compliance with relevant documents, conduct emergency drills in all units, and strengthen training for practitioners. ConclusionWhile daily management practices in the 40 laboratory animal institutions in Hunan Province are generally satisfactory, there remains a need for further improvement in emergency management, transportation management, personnel management, etc. Gradually enhancing the level of laboratory animal safety management is essential to collectively safeguard public health safety.

Objective To evaluate the accuracy and value of ventricular function in conotruncal defects(CTD)by three-dimensional echocardiography(3DE).Methods Fifty-two children with CTD and forty-three children with normal hearts were examined by 3DE.The measurements of left ventricular volume and wall mass were outlined and calculated.The measurements of left ventricular volume and wall mass of 3DE in preoperative CTD were compared with those of 2D biplane Simpson-method in preoperative CTD,3DE in control group and 2D biplane Simpson-method in control group.The results of 3DE and 2DE preoperative measurements were also compared with their postoperative clinical cardiac conditions.Results From the findings of analysis of variance and Student-Newman-Keuls(SNK)test,there was no significant difference between 3DE and 2DE measurements of left ventricular function in normal children,but there was significant difference between 3DE and 2DE measurements of left ventricular function in children with CTD.2DE measurements of left ventricular volume and wall mass in the CTD group were significant underestimated and less correlated with their postoperative clinical cardiac conditions(r=0.20,P=0.2086)than 3DE measurements(r=0.39,P=0.0090).Furthermore,left ventricular function in the CTD group was poorer than that in the control group.Stroke volume and effective function were reduced due to increasing end-systolic volume.while left ventricular wall mass was increased due to the possible compensation of its ventricular muscle.With the lower end-diastolic volume,stroke volume and effective function,patients were more likely to have the occurrence of postoperative low cardiac output.Conclusions By making a precise quantitative assessment,3DE is very useful in providing more information for preoperative diagnosis in CTD and predicting such postoperative prognoses as the occurrence of postoperative low cardiac output.