Objective: To investigate the characteristics and trend of stroke incidence in Yixing City, Jiangsu Province from 2016 to 2023, so as to provide the reference for formulating prevention and control strategies of stroke. Methods: Data of stroke case in Yixing City from 2016 to 2023 were collected from the National Health Information Platform of Yixing City, including sex, age, time of onset, and diagnostic subtypes. Crude incidence was standardized using the data from the 2010 Chinese National Population Census to analyze the characteristics of stroke incidence. The incidence trend of stroke was analyzed by average annual percent change (AAPC). Results: A total of 54 157 stroke cases were reported in Yixing City from 2016 to 2023, with a crude incidence of 629.52/100 000 and a standardized incidence of 299.50/100 000, showing an upward trend (AAPC=9.744% and 5.955%, both P<0.05). The crude and standardized incidence of stroke in males were significantly higher than those in females (695.30/100 000 vs. 565.79/100 000, 328.73/100 000 vs. 270.71/100 000, both P<0.05). Stroke incidence exhibited an age-dependent increase (P<0.05), peaking in the ≥60 years age group (1 820.43/100 000). The crude and standardized incidence of ischemic stroke (555.46/100 000 and 262.26/100 000) were significantly higher than those of hemorrhagic stroke (52.80/100 000 and 28.03/100 000, both P<0.05). From 2016 to 2023, the standardized incidences of stroke in males, females, the 0-<40 years age group, the 40-<60 years age group, the ≥60 years age group, and ischemic stroke all showed an upward trend (AAPC=6.692%, 4.925%, 5.607%, 5.777%, 5.698%, and 8.481%, respectively, all P<0.05). No significant temporal trend was observed for hemorrhagic stroke incidence (P>0.05). Conclusions The incidence of stroke among residents in Yixing City showed an upward trend from 2016 to 2023, with males and elderly individuals being high-risk populations. Ischemic stroke emerged as the predominant subtype, while a concerning trend of increasing stroke incidence among younger adults was observed.

Objective: To explore the neuroprotective effects of the Shaoyao Gancao decoction (SGD) against excitatory damage in PC12 cells and the role of the Src-NR2-nNOS pathway mediation by SGD in regulating γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-glutamate (Glu) homeostasis. Methods: N-Methyl-d-aspartic acid (NMDA) was used to establish a PC12 cell excitability injury model. To investigate the neuroprotective effect of SGD, a cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to determine PC12 cell viability, Annexin V/Propidium Iodide (Annexin V/PI) double staining was used to determine PC12 cell apoptosis, and Ca2+ concentration was observed using laser confocal microscopy. GABA receptor agonists and antagonists were used to analyze the neuroprotective interactions between γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and NMDA receptors. Additionally, molecular biology techniques were used to determine mRNA and protein expression in the Src-NR2-nNOS pathway. We analyzed the correlations between the regulatory sites of GABA and NMDA interactions, excitatory neurotoxicity, and brain damage at the molecular level. Results: NMDA excitotoxic injury manifested as a significant decrease in cell activity, increased apoptosis and caspase-3 protein expression, and a significant increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Administration of SGD, a GABAA receptor agonist (muscimol), or a GABAB receptor agonist (baclofen) decreased intracellular Ca2+ concentrations, attenuated apoptosis, and reversed NMDA-induced upregulation of caspase-3, Src, NMDAR2A, NMDAR2B, and nNOS. Unexpectedly, a GABAA receptor antagonist (bicuculline) and a GABAB receptor antagonist (saclofen) failed to significantly increase excitatory neurotoxicity. Conclusions Taken together, these results not only provide an experimental basis for SGD administration in the clinical treatment of central nervous system injury diseases, but also suggest that the Src-NR2A-nNOS pathway may be a valuable target in excitotoxicity treatment.

Objective To investigate the clinical features of patients with recurrent acute pancreatitis(RAP)complicated with metabolic syndrome(MS)and the influencing factors of severe disease.Methods The clini-cal data of 382 RAP patients admitted to the hospital from June 2012 to June 2022 were retrospectively analyzed,and they were divided into the MS group(n=142)and the non-MS group(n=240)according to whether they were combined with MS,and into the severe group(n=29)and the non-severe group(n=353)according to the severity.The general data,serological parameters[triglyceride(TG),total cholesterol(TC),white blood cell count(WBC),neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio(NLR),blood calcium,D-dimer(D-D),lactate dehydrogen-ase(LDH),ALT,AST]and ICU occupancy rate and total length of stay were compared among all groups.Bi-nary logistic regression was used to analyze the independent influencing factors of RAP development into se-vere disease,and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the predictive value of each indicator for RAP development.Results Hyperlipidemia was the most common cause of RAP in MS group(66.2％),and biliary origin was the most common cause of RAP in non-MS group(44.6％).There was sig-nificant difference among different causes was statistically significant(P＜0.05).There were significant differences in age,gender,proportion of hypertension,diabetes,MS,length of stay,LDH,blood calcium,D-D and NLR levels between the critical and non-critical groups(P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of blood calcium,D-D,LDH,NLR and combined diagnosis were 0.759,0.777,0.710,0.621,and 0.841,respec-tively.The AUC of single diagnosis had a certain predictive value,but combined diagnosis had a higher predic-tive value.Conclusion The most common cause in the MS group was hyperlipidemia,and the most common cause in the non-MS group was biliary.Blood calcium.D-D,LDH,NLR are reliable indicators to predict the development of RAP into severe disease,and the accuracy of combined diagnosis is higher.

Objective To investigate the effects of cinnamaldehyde,the main active component of cinnamon,on benzene-induced immune injury in mice and the related mechanism.Methods Forty male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the control group,model group(benzene 500 mg/kg),cinnamaldehyde low,medium and high dose groups(5,25,50 mg/kg),with 8 mice in each group.Except the control group,mice in each group were treated with benzene by intragastric administration daily to induce immune and oxidative stress damage,but the intervention group was treated with cinnamaldehyde 5 times/week for 3 weeks.After medication,peripheral blood was collected 24 h after the last gavage for blood cell count,and the changes in body weight of mice in each group were observed.The pathological structure of the spleen and thymus was observed via hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining.Peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)of mice were extracted and the amounts of reactive oxygen species(ROS)and ATP in mitochondria were measured.Plasma levels of malondialdehyde(MDA)were measured using the barbituric acid method,the activity of glutathione peroxidase(GSH-PX)in plasmawith the dithiodinitrobenzoic acid methodand the activity of total superoxide dismutase(SOD)in plasma using the hydroxylamine method.Results After exposure to benzene,the body weight of the model group became lower(P<0.05).The spleen and thymus were damaged,and the indexes of the spleen and thymus were decreased(P<0.05).Counts of peripheral white blood cells and lymphocyteswere decreased(P<0.05).The activities of GSH and SOD in plasma were decreased(P<0.05),but the content of MDA was increased(P<0.05).The amount of mitochondrial ROS in PBMC was increased,while the ATP content was decreased(P<0.05).The weight of mice increased after treatment with cinnamaldehyde.The spleen and thymus tissues recovered well,and the indexes of the spleen and thymus were increased(P<0.05).Counts of peripheral white blood cells and lymphocytesin the high dose cinnamaldehyde group were increased(P<0.05).The activities of GSH and SOD in plasma were increased,while the content of MDA was decreased(P<0.05).The amount of mitochondrial ROS in PBMC was decreased,but the ATP content was increased(P<0.05).Treatment with cinnamaldehyde could alleviate the damage to the mitochondrial function of PBMC induced by benzene in mice,and 50 mg/kg was the best dose(P<0.05).The therapeutic effect of cinnamaldehyde had a dose-response relationship.Conclusion Cinnamaldehyde can inhibit benzene-induced immune injury and oxidative stress injury in mice by delivering an antioxidant effect and improving mitochondrial enhancement of PBMC.

Objective:To explore the barrier factors in the implementation of advance care planning for critically ill and end-life patients in China. Provide reference for the implementation of advance care planning in critically ill and end-life patients in China.Methods:The literature from CNKI, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Wanfang database, VIP, PubMed and Web of Science database on the implementation of advance care planning for critically ill and end-life patients in China were searched. The search deadline was from database establishment to January 15, 2023. To analyze the literature meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria.Results:A total of 18 literatures were included, and the barrier factors to the implementation of advance care planning for critically ill and end-life patients in China included six categories (27 types): social and cultural factors (4 types), patient factors (4 types), family factors (5 types), medical staff factors (8 types), interpersonal interaction factors (4 types), policy and legal factors (2 types).Conclusions:The implementation of advance care planning for critically ill and end-life patients in China is affected by a variety of barrier factors. The improvement measures should be formulated according to the modifiable barrier factors to promote the implementation of advance medical care plan for critically ill and end-life patients in China.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between metabolic syndrome (MS)and recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP).Methods:From June 1, 2012 to June 1, 2023, 463 patients with RAP (recurrent group) who visited the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were retrospectively collected. The clinical data of 463 patients without RAP (non-recurrent group) during the same period were randomly selected. The patients in the recurrence group were treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University for both initial acute pancreatitis and RAP. The differences in the proportion of patients combined with MS and its components (obesity (body mass index ≥25 kg/m 2), fasting blood triglyceride (TG) ≥1.7 mmol/L, hypertension, hyperglycemia, fasting blood high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) <1.04 mmol/L) between the two groups were analyzed by Chi-square test. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors of acute pancreatitis recurrence. Results:Among the 463 patients in the recurrent group, there were 221 patients (47.7%) with MS, 276 patients (59.6%) with obesity, 223 patients (48.2%) with hypertension, 185 patients (40.0%) with hyperglycemia, and 365 patients (78.8%) with fasting blood TG ≥1.7 mmol/L. Among the 463 patients in the non-recurrence group, there were 95 patients (20.5%) with MS, 245 patients (52.9%) with obesity, 115 patients (24.8%) with hypertension, 92 patients (19.9%) with hyperglycemia, and 301 patients (65.0%) with fasting blood TG ≥ 1.7 mmol/L. The percentages of MS, obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and fasting blood TG ≥1.7 mmol/L of the recurrent group were all higher than those of the non-recurrent group, and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=76.27, 4.22, 54.35, 44.55, 21.90; P<0.001, =0.040, <0.001, <0.001, <0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the percentage of patients with fasting blood HDL-C <1.04 mmol/L between the recurrent group and the non-recurrent group (68.5%, 317/463 vs. 65.4%, 303/463, P>0.05). The results of binary logistic regression analysis showed that combined with MS ( OR=3.538, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 2.647 to 4.728), hypertension ( OR=2.700, 95% CI 2.025 to 3.602), hyperglycemia ( OR=2.228, 95% CI 1.633 to 3.039), and fasting blood TG ≥1.7 mmol/L ( OR=1.757, 95% CI 1.276 to 2.421) all significantly increased the risk of acute pancreatitis recurrence ( P<0.001, <0.001, <0.001, =0.001). Obesity was not an independent risk factor for RAP ( OR=0.967, 95% CI 0.727 to 1.286, P=0.816). Conclusion:The combination of MS, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and fasting blood TG ≥1.7 mmol/L are independent risk factors for RAP.

Currently,human health due to corona virus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic has been seriously threatened.The coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)spike(S)protein plays a crucial role in virus transmission and several S-based therapeutic approaches have been approved for the treatment of COVID-19.However,the efficacy is compromised by the SARS-CoV-2 evolvement and mutation.Here we report the SARS-CoV-2 S protein receptor-binding domain(RBD)inhibitor licorice-saponin A3(A3)could widely inhibit RBD of SARS-CoV-2 variants,including Beta,Delta,and Omicron BA.1,XBB and BQ1.1.Furthermore,A3 could potently inhibit SARS-CoV-2 Omicron virus in Vero E6 cells,with EC50 of 1.016 pM.The mechanism was related to binding with Y453 of RBD deter-mined by hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry(HDX-MS)analysis combined with quan-tum mechanics/molecular mechanics(QM/MM)simulations.Interestingly,phosphoproteomics analysis and multi fluorescent immunohistochemistry(mIHC)respectively indicated that A3 also inhibits host inflammation by directly modulating the JNK and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)path-ways and rebalancing the corresponding immune dysregulation.This work supports A3 as a promising broad-spectrum small molecule drug candidate for COVID-19.

Objective To investigate the baseline clinical characteristics,ascending aortic root anatomical characteristics,and related factors of the surgical strategy of patients with new-onset conduction disturbance(NOCD)after transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TAVR)with self-expanding valve(SEV)implantation.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 245 patients who underwent TAVR at the Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital Xiamen University between December 2014 and November 2022.According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,167 patients with SEV implantation during surgery were continuously included.They were divided into tricuspid aortic valve group(TAV group,113 cases)and bicuspid aortic valve group(BAV group,54 cases)according to aortic valve morphology.The TAV group was divided into NOCD group(43 cases)and non NOCD group(70 cases)according to postoperative electrocardiogram characteristics.The BAV group was divided into NOCD group(16 cases)and non NOCD group(38 cases).Collect clinical data such as preoperative electrocardiogram and ascending aortic root CT angiography from patients.Results The right-non valvular calcification quantification(P=0.005)in the non-NOCD group was significantly greater than that in the NOCD group,but the aortic angle(P=0.002)was smaller in TAV patients.Multivariate analysis suggested that the risk of NOCD after TAVR is reduced by 2.6％for every 10 mm3 increase in right-non valvular calcification in patients(OR 0.974,P=0.039),the risk of postoperative NOCD nearly 7.3％for every degree increase in aortic angulation(OR 1.073,P=0.003).In BAV patients the increase of the risk of NOCD after TAVR is nearly 3.3％for every l ms increase in preoperative PR interval(OR 1.033,P=0.041),the risk of NOCD is reduced by 6.6％for every 10 mm3 increase in calcification quantification in the right coronary valve area(OR 0.934,P=0.013).Conclusions In TAV patient,right-non valvular calcification may have a protective effect on the cardiac conduction system,but a larger aortic angle increases the risk of NOCD.In BAV patients,a longer preoperative PR interval is a risk factor for NOCD,and the right coronary valve area may protect the cardiac conduction system.

Objective:To analyze the association between visceral fat area (VFA) and fatty liver based on quantitative CT (QCT) in people receiving health examination with normal body mass index (BMI).Methods:A cross-sectional study. A total of 1 305 physical examiners who underwent chest CT and QCT examination in the Department of Health Management of Henan Provincial People′s Hospital from January to December 2021 were retrospectively selected as subjects. The physical components at the central level of the lumbar two cone were measured with QCT, including subcutaneous fat area (SFA), VFA and liver fat content (LFC). And the metabolic indexes, such as blood lipids and blood glucose, were collected. The t-test and χ2 test were used to analyze the correlation between the detection rate of fatty live and LFCr and age and gender. According to level of VFA (<100 cm 2, 100-150 cm 2 and≥150 cm 2), the subjects were divided into three groups, and one-way ANOVA and χ2 test were used in comparison between groups. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the correlation between VFA and metabolic indexes and LFC. Results:Of the 1 305 subjects, there were 634 males and 671 females. The detection rate of fatty liver in normal BMI population was 65.67%, and it was 72.71% and 59.02% respectively in men and women ( χ2=27.12, P<0.001), and the detection rate of fatty liver and LFC increased with age (both P<0.05). With the increase of VFA, the age, BMI, SFA, LFC, total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), fasting blood glucose (FBG), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), blood uric acid and prevalence of fatty liver increased (all P<0.05), and the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) decreased ( P<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that after adjustment for age factors, regardless of male or female, LFC was independently positively related with VFA, BMI, and ALT (male β=0.206, 0.145, 0.174, female β=0.194, 0.150, 0.184; all P<0.05). FBG was positively correlated with male independently ( β=0.134; P<0.001). The indicators related to female independently were TC, TG, and blood uric acid ( β=-0.121, 0.145, 0.141, all P<0.05) Conclusion:In the population receiving health examination with normal BMI, the VFA measured by QCT technique is closely related to fatty liver.

Microbial fuel cells(MFCs)offer a potential solution for sustainable electricity generation by directly converting organic matter in wastewater into electrical energy.However,MFCs face challenges in practical applications,such as low bacterial loading capacity and relatively poor efficiency of extracellular electron transfer(EET)between the anode and the electrochemically active biofilm.In this study,a green and efficient microwave-assisted method combined with high-temperature annealing was successfully employed to prepare iron-based nanoparticle-modified carbon cloth(Fe3C/Fe@CC).This composite material exhibited excellent biocompatibility and electrocatalytic activity.When used as an anode material for MFCs,the Fe3C/Fe@CC-based MFCs demonstrated superior performance,achieving a power density of 2209 mW/m2,which was a 17%increase compared to MFCs with pure carbon cloth anodes(1933 mW/m2).This enhancement was primarily attributed to the effective improvement in EET efficiency between the microbes and the electrode,the increased electrochemically active surface area,and the promotion of the enrichment of the exoelectrogen Geobacter.This study utilized microwave assistance and high-temperature annealing to achieve rapid preparation of highly conductive composite anodes,providing a universal method for the large-scale production of anodes for MFCs.