OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of zedoarondiol on neovascularization of atherosclerotic (AS) plaque by exosomes experiment. METHODS: ApoE^-/- mice were fed with high-fat diet to establish AS model and treated with high- and low-dose (10, 5 mg/kg daily) of zedoarondiol, respectively. After 14 weeks, the expressions of anti-angiogenic protein thrombospondin 1 (THBS-1) and its receptor CD36 in plaques, as well as platelet activation rate and exosome-derived miR-let-7a were detected. Then, zedoarondiol was used to intervene in platelets in vitro, and miR-let-7a was detected in platelet-derived exosomes (Pexo). Finally, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were transfected with miR-let-7a mimics and treated with Pexo to observe the effect of miR-let-7a in Pexo on tube formation. RESULTS: Animal experiments showed that after treating with zedoarondiol, the neovascularization density in plaques of AS mice was significantly reduced, THBS-1 and CD36 increased, the platelet activation rate was markedly reduced, and the miR-let-7a level in Pexo was reduced (P<0.01). In vitro experiments, the platelet activation rate and miR-let-7a levels in Pexo were significantly reduced after zedoarondiol's intervention. Cell experiments showed that after Pexo's intervention, the tube length increased, and the transfection of miR-let-7a minics further increased the tube length of cells, while reducing the expressions of THBS-1 and CD36. CONCLUSION Zedoarondiol has the effect of inhibiting neovascularization within plaque in AS mice, and its mechanism may be potentially related to inhibiting platelet activation and reducing the Pexo-derived miRNA-let-7a level.
Animals ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Exosomes/drug effects* ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic/genetics* ; Neovascularization, Pathologic/genetics* ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/metabolism* ; Humans ; Blood Platelets/drug effects* ; Apolipoproteins E/deficiency* ; Thrombospondin 1/metabolism* ; CD36 Antigens/metabolism* ; Platelet Activation/drug effects* ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

OBJECTIVE: To examine the mechanistic of organochlorine-associated changes in lung function. METHODS: This study investigated 76 healthy older adults in Jinan, Shandong Province, over a five-month period. Personal exposure to organochlorines was quantified using wearable passive samplers, while inflammatory factors and thyroid hormones were analyzed from blood samples. Participants' lung function was evaluated. After stratifying participants according to their thyroid hormone levels, we analyzed the differential effects of organochlorine exposure on lung function and inflammatory factors across the low and high thyroid hormone groups. Mediation analysis was further conducted to elucidate the relationships among organochlorine exposures, inflammatory factors, and lung function. RESULTS: Bis (2-chloro-1-methylethyl) ether (BCIE), was negatively associated with forced vital capacity (FVC, -2.05%, 95% CI: -3.11% to -0.97%), and associated with changes in inflammatory factors such as interleukin (IL)-2, IL-7, IL-8, and IL-13 in the low thyroid hormone group. The mediation analysis indicated a mediating effect of IL-2 (15.63%, 95% CI: 0.91% to 44.64%) and IL-13 (13.94%, 95% CI: 0.52% to 41.07%) in the association between BCIE exposure and FVC. CONCLUSION Lung function and inflammatory factors exhibited an increased sensitivity to organochlorine exposure at lower thyroid hormone levels, with inflammatory factors potentially mediating the adverse effects of organochlorines on lung function.
Environmental Exposure ; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated/metabolism* ; China ; Ethyl Ethers/metabolism* ; Environmental Monitoring ; Thyroid Hormones/blood* ; Lung/physiology* ; Inhalation Exposure/statistics & numerical data* ; Air Pollution/statistics & numerical data* ; Air Pollutants/metabolism* ; Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged

Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides in the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression.Methods An open,single-arm,multi-center design was adopted in our study.Adult patients with mild and moderate depression who had received acute treatment of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides were enrolled and continue to receive Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules for 24 weeks,the dose remained unchanged during continuation treatment.The remission rate,recurrence rate,recurrence time,and the change from baseline to endpoint of Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD),Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA),Clinical Global Impression-Severity(CGI-S)and Arizona Sexual Experience Scale(ASEX)were evaluated.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was reported.Results The scores of HAMD-17 at baseline and after treatment were 6.60±1.87 and 5.85±4.18,scores of HAMA were 6.36±3.02 and 4.93±3.09,scores of CGI-S were 1.49±0.56 and 1.29±0.81,scores of ASEX were 15.92±4.72 and 15.57±5.26,with significant difference(P＜0.05).After continuation treatment,the remission rate was 54.59％(202 cases/370 cases),and the recurrence rate was 6.49％(24 cases/370 cases),the recurrence time was(64.67±42.47)days.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was 15.35％(64 cases/417 cases).Conclusion Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules can be effectively used for the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression,and are well tolerated and safe.

Objective: Interspinous spacer (ISS)-based and pedicle screw-rod dynamic fixator (PDF)-based topping-off devices have been applied in lumbar/lumbosacral fusion surgeries for preventing the development of proximal adjacent segment degeneration. However, little attention has been paid to sacroiliac joint (SIJ), which belongs to the adjacent joints. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to compare how these 2 topping-off devices affect the SIJ biomechanics. Methods: A validated, normal finite-element lumbopelvic model (L3–pelvis) was initially adjusted to simulate interbody fusion with rigid fixation at the L5–S1 level, and then the DIAM or BioFlex system was instrumented at the L4–5 level to establish the ISS-based or PDF-based topping-off model, respectively. All the developed models were loaded with moments of 4 physiological motions using hybrid loading protocol. Results: Compared with the rigid fusion model (without topping-off devices), range of motion and von-Mises stress at the SIJs were increased by 23.1%–64.1% and 23.6%–62.8%, respectively, for the ISS-based model and by 51.2%–126.7% and 50.4%–108.7%, respectively, for the PDF-based model. Conclusion The obtained results suggest that the PDF-based topping-off device leads to higher increments in SIJ motion and stress than ISS-based topping-off device following lumbosacral fusion, implying topping-off technique could be linked to an increased risk of SIJ degeneration, especially when using PDF-based device.

Objective:To analyze the effects of highdose methotrexate(HD-MTX)and lenalidomide as central nervous system(CNS)prophylaxis strategies in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL).Methods:The data of DLBCL patients with high risk of CNS recurrence who were initially treated in Fujian Provincial Hospital and Fujian Cancer Hospital from January 2012 to June 2022 were analyzed retrospectively.The patients were divided into HD-MTX group and lenalidomide group according to different prophylaxis strategies.Each group was further divided into high-risk group and medium-risk group based on CNS-IPI score and/or testicular involvement.The CNS relapse-free survival(CRFS)rate,adverse effects,and the effects of different prophylaxis strategies on overall survival(OS)rate and progression-free survival(PFS)rate were evaluated in different groups and subgroups.Results:There were 200 patients enrolled in this study,80 cases in lenalidomide group and 120 cases in HD-MTX group.According to the delivery timing of prophylactic HD-MTX,the patients in HD-MTX group were further divided into two groups:80 cases at the end of induction chemotherapy and 40 cases during chemotherapy interval.At a median follow-up of 48(14-133)months,the 4-year CRFS rate,4-year PFS rate,and 4-year OS rate of the HD-MTX group was 93.6％,57.2％,and 68.8％,respectively,while that of the lenalidomide group was 90.4％,69.4％and 75.6％.There were no significant differences in 4-year CRFS rate,4-year PFS rate,and 4-year OS rate between HD-MTX group and lenalidomide group(all P＞0.05),but lenalidomide group showed a trend of improvement in PFS.Further subgroup analysis showed that there was no significant difference in 4-year CRFS rate between high-risk patients of the two groups(91.7％vs 83.4％,P＞0.05),while 4-year PFS rate showed difference(49.5％vs 64.2％,P＜0.05).A total of 248 cycles were collected for adverse reaction analysis in the HD-MTX group,and 25 cycles occurred neutropenia accompanied with infection(10.1％),while in lenalidomide group 240 cycles were collected in which 20 cycles occurred neutropenia accompanied with infection(8.3％).Both the two groups had no treatment-related deaths.Conclusion:Compared with HD-MTX,lenalidomide combined with immunochemotherapy can prevent CNS relapse,at the same time,improve prognosis,which is a safe and well tolerated central prophylaxis strategy.

Objective: Interspinous spacer (ISS)-based and pedicle screw-rod dynamic fixator (PDF)-based topping-off devices have been applied in lumbar/lumbosacral fusion surgeries for preventing the development of proximal adjacent segment degeneration. However, little attention has been paid to sacroiliac joint (SIJ), which belongs to the adjacent joints. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to compare how these 2 topping-off devices affect the SIJ biomechanics. Methods: A validated, normal finite-element lumbopelvic model (L3–pelvis) was initially adjusted to simulate interbody fusion with rigid fixation at the L5–S1 level, and then the DIAM or BioFlex system was instrumented at the L4–5 level to establish the ISS-based or PDF-based topping-off model, respectively. All the developed models were loaded with moments of 4 physiological motions using hybrid loading protocol. Results: Compared with the rigid fusion model (without topping-off devices), range of motion and von-Mises stress at the SIJs were increased by 23.1%–64.1% and 23.6%–62.8%, respectively, for the ISS-based model and by 51.2%–126.7% and 50.4%–108.7%, respectively, for the PDF-based model. Conclusion The obtained results suggest that the PDF-based topping-off device leads to higher increments in SIJ motion and stress than ISS-based topping-off device following lumbosacral fusion, implying topping-off technique could be linked to an increased risk of SIJ degeneration, especially when using PDF-based device.

Objective: Interspinous spacer (ISS)-based and pedicle screw-rod dynamic fixator (PDF)-based topping-off devices have been applied in lumbar/lumbosacral fusion surgeries for preventing the development of proximal adjacent segment degeneration. However, little attention has been paid to sacroiliac joint (SIJ), which belongs to the adjacent joints. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to compare how these 2 topping-off devices affect the SIJ biomechanics. Methods: A validated, normal finite-element lumbopelvic model (L3–pelvis) was initially adjusted to simulate interbody fusion with rigid fixation at the L5–S1 level, and then the DIAM or BioFlex system was instrumented at the L4–5 level to establish the ISS-based or PDF-based topping-off model, respectively. All the developed models were loaded with moments of 4 physiological motions using hybrid loading protocol. Results: Compared with the rigid fusion model (without topping-off devices), range of motion and von-Mises stress at the SIJs were increased by 23.1%–64.1% and 23.6%–62.8%, respectively, for the ISS-based model and by 51.2%–126.7% and 50.4%–108.7%, respectively, for the PDF-based model. Conclusion The obtained results suggest that the PDF-based topping-off device leads to higher increments in SIJ motion and stress than ISS-based topping-off device following lumbosacral fusion, implying topping-off technique could be linked to an increased risk of SIJ degeneration, especially when using PDF-based device.

The conventional noninvasive biological current detection such as electrocardiogram, electroencephalography and surface electromyography can provide electrical reference for diseases diagnosis. Because the bioelectrical signals are the mixed result of the common discharge of sell populations, the spatial resolution of the above bioelectrical detection is relatively limited. In recent years, the acoustoelectric imaging (AEI) has been introduced to spatially code biological current through noninvasive focused ultrasound. Then the electrical signal with precise focus position can be obtained. It can achieve noninvasive detection of biological electrical signals with millimeter-level spatial resolution and millisecond-level temporal resolution which is expected to develop into a new imaging technology for accurately detecting deep electrical activities of living organisms. We firstly describe AEI principle, including acoustoelectric effect and the derivation of acoustoelectric signal equation. Then we briefly introduce characteristics of acoustoelectric signal. It can be seen from the equation of acoustoelectric signal that the acoustoelectric signal depends on the current field and the ultrasonic field. Furtherly, the typical studies of AEI are introduced including acoustoelectric coupling mechanism, AEI methods, acoustoelectric brain imaging (ABI) and acoustoelectric cardiac imaging (ACI). In terms of the acoustoelectric coupling mechanism, the researchers found that the acoustoelectric effect of electrolyte solution is caused by the change of ion molar concentration, ion migration rate and ion viscosity with pressure and temperature, and the acoustoelectric effect coefficient of normal saline is accurate to (0.034±0.003)% MPa^–1. In terms of AEI methods, researchers improved the detection sensitivity, spatial resolution, signal to noise ratio and other performance indicators by improving AEI methods and optimizing AEI systems. In terms of ABI, it can utilize the acoustoelectric coupling mechanism to endow the target area with spatial features of ultrasound, and achieve noninvasive high resolution EEG detection. We review the important research achievements and significance layer by layer from the perspectives of feasibility verification, method system optimization, and clinical application exploration in acoustoelectric imaging. In terms of ACI, it can be used to quantitatively evaluate the spatial distribution and dynamic changes of cardiac current field, providing a new idea for real-time monitoring of cardiac electrophysiological state before and after surgery. We summarize and review the important research achievements and significance of ACI at each stage: in phantom, in vitro and in vivo. Finally, we discuss the future research direction by focusing on the challenges faced by key technical links such as focused ultrasound targeting, ultrasonic spatial coding and decoding, acoustoelectric sensing detection, and imaging system integration, in order to provide basis and inspiration for AEI technology system and clinical transformation.

Objective To understand the respiratory protection competency of staff in hospitals.Methods Staff from six hospitals of different levels and characteristics in Beijing were selected,including doctors,nurses,medical technicians,and servicers,to conduct knowledge assessment on respiratory protection competency.According to exposure risks of respiratory infectious diseases,based on actual cases and daily work scenarios,content of respira-tory protection competency assessment was designed from three aspects:identification of respiratory infectious di-seases,transmission routes and corresponding protection requirements,as well as correct selection and use of masks.The assessment included 6,6,and 8 knowledge points respectively,with 20 knowledge points in total,all of which were choice questions.For multiple-choice questions,full marks,partial marks,and no mark were given respective-ly if all options were correct,partial options were correct and without incorrect options,and partial options were correct but with incorrect options.Difficulty and discrimination analyses on question of each knowledge point was conducted based on classical test theory.Results The respiratory protection competency knowledge assessment for 326 staff members at different risk levels in 6 hospitals showed that concerning the 20 knowledge points,more than 60％participants got full marks for 6 points,while the proportion of full marks for other questions was relatively low.Less than 10％participants got full marks for the following 5 knowledge points:types of airborne diseases,types of droplet-borne diseases,conventional measures for the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infec-tion with respiratory infectious diseases,indications for wearing respirators,and indications for wearing medical protective masks.Among the 20 knowledge questions,5,1,and 14 questions were relatively easy,medium,and difficult,respectively;6,1,4,and 9 questions were with discrimination levels of ≥0.4,0.30-0.39,0.20-0.29,and ≤0.19,respectively.Conclusion There is still much room for hospital staff to improve their respiratory protection competency,especially in the recognition of diseases with different transmission routes and the indications for wearing different types of masks.

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of immunoadsorption in highly sensitized kidney transplant (KT) candidates.Methods:From September 2019 to April 2023, the relevant clinical data were retrospectively reviewed for 26 highly sensitized KT recipients. Protein A immunoadsorption desensitization therapy was offered after KT. The effect of immunosorbent on reducing anti-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies was summarized. And operative success rate and postoperative complication incidence were calculated.Results:The mean number of treatment session was (10.76±5.53). The highest level of HLA-Ⅰ antibody mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) dropped from (17 921±4 442) to (7 333±6 434) with a decline of 59% and HLA-Ⅱ antibody MFI decreased from (21 135±5 245) to (10 989±7 627) with a decline of 48%. The differences were statistically significant (both P<0.001). All kidneys were harvested from cadavers. The complications were acute antibody mediated rejection (7 cases), perioperative pulmonary infection (3 cases) and myelosuppression (2 cases). The average follow-up period was (30.8±12.6) month. The graft survival rate was 88.5% (23/26) and the recipient survival rate 100% (26/26) . Conclusions:Immunoadsorption therapy can effectively reduce HLA antibody in highly sensitized KT candidates, thereby increasing the probability of successful KT. In terms of safety, immunosorbent therapy may boost the potential risks of infection and myelosuppression. It requires heightened attention.