Objective::This study aimed to elucidate the effect of the lipopolysaccharides/toll-like receptor 4 (LPS/TLR4) pathway on early atherosclerosis (AS) development and its associated changes in fecal metabolites, thereby providing an experimental foundation for strategies to prevent and treat early AS.Methods::Twelve Tibetan miniature pigs aged 4-5 months were divided into normal control (NC) group and AS group (6 pigs in each). The group assignment was primarily based on body weight; Secondary criteria, including glucose, lipid profiles, and inflammatory indices, were considered to ensure balanced baseline characteristics between the 2 groups (all P > 0.05). AS group received a high-fat diet for 16 weeks to establish an AS model, while the NC group received a normal diet. Subsequently, serum levels of lipids and various inflammation and oxidative stress markers were measured. Pathological changes in the aorta and colon tissue, LPS/TLR4 pathway-associated protein expressions in the aorta, as well as occludin and zonula occludens-1 in the colon were also assessed. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectra technology was employed for the metabolomic analysis of fecal extracts. Results::The lipid metabolism was disrupted in AS group, with significantly higher total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels ((12.24 ± 5.24) mmol/L vs. (1.86 ± 0.27) mmol/L, P = 0.004,6; (2.39 ± 0.50) mmol/L vs. (0.83 ± 0.07) mmol/L, P = 0.000,5; (6.94 ± 2.87) mmol/L vs. (0.77 ± 0.18) mmol/L, P = 0.003,3), as compared to that in NC group. Serum factors, including LPS, tumor necrosis factor-α, and malondialdehyde levels of AS group were significantly higher than that of NC group ((1,230.00 ± 192.70) EU/L vs. (695.70 ± 213.70) EU/L), P = 0.001,1; (424.20 ± 176.90) ng/L vs. (51.20 ± 26.61) ng/L, P = 0.023,5; (3.60 ± 0.77) nmol/mL vs. (2.62 ± 0.21) nmol/mL, P = 0.025,4). Pathological evaluations revealed prominent lipid deposition area in the aortic arch, thoracic aorta, and abdominal aorta of the AS group compared with that of the NC group (4.17% ± 2.30% vs. 0, P = 0.006,7; 6.23% ± 2.95% vs. 0, P = 0.003,6; 3.78% ± 2.18% vs. 0, P = 0.008,1). TLR4, nuclear factor kappa-B p65, and tumor necrosis factor-α expression in the aorta tissue of the AS group were upregulated, whereas occludin and zonula occludens-1 expression in colon tissues was downregulated. Additionally, metabolomics identified significant differences in 21 metabolites in the feces of the AS group compared to the NC group, with further analysis linking these differences to amino acid metabolism. Conclusions::The Tibetan miniature pig model of early AS induced by high-fat intake displayed pronounced chronic inflammation. Preliminary findings suggest that the underlying mechanisms may be associated with the LPS/TLR4 pathway and intestinal metabolic disorders.

Objective:To explore the latent categories of barriers to PhaseⅡ cardiac rehabilitation in patients after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and to analyze the influencing factors of different latent classes.Methods:A total of 340 CABG patients in PhaseⅡ cardiac rehabilitation were recruited by convenience sampling from two Class Ⅲ Grade A hospitals in Shanghai between January and August 2024. Data were collected using a general information questionnaire, the Cardiac Rehabilitation Barriers Scale (CRBS), and the Fear of Exercise Scale for Cardiac Patients. Latent profile analysis was used to classify the cardiac rehabilitation barriers, and multinomial Logistic regression was conducted to identify influencing factors for different latent classes.Results:Of the 340 questionnaires distributed, 319 valid responses were obtained after excluding incomplete or patterned questionnaires, with a valid response rate of 93.82% (319/340). The cardiac rehabilitation barriers among the 319 CABG patients were classified into three latent profiles: low-barrier, active rehabilitation type; moderate-barrier, poor-functioning type; and moderate-barrier, insufficient-perception type. Multinomial logistic regression analysis indicated that smoking, comorbidities, age, educational level, and fear of exercise were statistically significant influencing factors for different barrier profiles ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:Cardiac rehabilitation barriers in CABG patients exhibit heterogeneity. Medical staff should adopt targeted intervention strategies based on the specific barrier profiles, reduce patients' fear of exercise, and thereby improve rehabilitation outcomes.

Objective To compare and analyze the epidemiological characteristics of the adverse events following immunization (AEFI) with measles containing vaccine (MCV) in Zibo City from 2018-2022, and to provide reference data for evaluating the safety of the immunization strategy adjustment. Methods AEFI surveillance data related to MCV in Zibo City from 2018 to 2022 were collected from the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System Immunization Planning System and Shandong Provincial Vaccination Information System. The AEFI reports and epidemic characteristics after adjusting the immunization strategy about MCV were compared. Results Before adjusting immunization strategy of MCV in Zibo City (January 1, 2018 to May 31, 2020), 114 cases of AEFI were reported in the first dose of measles and rubella combined attenuated live vaccine (MR), with a reported incidence rate of 131.50/100 000. After adjusting the immunization strategy (June 1, 2020- December 31, 2022), 156 cases of AEFI were reported in the first dose of MMR, with a reported incidence of 162.97/100,000. There was no statistically significant difference in the reported incidence of AEFI (χ²=3.049, P=0.081). AEFI cases were mainly characterized by general reactions, and the reported incidence rate of MR (88.82/100,000) was lower than that of MMR (137.90/100,000) (χ²=9.576, P=0.002). Their most common clinical manifestation was fever, with 71 cases reported (81.90/100 000) and 114 cases reported (119.10/100 000), respectively. The reported incidence of abnormal reactions in MR (42.68/100 000) was higher than that in MMR (22.98/100,000) (χ²=5.458, P=0.019). Among them, allergic rash was the most common, with 16 and 11 cases reported, respectively, and the reported incidence rates were 18.46/100 000 and 11.49/100 000, respectively. The proportion of reported cases in the age group ≥ 1 year old was higher in MMR than in MR (χ²=41.089, P<0.001). The proportion of reported cases in the first quarter was higher in MR than in MMR (29.82%, 17.95%), while the proportion in the third quarter was higher in MMR than in MR (34.64%, 17.54%) (χ²=14.197, P=0.003). Conclusion After adjusting the MCV immunization strategy in Zibo City, the report on AEFI is within the expected range, and no adverse changes have been found in the epidemic characteristics of MCV related AEFI.

Objective:To explore the latent categories of barriers to PhaseⅡ cardiac rehabilitation in patients after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and to analyze the influencing factors of different latent classes.Methods:A total of 340 CABG patients in PhaseⅡ cardiac rehabilitation were recruited by convenience sampling from two Class Ⅲ Grade A hospitals in Shanghai between January and August 2024. Data were collected using a general information questionnaire, the Cardiac Rehabilitation Barriers Scale (CRBS), and the Fear of Exercise Scale for Cardiac Patients. Latent profile analysis was used to classify the cardiac rehabilitation barriers, and multinomial Logistic regression was conducted to identify influencing factors for different latent classes.Results:Of the 340 questionnaires distributed, 319 valid responses were obtained after excluding incomplete or patterned questionnaires, with a valid response rate of 93.82% (319/340). The cardiac rehabilitation barriers among the 319 CABG patients were classified into three latent profiles: low-barrier, active rehabilitation type; moderate-barrier, poor-functioning type; and moderate-barrier, insufficient-perception type. Multinomial logistic regression analysis indicated that smoking, comorbidities, age, educational level, and fear of exercise were statistically significant influencing factors for different barrier profiles ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:Cardiac rehabilitation barriers in CABG patients exhibit heterogeneity. Medical staff should adopt targeted intervention strategies based on the specific barrier profiles, reduce patients' fear of exercise, and thereby improve rehabilitation outcomes.

Objective::This study aimed to elucidate the effect of the lipopolysaccharides/toll-like receptor 4 (LPS/TLR4) pathway on early atherosclerosis (AS) development and its associated changes in fecal metabolites, thereby providing an experimental foundation for strategies to prevent and treat early AS.Methods::Twelve Tibetan miniature pigs aged 4-5 months were divided into normal control (NC) group and AS group (6 pigs in each). The group assignment was primarily based on body weight; Secondary criteria, including glucose, lipid profiles, and inflammatory indices, were considered to ensure balanced baseline characteristics between the 2 groups (all P > 0.05). AS group received a high-fat diet for 16 weeks to establish an AS model, while the NC group received a normal diet. Subsequently, serum levels of lipids and various inflammation and oxidative stress markers were measured. Pathological changes in the aorta and colon tissue, LPS/TLR4 pathway-associated protein expressions in the aorta, as well as occludin and zonula occludens-1 in the colon were also assessed. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectra technology was employed for the metabolomic analysis of fecal extracts. Results::The lipid metabolism was disrupted in AS group, with significantly higher total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels ((12.24 ± 5.24) mmol/L vs. (1.86 ± 0.27) mmol/L, P = 0.004,6; (2.39 ± 0.50) mmol/L vs. (0.83 ± 0.07) mmol/L, P = 0.000,5; (6.94 ± 2.87) mmol/L vs. (0.77 ± 0.18) mmol/L, P = 0.003,3), as compared to that in NC group. Serum factors, including LPS, tumor necrosis factor-α, and malondialdehyde levels of AS group were significantly higher than that of NC group ((1,230.00 ± 192.70) EU/L vs. (695.70 ± 213.70) EU/L), P = 0.001,1; (424.20 ± 176.90) ng/L vs. (51.20 ± 26.61) ng/L, P = 0.023,5; (3.60 ± 0.77) nmol/mL vs. (2.62 ± 0.21) nmol/mL, P = 0.025,4). Pathological evaluations revealed prominent lipid deposition area in the aortic arch, thoracic aorta, and abdominal aorta of the AS group compared with that of the NC group (4.17% ± 2.30% vs. 0, P = 0.006,7; 6.23% ± 2.95% vs. 0, P = 0.003,6; 3.78% ± 2.18% vs. 0, P = 0.008,1). TLR4, nuclear factor kappa-B p65, and tumor necrosis factor-α expression in the aorta tissue of the AS group were upregulated, whereas occludin and zonula occludens-1 expression in colon tissues was downregulated. Additionally, metabolomics identified significant differences in 21 metabolites in the feces of the AS group compared to the NC group, with further analysis linking these differences to amino acid metabolism. Conclusions::The Tibetan miniature pig model of early AS induced by high-fat intake displayed pronounced chronic inflammation. Preliminary findings suggest that the underlying mechanisms may be associated with the LPS/TLR4 pathway and intestinal metabolic disorders.

The looming stimulus-evoked flight response to approaching predators is a defensive behavior in most animals. However, how looming stimuli are detected in the retina and transmitted to the brain remains unclear. Here, we report that a group of GABAergic retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) projecting to the superior colliculus (SC) transmit looming signals from the retina to the brain, mediating the looming-evoked flight behavior by releasing GABA. GAD2-Cre and vGAT-Cre transgenic mice were used in combination with Cre-activated anterograde or retrograde tracer viruses to map the inputs to specific GABAergic RGC circuits. Optogenetic technology was used to assess the function of SC-projecting GABAergic RGCs (scpgRGCs) in the SC. FDIO-DTA (Flp-dependent Double-Floxed Inverted Open reading frame-Diphtheria toxin) combined with the FLP (Florfenicol, Lincomycin & Prednisolone) approach was used to ablate or silence scpgRGCs. In the mouse retina, GABAergic RGCs project to different brain areas, including the SC. ScpgRGCs are monosynaptically connected to parvalbumin-positive SC neurons known to be required for the looming-evoked flight response. Optogenetic activation of scpgRGCs triggers GABA-mediated inhibition in SC neurons. Ablation or silencing of scpgRGCs compromises looming-evoked flight responses without affecting image-forming functions. Our study reveals that scpgRGCs control the looming-evoked flight response by regulating SC neurons via GABA, providing novel insight into the regulation of innate defensive behaviors.
Animals ; Superior Colliculi/physiology* ; Retinal Ganglion Cells/physiology* ; GABAergic Neurons/physiology* ; Mice, Transgenic ; Mice ; Optogenetics ; Visual Pathways/physiology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Photic Stimulation/methods* ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/metabolism* ; Male

Objective To study the effects and mechanisms of Smilax glabra flavonoids(SGF)on myocardial hypertrophy and cardiac inflammation induced by isoproterenol(ISO)in mice.Methods C57/6J mice were randomly divided into a normal group,ISO model group(1.25 mg/(kg·d)),SGF low-dose group(50 mg/(kg·d)),and SGF high-dose group(100 mg/(kg·d)).The SGF groups were given prophylactic SGF for 7 days before modeling,then subcutaneous ISO injection was given to each group,and echocardiography was performed after continuous injection for 7 days.Serum was separated from orbital blood,and the NT-proBNP and inflammatory factor(IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α)contents of the blood were detected.Myocardial specimens were collected,and pathological changes to myocardial tissue were observed.Myocardial ROS levels were detected by DHE staining.The mRNA levels of heart-related hypertrophy genes and changes in the expression of key proteins in the inflammatory pathway of NLRP3/Caspase-1/IL-18 in myocardial tissue were detected.Results SGF prophylactic administration decreased IVSd,IVSs,and EF in echocardiography and increased LVIDs,LVIDd,and LVESV.The IL-1 β,IL-6,TNF-α,and NT-proBNP contents of blood decreased,and the mRNA expression levels of the heart-related hypertrophy genes for ANP,BNP,and β-MHC were subdued.The increase in myocardial ROS levels was also inhibited.The protein expression of NLRP3,Caspase-1(p20),and IL-18,which are key factors in the NLRP3/caspase-l/IL-18 inflammatory pathway,was down-regulated in myocardial tissue.The hypertrophy and disordered arrangement of cardiomyocytes were improved,the increase in fibroblast numbers outside myocardial fibers was reduced,and the infiltration of inflammatory cells and fibrosis of myocardial tissue were alleviated.Conclusions SGF can improve ISO-induced myocardial hypertrophy and cardiac inflammation in mice and may act through the NLRP3/Caspase-1/IL-18 inflammatory pathway.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the pharmaceutical service process in a fracture patient complicated by fat embolism syndrome （FES） following postoperative fracture， aiming to provide a reference for clinical treatment and pharmaceutical service for similar patients. METHODS Clinical pharmacist participated in the entire treatment process of a patient with FES following postoperative fracture. Based on the patient’s clinical manifestations and test results， literature was reviewed to assist clinical physicians in formulating the therapeutic regimen of glucocorticoids. For the drug-related adverse reactions of renal function impairment and reduced platelet count that occurred during the treatment， suspicious drugs were analyzed and disposed of accordingly. RESULTS The clinical pharmacist recommended Hydrocortisone sodium succinate for injection （100 mg， q8 h， ivgtt， for about one week followed by a gradual dose reduction） for treating FES. The Vancomycin hydrochloride for injection used in this case was assessed as “very probably” associated with the adverse drug reactions of renal function impairment and thrombocytopenia. The clinical physician adopted the pharmacist’s medication recommendations， and the patient’s condition stabilized after treatment， with improvement in adverse reactions， and was discharged from the hospital. CONCLUSIONS The use of glucocorticoids in treating FES has a definite therapeutic efficacy. Clinical pharmacists should individualize the medication plan based on the patient’s pathological state and distinguish it from postoperative sepsis. Meanwhile， drug-induced adverse reactions in the kidney and blood system should be closely monitored.

Objective:Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology is used to compare the advantages of insulin degludec (IDeg) as a basal insulin regimen compared with insulin glargine (IGlar) in the treatment of adult type 1 diabetes mellitus.Methods:30 adult patients with T1DM admitted to Heji Hospital Affiliated to Changzhi Medical College from September 2019 to December 2020 were screened. According to the random number table method, the patients were randomly divided into two groups (insulin degludec group and insulin glargine group) at a ratio of 1∶1, respectively treated with IDeg, IGlar and aspartate insulin for 12 weeks. The main outcome measures were the coefficient of variation of blood glucose (CV), mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE), time in range (TIR), time above range (TAR) and time below range (TBR). The secondary outcome measures were mean blood glucose (MBG), standard deviation of blood glucose (SD), fasting blood glucose (FPG), 2 h postprandial blood glucose (2 h BG), hemoglobin A1c (HbA 1c), means of daily differences (MOOD), and the frequency of hypoglycemic events. Results:At 12 weeks of treatment, the HbA 1c, FPG, 2 h BG, MBG, SD, CV and MAGE of insulin degludec group were lower than those of insulin glargine group, with statistically significant difference (all P<0.05). The TIR in the insulin degludec group was significantly higher than that in the insulin glargine group [73(63, 75)% vs 43(28, 63)%, P<0.001], and the TAR was lower than that in the glycerine group [25(17, 23)% vs 35(33, 64)%, P=0.003]. From the curve spectrum of blood glucose level of the two groups, the stability of blood glucose in the insulin degludec group was better than that in the insulin glargine group. After 12 weeks of treatment, 8 cases (8/15) in insulin degludec group had HbA 1c<7.0%, and 4 cases (4/15) in insulin glargine group had HbA 1c<7.0%, without statistically significant difference ( P=0.264). There were 7 cases (7/15) in the insulin degludec group and 1 case (1/15) in the insulin glargine group who achieved high quality blood glucose control, with statistically significant difference ( P=0.035). At the 12th week of outpatient follow-up, the incidence of nocturnal hypoglycemic events in insulin degludec group was significantly lower than that in insulin glargine group (4/15 vs 11/15, P=0.027). Conclusions:Compared with insulin glargine, insulin degludec can achieve higher blood glucose compliance rate, lower blood glucose level and reduce blood glucose fluctuations in patients with type 1 diabetes.