Aerosol removal using flame-retardant atomized fixatives, as a major means of aerosol control, has achieved remarkable results in the field of nuclear facility decommissioning and decontamination. Traditional atomized fixatives for aerosol removal have deficiencies in high-temperature resistance and flame retardancy, rendering them inadequate for operational scenarios involving high temperatures and flammability encountered during nuclear decommissioning. This paper investigates the current development of flame-retardant atomized fixatives for aerosol removal both domestically and internationally and presents a preliminary exploration of this technology. The experiments showed that atomized fixatives modified with flame-retardant properties not only maintained excellent aerosol capture efficiency, but also exhibited significantly improved flame-retardant performance. This confirmed the technical feasibility of the proposed approach. Finally, suggestions and reflections are proposed for the development of this technology and its application in nuclear facility decommissioning.

ObjectiveTo elucidate the effects of autonomic neuromodulators [calcium chloride (CaCl₂)-acetylcholine (ACh)] on atrial electrical remodeling and histopathological changes in rats, thereby providing evidence for further investigation into the pathological mechanisms by which autonomic imbalance induces atrial fibrillation (AF). MethodsTen 8-week-old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into experimental and control groups, with 5 rats in each group. The experimental group received daily tail vein injections of a CaCl₂-ACh mixed solution for 28 days, while the control group received an equal volume of saline. Surface electrocardiograms were recorded before and after daily administration. On day 28 of administration, under isoflurane inhalation anesthesia, echocardiography was performed, and then the rats were euthanized by exsanguination under isoflurane anesthesia for tissue collection. Body weight and heart weight of rats were measured, and electrophysiological parameters including AF inducibility, conduction velocity, and conduction dispersion in isolated rat hearts were monitored using the MappingLab multichannel electrophysiological mapping system. HE staining was performed to evaluate atrial tissue architecture and inflammatory cell infiltration. The expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) were analyzed by Western blotting. Masson staining was used to quantitatively analyze the proportional distribution of collagen fibers and myocardial fibers, and to calculate the area of collagen deposition, thereby evaluating the degree of myocardial fibrosis. Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) staining was used to evaluate morphological changes of cardiomyocytes. Dihydroethidium (DHE) staining was used to detect the level of oxidative stress in atrial myocytes. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining was used to detect atrial cell apoptosis. ResultsCompared with the control group, the experimental group showed obvious arrhythmias on electrocardiograms. Echocardiography after 28 days of administration revealed significant structural remodeling in the experimental group, with a marked increase in left atrial anteroposterior diameter (P < 0.05), and also showed cardiac dysfunction, with significant decreases in left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular fractional shortening (P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, the experimental group showed a significantly increased heart weight-to-body weight ratio (P < 0.05), a markedly higher AF inducibility (P < 0.001), a significantly slowed atrial conduction velocity (P < 0.05), an uneven isochronal map with irregular directions, and a significantly increased conduction dispersion (P < 0.01). HE staining showed that atrial myocytes in the experimental group were disorganized, with slight inflammatory cell infiltration. Western blotting showed that the expression levels of MMP-9 and IL-1β in the atrial tissue of the experimental group were significantly upregulated (P < 0.05). Masson staining showed a significant increase in collagen deposition and a significant increase in fibrosis area in the atrial tissue of the experimental group (P < 0.001). WGA staining showed that cardiomyocytes in the experimental group were significantly hypertrophied compared with the control group (P < 0.05). DHE staining and TUNEL staining revealed that the level of oxidative stress in atrial myocytes (P < 0.001) and the apoptotic rate (P < 0.01) were both significantly increased. Conclusion Daily tail vein injections of the autonomic neuromodulator CaCl₂-ACh mixed solution for 28 days can successfully induce AF in rats, accompanied by significant atrial structural remodeling, electrical remodeling, and oxidative stress.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of Formononetin on mice with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(MPP)by regulating the mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)/nuclear factor κB(NF-κB)signaling pathway.Methods Six-week-old SPF-grade male BALB/c mice were selected.The MPP mouse model was established as the model group by instillating Mycoplasma pneumoniae bacterial solution through the nose.On the second day after successful modeling,mice were intraperitoneally injected with 15,30,and 60 mg/kg of Formononetin and 60 mg/kg of Formononetin+20 mg/kg of Anisomycin respectively as the low-dose,medium-dose,and high-dose Formononetin groups and the high-dose Formononetin+Anisomycin group,with 12 mice in each group.Another 12 mice were intraperitoneally injected with the same amount of 0.9％sodium chloride injection as the control group.The cough frequency of mice in each group was detected through the cough induction test.The partial pressure of carbon dioxide(PCO2)and partial pressure of oxygen(PO2)in each group of mice were detected by a blood gas analyzer,and the oxygenation index(OI)was calculated.The levels of inflammatory factors in each group were detected by ELISA,and the apoptosis of lung tissue cells in each group of mice was detected by TUNEL.HE staining was performed to observe the pathological changes of lung tissues in each group.The expression of MAPK/NF-κB pathway-related proteins in the lung tissues of mice in each group was detected by Western blot method.Results The lung tissue morphology of the mice in the control group was normal.The alveolar ducts and alveolar structures of mice in the model group were damaged,the alveolar septa thickened,and there was a large amount of inflammatory cell infiltration.Compared with the model group,the lung tissue morphology was improved in the low-dose,medium-dose and high-dose Formononetin groups.The lung tissue injury in the high-dose Formononetin+Anisamycin group was more severe compared with the high-dose Formononetin group.Compared with the control group,the cough latency period in the model group was shortened,and PO2,OI,and interleukin-10(IL-10)were decreased,while the frequency of coughing,PCO2,interleukin-18(IL-18),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),apoptosis rate,and the ratios of p-P38 MAPK/P38 MAPK,p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65,p-extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2(ERK1/2)/ERK1/2,and p-C-jun N-terminal kinase(p-JNK)/JNK increased(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the low-,medium-and high-dose Formononetin groups had improved lung tissue morphology,prolonged cough latency,increased PO2,OI and IL-10,and reduced cough frequency.The PCO2,IL-18,TNF-α,apoptosis rate,and the ratios of p-p38 MAPK/P38 MAPK,p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65,ERK1/2/ERK1/2,and p-JNK/JNK decreased(P＜0.05).In the low-,medium-,and high-dose Formononetin groups,with the increase of Formononetin dose,the cough latency gradually prolonged,the cough frequency gradually decreased,and the PO2,oxygenation index,and IL-10 gradually increased.The PCO2,IL-18,TNF-α,apoptosis rate and the ratios of p-p38 MAPK/P38 MAPK,p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65,p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2,and p-JNK/JNK gradually decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with the high-dose Formononetin group,the high-dose Formononetin+Anisamycin group had shorter cough latency,lower PO2,OI and IL-10.The frequency of coughing,PCO2,IL-18,TNF-α,apoptosis rate,and the ratios of p-p38 MAPK/P38 MAPK,p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65,p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2,and p-JNK/JNK increased(P＜0.05).Conclusion Formononetin may improve lung injury in MPP mice by inhibiting the MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the expression changes of serum long non-coding RNA rhabdomyosarcoma associated transcript-2 (LncRNA RMST) and miR-582-5p in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS),and their correlation with early neurological deterioration (END) and prognosis. Methods A total of 129 patients with ischemic stroke admitted to Chengde Central Hospital from January 2021 to December 2022 were gathered,according to diagnostic criteria and patients were divided into END group (n=42) and non END group (n=87) besed on whether END occurred within one week. In addition,59 healthy individuals who underwent physical examination in the hospital were regarded as the health group. The real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction method was applied to detect serum LncRNA RMST and miR-582-5p levels in each group. The Pearson method was used to analyze the correlation between serum LncRNA RMST and miR-582-5p levels in END patients. ROC curve was applied to evaluate further the levels of blood LncRNA RMST and miR-582-5p,and the efficacy analysis of their combination in predicting the prognosis of AIS patients. Results Serum LncRNA RMST(1.01±0.28,2.10±0.41,3.99±0.52) levels gradually increased in the healthy,non-END and END groups,and miR-582-5p(1.02±0.23,0.86±0.16,0.73±0.15) levels gradually decreased,and the differences were statistically significant (F=672.974,31.907,all P<0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between serum LncRNA RMST levels were significantly negatively correlated with miR-582-5p levels (r=-0.451,P<0.001). The AUC(95％CI) of the combined diagnosis of serum LncRNA RMST and miR-582-5p levels in AIS patients was 0.961(0.912～0.987),which was better than the independent prediction (Z=2.280,4.515,all P<0.05). Conclusion The levels of serum LncRNA RMST and miR-582-5p were closely related to END,and they are expected to become predictive factors for the prognosis of AIS patients.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of Formononetin on mice with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(MPP)by regulating the mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)/nuclear factor κB(NF-κB)signaling pathway.Methods Six-week-old SPF-grade male BALB/c mice were selected.The MPP mouse model was established as the model group by instillating Mycoplasma pneumoniae bacterial solution through the nose.On the second day after successful modeling,mice were intraperitoneally injected with 15,30,and 60 mg/kg of Formononetin and 60 mg/kg of Formononetin+20 mg/kg of Anisomycin respectively as the low-dose,medium-dose,and high-dose Formononetin groups and the high-dose Formononetin+Anisomycin group,with 12 mice in each group.Another 12 mice were intraperitoneally injected with the same amount of 0.9％sodium chloride injection as the control group.The cough frequency of mice in each group was detected through the cough induction test.The partial pressure of carbon dioxide(PCO2)and partial pressure of oxygen(PO2)in each group of mice were detected by a blood gas analyzer,and the oxygenation index(OI)was calculated.The levels of inflammatory factors in each group were detected by ELISA,and the apoptosis of lung tissue cells in each group of mice was detected by TUNEL.HE staining was performed to observe the pathological changes of lung tissues in each group.The expression of MAPK/NF-κB pathway-related proteins in the lung tissues of mice in each group was detected by Western blot method.Results The lung tissue morphology of the mice in the control group was normal.The alveolar ducts and alveolar structures of mice in the model group were damaged,the alveolar septa thickened,and there was a large amount of inflammatory cell infiltration.Compared with the model group,the lung tissue morphology was improved in the low-dose,medium-dose and high-dose Formononetin groups.The lung tissue injury in the high-dose Formononetin+Anisamycin group was more severe compared with the high-dose Formononetin group.Compared with the control group,the cough latency period in the model group was shortened,and PO2,OI,and interleukin-10(IL-10)were decreased,while the frequency of coughing,PCO2,interleukin-18(IL-18),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),apoptosis rate,and the ratios of p-P38 MAPK/P38 MAPK,p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65,p-extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2(ERK1/2)/ERK1/2,and p-C-jun N-terminal kinase(p-JNK)/JNK increased(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the low-,medium-and high-dose Formononetin groups had improved lung tissue morphology,prolonged cough latency,increased PO2,OI and IL-10,and reduced cough frequency.The PCO2,IL-18,TNF-α,apoptosis rate,and the ratios of p-p38 MAPK/P38 MAPK,p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65,ERK1/2/ERK1/2,and p-JNK/JNK decreased(P＜0.05).In the low-,medium-,and high-dose Formononetin groups,with the increase of Formononetin dose,the cough latency gradually prolonged,the cough frequency gradually decreased,and the PO2,oxygenation index,and IL-10 gradually increased.The PCO2,IL-18,TNF-α,apoptosis rate and the ratios of p-p38 MAPK/P38 MAPK,p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65,p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2,and p-JNK/JNK gradually decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with the high-dose Formononetin group,the high-dose Formononetin+Anisamycin group had shorter cough latency,lower PO2,OI and IL-10.The frequency of coughing,PCO2,IL-18,TNF-α,apoptosis rate,and the ratios of p-p38 MAPK/P38 MAPK,p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65,p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2,and p-JNK/JNK increased(P＜0.05).Conclusion Formononetin may improve lung injury in MPP mice by inhibiting the MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of Xingpi capsules （XPC） in treating diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome （IBS-D） with spleen deficiency and elucidate its potential molecular mechanisms. MethodsA rat model of IBS-D with spleen deficiency was established by administering senna leaf in combination with restrained stress and swimming fatigue for 14 d. Ten specific pathogen free （SPF）-grade healthy rats were used as the normal control group. After successful modeling， SPF-grade rats were randomly divided into a model group， a pinaverium bromide group （1.5 mg·kg^-1）， and low- and high-dose XPC groups （0.135 and 0.54 g·kg^-1）， with 10 rats in each group. Rats in the normal control group and the model group were given distilled water by gavage， while the remaining groups were administered corresponding drug solutions by gavage once a day for 14 consecutive days. The rat body weights and fecal condition were observed every day， and the Bristol score was recorded. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to determine the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT） in serum and colon tissue. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the microvilli and tight junctions in the colon. The integrity of the colonic barrier， intestinal motility， and expression of related pathway proteins were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， immunohistochemistry， and Western blot. ResultsCompared with those in the normal control group， rats in the model group showed a significantly decreased body weight and increased diarrhea rate， diarrhea grade， and Bristol score （P<0.01）. HE staining revealed incomplete colonic mucosa in the model group， with evident congestion and edema observed. Electron microscopy results indicated decreased density and integrity of the colonic barrier， shedding and disappearance of microvilli， and significant widening of tight junctions. The expression levels of colonic tight junction proteins Occludin and Claudin-5 were downregulated （P<0.01）， and the levels of 5-HT in serum and colon tissue were elevated （P<0.01）. The small intestine propulsion rate significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the expression of contractile proteins Ras homolog family member A （RhoA） and Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 2 （ROCK2） in colon and phosphorylation of myosin light chain （MLC₂₀） were upregulated （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the treatment groups showed alleviated diarrhea， diarrhea-associated symptoms， and pathological manifestations of colon tissue to varying degrees. Specifically， high-dose XPC exhibited effectively relieved diarrhea， promoted recovery of colonic mucosal structure， significantly reduced congestion and edema， upregulated expression of Occludin and Claudin-5 （P<0.01）， decreased levels of 5-HT in serum and colon tissue （P<0.05，P<0.01）， significantly slowed small intestine propulsion rate （P<0.01）， and significantly downregulated expression of contractile proteins RhoA and ROCK2 in colon and phosphorylation of MLC₂₀ （P<0.05，P<0.01）. ConclusionXPC effectively alleviates symptoms of spleen deficiency and diarrhea and regulates the secretion of brain-gut peptide. The characteristics of XPC are mainly manifested in alleviating IBS-D with spleen deficiency from the aspects of protecting intestinal mucosa and inhibiting smooth muscle contraction， and the mechanism is closely related to the regulation of the 5-HT-RhoA/ROCK2 pathway expression.

Objective To investigate the association between lifestyle and risk of heart disease and diabetes in the elderly population in Xi'an City. Methods From January 2021 to January 2024, a staged cluster sampling method was used to investigate the lifestyle and the occurrence of heart disease and diabetes in elderly population aged 60 years and above in the communities of Xi'an. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between lifestyle and the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Results A total of 413 elderly people were investigated, of which 31.96% had heart disease, 27.12% had diabetes, and 10.90% had diabetes with heart disease. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age, BMI, family history, sweet food preference, smoking, and sitting and lying for a long time were risk factors for diabetes in the elderly population (P<0.05). Age, BMI, family history, history of diabetes, preference for salted products, smoking, drinking, and sitting and lying for a long time were risk factors for heart disease in the elderly population (P<0.05). Conclusion The incidence rates of heart disease and diabetes are high in the elderly population in Xi'an City. The risk of diabetes is related to unhealthy lifestyles such as sweet food preference, smoking, and sitting and lying for a long time, while heart disease is related to unhealthy lifestyles such as preference for salted products, smoking, drinking, and sitting and lying for a long time.

Objective To investigate the expression changes of serum long non-coding RNA rhabdomyosarcoma associated transcript-2 (LncRNA RMST) and miR-582-5p in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS),and their correlation with early neurological deterioration (END) and prognosis. Methods A total of 129 patients with ischemic stroke admitted to Chengde Central Hospital from January 2021 to December 2022 were gathered,according to diagnostic criteria and patients were divided into END group (n=42) and non END group (n=87) besed on whether END occurred within one week. In addition,59 healthy individuals who underwent physical examination in the hospital were regarded as the health group. The real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction method was applied to detect serum LncRNA RMST and miR-582-5p levels in each group. The Pearson method was used to analyze the correlation between serum LncRNA RMST and miR-582-5p levels in END patients. ROC curve was applied to evaluate further the levels of blood LncRNA RMST and miR-582-5p,and the efficacy analysis of their combination in predicting the prognosis of AIS patients. Results Serum LncRNA RMST(1.01±0.28,2.10±0.41,3.99±0.52) levels gradually increased in the healthy,non-END and END groups,and miR-582-5p(1.02±0.23,0.86±0.16,0.73±0.15) levels gradually decreased,and the differences were statistically significant (F=672.974,31.907,all P<0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between serum LncRNA RMST levels were significantly negatively correlated with miR-582-5p levels (r=-0.451,P<0.001). The AUC(95％CI) of the combined diagnosis of serum LncRNA RMST and miR-582-5p levels in AIS patients was 0.961(0.912～0.987),which was better than the independent prediction (Z=2.280,4.515,all P<0.05). Conclusion The levels of serum LncRNA RMST and miR-582-5p were closely related to END,and they are expected to become predictive factors for the prognosis of AIS patients.

OBJECTIVE: The results of limited studies on the relationship between environmental pollution and dementia have been contradictory. We analyzed the combined effects of PM _2.5 and smoking on the prevalence of dementia and cognitive impairment in an elderly community-dwelling Chinese population. METHODS: We assessed 24,117 individuals along with the annual average PM _2.5 concentrations from 2012 to 2016. Dementia was confirmed in the baseline survey at a qualified clinical facility, and newly suspected dementia was assessed in 2017, after excluding cases of suspected dementia in 2015. National census data were used to weight the sample data to reflect the entire population in China, with multiple logistic regression performed to analyze the combined effects of PM _2.5 and smoking frequency on dementia and cognitive impairment. RESULTS: Individuals exposed to the highest PM _2.5 concentration and smoked daily were at higher risk of dementia than those in the lowest PM _2.5 concentration group ( OR, 1.603; 95% CI [1.626-1.635], P < 0.0001) and in the nonsmoking group ( OR, 1.248; 95% CI [1.244-1.252]; P < 0.0001). Moderate PM _2.5 exposure and occasional smoking together increased the short-term risk of cognitive impairment. High-level PM _2.5 exposure and smoking were associated with an increased risk of dementia, so more efforts are needed to reduce this risk through environmental protection and antismoking campaigns. CONCLUSION High-level PM _2.5 exposure and smoking were associated with an increased risk of dementia. Lowering the ambient PM _2.5, and smoking cessation are recommended to promote health.
Humans ; Dementia/etiology* ; Male ; Aged ; Female ; Cognitive Dysfunction/etiology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Particulate Matter/analysis* ; Smoking/epidemiology* ; Air Pollutants/analysis* ; Aged, 80 and over ; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects* ; Prevalence ; Middle Aged

Ferroptosis has received great attention as an iron-dependent programmed cell death for efficient cancer therapy. However, with the accumulation of iron in tumor cells, the antioxidant system is activated by reducing glutathione (GSH) with glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), which critically limits the ferroptosis therapeutic effect. Herein, an iron and GPX4 silencing siRNA (siGPX4) co-encapsulated ferritin nanocage (HFn@Fe/siGPX4) was developed to enhance ferroptosis by disruption of redox homeostasis and inhibition of antioxidant enzyme synergistically. The siGPX4 were loaded into the nanocages by pre-incubated with iron, which could significantly improve the loading efficiency of the gene drugs when compared with the reported gene drug loading strategy by ferritin nanocages. And more iron was overloaded into the ferritin through the diffusion method. When HFn@Fe/siGPX4 was taken up by human breast cancer cell MCF-7 in a TfR1-mediated pathway, the excess iron ions in the drug delivery system could for one thing induce ferroptosis by the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), for another promote siGPX4 escaping from the lysosome to exert gene silencing effect more effectively. Both the in vitro and in vivo results demonstrated that HFn@Fe/siGPX4 could significantly inhibit tumor growth by synergistical ferroptosis. Thus, the developed HFn@Fe/siGPX4 afforded a combined ferroptosis strategy for ferroptosis-based antitumor as well as a novel and efficient gene drug delivery system.