Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a clinically significant complication in elderly patients, largely driven by surgery-induced neuroinflammation. The cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) pathway, a crucial regulator of innate immunity, has been implicated in neuroinflammatory activation. This study investigated whether electroacupuncture (EA) improves POCD by modulating this pathway in aged rats. Aged male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to sevoflurane anesthesia and splenectomy to establish a POCD model. Animals were divided into sham, POCD, POCD+EA, and POCD+EA+cGAS inhibitor groups. The EA groups received stimulation at Baihui (Governor Vessel 20 (GV20)), Neiguan (Pericardium 6 (PC6)), and Zusanli (Stomach 36 (ST36)) acupoints. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Morris water maze, while hippocampal expression of cGAS-STING pathway components and downstream effectors—interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β)—was assessed by Western blot. Cellular localization was determined by immunofluorescence staining. Compared with the Sham group, rats in the POCD group showed significant impairments in spatial memory, accompanied by upregulated protein expression of cGAS, STING, NF-κB, IRF3, and IL-1β in the hippocampus. Upon pathway activation, cGAS and STING proteins were predominantly co-localized with neurons, and their fluorescence intensity in the hippocampus was markedly increased. These behavioral deficits and molecular alterations were partially reversed in both the POCD+EA and POCD+EA+inhibitor groups. Electroacupuncture alleviates POCD in aged rats by inhibiting hippocampal cGAS-STING pathway activation and reducing neuroinflammation, suggesting a promising non-pharmacological strategy for POCD management.

ObjectiveTo establish an objective evaluation system based on the quality characteristics of Gardeniae Fructus without relying on the origin label according to the theory of excellent shape， high quality， and superior effect of authentic medicinal materials， thus providing a scientific basis for the standardization of Gardeniae Fructus. MethodsDifferent batches of Gardeniae Fructus samples were collected from different producing areas. Through herbal textual research and a review of modern literature， fruit length， maximum fruit diameter， and chroma were selected as quantitative indicators to characterize the traditional appearance traits of Gardeniae Fructus. The above indicators were measured by a vernier caliper and a spectrophotometer. Through classical famous prescription data and literature analysis， total iridoid glycosides， total crocus glycosides， and total flavonoids were selected as the core component indicators related to efficacy， and their content was determined. Finally， through cluster analysis， the threshold ranges of the quantitative indicators of excellent shape and high quality were determined， and the applicability of the established evaluation system was verified by the determination of the indicators for each batch of medicinal materials. ResultsThe excellent shape indicators of Gardeniae Fructus were the fruit length-to-maximum fruit diameter ratio ≤1.86， 0°≤h≤45°， and L^*≥ 37.32. The content of total iridoid glycosides， total crocus glycosides， and total flavonoids should be no less than 2.2%， 0.44%， and 0.028%， respectively. The measurement results of different batches of Gardeniae Fructus showed that the evaluation system could effectively distinguish the Gardeniae Fructus samples in line with the traditional cognition of excellent shape and high quality. ConclusionThis study preliminarily constructs an excellent shape and high quality-based quality evaluation system for Gardeniae Fructus， which links appearance traits with chemical indicators and provides a methodological basis for the quality control and scientific grading of this herbal medicine.

Objective To analyze the global pattern, long-term trends, and regional and population heterogeneity in the burden of 375 diseases and injuries and 88 risk factors from 1990 to 2023 using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023 (GBD 2023). Methods Publicly available GBD 2023 estimates were extracted for incidence, deaths, years of life lost (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs), disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and age-standardized rates at the global level and by socio-demographic index (SDI), GBD region, age group, and sex. Descriptive analysis, ranking comparison, stratified analysis, and trend analysis were performed, and 95% uncertainty interval was used to assess the stability of estimates. Results In 2023, non-communicable diseases were the leading contributor to global DALYs, accounting for 64.39% of DALYs across the three major disease and injury groups (communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional diseases, non-communicable diseases, and injuries), and also had the highest age-standardized DALYs rate. From 1990 to 2023, age-standardized DALYs rates declined for three major disease and injury groups, with estimated annual percentage changes of −2.69%, −0.78%, and −1.47%, respectively. Cardiovascular diseases ranked first by both DALYs and deaths in 2023, whereas respiratory infections and tuberculosis ranked first by incidence. Non-communicable diseases were the leading cause of disease burden across all SDI strata. As the SDI level declined, the burden of communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional diseases, as well as injuries, increased markedly. Behavioral and metabolic risks remained the main contributors to attributable deaths and DALYs. Conclusion From 1990 to 2023, the global burden of disease continues to shift toward non-communicable diseases; however, some regions still face a double burden of infectious, maternal and child, injury-related, and chronic diseases. Integrating deaths, DALYs, YLLs, YLDs, and risk-attributable burden helps identify priority areas for prevention and resource allocation across regions and populations.

Peri-implant keratinized mucosa (PIKM) augmentation refers to surgical procedures aimed at increasing the width of PIKM. Consensus reports emphasize the necessity of maintaining a minimum width of PIKM to ensure long-term peri-implant health. Currently, several surgical techniques have been validated for their effectiveness in increasing PIKM. However, the selection and application of PIKM augmentation methods may present challenges for dental practitioners due to heterogeneity in surgical techniques, variations in clinical scenarios, and anatomical differences. Therefore, clear guidelines and considerations for PIKM augmentation are needed. This expert consensus focuses on the commonly employed surgical techniques for PIKM augmentation and the factors influencing their selection at second-stage surgery. It aims to establish a standardized framework for assessing, planning, and executing PIKM augmentation procedures, with the goal of offering evidence-based guidance to enhance the predictability and success of PIKM augmentation.
Humans ; Consensus ; Dental Implants ; Mouth Mucosa/surgery* ; Keratins

Objective To investigate the correlation between the clinical characteristics of allergic rhinitis(AR)in adults located in Shenzhen area and the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)constitutions.Methods A cross-sectional survey of adult AR patients in Shenzhen was conducted.From June 2022 to December 2023,adult AR patients admitted to the Department of Otolaryngology outpatient clinic of Bao'an Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine(Shenzhen Bao'an District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine)were selected as the study subjects.The clinical baseline data,Total Nasal Symptoms Score(TNSS),and Total Non-Nasal Symptoms Score(TNNSS)of the patients were collected for the analysis of clinical characteristics,and TCM constitutions were differentiated based on the information collected by TCM constitutions questionnaire.After that,the correlation between the biased TCM constitutions and clinical characteristics were explored by using analysis of variance,non-parametric test and Logistic regression analysis.Results(1)A total of 215 cases of adult AR patients from Shenzhen were included.Most of the patients were male(60.93％),and the patients were usually aged 18-29 years old(accounting for 48.84％).AR in adults often arose in the spring(33.49％)and fall(30.70％).(2)Lung qi deficiency-cold syndrome was the predominated TCM syndrome type of AR in adults,accounting for 40.93％,and then came kidney yang deficiency syndrome(26.98％),spleen qi deficiency syndrome(20.00％),and heat accumulation in lung meridian syndrome(12.09％).Lung qi deficiency-cold syndrome and heat accumulation in lung meridian syndrome were more common in young males,and kidney yang deficiency syndrome was frequently seen in middle-aged and elderly males.(3)The leading three TCM constitution types of AR in adults were qi deficiency constitution(30.23％),yang deficiency constitution(24.65％),and inherited special constitution(15.81％).In adult AR patients with lung qi deficiency-cold syndrome,the commonly-seen TCM constitution types were qi deficiency constitution,inherited special constitution,and balanced constitution.In adult AR patients with spleen qi deficiency syndrome,the commonly-seen TCM constitution types were inherited special constitution,phlegm-damp constitution,and yang deficiency constitution.In adult AR patients with kidney yang deficiency syndrome,the commonly-seen TCM constitution types were yang deficiency constitution,qi stagnation constitution,and inherited special constitution.In adult AR patients with heat accumulation in lung meridian syndrome,the commonly-seen TCM constitution types were damp-heat constitution,yin deficiency constitution,and blood-stasis constitution.The leading five TNSS scores were shown in adult AR patients with inherited special constitution,qi deficiency constitution,yang deficiency constitution,phlegm-damp constitution,and qi stagnation constitution,respectively.And the leading five TNNSS scores were shown in adult AR patients with yang deficiency constitution,inherited special constitution,qi stagnation constitution,yin deficiency constitution,and damp-heat constitution,respectively.(4)The results of statistical analysis showed that the differences in gender among the adult AR patients with various TCM constitution types were not statistically significant(P＞0.05),but the differences in age groups,TCM syndrome types,TNSS scores and TNNSS scores were statistically significant(P＜0.01 or P＜0.001).(5)The results of Logistic regression analysis showed that the TNSS scores and TNNSS scores were all positively correlated with qi deficiency constitution,yang deficiency constitution,and inherited special constitution,and spleen qi deficiency syndrome was negatively correlated with damp-heat constitution,the differences being all statistically significant(P＜0.01 or P＜0.001).Conclusion The onset of AR in adults from Shenzhen area is closely related to age,gender,season,and TCM constitutions.The adult AR patients usually have the biased constitutions,in particular qi deficiency constitution,yang deficiency constitution,and inherited special constitution.In adult AR patients,higher TNSS scores are correlated with inherited special constitution,higher TNNSS scores are correlated with yang deficiency constitution,and the primary TCM syndrome type of lung qi deficiency-cold syndrome is correlated with qi deficiency constitution.

Objective:To investigate the effect of inspiratory muscle training on diaphragm morphology and function in ventilator induced diaphragmatic dysfunction(VIDD)rats,and to explore the mechanism of it.Method:Twenty-four adult female SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:①Control group(n=6);②Me-chanical ventilation group(n=6):mechanical ventilation for 24 hours;③Sham training group(n=6):spontane-ous breathing for 1 hour after mechanical ventilation for 24 hours;④Training group(n=6):intermittent inspi-ratory muscle training for 1 hour after mechanical ventilation for 24 hours.Multi-channel physiology signal col-lection and processing system were used to detect the peak twitch tension and peak tetanic force of dia-phragm,as well as the frequency-force effect curve.The cross-sectional area(CSA)of diaphragm was ob-served by hematoxylin and eosin staining method.Western-blot was used to detect the level of microtubule-as-sociated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3)and muscle atrophy F-box(MAFbx).The levels of αII-spectrin break-down products(SBDPs)SBDP145 and SBDP120 in the diaphragm were detected by ELISA.The level of malondialdehyde(MDA)in the diaphragm was detected by thiobarbituric acid(TBA)method.Result:Compared with control group and training group,the peak twitch tension,peak tetanic force and fre-quency-force effect curve of diaphragm in ventilation group and sham training group were decreased significant-ly(P<0.05),but there was no difference between the ventilation group and the sham training group or be-tween the control group and the training group.Compared with the control group,the diaphragm fiber cross-sectional area of ventilation group,sham training group or training group was significantly decreased(P<0.05),and there was no significant difference between the ventilation group and the sham training group.Compared with the ventilation group and the sham training group,the diaphragm fiber cross-sectional area of training group was increased(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,the level of MDA,SBDP120 and LC3II/I ratio in the diaphragm of ventilation group,sham training group and training group were significantly in-creased(P<0.05),and there was no difference between the ventilation group,the sham training group and the training group.Compared with the control group,the expression of MAFbx in ventilation group was signif-icantly increased(P<0.05),and there was no difference between the ventilation group,the sham training group and the training group.Compared with the control group and the training group,SBDP145 level in the diaphragm of ventilation group or sham training group was significantly increased(P<0.05),but there was no difference between the ventilation group and the sham training group.There was no difference in SBDP145 lev-el of diaphragm between the control group and the training group.Conclusion:Inspiratory muscle training can improve the morphology and function of VIDD diaphragm,and the mechanism may be related to the decrease of calpain activity.

Objective:To investigate the dynamic changes of cellular miRNA expression profiles in EBV latently infected Raji cells upon reactivation with Phorbol ester (TPA).Methods:Total RNA was extracted using TRIzol reagent from Raji cells treated with TPA at different time points (0 h, 24 h, 48 h). Small RNA libraries were constructed and sequenced on an Illumina SE50 platform. Differentially expressed miRNAs were identified, and their target genes were predicted and functionally annotated. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were carried out through online tools. Additionally, miRanda and RNAhybrid software were used to predict cellular miRNAs targeting the EBV genome. Real-time RT-qPCR was employed to validate the expression levels of differentially expressed novel miRNAs.Results:High-throughput sequencing identified 1 301 celluar miRNAs, comprising 1 189 known and 112 novel miRNAs. A total of 264 known differentially expressed cellular miRNAs and 13 novel miRNAs were identified through high-throughput miRNA sequencing. Secondary structure prediction revealed that the novel miRNAs exhibited typical pre-miRNA hairpin structures. Stem-loop quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) validation of Novel_miR_183 and Novel_miR_242 did not exhibit a statistically significant difference ( F=1.407, P=0.370 7 for Novel_miR_183; F=1.277, P=0.397 0 for Novel_miR_242) between the TPA-stimulated and untreated groups. Target gene prediction analysis revealed that the differentially expressed cellular miRNAs were involved in various important biological processes and signaling pathways. Furthermore, 1 189 known cellular miRNAs and 108 novel miRNAs were predicted to target the EBV genome. Conclusions:Treatment of Raji cells with TPA stimulation successfully reactivated Raji cells and significantly altered their miRNA expression patterns. Differentially expressed miRNAs were identified, suggesting that these miRNAs probably play crucial roles in regulating EBV infection and replication by directly targeting the EBV genome.

Objective:By analyzing the disease spectrum and composition of inpatients in general surgery department of a children′s hospital in Beijing from January 2018 to June 2024, to understand the impact of the COVID-19 on the number of inpatients in children′s hospitals and the composition of disease types, and to provide scientific evidence for hospital capacity building and medical response after the outbreak of the epidemic.Methods:The hospitalization medical records of children in the general surgery ward of the children′s hospital from January 1, 2018 to June 30, 2024 were collected. SPSS 22.0 software and EXCEL tools were used to analyze the ranking and composition of general surgery diseases in the hospital from three dimensions: different years, different genders, and different age groups. At the same time, the source of children in the hospital was counted by province.Results:Overall, the total number of hospitalized children has shown a significant decrease since 2020, and has since slowly rebounded; Acute appendicitis, inguinal hernia, and common bile duct cyst rank among the top three diseases annually; From a gender perspective, inguinal hernia and acute appendicitis are the most common in male children, while acute appendicitis and common bile duct cysts are the most common in female children; In terms of age, the 1-year-old group has the highest number of patients with inguinal hernia, while the 5-year-old and 10-18-year-old groups have the highest number of patients with acute appendicitis; Compared with 2018-2019, the number of hospitalized children with inguinal hernia decreased sharply in the first half of 2020-2024, and the first priority disease changed from inguinal hernia to acute appendicitis.Conclusions:This study analyzed the disease spectrum and composition of the children′s hospital before and after the COVID-19 epidemic, which has important reference value for the capacity building, resource allocation and epidemic response of the children′s hospital.

Objective:To investigate the effect of nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor (Nrf2) overexpression on high-risk human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) E6 protein.Methods:The pRK5-FLAG-NFE2L2 plasmid was constructed, and pRK5-FLAG-NFE2L2 and pRK5-HA-HPV16E6 plasmids were co-transfected in HEK293T cells, and the expression of the two proteins was detected by Western blotting (WB). Next, pRK5-HA-HPV16E6 and pRK5-FLAG-Nrf2 plasmids were expressed using an in vitro transcription system to observe the expression of both. Finally, pEGFP-HPV16E6 and pLVX-mCherry-Nrf2 plasmids were co-transfected in HEK293T cells, and the cellular localization of the E6 protein and the Nrf2 protein was observed using fluorescence microscopy.Results:Nrf2 protein was successfully overexpressed in HEK293T cells, and the WB result showed that Nrf2 inhibited HPV16 E6 protein expression in a significant dose-dependent manner. The expression of HPV16 E6 protein in the TNT Quick Coupled Transcription/Translation Systems was affected by Nrf2, while the expression of HPV16 E6 in TnT SP6 High-Yield Wheat Germ Protein Expression System was no longer inhibited by Nrf2. Fluorescence imaging further showed no intracellular co-localization of Nrf2 and HPV16 E6.Conclusions:Overexpression of the nuclear transcription factor Nrf2 reduces HPV16 E6 protein expression, but there is no intracellular co-localization of them.

Colorectal cancer is a malignant tumor of the digestive system that seriously endangers human health. Small extracellular vesicles (sEV) are a class of extracellular vesicles with lipid bilayer structure with diameter less than 200 nm. SsEV mediate cell-to-cell information exchange through a variety of components. MicroRNA (miRNA), long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), circular RNA (circRNA) and proteins are involved in regulating the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer and play important roles in the diagnosis and prognosis of colorectal cancer. The various active components of sEV hold application value in the 'diagnosis-treatment-prognosis' of colorectal cancer, providing a reference for their application prospects.