Acute hypobaric hypoxic brain damage is a potentially fatal high-altitude sickness. Autophagy plays a critical role in ischemic brain injury, but its role in hypobaric hypoxia (HH) remains unknown. Here we used an HH chamber to demonstrate that acute HH exposure impairs autophagic activity in both the early and late stages of the mouse brain, and is partially responsible for HH-induced oxidative stress, neuronal loss, and brain damage. The autophagic agonist rapamycin only promotes the initiation of autophagy. By proteome analysis, a screen showed that protein dynamin2 (DNM2) potentially regulates autophagic flux. Overexpression of DNM2 significantly increased the formation of autolysosomes, thus maintaining autophagic flux in combination with rapamycin. Furthermore, the enhancement of autophagic activity attenuated oxidative stress and neurological deficits after HH exposure. These results contribute to evidence supporting the conclusion that DNM2-mediated autophagic flux represents a new therapeutic target in HH-induced brain damage.
Mice ; Animals ; Hypoxia ; Oxidative Stress ; Autophagy ; Cognition ; Sirolimus/therapeutic use*

Objective:To analyze the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of adult carotid body tumors (CBTs) in Northwest China to provide references for early diagnosis and treatment of CBTs.Methods:A multicenter, retrospective, non-intervention epidemiological investigation was conducted on adult CBTs patients who were hospitalized from January 1, 2011 to June 30, 2023 in 7 Class A tertiary hospitals in Northwest China (Departments of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University, Second Affiliated Hospital of Lanzhou University, People's Hospital of Gansu Province, 940 th Hospital of PLA Joint Logistic Support Force, People's Hospital of Qinghai Province, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, People's Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region). Medical records were collected in these patients, and they were divided into 2 groups according to their average altitude residence: high altitude group (≥1 500 m) and low altitude group (<1 500 m); meanwhile, these patients were divided into Shamblin type I, type II and type III groups according to Shamblin classification criteria; differences in general data and clinical features among patients from different altitude groups or Shamblin subgroups were compared. Independent influencing factors for Shamblin type III CBTs were analyzed by multivariate ordered Logistic regression. Results:(1) A total of 359 patients were enrolled in the study, including 276 females and 83 males, aged (48.80±12.07) years; 211 patients were into the high altitude group and 148 into the low altitude group; 165 patients were into Shamblin type I group, 146 into Shamblin type II group, and 48 into Shamblin type III group. (2) Compared with those in the low altitude group, patients in the high altitude group had higher proportion of females, older age, lower proportion of Han nationality, higher proportion of Shamblin type I, smaller tumor volume, lower platelet count, higher red blood cell count, hematocrit, hemoglobin level, platelet distribution width and mean platelet volume, and higher large platelet percentage, with significant differences ( P<0.05). (3) Compared with those in the Shamblin type I group, patients in the Shamblin type III group had younger age, lower resident altitude, larger tumor volume, longer time interval from onset to diagnosis, higher proportion of unintentional tumor discovery, larger volume of intraoperative blood loss, lower hemoglobin level, hematocrit, mean erythrocyte volume, and mean hemoglobin concentration, decreased erythrocyte distribution width variable coefficient, and increased platelet count, with significant differences ( P<0.05). Compared with those in the Shamblin type II group, patients in Shamblin type III group had younger age, larger tumor volume, longer time interval from onset to diagnosis, larger volume of intraoperative blood loss, lower hemoglobin, hematocrit and mean erythrocyte volume, higher erythrocyte distribution width variable coefficient and platelet count, with significant differences ( P<0.05). (4) Age ( OR=0.960, 95% CI: 0.942-0.977, P<0.001), residence altitude ( OR=0.992, 95% CI: 0.990-0.999, P=0.020) and time interval from onset to diagnosis ( OR=1.009, 95% CI: 1.005-1.014, P<0.001) were independent influencing factors for Shamblin type III CBTs. Conclusions:More females than males are noted in patients with adult CBTs in Northwest China, and more CBTs patients live at high altitude, with Shamblin type I enjoying the highest proportion. More female and old patients lived at high altitude is noted than those lived at low altitude; patients with Shamblin type III have the youngest age, lowest altitude, and longest time interval from onset to diagnosis. CBTs patients with young age, low residence altitude, and long time interval from onset to diagnosis are more likely to develop Shamblin type III.

Objective:To summarize the clinical value of fetoscopy in the prenatal diagnosis and treatment of amniotic band syndrome (ABS).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of seven ABS fetuses who underwent prenatal fetoscopic intervention at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from December 2020 to August 2023. Literatures related to fetoscopic treatment of ABS were searched in databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, and PubMed. Clinical data were extracted and the characteristics and intervention effects of fetoscopic surgery in the treatment of ABS were summarized.Results:(1) Preoperative evaluation: the gestational age at diagnosis for the seven ABS fetuses was (19.8±4.4) weeks, and the gestational age at fetoscopic intervention was (22.2±2.8) weeks. The indications for fetoscopic intervention included umbilical cord involvement (3 cases), limb amniotic band with circular constriction (2 cases), and unclear visualization of digits (3 cases). (2) Pregnancy outcomes: among the seven ABS fetuses, four cases underwent selective termination of pregnancy due to severe intrauterine limb amputation, and three cases underwent fetoscopic lysis of amniotic bands. Among the latter three cases, one case experienced intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) two weeks after the procedure, and two cases had good postoperative outcomes. (3) Literature review: a total of 40 cases, including 37 cases from 17 articles and three cases from our institution, were included in the analysis. The indications for fetoscopic surgery included limb amniotic band with circular constriction and involvement of the umbilical cord. The success rate of the surgery was 82% (33/40), and 78% (29/37) of the affected limbs retained good functionality. Premature rupture of membranes was the most common complication, with an incidence rate of 48% (16/33). The average interval from the surgery to membrane rupture was (6.1±5.1) weeks, and the average interval from the surgery to delivery was (10.5±4.1) weeks, with an average gestational age at delivery of (33.7±3.6) weeks. The pregnant women were divided into single Trocar group (27 cases) and double Trocar group (13 cases) based on the surgical approach. The success rates in single Trocar group and double Trocar group were 78% (21/27) and 12/13, respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant ( χ2=0.474, P=0.491). The gestational age of delivery in the single Trocar group and double Trocar group was (32.7±3.4) and (35.4±3.2) weeks, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=-2.185, P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the success rate of the surgery, incidence of premature rupture of membranes, interval between surgery and membrane rupture, interval between surgery and delivery, and preterm delivery rate between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions:Fetoscopy could be used for prenatal assessment and intrauterine treatment of ABS. Fetoscopic lysis of amniotic bands may be an effective method for treating ABS, which helps preserve limb function and prevent intrauterine limb amputation and IUFD.

Objective:To investigate the influence and mechanism of stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) in microglia/macrophages M1 activation after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.Methods:(1) Animal experiment: 20 male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into sham-operated (Sham) group, middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion (MCAO/R) group, MCAO/R+si-Ctrl group, and MCAO/R+si-STIM1 group ( n=5); MCAO/R models were established in mice of the latter 3 groups; empty vector control virus and STIM1 gene knockout lentivirus were transfected into mice in the MCAO/R+si-Ctrl group and MCAO/R+si-STIM1 group. The transfection efficiency of STIM1 and the expression of microglia/macrophages M1 activation marker cluster of differentiation 86 (CD86) in each group were observed. (2) Cell experiment: primary microglia were divided into Ctrl group, oxygen-glucose deprivation/re-oxygenation (OGD/R) group, OGD/R+si-Ctrl group, OGD/R+si-STIM1 group, OGD/R+solvent group, and OGD/R+4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA) group; OGD/R models were established in the later 5 groups; empty vector control virus and STIM1 gene knockout lentivirus were transfected into mice in the OGD/R+si-Ctrl group and OGD/R+si-STIM1 group; cells in the OGD/R+4-PBA group were pre-treated with 1 mmol/L 4-PBA for 1 h at 24 h before OGD/R modelling to inhibit endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), and cells in the OGD/R+solvent group were pre-treated with 0.5% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for 1 h at the same time. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), ELISA, Western blotting and other methods were used to detect the levels of CD86, tumour necrosis factor-α ( TNF-α) mRNA, interleukin (IL)-1β, and ERS-related proteins (transcription factor C/EBP homologous protein [CHOP], activated transcription factor 4 [ATF4]) in these cells. Results:(1) Animal experiment: the STIM1 expression in MCAO/R+si-STIM1 group was significantly lower than that in Sham group, MACO/R group and MCAO/R+si-Ctrl group ( P<0.05); as compared with that in the MACO/R group and MCAO/R+si-Ctrl group, the number of microglia/macrophages co-expressing CD86 and Iba-1 around the ischemic foci of mice in the MCAO/R+si-STIM1 group was significantly decreased ( P<0.05). (2) Cell experiment: as compared with those in the OGD/R group and OGD/R+si-Ctrl group, the expression levels of STIM1, CD86, and TNF-α mRNA, and supernatant IL-1β content in the OGD/R+si-STIM1 group were significantly decreased ( P<0.05); as compared with those in the OGD/R group and OGD/R+si-CTRL group, the ATF4 and CHOP expression levels in OGD/R+si-STIM1 group were significantly decreased ( P<0.05); as compared with those in the OGD/R group and OGD/R+solvent group, the CD86 level, TNF-α mRNA expression level and IL-1β content in the OGD/R+4-PBA group were significantly decreased ( P<0.05). Conclusion:STIM1 affects microglia/macrophages M1 activation after ischemia-reperfusion injury by regulating ERS level.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on intestinal injury in severely burned rats.Methods:One hundred and twenty healthy clean-grade male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 240-260 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=30 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (group Sham), sham plus dexmedetomidine group (group Sham+ Dex), severe burn group (group Burn), and severe burn plus dexmedetomidine group (group Burn+ Dex). Forty percent total body surface area of III degree burn model was developed in chloral hydrate-anesthetized rats.Dexmedetomidine was intravenously infused for 4 h at a rate of 5 μg·kg -1·h -1 starting from 3 h after establishing the model in Sham+ Dex group and Burn+ Dex group.The small intestinal tissues were removed for examination of the pathological changes which were scored and for determination of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) contents (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), and expression of occludin and ZO-1 protein (by Western blot). The serum concentrations of 4-kD-FITC were measured at 90, 180, 360 and 720 min after establishing the model. Results:Compared with Sham group, the pathological scores of intestinal tissues, contents of TNF-α and HMGB1, serum concentrations of 4-kD-FITC at each time point were significantly increased, and the expression of occludin and ZO-1 was down-regulated in Burn group and Burn+ Dex group ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in Sham+ Dex group ( P>0.05). Compared with Burn group, the pathological scores of intestinal tissues, contents of TNF-α and HMGB1, serum concentrations of 4-kD-FITC at each time point were significantly decreased, and the expression of occludin and ZO-1 was up-regulated in Burn+ Dex group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Dexmedetomidine can reduce intestinal injury in severely burned rats, and the mechanism may be related to inhibiting inflammatory responses in the intestine.

With esoterica of Infantile Tuina by LI Dexiu and Infantile Tuina Therapy of LIU Kaiyun, the differences and similarities of manipulations, acupoints and the principles of treatment were studied so as to provide theoretical evidence to popularize tuina of LI Dexiu and LIU Kaiyun.
Acupuncture Points ; China ; Female ; History, 19th Century ; History, 20th Century ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Newborn, Diseases ; therapy ; Male ; Massage ; history ; manpower ; methods

The origin time, representative physicians and medical works of Xujiang acupuncture school were traced, so as to explore the academic origin and development and summarize the academic characteristic of Xujiang acupuncture school, which could make a better inheritance of academic essence and prompt the innovation and development of Xujiang acupuncture school.
Acupuncture ; education ; manpower ; Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Humans ; Physicians ; Qi

Objective To understand the status of depression and quality of life in the patients with advanced gastric cancer , and to explore their relationship .Methods The depression self rating scale (SDS) and the Chinese Scale of World Health Organiza‐tion Quality of Life Scale‐Brief Form Questionnaire (WHOQOL‐BREF) were adopted to conduct the questionnaire investigation on 131 patients with advanced gastric cancer ,then the results were compared with those of the health population .Results Among 131 patients with advanced gastric cancer ,the prevalence rate of depression was 47 .33% ,and the average SDS score was 45 .99 ± 15 .47 ,which were higher than those of the health population .The scores of quality of life were 61 .61 ± 12 .66 for the physiologic health domain ,59 .54 ± 12 .49 for the mental health domain ,64 .95 ± 14 .16 for the social relation domain and 52 .93 ± 14 .07 for the surrounding environment domain .There was a significant correlation between the depression score with the four domains scores of life quality ,in which the correlation with the mental health domain was strongest (r= -0 .636 ,r2 =0 .405) .Conclusion High depression level and poor quality of life exist in the patients with advanced gastric cancer ,and there is a correlation between them , in which the correlation between depression with the mental health domain is strongest .

Objective To investigate the factors related with swallowing function after stroke. Methods Stroke patients with dysphagia were reviewed, 296 cases with pseudobulbar paralysis, and 82 cases with bulbar paralysis. Swallowing function was evaluated with videoflu-oroscopic swallowing study (VFSS). The variable of age, sex, Body Mass Index (BMI), scores of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Simplified Fug-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and modified Barthel Index (MBI), intubation, aspiration, length of hospitalization (LOH), and initiation of rehabilitation intervention were analyzed with Logistic regression. Results Age, NIHSS score, intubation, aspira-tion, initiation of rehabilitation intervention were the risk factors for poor outcome of swallowing function in all the patients, while the score of MBI was the protective factor for the pseudobulbar paralysis ones. Conclusion The younger the patients, the less the NIHSS score, no in-tubation, no aspiration, and the earlier the rehabilitation intervened, the more independent the pseudobulbar paralysis patients, the better swallowing function recovered.