BACKGROUND:Our previous studies have confirmed that H2O2 and ginsenoside Rg1 can cause changes in reactive oxygen species levels in human periodontal ligament cells,but the correlation of reactive oxygen species with apoptosis and autophagy remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect and mechanism of ginsenoside Rg1 on H2O2-induced apoptosis and autophagy of human periodontal ligament cells. METHODS:Human periodontal ligament cells were divided into control group,H2O2 group and H2O2+Rg1 group.Ginsenoside Rg1(50 μmol/L)was pre-incubated for 24 hours and H2O2 was treated for 2 hours(500 μmol/L).CCK-8 assay was used to detect the proliferation ability of the cells.A fluorescent probe DCFH-DA was used to detect the reactive oxygen species level of the cells.qRT-PCR and western blot assay were used to detect heme oxygenase 1,apoptosis-related factor Caspase-3,Bax,anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2,autophagy Beclin-1,P62,LC3,pathway-related factors phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase(PI3K),protein kinase B(AKT),mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)mRNA and protein expression. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the control group,the proliferation activity of human periodontal ligament cells in the H2O2 group decreased.Compared with the H2O2 group,the proliferation activity of human periodontal ligament cells increased in the H2O2+Rg1 group.(2)Compared with the control group,the expression of reactive oxygen species and heme oxygenase-1 increased in the H2O2 group.Compared with the H2O2 group,the expression of reactive oxygen species and heme oxygenase-1 decreased in the H2O2+Rg1 group.(3)Compared with the control group,the expression of Caspase-3,Bax,Beclin-1 and LC3 increased,while the expression of Bcl-2 and P62 decreased in human periodontal ligament cells of the H2O2 group.Compared with the H2O2 group,the expressions of Caspase-3,Bax,Beclin-1 and LC3 decreased,and the expressions of Bcl-2 and P62 increased in the H2O2+Rg1 group.(4)Compared with the control group,the expressions of PI3K,AKT and mTOR decreased in human periodontal ligament cells of the H2O2 group.Compared with the H2O2 group,the expressions of PI3K,AKT and mTOR increased in human periodontal ligament cells of the H2O2+Rg1 group.(5)These results suggest that ginsenoside Rg1 can inhibit H2O2-induced apoptosis and autophagy in human periodontal ligament cells by reducing the content of reactive oxygen species and down-regulating the related factor expression of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

Objective:The purpose of this study is to explore the clinical characteristics of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and analyze the risk factors for adverse outcomes.Methods:2 052 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who were hospitalized in Shanxi Bethune Hospital between December 1, 2022 and March 20, 2023 were included. They were divided into diabetes group ( n=70) and non-diabetes group ( n=1 982) according to the presence or absence of comorbid T2DM. The two groups were matched at 1:1 via propensity score matching. Clinical characteristics and laboratory examination results of the two groups were compared. According to the outcomes during hospitalization, the two groups were further divided into two subgroups respectively. Univariate analysis and subsequent binary Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of adverse outcomes in patients with COVID-19 and type 2 diabetes. Results:After the propensity score matching, the most common comorbid condition in diabetes group and non-diabetes group was hypertension. The proportion of patients with severe or critical disease in diabetes group was higher compared with non-diabetes group. The levels of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood urea, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ and TNF-α were significantly higher in the diabetes group ( P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis within the diabetes group showed that hypertension ( OR=3.640, 95% CI: 3.156 to 4.290), FBG>11 mmol/L ( OR=3.283, 95% CI: 1.416 to 7.611), HbA1c>10% ( OR=2.718, 95% CI: 1.024 to 7.213) were independent risk factors for adverse outcomes in patients with COVID-19 and type 2 diabetes(all P<0.05). Conclusions:Compared with the non-diabetes group, patients with COVID-19 and T2DM have worse inflammatory response and higher levels of inflammatory cytokines. The elevated levels of FBG and HbA1c are related to the adverse outcome in patients with COVID-19 and T2DM.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical relevant effect of hospital-wide blood glucose management in perioperative cholelithiasis patients with type 2 diabetes.Methods:The subjects of the study were patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with cholelithiasis who were treated at the Baiqiu'en Hospital in Shanxi from September 2022 to October 2023. The patients were divided into hospital-wide blood sugar management group and conventional treatment group, according to different blood glucose management they received. The differences in preoperative blood glucose control, length of stay, postoperative complications, and hospitalization expenses between the two groups were compared.Results:Compare based on the median (quartiles) of the observed indicators, patients with cholelithiasis who underwent hospital-wide blood glucose management based on insulin pumps had a higher proportion of time in range [72.00(70.21, 82.90)% vs. 64.80 (61.55,70.50)%, P<0.001)], lower average blood glucose level [9.00 (8.55, 10.44) mmol/L vs. 11.50 (10.50, 12.50) mmol/L, P<0.001], and shorter hospital stay [8.00 (7.00,13.00) days vs. 10.00 (8.00, 12.00) ) days, P<0.05]. Moreover, the incidence of postoperative complications was lower [5(11.11)% vs. 15(33.33)%, P<0.05], and hospitalization expenses were lower [16 535.34 (14 271.44, 29 569.23) yuan vs. 18 633.85 (17 482.66) yuan , 22 855.02) yuan, P<0.05] in patients who received hospital-wide blood glucose management. Conclusion:Hospital-wide blood glucose management based on insulin pumps showed favorable effects in the perioperative clinical application in cholelithiasis patients with type 2 diabetes, and could contribute to shortening the average length of stay, reducing hospitalization costs, and reducing postoperative complications.

Objective:To explore the structural characteristics of intestinal microflora in children with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease（NAFLD）and the relationship between intestinal microflora and the occurrence as well as development of NAFLD in children.Methods:Fifteen children with NAFLD diagnosed at the First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province from January 2022 to December 2022 were selected as subjects，and 15 healthy children who received routine physical examinations at the outpatient clinic during the same period were randomly selected as healthy control group.The height，weight，waist circumference，blood pressure，blood biochemistry of all children were collected.At the same time，the fresh fecal samples of all children were collected，and the biological information of intestinal flora was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing.Results:In the NAFLD group，there were eight males and seven females，with an average age of（11.13±1.77）years.In healthy control group，there were seven males and eight females，with an average age of（9.73±2.25）years.There were no significant differences in sex，age，blood pressure between two groups.Compared with the healthy control group，the levels of body mass index，waist circumference，waist-to-height ratio，alanine aminotransferase，aspartate transaminase，gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase，total bilirubin，direct bilirubin，unconjugated bilirubin，low density lipoprotein cholesterol，uric acid and serum insulin significantly increased and high density lipoprotein cholesterol significantly decreased in NAFLD group（ P<0.05）.The results of species diversity analysis showed that chaol index and observed-species index in NAFLD group were significantly higher than those in healthy control group（ P<0.05）.Species diversity analysis showed that the species with increased abundance in NAFLD group included：Proteobacteria，Gammaproteobacteria，Enterobacteriaceae，Klebsiella，Escherichia-Shigella，Escherichia-Shigella-unclassified.Differential species with increased abundance in the healthy control group included：Bifidobacterium species，Bifidobacterium，Bifidobacteriaceae，Bifidobacteriales，Actinobacteria，Actinobacteriota，Bacteroidia，Bacteroidales，Streptococcus-thermophilus. Conclusion:There are metabolic abnormalities and obvious changes in the structure of intestinal flora in children with NAFLD.Exogenous supplementation of Bifidobacterium，Streptococcus thermophilus and Bacteroides may prevent the occurrence of NAFLD，delay the progression of disease and improve fat deposition in the liver.

Objective:To analyze the genetic and molecular characteristics of H9N2 subtype avian influenza viruses from external environment and humans in Anhui Province from 2013 to 2022.Methods:Environmental samples and human samples were collected from Anhui influenza surveillance network laboratory. Sixty-three strains of virus were isolated in chicken embryos. RT-PCR was used to amplify the virus and whole genome sequencing was performed. To construct gene evolutionary tree and analyze its genetic characteristics and potential glycosylation sites.Results:The hemagglutinin (HA) gene belongs to the 9.2.4.5 clade, and the protein cleavage sites are mostly " PSRSSR\GL". The neuraminidase (NA) gene, basic protein-1(PB1) gene, acidic protein (PA) gene, non-structural protein (NS) gene and nucleoprotein (NP) gene belong to the F/98 clade, the matrix protein (MP) gene belongs to the G1/97 clade, and the basic protein-2 (PB2) gene belongs to the ST/7488 clade. Mutations of T155N, R164Q, H183N, T189D/V, A190V/T and Q226L occurred in HA protein, deletion of NA protein occurred at 62-64 sites, and mutations of T271A, I292V/M and E627V/L occurred in PB2 protein. At the same time, mutations of K356R and S409N occurred in the PA protein.Conclusions:The H9N2 subtype avian influenza viruses collected from external environment and human sources in Anhui province from 2013 to 2022 belong to the same evolutionary branch, and amino acid site mutations suggest that the virus shows a tendency to gradually adapt to the mammalian host environment. Therefore, further studies on the adaptive evolution of the virus and related monitoring work are needed.

Objective:To explore the roles and mechanisms of metformin in the improvement of cognitive dysfunction induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion in rats.Methods:Total 82 SD male rats (SPF grade) aged 3-4 months were randomly divided into four groups: sham operation control group (Con group, n=15), sham operation with metformin treatment group (Met group, n=20), 2-vessel occlusion group (2VO group, n=22), and 2-vessel occlusion with metformin administration group (2VO+ Met group, n=25). The chronic cerebral hypoperfusion model was established by bilateral common carotid artery ligation, and the carotid arteries of rats in Con group and Met group were only separated without ligation.After 2VO operation, rats in 2VO+ Met group and Met group were given metformin solution in drinking water at a dose of 100 mg/kg per day for 4 weeks.After 4-week continuous intervention with metformin, Morris water maze was performed to test the spatial cognitive function of the rats, in vivo electrophysiological technology was used to detect the long-term potential of the rats, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the concentrations of inflammatory factor tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and interleukin-6(IL-6) in the hippocampus.The density of dendritic spines of hippocampal neurons was observed by Golgi staining, and the synaptic structure of hippocampal neurons, especially the vesicle density, was observed by transmission electron microscopy.SPSS 16.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Repetitive measurement ANOVA was used for the escape latency data of 7 days repeated learning training in water maze.One-way ANOVA was used for the comparison of other data among multiple groups, and Dunnett's t test was used for further pairwise comparison. Results:Morris water maze results showed that during 7 days of learning training, the time and group interaction for escape latency was not significant in the 4 groups of rats ( F=0.93, P>0.05), but the time main effect ( F=25.90, P<0.05) and group main effect ( F=13.20, P<0.05) were significant.Morris water maze test showed that from the 3rd to 7th day, the escape latencies in 2VO group were significantly longer than those in Con group and 2VO+ Met group(all P<0.05). The short-term memory of rats was detected after 1 day of rest.The results showed that the escape latency in 2VO group was significantly longer than that in Con group and 2VO + Met group( P<0.01). The retention time and crossing times in the platform area of 2VO rats were less than those in Con group and 2VO + Met group ( P<0.01). Electrophysiological results showed that the relative field excitatory postsynaptic potential slope of 2VO group (1.29±0.09) was significantly lower than that in Con group (2.07±0.09) and 2VO + Met group (1.69±0.08)( P<0.01). ELISA results showed that TNF-α level in hippocampal tissue of 2VO group was significantly higher than that in Con group and 2VO+ Met group; IL-1β and IL-6 levels in hippocampal tissue of 2VO group were significantly higher than those in Con group and 2VO + Met group.Density of dendritic spines in hippocampal neurons of 2VO group was significantly lower than that in Con group and 2VO+ Met group.The density and proportion of immature dendritic spines in hippocampal neurons of 2VO group were significantly higher than those in Con group and 2VO + Met group.Synaptic vesicle density of neurons in CA1 area of hippocampus in 2VO group ((230.29±19.44) vescicles/μm 2) was significantly lower than that in the Con group ((414.52±13.17) vescicles/μm 2) and 2VO+ Met group ((313.19±12.42) vescicles/μm 2). Conclusion:Metformin can reduce neuroinflammation of hippocampus with chronic cerebral hypoperfusion and improve synaptic plasticity and cognitive dysfunction.It may have potential application value in the treatment of vascular cognitive dysfunction.

Objective:To explore the protective effects and mechanisms of L-carnitine (LCAR) on cognitive dysfunction in chronic cerebral hypoperfusion rats.Methods:Totally 90 SD male rats (SPF class) aged 3-4 months were divided into four groups according to random number talbe: sham operated control group (SHAM group, n=15), sham operated with L-carnitine treatment group (LCAR group, n=25), 2-vessel occlusion group (2VO group, n=25), and 2-vessel occlusion with L-carnitine treatment group (2VO+ LCAR group, n=25). The chronic cerebral hypoperfusion model was established by bilateral common carotid artery ligation, and the carotid arteries from SHAM group and LCAR group were only separated without ligation.L-carnitine was administered intraperitoneally (300 mg·kg -1·d -1) for 30 days after surgery in the LCAR and 2VO+ LCAR groups.After 30 days of L-carnitine intervention, Morris water maze was performed to test the spatial cognitive function of the rats, the ATP level of hippocampal tissue was detected by chemiluminescence, the mitochondrial structure and synaptic structure of hippocampal neurons were observed by transmission electron microscopy, the degree of mitochondrial damage was scored, the vesicle density was counted and measured, the level of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit 2A or 2B(NR2A/B) and postsynaptic density 95(PSD95) in hippocampal tissue were detected by Western blot.The expression and distribution levels of transcription factor cAMP response element-binding protein(CREB) in brain tissues were observed by immunofluorescence.SPSS 16.0 software was used for statistical analysis.The escape latency data of repeated learning training in Morris water maze was conducted by repetitive measurement ANOVA, while other data were adopted by one-way ANOVA, and Dunnett's t test was used for further pairwise comparison. Results:(1)Morris water maze results showed that the time and group interaction of escape latency was not significant among the 4 groups of rats ( F=1.4, P>0.05), but the time main effect and group main effect were significant( F=21.6, 15.2, both P<0.05). Morris water maze results showed that platform position learning from 3rd to 7th day, the escape latencies in 2VO group were longer than those in SHAM group and 2VO+ LCAR group (all P<0.05). The results of short-term memory showed that the escape latency in 2VO group was longer than those in SHAM group and 2VO+ LCAR group (all P<0.05). Meanwhile, the retention time and crossing times in the platform area of 2VO group were less than those in SHAM group and 2VO+ LCAR group (all P<0.05). (2) The absolute and relative levels of ATP in hippocampus showed that the difference among the 4 groups were statistically significant ( F=14.6, 13.2, both P<0.05). ATP level of hippocampus in 2VO group was lower than those in SHAM group and 2VO+ LCAR group (both P<0.05). Electron microscopic observation of mitochondrial morphology showed that the Flameng score of mitochondrial damage in the hippocampus of rats in 2VO group (2.82±0.17) was higher than those in SHAM group (0.25±0.07) and 2VO+ LCAR group (1.76±0.09) (both P<0.05). (3) The density of synaptic vesicles in the hippocampus of rats in 2VO group ((289.09±22.41)/μm 2)was lower than those in SHAM group ((497.49±28.89)/μm 2)and 2VO+ LCAR group ((401.23±45.09)/μm 2) (both P<0.01). Western blot results showed that the relative levels of synaptic proteins NR2A/B, PSD95 and CREB in 2VO group were lower than those in SHAM group and 2VO+ LCAR group (all P<0.05). Immunofluorescence results showed that the relative level of CREB expression in hippocampal subregions and cortex in 2VO group was lower than those in SHAM group and 2VO+ LCAR group (both P<0.01). Conclusion:L-carnitine can improve spatial learning and memory dysfunction in rats with chronic cerebral hypoperfusion, which are related with promoting ATP production and protecting mitochondrial morphology, and promoting synaptic vesicle synthesis and synaptic protein expression.

Objective:We evaluated frailty in elderly hospitalized patients with atrial fibrillation and analyzed the relevance, consistency, and diagnostic power of different frailty tools.Methods:From September 2018 to April 2019, a total of 197 elderly patients with atrial fibrillation aged ≥ 65 years in Beijing Hospital, Chinese PLA General Hospital, and Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital were prospectively enrolled.Five frailty tools, including the clinical frailty scale(CFS), FRAIL scale(FRAIL), Fried frailty phenotype(Fried), Edmonton frail scale(EFS), and comprehensive geriatric assessment-frailty index(CGA-FI), were used for frailty assessment.Results:A total of 197 hospitalized elderly patients with atrial fibrillation were enrolled, with an average age of(77.5±7.1)years old(57.4% male). The prevalence of frailty, according to the five frailty tools, were 25.4%(FRAIL), 27.9%(EFS), 34.5%(Fried), 40.6%(CFS), and 42.6%(CGA-FI), respectively.CFS had a good correlation(correlation coefficient 0.80)and and consistency(Kappa value 0.71, 95% CI 0.61~0.81)with CGA-FI.The combined frailty index was used as the gold standard for frailty diagnosis.The results showed that CFS and CGA-FI had high diagnostic sensitivity(95.9 % and 98.0 %, respectively)and specificity(77.7 % and 75.7 %, respectively). Conclusions:Frailty is common in elderly hospitalized patients with atrial fibrillation, showing multidimensional features, and physical weakness is not prominet.CFS and CGA-FI are recommended for the assessment of frailty in patients with atrial fibrillation, which had good correlation and consistency.

Objective:Analysis of the characteristics of influenza epidemic in Anhui Province and quantification of the impact of different factors on influenza occurrence, providing scientific basis for better influenza prevention and control.Methods:Descriptive analysis and factor analysis were conducted on influenza-like illness (ILI) cases and RT-PCR results in Anhui Province from 2013 to 2021 using data from China's Influenza Monitoring Information System.Results:The percentage of influenza-like illness (ILI%) of sentinel hospitals in Anhui Province from April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2021 was 3.80% (1 209 142/31 779 987), showing an overall increasing trend, with a relatively high proportion in 2017-2018 at 4.30% (191 148/4 448 211). The proportion of ILI cases in infants and young children aged 0-4 years was a relatively high at 54.14% (654 676/1 209 142), and the highest ILI% was observed in Fuyang City, Anhui Province (6.25%, 236 863/3 788 863). Laboratory monitoring results showed that the positive rate of ILI cases in sentinel hospitals in 8 influenza monitoring years was 16.38% (34 868/212 912), showing an increasing trend year by year, with a relatively proportion in 2017-2018 at 26.19% (6 936/26 488). The detection rate of school-age children aged 5-14 years was a relativelyhigh at 28.81% (13 869/48 144), and the positive rate was a relatively high in Wuhu City among the 16 cities, reaching 22.01% (2 693/122 237). Influenza activity showed a single peak in winter-spring and alternating double peaks in winter-spring and summer, with different subtypes alternating, and A (H3N2) was the dominant subtype in summer. The results of a multiple logistic regression model showed that the positive rate was higher in 2017-2018, among children aged 5-14 years, in winter, and in southern Anhui.Conclusions:Influenza epidemic in Anhui Province has a clear seasonal pattern, and the ILI% and detection rate have shown an upward trend from 2013 to 2021. Therefore, it is suggested to ensure vaccine supply before the winter-spring influenza season arrives, and to strengthen vaccine uptake and health education to avoid the risk of infection during the peak period of influenza.

【Objective】 To explore the effect and mechanism of Fasudil in the treatment of experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) in mice so as to provide a theoretical basis for the clinical use of Fasudil in treating myocarditis. 【Methods】 Balb/c male mice were used as the research objects, and the EAM mice model was constructed using MyHC-α614-629 polypeptide. Mononuclear cells were isolated and cultured to detect the number of mononuclear cells in mouse spleen. Inflammation infiltration, fibrosis and IL-6 expression in mouse myocardial tissue were detected by HE staining, Masson staining and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The protein expressions of Notch1 and IL-6 were detected by Western blotting. qRT-PCR was used to detect the expressions of pro-inflammatory factors (IL-1α, IL-1β and IL-6) as well as key genes of TLRs and NOTCH signaling pathway. 【Results】 EAM mice showed increased HW, decreased BW, increased HW/e-BW, and increased inflammatory infiltration and fibrosis in myocardial tissue. The above-mentioned symptoms or pathological features were improved in EAM mice treated with Fasudil. The analysis showed that the pro-inflammatory factors IL-1α, IL-1β and IL-6 in the myocardial tissue of EAM mice were significantly increased, but only the expression of IL-6 was statistically different after Fasudil treatment compared with the control group. In addition, TLRs signaling pathway might also play an important role in the EAM mice treated with Fasudil. The expressions of IL-6 and Notch1 were consistent, and the expressions of the key genes of NOTCH signaling pathway (Notch1, Hes1 and Jag2) were down-regulated after Fasudil treatment. 【Conclusion】 Fasudil exerts a protective effect on down-regulation of IL-6 expression by inhibiting the NOTCH signaling pathway in EAM mice.