BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac arrhythmia in the elderly. This study aimed to evaluate urban-rural disparities in its prevalence and management in elderly Chinese. METHODS: Consecutive participants aged ≥ 65 years attending outpatient clinics were enrolled for AF screening using handheld single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) from April 2017 to December 2022. Each ECG rhythm strip was reviewed from the research team. AF or uninterpretable single-lead ECGs were referred for 12-lead ECG. Primary study outcome comparison was between rural and urban areas for the prevalence of AF. The Student's t-test was used to compare mean values of clinical characteristics between rural and urban participants, while the Pearson's chi-square test was used to compare between-group proportions. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the association between AF and various patient characteristics. RESULTS: The 29,166 study participants included 13,253 men (45.4%) and had a mean age of 72.2 years. The 7073 rural participants differed significantly (P ≤ 0.02) from the 22,093 urban participants in several major characteristics, such as older age, greater body mass index, and so on. The overall prevalence of AF was 4.6% (n = 1347). AF was more prevalent in 7073 rural participants than 22,093 urban participants (5.6% vs. 4.3%, P < 0.01), before and after adjustment for age, body mass index, blood pressure, pulse rate, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and prior medical history. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified overweight/obesity (OR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.17-1.54) in urban areas and cigarette smoking (OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.20-2.17) and alcohol consumption (OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.04-1.93) in rural areas as specific risk factors for prevalent AF. In patients with known AF in urban areas (n = 781) and rural areas (n = 338), 60.6% and 45.9%, respectively, received AF treatment (P < 0.01), and only 22.4% and 17.2%, respectively, received anticoagulation therapy (P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS In China, there are urban-rural disparities in AF in the elderly, with a higher prevalence and worse management in rural areas than urban areas. Our study findings provide insight for health policymakers to consider urban-rural disparity in the prevention and treatment of AF.

Objective:To explore the predictive value of the difference in average CT attenuation values between renal pelvis urine and bladder urine on the risk of pyonephrosis, and to establish a nomogram model in combination with other parameters and to verify its predictive ability.Methods:The clinical data of patients with obstructive hydronephrosis who came to our hospital for emergency percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) between January 2020 and December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 16 men and 33 women, with the age of (57.59, 14.67) years. Body mass index was (23.34, 3.11) kg/m 2. Urine nitrite was positive in 14 cases. Urine culture was positive in 21 cases. In the routine blood test, the median white blood cell count was 10.96 (7.21, 15.15) ×10 9/L, haemoglobin (115.08, 22.71) g/L and platelets (263.00, 97.20)×10 9/L. The difference in average CT attenuation values between renal pelvis urine and bladder urine (mean CT value of pyelonephritis-mean CT value of cysturia) was -2.19 (-7.04, 4.05) HU. Patients were divided into pyonephrosis group and hydronephrosis group according to whether the drainage fluid after PCN was pus. Single-factor and multi-factor logistic regression models were used to analyze the independent predictors of pyonephrosis and to construct nomograms. The discrimination of the model was assessed by the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristics (ROC), the accuracy by the calibration curve and the clinical efficacy by the decision curve analysis (DCA). Results:There were 49 cases in this study, 31 cases in the hydronephrosis group and 18 cases in the pyonephrosis group. The average CT attenuation values of renal pelvis urine were 3.35(0.56, 8.96) HU and 7.78 (3.75, 18.38) HU, respectively, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( P=0.023). The average CT attenuation values of bladder urine were (7.81±6.15)HU and (7.22±7.50)HU, respectively, and there was no significant difference between the two groups ( P=0.780). The difference in average CT attenuation values between renal pelvis urine and bladder urine were -3.98(-7.54, 0.60)HU and 2.13 (-5.15, 9.36)HU, respectively, and the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant ( P=0.059); the white blood cells were 9.82(7.04, 12.46) ×10 9/L and 13.99(9.75, 18.44) ×10 9/L, respectively, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( P=0.048). Platelet counts were (248.06±87.87)×10 9/L and (288.72±109.29)×10 9/L, respectively, and there was no statistical difference between the two groups ( P=0.189). The proportion of urine protein positive was higher in the pyonephrosis group (17 vs. 20, P=0.048). Between the two groups, sex, age, body mass index, clinical symptoms (with or without low back pain), surgical history of upper urinary tract stones, underlying diseases (including hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, etc.), location of hydronephrosis (left, right, and both sides), reasons of obstruction [upper urinary tract stones, other factors (such as tumor, ureteral stricture, etc.)], haemoglobin, were not statistical different. There were no significant difference in blood glucose, blood potassium, blood sodium, urine leukocytes, urine erythrocytes, urine nitrite and urine culture ( P>0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the difference in average CT attenuation values between renal pelvis urine and bladder urine ( OR=1.196, 95% CI 1.055-1.437, P=0.018), white blood cells ( OR=1.252, 95% CI 1.036-1.615, P=0.038), and platelets ( OR=1.014, 95% CI 1.003-1.030, P=0.025) were independent predictors of pyonephrosis. According to the above indicators, the nomogram model was established and the AUC value of the model was 0.767 (95% CI 0.616-0.918), the sensitivity was 0.611 and the specificity was 0.935. The calibration curve showed that there is a good fit between the observed value and the predicted value. The DCA analysis showed that the nomogram model has a net gain in a wide threshold range, demonstrating its predictive accuracy and clinical practicality in predicting the risk of pyonephrosis. When the cut-off value of the difference between the average CT values of pyelonephritis and cystourethrosis was 6.54 HU, the AUC value of the independent prediction of pyonephrosis was 0.690(95% CI 0.564-0.816), the sensitivity was 0.444 and the specificity was 0.935. Conclusions:The difference in average CT attenuation values between renal pelvis urine and bladder urine is an independent risk factor for predicting pyonephrosis, and the nomogram constructed by combining it with white blood cells and platelets has a good predictive effect for predicting the risk of pyonephrosis. If the difference in average CT attenuation values between renal pelvis urine and bladder urine is greater than 6.54HU, it should be alert to the occurrence of pyonephrosis.

Aim To verify the therapeutic effect of the Qushi Huoxue decoction(QSHXF)on a mouse model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)using network pharmacology and experimental approaches,to examine the changes in the PI3K-AKT-lipid metabo-lism signaling pathway,and to elucidate its molecular mechanisms.Methods The potential active ingredi-ents and targets of the QSHXF were identified using the TCMSP platform.NAFLD-related genes were sourced from the GeneCards,PharmGkb,TTD,and OMIM data-bases.The intersection of drug targets and NAFLD treatment targets was analyzed to identify the key tar-gets of the QSHXF in treating NAFLD.The STRING database and Cytoscape 3.9.1 software were utilized to construct networks linking traditional Chinese medicine active ingredients to disease targets and PPI networks,allowing for the screening of key active ingredients and core targets.GO and KEGG enrichment analyses of the intersecting targets were conducted using R version 4.2.2.The NAFLD model was established by feeding mice a methionine-choline deficient diet for a duration of five weeks.Following successful modeling,low,me-dium,and high doses of the QSHXF were administered for intervention over a period of six weeks.The efficacy was verified and the underlying mechanisms were ex-plored using methods such as HE staining,Oil Red O staining,and Western blot analysis.Results The net-work pharmacology prediction indicated that QSHXF might effectively treat NAFLD through key components such as quercetin and kaempferol,as well as core tar-gets including STAT3,AKT1,and HIF1A.KEGG en-richment analysis further suggested that QSHXF might exert its therapeutic effects on NAFLD via signaling pathways such as AGE-RAGE and PI3K-AKT.Verifi-cation through animal experiments demonstrated that QSHXF could significantly reduce hepatic steatosis and lipid droplet accumulation in NAFLD mice.Specifical-ly,it markedly decreased serum levels of TC,TG,ALT,AST,and LDL,while increasing HDL levels.Addition-ally,the treatment significantly reduced the protein ex-pression levels of p-PI3K,p-AKT,SREBP-1c,FASN,and ACC1 in the liver.Conclusions QSHXF can sig-nificantly enhance liver function,improve blood lipid levels,and alleviate hepatic steatosis in NAFLD mice,with its mechanism potentially linked to the inhibition of the PI3K-AKT-lipid metabolism signaling pathway.

Aim To verify the therapeutic effect of the Qushi Huoxue decoction(QSHXF)on a mouse model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)using network pharmacology and experimental approaches,to examine the changes in the PI3K-AKT-lipid metabo-lism signaling pathway,and to elucidate its molecular mechanisms.Methods The potential active ingredi-ents and targets of the QSHXF were identified using the TCMSP platform.NAFLD-related genes were sourced from the GeneCards,PharmGkb,TTD,and OMIM data-bases.The intersection of drug targets and NAFLD treatment targets was analyzed to identify the key tar-gets of the QSHXF in treating NAFLD.The STRING database and Cytoscape 3.9.1 software were utilized to construct networks linking traditional Chinese medicine active ingredients to disease targets and PPI networks,allowing for the screening of key active ingredients and core targets.GO and KEGG enrichment analyses of the intersecting targets were conducted using R version 4.2.2.The NAFLD model was established by feeding mice a methionine-choline deficient diet for a duration of five weeks.Following successful modeling,low,me-dium,and high doses of the QSHXF were administered for intervention over a period of six weeks.The efficacy was verified and the underlying mechanisms were ex-plored using methods such as HE staining,Oil Red O staining,and Western blot analysis.Results The net-work pharmacology prediction indicated that QSHXF might effectively treat NAFLD through key components such as quercetin and kaempferol,as well as core tar-gets including STAT3,AKT1,and HIF1A.KEGG en-richment analysis further suggested that QSHXF might exert its therapeutic effects on NAFLD via signaling pathways such as AGE-RAGE and PI3K-AKT.Verifi-cation through animal experiments demonstrated that QSHXF could significantly reduce hepatic steatosis and lipid droplet accumulation in NAFLD mice.Specifical-ly,it markedly decreased serum levels of TC,TG,ALT,AST,and LDL,while increasing HDL levels.Addition-ally,the treatment significantly reduced the protein ex-pression levels of p-PI3K,p-AKT,SREBP-1c,FASN,and ACC1 in the liver.Conclusions QSHXF can sig-nificantly enhance liver function,improve blood lipid levels,and alleviate hepatic steatosis in NAFLD mice,with its mechanism potentially linked to the inhibition of the PI3K-AKT-lipid metabolism signaling pathway.

Objective:To explore the predictive value of the difference in average CT attenuation values between renal pelvis urine and bladder urine on the risk of pyonephrosis, and to establish a nomogram model in combination with other parameters and to verify its predictive ability.Methods:The clinical data of patients with obstructive hydronephrosis who came to our hospital for emergency percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) between January 2020 and December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 16 men and 33 women, with the age of (57.59, 14.67) years. Body mass index was (23.34, 3.11) kg/m 2. Urine nitrite was positive in 14 cases. Urine culture was positive in 21 cases. In the routine blood test, the median white blood cell count was 10.96 (7.21, 15.15) ×10 9/L, haemoglobin (115.08, 22.71) g/L and platelets (263.00, 97.20)×10 9/L. The difference in average CT attenuation values between renal pelvis urine and bladder urine (mean CT value of pyelonephritis-mean CT value of cysturia) was -2.19 (-7.04, 4.05) HU. Patients were divided into pyonephrosis group and hydronephrosis group according to whether the drainage fluid after PCN was pus. Single-factor and multi-factor logistic regression models were used to analyze the independent predictors of pyonephrosis and to construct nomograms. The discrimination of the model was assessed by the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristics (ROC), the accuracy by the calibration curve and the clinical efficacy by the decision curve analysis (DCA). Results:There were 49 cases in this study, 31 cases in the hydronephrosis group and 18 cases in the pyonephrosis group. The average CT attenuation values of renal pelvis urine were 3.35(0.56, 8.96) HU and 7.78 (3.75, 18.38) HU, respectively, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( P=0.023). The average CT attenuation values of bladder urine were (7.81±6.15)HU and (7.22±7.50)HU, respectively, and there was no significant difference between the two groups ( P=0.780). The difference in average CT attenuation values between renal pelvis urine and bladder urine were -3.98(-7.54, 0.60)HU and 2.13 (-5.15, 9.36)HU, respectively, and the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant ( P=0.059); the white blood cells were 9.82(7.04, 12.46) ×10 9/L and 13.99(9.75, 18.44) ×10 9/L, respectively, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( P=0.048). Platelet counts were (248.06±87.87)×10 9/L and (288.72±109.29)×10 9/L, respectively, and there was no statistical difference between the two groups ( P=0.189). The proportion of urine protein positive was higher in the pyonephrosis group (17 vs. 20, P=0.048). Between the two groups, sex, age, body mass index, clinical symptoms (with or without low back pain), surgical history of upper urinary tract stones, underlying diseases (including hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, etc.), location of hydronephrosis (left, right, and both sides), reasons of obstruction [upper urinary tract stones, other factors (such as tumor, ureteral stricture, etc.)], haemoglobin, were not statistical different. There were no significant difference in blood glucose, blood potassium, blood sodium, urine leukocytes, urine erythrocytes, urine nitrite and urine culture ( P>0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the difference in average CT attenuation values between renal pelvis urine and bladder urine ( OR=1.196, 95% CI 1.055-1.437, P=0.018), white blood cells ( OR=1.252, 95% CI 1.036-1.615, P=0.038), and platelets ( OR=1.014, 95% CI 1.003-1.030, P=0.025) were independent predictors of pyonephrosis. According to the above indicators, the nomogram model was established and the AUC value of the model was 0.767 (95% CI 0.616-0.918), the sensitivity was 0.611 and the specificity was 0.935. The calibration curve showed that there is a good fit between the observed value and the predicted value. The DCA analysis showed that the nomogram model has a net gain in a wide threshold range, demonstrating its predictive accuracy and clinical practicality in predicting the risk of pyonephrosis. When the cut-off value of the difference between the average CT values of pyelonephritis and cystourethrosis was 6.54 HU, the AUC value of the independent prediction of pyonephrosis was 0.690(95% CI 0.564-0.816), the sensitivity was 0.444 and the specificity was 0.935. Conclusions:The difference in average CT attenuation values between renal pelvis urine and bladder urine is an independent risk factor for predicting pyonephrosis, and the nomogram constructed by combining it with white blood cells and platelets has a good predictive effect for predicting the risk of pyonephrosis. If the difference in average CT attenuation values between renal pelvis urine and bladder urine is greater than 6.54HU, it should be alert to the occurrence of pyonephrosis.

Vascular calcification is a highly regulated process of ectopic calcification in cardiovascular system while no effective intervention can be clinically performed up to date.As vascular calcification undergoes a common regulatory mechanism within bone formation,bone morphogenetic protein 7(BMP-7)main-tains contractile phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cells and further inhibits vascular calcification via promoting the process of osteoblast differentiation,reducing ectopic calcification pressure by increasing bone formation and reducing bone resorption.This work systematically reviews the role of BMP-7 in vascular calcifi-cation and the possible mechanism,and their current clinical application as well.The current proceedings may help develope early diagnostic strategy and therapeutic treatment with BMP-7 as a new molecular marker and potential drug target.The expec-tation could achieve early prevention and intervention of vascular calcification and improve poor prognosis on patients.

Patients with severe trauma require an extremely timely treatment and transfusion plays an irreplaceable role in the emergency treatment of such patients. An increasing number of evidence-based medicinal evidences and clinical practices suggest that patients with severe traumatic bleeding benefit from early transfusion of low-titer group O whole blood or hemostatic resuscitation with red blood cells, plasma and platelet of a balanced ratio. However, the current domestic mode of blood supply cannot fully meet the requirements of timely and effective blood transfusion for emergency treatment of patients with severe trauma in clinical practice. In order to solve the key problems in blood supply and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma, Branch of Clinical Transfusion Medicine of Chinese Medical Association, Group for Trauma Emergency Care and Multiple Injuries of Trauma Branch of Chinese Medical Association, Young Scholar Group of Disaster Medicine Branch of Chinese Medical Association organized domestic experts of blood transfusion medicine and trauma treatment to jointly formulate Chinese expert consensus on blood support mode and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma patients ( version 2024). Based on the evidence-based medical evidence and Delphi method of expert consultation and voting, 10 recommendations were put forward from two aspects of blood support mode and transfusion strategies, aiming to provide a reference for transfusion resuscitation in the emergency treatment of severe trauma and further improve the success rate of treatment of patients with severe trauma.

A quartz crystal microbalance(QCM)-systematic evolution of ligands by the exponential en-richment(SELEX)technique was developed to screen out aptamers with high affinity for arsenic(Ⅲ).A random single strand DNA library was designed and fixed on the mercaptoethylamine-modified crystal plate with arsenic(Ⅲ)as the target,and the free aptamer was captured in the solution,and the QCM-SELEX screening method was constructed.After 6 rounds of screening,the secondary library was se-quenced with high throughput method,and the 6S1 dissociation coefficient Kd value was 0.36 μmol/L based on QCM resonance frequency.Using 6S1 as a probe,the QCM biosensor was constructed for the detection of arsenic(Ⅲ).The sensor has a good linear relationship in the range of 0.01 μmol/L～0.2μmol/L,and the detection limit of arsenic(Ⅲ)is 5.2 nmol/L(3σ),indicatinggood selectivity.

Objective To optimize the simulation of the pathological characteristics and seizure behavior of medial temporal lobe epilepsy(MTLE),we aimed to establish a chronic epilepsy model of MTLE by unilateral,single hippocampal injection of kainic acid(KA)via stereotactic surgery,and to validate this epilepsy model in terms of behavior,electrophysiology,and pathology.Methods A total of 22 healthy C57BL/6 wild-type male mice were divided randomly into a control group(n=6)and an experimental group,which received KA injections(n=16).Both groups underwent microinjection of equal doses of saline or KA in the hippocampal CA3 area via stereotactic surgery.One week later,all mice were implanted with electrodes in the hippocampal CA3 area to facilitate electroencephalogram(EEG)recording.Seizure frequency and duration were analyzed statistically.The chronic epilepsy model was assessed in terms of behavior,electrophysiology,and pathology.Results No mice in the control group experienced seizures,while all surviving mice in the experimental group developed seizures.Adult model mice exhibited chronic spontaneous seizure behaviors,such as staring,chewing,head and facial muscle twitching,and limb spasms.Two mice died as a result of the surgery,four mice died during the acute seizure phase,and ten model mice were successfully established.EEG recordings showed epileptiform changes consistent with MTLE.Immunofluorescence staining revealed neuronal loss in the CA3 area and astrocytic changes,consistent with characteristic pathological changes of hippocampal sclerosis.Conclusions The model constructed by single unilateral intrahippocampal KA injection demonstrated several advantages such as being time-efficient,easy to operate,and reproducible.This model exhibited EEG,behavioral,and neuropathological changes similar to human MTLE,making it valuable for studying effective treatments for temporal lobe epilepsy and serving as an ideal animal model for predicting outcomes of epilepsy surgery.

In this study, ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS~E) was used to analyze the plasma components of Danzhi Xiaoyao Formula after oral administration. Forty-nine plasma components were found in the serum of rats by comparing the compound extract, drug-containing serum, and blank serum. Components, such as 6-hydroxycoumarin, poricoic acid F, deoxoglabrolide, 30-norhederagenin, kanzonol R, 3',6'-di-O-galloylpaeoniflorin, 16α-hydroxytrametenolic acid, 16-deoxyporicoic acid B, 3-O-acetyl-16α-hydroxytrametenolic acid, and 16α,25-dihydroxydehydroeburiconic acid, were first found in rat serum. Behavioral tests, including the tail suspension test, novel object recognition test, and novelty-suppressed feeding test, were conducted for behavioral analysis. It was confirmed that this formula had therapeutic effects on perimenopausal depression. Furthermore, in combination with the network pharmacology method, 53 core targets including MAPK1, HRAS, AKT1, EGFR, and ESR1 were screened, and these targets participated in 165 signaling pathways, including PI3K-AKT, AMPK, VEGFA, MAPK, and HIF-1. In summary, the potential effects of Danzhi Xiaoyao Formula in treating perimenopausal depression are associated with mechanisms in accelerating inflammation repair, improving neuroplasticity, affecting neurotransmitters, regulating estrogen levels, and promoting new blood vessel formation.
Animals ; Rats ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Depression/drug therapy* ; Network Pharmacology ; Perimenopause ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Molecular Docking Simulation