ObjectiveTo clearly identify the difference between rescue injuries and agonal injuries and to avoid duplicate identifications and misidentifications. MethodsBased on the forensic pathological data of 5 923 cases of death cause identification from 2013 to 2022 in Sun Yat-sen University Forensic Identification Center and Guangzhou Tianhe District Branch of Guangzhou Public Security Bureau， this study retrospectively studied the characteristics of rescue injuries and agonal injuries seen in cause of death identification and their influence on cause of death identification. ResultsAmong all the 5 923 cases， 640 cases were found to have rescue injuries or agonal injuries， and 624 cases received treatment， of which 609 cases were found to have rescue injuries （97.60%）， 44 cases were found to have agonal injuries， and 13 cases were found to have both types of injuries. Among the 640 cases， 441 were male and 199 were female. The age of death was discontinuously distributed from 0 to 95 years old. The leading cause of death was disease， followed by mechanical injury and asphyxia. The main manifestations of rescue injuries were rib and sternum fractures， soft tissue injuries in the prechest area or face， and pericardial rupture. The most common injuries in agonal stage were falling after unconsciousness， inhalation of foreign body in respiratory tract or multiple violent injuries. Among the 640 cases， 19 cases were repeatedly identified， including 15 cases of rescue injuries， 6 cases of agonal injuries， and 2 cases of both types of injuries. Compared with the cases where neither type of injuries was detected， the repeated identification rate of treatment injuries and agonal injuries was significantly increased （χ²=4.04， P=0.044； χ²=43.49， P<0.001）. Among the 640 cases， 11 cases （1.72%） were misidentified as the initial injuries in the first identification， and 13 cases had combined rescue injuries or agonal injuries that were involved in death. ConclusionsBy elucidating the epidemiological characteristics of the two types of injuries， this study proved that the two types of injuries were associated with higher rates of repeated identification and misidentification， which provided a reference for reducing repeated identification and misidentification and improving the accuracy of cause of death identification.

As a serious cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis (AS) causes chronic inflammation and oxidative stress in the body and poses a threat to human health. Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is a member of the phospholipase A2 (PLA2) family, and its elevated levels have been shown to contribute to AS. Lp-PLA2 is closely related to a variety of lipoproteins, and its role in promoting inflammatory responses and oxidative stress in AS is mainly achieved by hydrolyzing oxidized phosphatidylcholine (oxPC) to produce lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC). Moreover, macrophage apoptosis within plaque is promoted by localized Lp-PLA2 which also promotes plaque instability. This paper reviews those researches of Chinese medicine in treating AS via reducing Lp-PLA2 levels to guide future experimental studies and clinical applications related to AS.
Humans ; 1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Atherosclerosis/drug therapy* ; Lipoproteins ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; Biomarkers

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are major outer membrane components of Gram-negative bacteria. Unlike most Gram-negative bacteria, Acinetobacter baumannii can still survive and acquire polymyxin resistance after complete loss of LPS. Previous studies of LPS-deficient Acinetobacter baumannii mostly focused on LPS-deficient strains induced by polymyxin, whose background was complex and unstable. To investigate LPS loss-mediated polymyxin resistant-Acinetobacter baumannii, this study constructed a stable and clear background LPS-deficient strain by knocking out lpxC gene in Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 19606 with CIRSPR/Cas9, and then studied the phenotypic changes of the lpxC-deficient strain including morphology, growth rate, antibiotic susceptibility, virulence, membrane permeability, and membrane potential. Animal experiments were approved by the Animal Care and Welfare Committee Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, CAMS and PUMC (approval number: IMB-20240119D₉). The results indicated that the lpxC gene of Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 19606 was successfully knocked out. After losing the lpxC, the strain underwent the morphological change from rod-shaped to spherical. Furthermore, it leads to reduced growth rate, enhanced membrane permeability, decreased membrane potential, lower virulence, and increased antibiotic susceptibility to β-lactams, quinolones, aminoglycosides, macrolides, glycopeptides. The lpxC deletion results in significant changes in membrane homeostasis and adaptability of Acinetobacter baumannii. Understanding the phenotypic changes of colistin-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii mediated by LPS loss is useful for exploring the resistance mechanism of Acinetobacter baumannii and developing new therapeutic strategies.

Objective To explore the role of pulmonary surfactant(PS)combined with budesonide in improving oxygenation and clinical outcomes of neonatal acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS).Methods The present study is a historically controlled trial.Infants with ARDS requiring mechanical ventilation and PS replacement therapy were collected from the neonatal unit of Southwest Medical University.Those from January 2022 to November 2022 were set as intervention group(PS+ budesonid,n=35),treated with intratracheal instillation of a mixed suspension of budesonide(0.25 mg/kg)and PS(200 mg/kg),and continuous budesonide nebulization(0.25 mg/kg,twice per day)until withdrawal,then compared with a historical cohort,who just received intratracheal instillation of PS(200 mg/kg)(January 2020-December 2021,PS group,n=35).Baseline data such as gender,mode of delivery,1 min and 5 min Apgar score,birth weight,gestational age,time of onset,and cause of onset were recorded in both groups.The oxygenation and clinical outcomes of infants were compared between the two groups,including:(1)Arterial blood gas analysis indicators,such as partial pressure of oxygen(PaO2)and oxygenation index(OI)before treatment and at 6,12 and 24 hours of treatment;(2)Clinical observation and evaluation indicators,such as the time to withdrawal,duration of oxygen supplementation,length of stay,improvement of the radiological images of the lungs at 72 h of treatment,and repeated PS use;(3)Blood chemistry indicators,such as white blood cell(WBC),neutrocyte(NEU),procalcitonin(PCT)before treatment and at 3 and 7 days of treatment;and(4)Observation indicators of complications,weight growth,and mortality outcomes,such as the incidences of intracranial hemorrhage,gastrointestinal hemorrhage,neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis(NEC),and hyperglycemia,weight growth,and fatality rate.Results The differences in baseline data between the two groups were not statistically different(P＞0.05).The levels of PaO2 of the two groups were increased after treatment for different time periods,while the levels of OI were decreased(P＜0.001),and the levels of above indexes changed more significantly in PS+budesonide group than those in PS group(P＜0.05).The time to withdrawal,duration of oxygen supplementation,and length of stay in PS+budesonide group were shorter than those in PS group;the radiological images of the lungs showed that the pulmonary inflammation absorption was significantly better in PS+ budesonide group than that in PS group,while no significant difference between the two groups of infants with repeated PS use.The NEU was significantly higher in PS+budesonide group than in PS group at 3 d and 7 d of treatment(P＜0.001);and at 3 days of treatment,the PCT levels were significantly lower in PS+budesonide group than that in PS group(P＜0.05).The incidences of intracranial hemorrhage,gastrointestinal hemorrhage,NEC,hyperglycemia,weight growth,and fatality rate were not significantly different between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion The use of budesonide in addition to surfactant may improve the oxygenation of neonates with ARDS,improve the inflammatory infiltrates in lungs,shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation and oxygen supplementation,and without short-term complications associated with budesonide use.

Aim To study the neuroprotective effects of Herba siegesbeckiae extract on cerebral ischemia/ reperfusion rats and its mechanism. Methods Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into model group, low, middle and high dose groups of Herba siegesbeckiae, and Sham operation group, and the drug was given continuously for seven days. The degree of neurologic impairment was evaluated by mNSS, and the infarct volume was measured by MRI. The number of Nissl-posi- tive cells was detected by Nissl staining, and the apop- tosis was accessed by Tunel staining. Furthermore, the expression of Bax, Bcl-2 and NeuN was observed by Western blot, and the expression of NeuN was detected by immunofluorescence staining. The expression of IL- 1β, TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA was performed by RT- qPCR. Results The mNSS score and the volume of ischemic cerebral infarction in the model group were significantly increased, and Herba siegesbeckiae extract treatment significantly decreased the mNSS score and infarct volume (P<0.05, P<0.01). Herba siegesbeckiae extract could increase the number of Nissl-pos- itive cells and the expression of NeuN (P<0.01), and reduce the number of Tunel-positive cells (P<0.01). Western blot showed that Herba siegesbeckiae extract inhibited the expression of Bax, increased Bcl-2 and NeuN in ischemic brain tissue (P<0.01). RT-qPCR showed that Herba siegesbeckiae extract inhibited the expression of IL-1 β, TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA in the is-chemic brain tissue (P<0.01). Conclusions Herba siegesbeckiae extract can reduce the cerebral infarction volume, improve the neurological function damage, inhibit the apoptosis of nerve cells and the expression of inflammatory factors and promote the expression of NeuN, there by exerting protective effects on MCAO rats.

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of hypericin on osteoporosis(OP)in rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).Methods COPD combined with OP rat model was established by cigarette combined with bacteria.The rats were randomly divided into control group,model group(COPD combined with OP model was constructed),experimental-L group(50 mg·kg-1 hypericin was given by intragastric administration after constructing COPD combined with OP model),experimental-H group(100 mg·kg-1 hypericin was given intragastric administration after constructing COPD combined with OP model),positive group(subcutaneous injection of 16 U·kg-1 salmon calcitonin after constructing COPD combined with OP model);each group was given 12 rats for 90 days.The lung function of rats was detected by pulmonary function apparatus;bone mineral density(BMD)was detected by micro-computed tomography(CT);serum bone metabolism and inflammatory factors were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA);Western blot assay was used to detect the relevant indicators of the pathway.Results The levels of forced vital capacity(FVC)in control group,model group,experimental-H group and positive group were(10.42±1.40),(4.10±0.60),(6.75±0.37),(4.18±0.33)mL,respectively;BMD levels were(0.31±0.04),(0.12±0.02),(0.28±0.03),(0.29±0.04)g·mm-3,respectively;bone alkaline phosphatase(BALP)levels were(200.04±20.03),(80.80±6.00),(148.16±14.23),(173.97±23.55)U·L1,respectively;interleukin-1β(IL-1β)levels were(122.60±8.70),(695.59±74.84),(422.41±44.86),(527.90±39.36)pg·mL-1,respectively;phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(p-P38)protein expression levels were 0.99±0.11,0.36±0.05,0.79±0.08,0.36±0.04,respectively.Compared with the control group,the above indexes in the model group had statistical significance(all P＜0.05);the above indexes in experimental-H group were significantly different from those in model group(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Hypericin can inhibit inflammatory response,improve bone metabolism and biomechanics.

Objective This study aimed to explore the spatial heterogeneity and risk factors for dental caries in 12-year-old children in Shanxi province,China. Methods The data encompassed 3,721 participants from the two most recent oral health surveys conducted across 16 districts in Shanxi Province in 2015 and 2018.Eighteen specific variables were analyzed to examine the interplay between socioeconomic factors,medical resources and environmental conditions.The Geo-detector model was employed to assess the impacts and interactions of these ecological factors. Results Socioeconomic factors(Q=0.30,P<0.05)exhibited a more substantial impact compared to environmental(Q=0.19,P<0.05)and medical resource factors(Q=0.25,P<0.05).Notably,the urban population percentage(UPP)demonstrated the most significant explanatory power for the spatial heterogeneity in caries prevalence,as denoted by its highest q-value(q=0.51,P<0.05).Additionally,the spatial distribution's heterogeneity of caries was significantly affected by SO2 concentration(q=0.39,P<0.05)and water fluoride levels(q=0.27,P<0.05)among environmental factors. Conclusion The prevalence of caries exhibited spatial heterogeneity,escalating from North to South in Shanxi Province,China,influenced by socioeconomic factors,medical resources,and environmental conditions to varying extents.

A new method was developed for simultaneous detection of total 19 kinds of organophosphate esters(OPEs)and their diester metabolites(di-OPEs)in human serum(1.0 mL)and urine(1.5 mL)with low volume of samples.The target compounds were determined using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS)after acetonitrile liquid-liquid extraction combined with purification using an ENVI-18 solid-phase extraction(SPE)column.OPEs and di-OPEs were separated using a Shim-pack GIST C18 column(100 mm×2.1 mm,2 μm)with a Shim-pack GIST-HP(G)C18 guard column.An electrospray ionization source(ESI)was employed in mass spectrometry analysis,with positive/negative ion mode using the multiple reaction monitoring(MRM).All target compounds were separated within 15 min,and exhibited good linear relationships in the concentration range of 2-100 ng/mL,with correlation coefficients(R2)above 0.994.The method detection limits(MDL)in serum ranged from 0.001 to 0.178 ng/mL and the MDL in urine ranged from 0.001 to 0.119 ng/mL.The recoveries of the analytes spiked in serum and urine matrices at two concentration levels were 30.5%-126.8%,with the relative standard deviations(RSDs)ranged from 1%to 23%.In addition,paired serum and urine samples from 11 patients were analyzed.For all samples tested,the internal standards of OPEs exhibited recoveries between 61%and 114%,whereas the internal standards for di-OPEs had recoveries ranging from 43%to 103%.OPEs and di-OPEs exhibited high detection frequencies in 22 serum and urine samples.Triethyl phosphate(TEP),tributyl phosphate(TBP),tris(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate(TEHP),tris(2-butoxyethyl)phosphate(TBEP),tris(1-chloro-2-propyl)phosphate(TCIPP),triphenyl phosphate(TPHP),tri-m-tolyl-phosphate(TMTP)and 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate(EHDPP)were universally detected in all serum samples.TCIPP was identified at the highest concentrations(median 0.548 ng/mL)in serum samples.In urine samples,the detection frequency for 12 kinds of target compounds reached 100%.Notably,TBP emerged as the predominant OPE in urine,demonstrating a median concentration of 0.506 ng/mL.Regarding di-OPEs,bis(2-chloroethyl)phosphate(BCEP)and bis(2-butoxyethyl)hydrogen phosphate(BBOEP)were the most abundant in urine,with median concentrations of 6.404 and 2.136 ng/mL,respectively.The total concentrations of OPEs and di-OPEs in serum and urine were 1.580-3.843 ng/mL and 5.149-17.537 ng/mL,respectively.These results not only confirmed the effectiveness of the method in detection of OPEs and di-OPEs in biological matrices,but also revealed the widespread presence of OPE compounds in human body and pointed to potential exposure risks.

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Baoyuan Decoction for chronic heart failure model rat.Methods SD rats were randomly divided into blank group,model group,Baoyuan Decoction group,Captopril group,Baoyuan Decoction+CCT020312[protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase(PERK)activator]group,15 rats in each group.Except for the blank group,the rats in the other groups were induced by Adriamycin to construct a chronic heart failure model.After corresponding drug intervention,cardiac function indexes[left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD),left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),left ventricular fractional shortening(LVFS),brain natriuretic peptide(BNP),cardiac troponin I(cTnI)],inflammation-related factors[tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α),interleukin 1β(IL-1β)],oxidative stress factors[malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide dismutase(SOD)]were detected in each group.Changes in apoptosis-related indicators[B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2),B-cell lymphoma 2-associated X protein(Bax),Caspase-3]and PERK/transcription activator 4(ATF4)signaling pathway-related proteins glucose-regulated protein 78(GRP78),PERK,ATF4,C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP)levels.Results Compared with the blank group,LVEDD,BNP,cTnI,TNF-α,IL-1β,MDA levels,protein expression levels of Bax,Caspase-3,GRP78,PERK,ATF4,CHOP in the model group were significantly increased,LVEF,LVFS,SOD levels and Bcl-2 protein expression level were significantly decreased(all P＜0.05).Compared with the model group and Baoyuan Decoction+CCT020312 group,LVEDD,BNP,cTnI,TNF-α,IL-1β,MDA levels,protein expression levels of Bax,Caspase-3,GRP78,PERK,ATF4,CHOP in Baoyuan Decoction group and Captopril group were significantly decreased,LVEF,LVFS,SOD levels and Bcl-2 protein expression level were significantly increased(all P＜0.05).Compared with the Captopril group,there was no significant change in the above indexes(except CHOP protein expression level)in the Baoyuan Decoction group(P＞0.05).Conclusion Baoyuan Decoction can delay the progression of chronic heart failure rats,and its mechanism may be related to inhibiting the PERK/ATF4 signaling pathway to alleviate cardiomyocyte apoptosis,further reducing the degree of inflammatory response and oxidative stress,thereby promoting the repair of cardiac function and myocardial injury.

Chronic atrophic gastritis(CAG)is a common intractable gastric disease in clinic,which belongs to the gastric precancerous lesions.Professor LIU Feng-Bin and his team have performed the exploration and practice in the field of CAG for more than 30 years,and they proposed that the evolution of the traditional Chinse medicine(TCM)pathogenesis of inflammation-to-tumor transition(ITT)in CAG was characterized by spleen deficiency being the root cause,qi stagnation,blood stasis and dampness retention being the branch cause,and stasis and toxin being the aggravating factors.Deificiency of the spleen and stomach is the initial factor of CAG,which influences the whole process of the disease.Qi stagnation,blood stasis and dampness retention are the triggering and aggravating factors for the ITT in CAG.The formation of blood stasis and toxin is the key to the progression and transition of CAG.Treatment of ITT in CAG should be based on the results of syndrome differentiation and gastroscopic findings by staging therapy.Before treatment,disease dianosis and syndrome differentiation should be made,and macro and micro syndrome differentiation should be carried out for assistance.Therapy of strengthening the spleen and supporting healthy qi should be implemented throughout the whole process of the disease.The early stage of CAG has the features of gastric mucosa with mild to moderate atrophy and with or without mild intestinal epithelial hyperplasia,the pathogenesis of early CAG is characterized by weakness of the spleen and stomach and is accompanied with the pathological factors of qi stagnation,damp-retention and blood stasis,and the basic treatment should adopt the therapies of strengthening the spleen and clearing heat,regulating qi and activating blood stasis.The advanced stage of CAG has the features of severe atrophic gastric mucosa with or without moderate to severe intestinal epithelial and/or mild to moderate intraepithelial neoplasia,the pathogenesis is characterized by weakness of the spleen and stomach,phlegm blended with blood stasis,and stasis-toxin in the gastric collaterals,and the basic treatment should adopt the therapies of supporting healthy qi and dissipating masses,and unblocking the collaterals and removing toxin,so as to construct an intact line to blocking the ITT in CAG with traditional Chinese medicine.