ObjectiveTo study the effect of Zuoguiwan on the development of skin barrier in the neonatal rat model of congenital kidney deficiency and unveil the underlying mechanism. MethodsSixty rats were paired in a female-to-male ratio of 2∶1， and the pregnant rats were assigned into control， congenital kidney deficiency， and low- and high-dose （2 and 8 g·kg^-1， respectively） Zuoguiwan groups. The pregnant rats in other groups except the control group were exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress for the modeling of congenital kidney deficiency. The rats in the control group and congenital kidney deficiency group were administrated with normal saline by gavage， and those in Zuoguiwan groups with Zuoguiwan suspension by gavage from day 1 of pregnancy. The serum level of interleukin-6 （IL-6） in the neonatal rats on the day of birth was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The full-thickness skin of neonatal rats on the day of birth was removed from the same position on the back and stained with hematoxylin-eosin for observation of histopathological changes， measurement of skin thickness， and counting of hair follicles. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling was used to detect the apoptosis of skin tissue cells. The expression of interleukin-6 receptor （IL-6R） and interleukin-17A （IL-17A） in the skin tissue was assessed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot， and the expression of occludin， connexin 43 （Cx43）， and zonula occludens-1 （ZO-1） in the skin tissue was assessed by immunofluorescence and Western blot. ResultsCompared with those in the control group， the neonatal rats in the congenital kidney deficiency group showed a rise in the serum IL-6 level （P<0.01）， decreases in stratum corneum thickness， skin thickness， and number of hair follicles （P<0.01）， increases in the expression of IL-6R and IL-17A in the skin tissue （P<0.01） and the number of apoptotic cells （P<0.01）， and decreases in the expression of occludin， Cx43， ZO-1 （P<0.05）. Compared with the congenital kidney deficiency group， the low- and high-dose Zuoguiwan groups showed declines in serum IL-6 level （P<0.05）. The low-dose group showed increased number of hair follicles （P<0.05）， and the high-dose group presented thickened stratum corneum （P<0.01）， increased number of hair follicles （P<0.01）， and down-regulated expression of IL-6R and IL-17A in the skin tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Both Zuoguiwan groups showcased decreased number of apoptotic cells （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the high-dose group showed up-regulated expression of occludin， Cx43， and ZO-1 in the skin tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionZuoguiwan can reduce the levels of IL-6 in the serum and IL-6R and IL-17A in the skin tissue and improve the expression of intercellular junction proteins， thereby ameliorating the abnormal development of the skin barrier in the neonatal rat model of congenital kidney deficiency.

ObjectiveTo study the effect of Zuoguiwan on the development of skin barrier in the neonatal rat model of congenital kidney deficiency and unveil the underlying mechanism. MethodsSixty rats were paired in a female-to-male ratio of 2∶1， and the pregnant rats were assigned into control， congenital kidney deficiency， and low- and high-dose （2 and 8 g·kg^-1， respectively） Zuoguiwan groups. The pregnant rats in other groups except the control group were exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress for the modeling of congenital kidney deficiency. The rats in the control group and congenital kidney deficiency group were administrated with normal saline by gavage， and those in Zuoguiwan groups with Zuoguiwan suspension by gavage from day 1 of pregnancy. The serum level of interleukin-6 （IL-6） in the neonatal rats on the day of birth was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The full-thickness skin of neonatal rats on the day of birth was removed from the same position on the back and stained with hematoxylin-eosin for observation of histopathological changes， measurement of skin thickness， and counting of hair follicles. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling was used to detect the apoptosis of skin tissue cells. The expression of interleukin-6 receptor （IL-6R） and interleukin-17A （IL-17A） in the skin tissue was assessed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot， and the expression of occludin， connexin 43 （Cx43）， and zonula occludens-1 （ZO-1） in the skin tissue was assessed by immunofluorescence and Western blot. ResultsCompared with those in the control group， the neonatal rats in the congenital kidney deficiency group showed a rise in the serum IL-6 level （P<0.01）， decreases in stratum corneum thickness， skin thickness， and number of hair follicles （P<0.01）， increases in the expression of IL-6R and IL-17A in the skin tissue （P<0.01） and the number of apoptotic cells （P<0.01）， and decreases in the expression of occludin， Cx43， ZO-1 （P<0.05）. Compared with the congenital kidney deficiency group， the low- and high-dose Zuoguiwan groups showed declines in serum IL-6 level （P<0.05）. The low-dose group showed increased number of hair follicles （P<0.05）， and the high-dose group presented thickened stratum corneum （P<0.01）， increased number of hair follicles （P<0.01）， and down-regulated expression of IL-6R and IL-17A in the skin tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Both Zuoguiwan groups showcased decreased number of apoptotic cells （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the high-dose group showed up-regulated expression of occludin， Cx43， and ZO-1 in the skin tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionZuoguiwan can reduce the levels of IL-6 in the serum and IL-6R and IL-17A in the skin tissue and improve the expression of intercellular junction proteins， thereby ameliorating the abnormal development of the skin barrier in the neonatal rat model of congenital kidney deficiency.

Insomnia disorder is a common clinical mental disorder.Currently, clinical subtyping of insomnia disorder relies primarily on symptomatic descriptions, lacking objective measures and subtyping-based treatment approaches. In recent years, increasing attention has been drawn to sleep electroencephalography (EEG) as a valuable tool for observing abnormal sleep architecture and continuity of insomnia disorder. Sleep EEG analysis holds the potential to elucidate the underlying biological mechanisms of insomnia disorder, facilitating data-driven subtyping and enhancing personalized therapeutic strategies.Five types of sleep EEG subtypes of insomnia disorder were systematically searched and summarized: classifications derived from objective sleep duration, power spectral characteristics, cyclic alternating pattern, spindle and microarousal.EEG characteristics of each subtype and clinical outcomes are discussed.This review aims to provide evidence-based insights for clinical subtyping and personalized treatment of insomnia disorder.

Objective:To investigate the current situation of the use of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) for portal hypertension, which should aid the development of TIPS in China.Methods:The China Portal Hypertension Alliance (CHESS) initiated this study that comprehensively investigated the basic situation of TIPS for portal hypertension in China through network research. The survey included the following: the number of surgical cases, main indications, the development of Early-TIPS, TIPS for portal vein cavernous transformation, collateral circulation embolization, intraoperative portal pressure gradient measurement, commonly used stent types, conventional anticoagulation and time, postoperative follow-up, obstacles, and the application of domestic instruments.Results:According to the survey, a total of 13 527 TIPS operations were carried out in 545 hospitals participating in the survey in 2021, and 94.1% of the hospital had the habit of routine follow-up after TIPS. Most hospitals believed that the main indications of TIPS were the control of acute bleeding (42.6%) and the prevention of rebleeding (40.7%). 48.1% of the teams carried out early or priority TIPS, 53.0% of the teams carried out TIPS for the cavernous transformation of the portal vein, and 81.0% chose routine embolization of collateral circulation during operation. Most of them used coils and biological glue as embolic materials, and 78.5% of the team routinely performed intraoperative portal pressure gradient measurements. In selecting TIPS stents, 57.1% of the hospitals woulel choose Viator-specific stents, 57.2% woulel choose conventional anticoagulation after TIPS, and the duration of anticoagulation was between 3-6 months (55.4%). The limitation of TIPS surgery was mainly due to cost (72.3%) and insufficient understanding of doctors in related departments (77.4%). Most teams accepted the domestic instruments used in TIPS (92.7%).Conclusions:This survey shows that TIPS treatment is an essential part of treating portal hypertension in China. The total number of TIPS cases is far from that of patients with portal hypertension. In the future, it is still necessary to popularize TIPS technology and further standardize surgical indications, routine operations, and instrument application.

Aim To explore the impacts of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) on the phenotypes, endocy-tosis and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/ Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK)/P38 mitogen-ac-tivated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway in indoxyl sulfate (IS) -induced dendritic cells (DCs). Methods After treatment with 30, 300 and 600 (xmol · L

Objective To explore the relationship between serum ferritin levels and body fat distribution in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 151 patients with T2DM who were hospitalized in the Department of Endocrinology of the First Hospital of Lanzhou University from June to November 2020,and all the patients were divided into high serum ferritin(n=50)and normal serum ferritin(n=101)groups according to their serum ferritin levels.The visceral fat area(VFA),subcutaneous fat area(SFA),liver fat,height,weight and waist circumference(WC)were measured,as well as blood glucose,lipid indexes,body mass index(BMI)and visceral adiposity index(VAI)were also calculated.t-test or nonparametric test was used to compare the differences between the two groups,and the relationship between serum ferritin levels and body fat distribution was analyzed by Pearson or Spearman correlation analysis,multiple linear regression and logistic regression.Results The VAI and WC were significantly higher in high serum ferritin group[3.13(2.16,4.58)and(96.66±7.78)cm]than in normal serum ferritin group[2.66(1.66,3.81)and(91.96±9.75)cm,P<0.05].The prevalence of central obesity and dyslipidemia was higher in high serum ferritin group(88.0%and 90.0%)than in normal serum ferritin group(68.3%and 75.2%);and the composition ratios of poor glycemic control and insulin resistance(96.0%and 62.0%)were also higher than in normal serum ferritin group(78.2%and 40.6%)(P<0.05),there were no statistically significant differences in BMI,VFA,and SFA levels,as well as antidiabetic drug use and chronic complications of diabetes mellitus between the two groups(P>0.05).Serum ferritin levels in T2DM patients were positively correlated with VAI,WC,triglyceride(TG),fasting blood glucose(FPG),HbA1c,dyslipidemia and serum creatinine(r=0.171,0.207,0.187,0.243,0.270,0.162,0.162;P<0.05),and negatively correlated with age,sex and diabetes course(r=-0.191,-0.434,-0.352;P<0.05).Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that in male T2DM patients,duration of diabetes and FPG were risk factors for increased levels of serum ferritin.However,WC and VAI did not significantly affect serum ferritin levels.In female patients with T2DM,the course of diabetes,TG and VAI were the factors influencing serum ferritin(P<0.05).Conclusion Dyslipidemia and visceral fat accumulation are risk factors for elevated serum ferritin levels in female T 2DM patients.

Objective Recombinase-aided polymerase chain reaction(RAP)is a sensitive,single-tube,two-stage nucleic acid amplification method.This study aimed to develop an assay that can be used for the early diagnosis of three types of bacteremia caused by Staphylococcus aureus(SA),Pseudomonas aeruginosa(PA),and Acinetobacter baumannii(AB)in the bloodstream based on recombinant human mannan-binding lectin protein(M1 protein)-conjugated magnetic bead(M1 bead)enrichment of pathogens combined with RAP. Methods Recombinant plasmids were used to evaluate the assay sensitivity.Common blood influenza bacteria were used for the specific detection.Simulated and clinical plasma samples were enriched with M1 beads and then subjected to multiple recombinase-aided PCR(M-RAP)and quantitative PCR(qPCR)assays.Kappa analysis was used to evaluate the consistency between the two assays. Results The M-RAP method had sensitivity rates of 1,10,and 1 copies/μL for the detection of SA,PA,and AB plasmids,respectively,without cross-reaction to other bacterial species.The M-RAP assay obtained results for<10 CFU/mL pathogens in the blood within 4 h,with higher sensitivity than qPCR.M-RAP and qPCR for SA,PA,and AB yielded Kappa values of 0.839,0.815,and 0.856,respectively(P<0.05). Conclusion An M-RAP assay for SA,PA,and AB in blood samples utilizing M1 bead enrichment has been developed and can be potentially used for the early detection of bacteremia.

Objective:To evaluate the associations of sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyle factors with longevity status in older adults in China.Methods:After excluding those born after 31 st December 1938, a total of 51 870 older adults from the China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) were included. The attained age was defined according to the survival age or age on 31 st December 2018. According to the attained age, the old persons were categorized into non-longevity (died before age 80 years) and longevity (attained age ≥80 years). The longevity group was further divided into two groups: longevity with death occurring before 2019, and longevity and survival to 2019. The information about socio-demographic characteristics and lifestyles was collected at the 2004-2008 baseline survey. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to analyze the associations between exposure factors and outcomes by taking the non-longevity group as the reference group. Results:A total of 51 870 older adults aged 65-79 years in the baseline survey were included for analysis. During a follow-up for (10.2±3.5) years, 38 841 participants were longevity, and 30 354 participants still survived at the end of 2018. Compared to men, rural populations, non-married individuals, those with an annual household income of less than 10 000 yuan, and those with education levels of primary school or below, the adjusted ORs(95% CI) for longevity and survival to 2019 in women, urban residents, married individuals, those with annual household incomes ≥20 000 yuan, and those with education levels of college or university were 1.68 (1.58-1.78), 1.69 (1.61-1.78), 1.15 (1.10-1.21), 1.44 (1.36-1.53), and 1.32 (1.19-1.48), respectively. The OR (95% CI) for longevity and survival to 2019 was 1.09 (1.08-1.10) for those with an increase of 4 MET-hour/day in total physical activity level. With those who never or almost never smoked, had no alcohol drinking every week, had normal weight (BMI: 18.5-23.9 kg/m 2), and WC <85 cm (man)/<80 cm (woman) as the reference groups, the ORs(95% CI) of longevity and survival to 2019 were 0.64 (0.60-0.69) for those smoking ≥20 cigarettes per day, 1.29 (1.14-1.46) for those with alcohol drinking every week, 1.13 (1.01-1.26) for those with pure alcohol drinking <30 g per day, 0.56 (0.52-0.61) for those being underweight, 1.27 (1.19-1.36) for those being overweight, 1.23 (1.11-1.36) for those with obesity, and 0.86 (0.79-0.93) for those with central obesity. Further stratified analysis by WC was performed. In the older adults with WC <85 cm (man)/<80 cm (woman), the ORs (95% CI) of longevity and survival was 1.80 (1.69-1.92) for those with each 5 kg/m 2 increase in BMI and 1.02 (0.96-1.08) for those with WC ≥85 cm (man)/≥80 cm (woman). There was a statistically significant difference in the association between BMI and longevity between the two WC groups (interaction test P<0.001). Conclusion:This study showed that women, the married, those with higher socioeconomic status and education level, and those with healthy lifestyles were more likely to achieve longevity.

Objective:To describe the distribution of lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] levels in non-arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) population in China and explore its influencing factors.Methods:This study was based on a nested case-control study in the CKB study measured plasma biomarkers. Lp(a) levels was measured using a polyclonal antibody-based turbidimetric assay certified by the reference laboratory and ≥75.0 nmol/L defined as high Lp(a). Multiple logistic regression model was used to examine the factors related to Lp(a) levels.Results:Among the 5 870 non-ASCVD population included in the analysis, Lp(a) levels showed a right-skewed distribution, with a M ( Q1, Q3) of 17.5 (8.8, 43.5) nmol/L. The multiple logistic regression analysis found that female was associated with high Lp(a) ( OR=1.23, 95% CI: 1.05-1.43). The risk of increased Lp(a) levels in subjects with abdominal obesity was significantly reduced ( OR=0.68, 95% CI: 0.52-0.89). As TC, LDL-C, apolipoprotein A1(Apo A1), and apolipoprotein B(Apo B) levels increased, the risk of high Lp(a) increased, with OR (95% CI) for each elevated group was 2.40 (1.76-3.24), 2.68 (1.36-4.93), 1.29 (1.03-1.61), and 1.65 (1.27-2.13), respectively. The risk of high Lp(a) was reduced in the HDL-C lowering group with an OR (95% CI) of 0.76 (0.61-0.94). In contrast, an increase in TG levels and the ratio of Apo A1/Apo B(Apo A1/B) was negatively correlated with the risk of high Lp(a), with OR (95% CI) of 0.73 (0.60-0.89) for elevated triglyceride group, and OR (95% CI) of 0.60 (0.50-0.72) for the Apo A1/B ratio increase group (linear trend test P≤0.001 except for Apo A1). However, no correlation was found between Lp(a) levels and lifestyle factors such as diet, smoking, and physical activity. Conclusions:Lp(a) levels were associated with sex and abdominal obesity, but less with lifestyle behaviors.

In recent 30 years, the global burden of cancer has become more serious, and one of social problem is population aging, plus declining birth rate, declining marriage rate and increasing divorce rate. Marriage is one of the most intimate and long-term social relations, and previous research had piecemeal reports of its impact on cancer morbidity and mortality without systematic review of evidence in high-quality population based epidemiological research. This paper summarizes the progress in research of the relationship between marital status and cancer to provide reference for future research and cancer prevention and control.