Objective:To investigate the effect of oral capsaicin stimulation on the cerebral cortex hemodynamics of patients with post-stroke dysphagia (PSD).Methods:Thirty-four PSD patients were subjected to oral stimulation with either a saline or a capsaicin solution. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to document any changes in cortical oxyhemoglobin (HbO) concentrations and cortical activation. Functional connectivity (FC) and hemispheric lateralization were analyzed.Results:(1) Capsaicin stimulation significantly increased HbO concentration in the prefrontal and motor areas, producing significantly greater activation than saline stimulation and the resting state. (2) Both saline and capsaicin oral stimulation enhanced whole brain FC, with capsaicin producing a more pronounced increase between the bilateral prefrontal cortex and the right motor cortex. (3) Both saline and capsaicin stimulation induced a right-hemispheric lateralization trend in the whole brain and the prefrontal cortex, while the motor cortex maintained a left-lateralization pattern. Notably, the lateralization index under capsaicin oral stimulation was significantly higher than that under saline oral stimulation.Conclusions:Compared with the resting state and saline stimulation, capsaicin oral stimulation significantly enhances cortical activation above the resting state, and significantly more than saline stimulation. It increases FC between the prefrontal and motor cortices, and promotes adjustments in brain lateralization patterns in persons with PSD.

Objective:To investigate the sero-conversion rate of HIV antibody and influencing factors in cross-border couples in Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture(Dehong).Methods:A cohort design was used to recruit HIV-negative people in cross-border couples in Dehong in 2017. Follow-up was conducted in 2023, and questionnaire survey and HIV test were carried out to calculate the sero-conversion rate of HIV antibody. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the influence factors for HIV infections.Results:A total of 36 278 HIV-negative persons in cross-border couples were included in the 2017 baseline survey, of whom 22 438 (61.9%) were tested in follow-up in 2023. The sero-conversion rate between 2017 and 2023 was 0.51% (115/22 438). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that length of marriage <6 years, Jingpo ethnic group, education level of primary school or below, drug use, illegal marriage and HIV infected spouse were the risk factors of HIV infection in male spouses, and length of marriage <6 years, Jingpo ethnic group, illegal marriage and HIV infected spouse were the risk factors in female spouses.Conclusions:The sero-conversion rate of HIV antibody in cross-border couples in Dehong was relatively high. HIV infection was mainly caused by secondary transmission in the couples, and men might also be infected through drug use. It is necessary to strengthen the registration and management of cross-border couples, especially the couples with discordant HIV infection status, and the intervention in drug users to reduce the risk for secondary transmission of HIV in the cross-border couples.

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF), characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) that causes oral mucosal tissue sclerosis, and even cancer transformation, is a chronic, progressive fibrosis disease. However, despite some advancements in recent years, no targeted antifibrotic strategies for OSF have been approved; likely because the complicated mechanisms that initiate and drive fibrosis remain to be determined. In this review, we briefly introduce the epidemiology and etiology of OSF. Then, we highlight how cell-intrinsic changes in significant structural cells can drive fibrotic response by regulating biological behaviors, secretion function, and activation of ECM-producing myofibroblasts. In addition, we also discuss the role of innate and adaptive immune cells and how they contribute to the pathogenesis of OSF. Finally, we summarize strategies to interrupt key mechanisms that cause OSF, including modulation of the ECM, inhibition of inflammation, improvement of vascular disturbance. This review will provide potential routes for developing novel anti-OSF therapeutics.
Humans ; Oral Submucous Fibrosis/immunology* ; Extracellular Matrix/metabolism* ; Myofibroblasts

OBJECTIVE: Exploring the formation and aggregation of human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) (amylin) fibers is significant for promoting the prevention and treatment of type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Flavones in pomelo peel have visible biological activity in the anti-diabetes aspect. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of five flavones [naringin (NRG), narirutin (NRR), nobiletin (NOB), sinensetin (SIN), and neohesperidin (NHP)] in pomelo peel on peptide aggregation and explore its possible mechanisms. The cell viability of flavones against peptide aggregation was also evaluated. METHODS: The thioflavin T (ThT) assay and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used for evaluating the inhibition and disaggregation of flavones on peptide aggregation. The interaction mechanism was analyzed by endogenous fluorescence, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV) and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) experiments. The 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and immune assays were performed to characterize the cell viability of flavones against peptide aggregation. RESULTS: The five flavones showed a decrease in fluorescence intensity, fiber number and size under incubation with different molar ratios of hIAPP. The compounds can bind to the aromatic tyrosine (Tyr) residueTyr 37, resulting in the intrinsic fluorescence quenching of the peptides. Five flavones can form hydrogen bonds with hIAPP, which is likely to be based on their phenolic hydroxyl structure. They showed strong binding affinity with peptides. The reaction system of NRG and NRR observed an exothermic reaction, and the others were endothermic reactions. The absorption peaks of the compounds with hIAPP changed and showed hypochromic effects, indicating that there may be π-π stacking interaction. Flavones noticeably increased the cell viability in the presence of amyloid peptides and reduced the absorption intensity induced by peptide oligomers. CONCLUSION A total of five flavones in pomelo peel have inhibitory and depolymerization effects on amyloid fibrils, and can significantly protect cells from the toxic effect of hIAPP and reduce the production of toxic oligomers.

Objective:To investigate the sero-conversion rate of HIV antibody and influencing factors in cross-border couples in Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture(Dehong).Methods:A cohort design was used to recruit HIV-negative people in cross-border couples in Dehong in 2017. Follow-up was conducted in 2023, and questionnaire survey and HIV test were carried out to calculate the sero-conversion rate of HIV antibody. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the influence factors for HIV infections.Results:A total of 36 278 HIV-negative persons in cross-border couples were included in the 2017 baseline survey, of whom 22 438 (61.9%) were tested in follow-up in 2023. The sero-conversion rate between 2017 and 2023 was 0.51% (115/22 438). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that length of marriage <6 years, Jingpo ethnic group, education level of primary school or below, drug use, illegal marriage and HIV infected spouse were the risk factors of HIV infection in male spouses, and length of marriage <6 years, Jingpo ethnic group, illegal marriage and HIV infected spouse were the risk factors in female spouses.Conclusions:The sero-conversion rate of HIV antibody in cross-border couples in Dehong was relatively high. HIV infection was mainly caused by secondary transmission in the couples, and men might also be infected through drug use. It is necessary to strengthen the registration and management of cross-border couples, especially the couples with discordant HIV infection status, and the intervention in drug users to reduce the risk for secondary transmission of HIV in the cross-border couples.

Objective:To investigate the effect of oral capsaicin stimulation on the cerebral cortex hemodynamics of patients with post-stroke dysphagia (PSD).Methods:Thirty-four PSD patients were subjected to oral stimulation with either a saline or a capsaicin solution. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to document any changes in cortical oxyhemoglobin (HbO) concentrations and cortical activation. Functional connectivity (FC) and hemispheric lateralization were analyzed.Results:(1) Capsaicin stimulation significantly increased HbO concentration in the prefrontal and motor areas, producing significantly greater activation than saline stimulation and the resting state. (2) Both saline and capsaicin oral stimulation enhanced whole brain FC, with capsaicin producing a more pronounced increase between the bilateral prefrontal cortex and the right motor cortex. (3) Both saline and capsaicin stimulation induced a right-hemispheric lateralization trend in the whole brain and the prefrontal cortex, while the motor cortex maintained a left-lateralization pattern. Notably, the lateralization index under capsaicin oral stimulation was significantly higher than that under saline oral stimulation.Conclusions:Compared with the resting state and saline stimulation, capsaicin oral stimulation significantly enhances cortical activation above the resting state, and significantly more than saline stimulation. It increases FC between the prefrontal and motor cortices, and promotes adjustments in brain lateralization patterns in persons with PSD.

Female ; Humans ; Breast Neoplasms ; Testosterone ; Prolactin ; Estradiol ; Testosterone Congeners ; China

Objective To analyze the influencing factors of choroidopathy(choroidal atrophy and choroidal neovas-cularization)secondary to high myopia based on Logistic regression analysis and to construct a Nomogram risk prediction model based on the related factors,so as to provide guidance for clinical treatment.Methods A total of 340 patients(680 eyes)with high myopia admitted to Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from January 2021 to January 2023 were selected and di-vided into group A(170 patients,340 eyes)and group B(170 patients,340 eyes).The incidence of choroidopathy in the two groups was compared.The groups A and B were divided into two subgroups,subgroup a and subgroup b,according to whether choroidopathy occurred or not.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was carried out to explore the influencing factors of choroidopathy secondary to high myopia.A Nomogram risk prediction model for choroidopathy secondary to high myopia was constructed based on the influencing factors and externally validated.Results In groups A and B,the age,proportion of diabetes mellitus,axial length,and level of seruim transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1)of patients in subgroup a were higher than those in the subgroup b,and the diopter was lower than that in the subgroup b(all P＜0.05).The Logistic regression analysis showed that age,diabetes mellitus,axial length and serum TGF-β1 level were independent risk factors for choroidopathy secondary to high myopia,and diopter was a protective factor(all P＜0.05).Age,diabetes mellitus,axial length and serum TGF-β1 level were positively correlated risk factors for choroidopathy secondary to high myopia,and diopter was a negatively correlated risk factor(all P＜0.05).The area under the curve of the Nomogram risk prediction model for predicting choroidopathy secondary to high myopia was 0.818,and the calibration was good.Con-clusion Age,diabetes mellitus,axial length,diopter and serum TGF-β1 level are the influential factors for choroidopa-thy secondary to high myopia.The Nomogram risk prediction model established based on these factors has a certain value for predicting choroidopathy secondary to high myopia.The clinical therapeutic schedules should be made based on this model to reduce the risk of secondary choroidopathy.

ObjectiveTo explore the prevalence and influencing factors of multimorbidity among the HIV-infected individuals receiving anti-viral therapy (ART) in Dehong Prefecture of Yunnan Province, so as to provide a reference for the long-term follow-up management of HIV-infected patients and the comprehensive prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the multimorbidity burden among the HIV-infected adults receiving ART in Dehong Prefecture from January to July 2021 and a self-designed questionnaire was used to analyze relevant disease indicators. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the influencing factors of multimorbidity among the HIV-infected individuals. ResultsA total of 3 946 HIV-infected individuals receiving ART were enrolled in this study, of which 63.7% aged ≤50 years, with a male to female ratio of 1.1∶1. Among the 3 946 cases, 825 of them had ≥2 comorbidities, with a co-prevalence rate of 20.9% (95%CI:19.6%‒22.2%), and the main comorbidities were dyslipidemia, diabetes, and hypertension. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that 40≤ aged <50 years (aOR=1.86, 95%CI: 1.45‒2.40, P<0.001), 50≤ aged ≤85 years (aOR=3.75, 95%CI: 2.93‒4.80, P<0.001), Dai nationality (aOR=1.21, 95%CI: 1.01‒1.47, P=0.043), BMI≥24.0 kg∙m^-2 (aOR=1.79, 95%CI: 1.49‒2.14, P<0.001), 10.0≤ with ART duration for <12.5 years (aOR=1.49, 95%CI: 1.05‒2.12, P=0.024), with ART duration for ≥12.5 years (aOR=1.50, 95%CI: 1.05‒2.15, P=0.026), use of second-line HIV therapy (aOR=1.43, 95%CI: 1.19‒1.70, P<0.001) and other therapy options (aOR=3.16, 95%CI: 2.17‒4.61, P<0.001) were positively correlated with multimorbidity. ConclusionThe prevalence of multimorbidity among the HIV-infected individuals receiving ART in Dehong Prefecture is high, which is associated with the advancing age and prolonged treatment time, particularly with a significant burden of dyslipidemia, diabetes, and hypertension. Comprehensive surveillance and targeted management of comorbidities, along with ART follow-up, need to be strengthened in the future.

AIM:To explore the fundus vascular characteristics of healthy individuals based on deep learning techniques, with a view to discovering the range of normal values of the fundus arteries and veins, as well as the relationship between physiological factors, such as gender, age, body mass index(BMI), blood pressure, and fundus vasculature characteristics.METHODS:Fundus images of healthy people were taken from a professional fundus camera, and the subject's blood pressure and laboratory test was collected. Additionally, the fundus arteries and veins were segmented by the improved U-Net model, and the color, morphology and Haralick texture features of the vessels were extracted from computer vision technology.RESULTS:A total of 4 487 cases fundus images were taken and 326 cases with healthy and clear fundus images were screened, including 200 males and 126 females. There were differences in the morphology, color, and textural characteristics of the left and right eyes, as well as of the fundus arterioles and veins, with a mean vessel width(width)of 1.146 in the arteries and 1.430 in the veins, and an arteriovenous ratio about 4:5. Fundus artery and vein characteristics in healthy individuals of different ages(21-30, 31-40, 41-50): compared with the healthy population aged 21-30 and 31-40 years, arterial and venous inverse difference moment(idm), f12 and venous angular second moment(asm)values increased, and arterial and venous contrast(con), entropy(ent), difference entropy(den), and venous sum entropy(sen)values decreased in 41-50 years. Compared with the 21-30 years age group, arterial f12 values increased and venous con values decreased in 31-40 years(all P<0.05). Fundus vascular characteristics of healthy individuals of different sexes: compared with male, fundus arterial and venous sum average(sav), sum variance(sva)values, arterial curved values, and venous b mean, bsd, variance(var), sen, ent values increased in female, while venous area value of female decreased(all P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in fundus arteriosus and venous features in healthy subjects with different levels of BMI(all P>0.05). Fundus characteristics of healthy people with different degrees of blood pressure: there were statistically significant differences in fundus arteriosus area, width, and venous con, idm, dva, and den values between the normal blood pressure and high blood pressure groups(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The characteristics of the left and right eyes as well as the fundus arteries and veins differ in healthy individuals and correlate with physiological factors such as gender, age and blood pressure, which have the value of a potential microcirculation marker.