Background Pulmonary heart disease (PHD) is a critical cardiopulmonary disease in high-altitude areas, with pulmonary hypertension (PH) as its central pathological basis. Cold and hypoxia are vital environmental characteristics of high-altitude regions; however, their joint effect on the hospitalization risk for PHD and the underlying biological mechanisms remain unclear. Objective To evaluate the associations of cold, hypoxia, and their joint exposure with PHD hospitalization risk, and to investigate PH-related pathological changes induced by combined cold and hypoxic exposure and the intervention effects of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in rats. Methods Based on hospitalization data for 92986 PHD cases from 333 hospitals in Gansu Province (2018–2022), a generalized additive model (GAM) with a quasi-Poisson distribution was used to assess the associations between daily mean temperature, atmospheric oxygen content (AOC) and the daily number of PHD hospitalizations. Four joint exposure categories were constructed using the fifth percentile of temperature (P₅, −7.90℃) and AOC grades (high or low) to assess the associations between different exposure combinations and daily PHD hospital admissions. To further investigate PH-related pathological changes and the intervention effects of GABA, 24 specific-pathogen-free male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups (n=6): normal temperature and normoxia control group (NC), combined cold and hypoxia exposure group (CH), combined exposure plus low-dose GABA intervention group (CHL), and combined exposure plus high-dose GABA intervention group (CHH). After 5 weeks, pulmonary hemodynamics and vascular remodeling were evaluated. Gut microbiota and inflammatory cytokines in lung tissue were assessed using 16S rRNA sequencing and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Results Each 1 g·m⁻³ decrease in AOC and each 1 ℃ decrease in daily mean temperature were associated with 2.6% (RR=1.026, 95%CI: 1.024, 1.027) and 1.8% (RR=1.018, 95%CI: 1.015, 1.020) increases in PHD hospitalization risk, respectively. Compared with the non-low-temperature and high-AOC group, the low-temperature and low-AOC group had the highest risk estimate (RR=1.673, 95%CI: 1.567, 1.785). Animal experiments demonstrated that, compared with the NC group, rats in the CH group showed shortened pulmonary artery acceleration time (PAT) and increased mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP), right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVHI), pulmonary arterial wall thickness, and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression (P<0.05). The Observed Species and Chao1 indices of the gut microbiota were significantly lower in the CH group than in the NC group (P<0.05), while levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) in lung tissue were elevated (P<0.05). GABA intervention improved selected hemodynamic, vascular remodeling, and inflammatory indices. Conclusion Decreases in daily mean temperature and AOC are associated with an increased risk of PHD hospitalization, with the highest risk estimate observed in the low-temperature and low-AOC group. Animal experiments suggest that combined cold and hypoxic exposure induce PH-related pathological changes accompanied by alterations in the gut microbiota and pulmonary inflammation. GABA may partially ameliorate these changes.

Aim To explore the mechanism of Yangxin decoction in the treatment of chronic heart failure(CHF)based on network pharmacology and animal ex-periments.Methods The database was used to screen Yangxin decoction,a network of"drug-compo-nent-disease-target"was established,and the obtained targets were enriched and analyzed.The CHF model of rats was replicated by abdominal aortic ligation.After the administration,the general condition,body weight and heart weight of the rats were observed,and the he-modynamic changes,echocardiography indicators and left ventricular mass index were measured.HE staining was used to observe the morphological changes of myo-cardial tissue.Serum IL-1 β,IL-18,TNF-α and BNP were detected by ELISA.The expressions of NLRP3,caspase-1,ASC and NF-κB p65 proteinswere detected by Western blot.Results Enrichment analysis showed that the potential regulatory pathways of Yangx-in decoction in the treatment of CHF involved NOD-like signaling pathway,NF-κB signaling pathway,etc.The results of animal experiments showed that the body weight,left ventricular diastolic diameter and left ven-tricular systolic diameter of the rats in the administra-tion group decreased(P＜0.05),the left ventricular mass index,ejection fraction and short axis narrowing rate increased(P＜0.05),the pathological morphology of myocardial tissue was reduced,and the levels of IL-1 β,IL-18,TNF-α,BNP,NLRP3,caspase-1,ASC and NF-κB p65 decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusions The mechanism of Yangxin decoction in the treatment of CHF rats may be related to inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway and reduc-ing the inflammatory response.

Aim To explore the mechanism of ligustil-ide(LIG)improving demyelination by inhibiting in-flammatory response in mice with distal middle cerebral artery occlusion(dMCAO)through AIM2/caspase-1 signal pathway.Methods Thirty C57BL/6N male mice were randomly divided into three groups:sham operation group(Sham group,n=10),model group(dMCAO group,n=10)and treatment group(LIG group,n=10).The dMCAO mouse model was estab-lished by electrocoagulation in dMCAO group and LIG group.The mice were scored by Longa after waking up,and the changes of cerebral blood flow were moni-tored by laser speckle blood flow imaging system after dMCAO.One hour after modeling,LIG(30 mg·kg-1·d-1)was injected intraperitoneally in LIG group,and the same amount of normal saline was injected in sham group and dMCAO group for one week until the end of the experiment.The mice in each group were stained with TTC,and the brain injury was observed pathologically.Fatigue turning bar test and open field test were used to evaluate the motor function and anxie-ty degree of mice,and then the brain tissues of mice were taken for black gold staining to compare the chan-ges of myelin sheath in each group.Immunofluores-cence staining was used to detect the average fluores-cence intensity of MBP,IBA1 and GFAP in CC,CPU and CX regions of mouse brains.ELISAwas used to de-tect the contents of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1 β,IL-17A and BDNF in brain tissue proteins of mice.Western blot-ting was used to detect the protein expressions of AIM2,caspase-1 and ASC-in each group.Results Compared with the dMCAO group,the infarct area was reduced,the behavior was significantly improved and the demyelination was reduced in the LIG group.The expression of MBP protein in CC,CPU and CX regions increased(P＜0.05),the expression of IBA1 in CX decreased(P＜0.01),and the expression of GFAP in-creased in CC,CPU and CX regions(P＜0.01).The results of ELISA showed that the levels ofTNF-α(P＜0.01),IL-6(P＜0.01),IL-1β(P＜0.05)and IL-17A(P＜0.01)significantly decreased,while the ex-pression of BDNF increased(P＜0.05).The protein expression levels of AIM2,caspase-1 and ASC in mouse brain decreased after treatment(P＜0.01).Conclusion LIG has a protective effect on demyelina-tion in dMCAO mice,which may be related to the inhi-bition of AIM2/caspase-1 signaling pathway and in-flammation and to the promotion of BDNF secretion.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality based on the 10-year population-based multicenter prospective study. METHODS: A general population-based multicenter prospective study was conducted at four sites in rural China between 2013 and 2023. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess the association between BMI and mortality. Stratified analyses were performed based on the individual characteristics of the participants. RESULTS: Overall, 19,107 participants with a sum of 163,095 person-years were included and 1,910 participants died. The underweight (< 18.5 kg/m ²) presented an increase in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [ aHR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.66-2.41), while overweight (≥ 24.0 to < 28.0 kg/m ²) and obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m ²) presented a decrease with an aHR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.52-0.73) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.37-0.70), respectively. Overweight ( aHR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67-0.86) and mild obesity ( aHR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87) had a positive impact on mortality in people older than 60 years. All-cause mortality decreased rapidly until reaching a BMI of 25.7 kg/m ² ( aHR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98) and increased slightly above that value, indicating a U-shaped association. The beneficial impact of being overweight on mortality was robust in most subgroups and sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION This study provides additional evidence that overweight and mild obesity may be inversely related to the risk of death in individuals older than 60 years. Therefore, it is essential to consider age differences when formulating health and weight management strategies.
Humans ; Body Mass Index ; China/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Rural Population/statistics & numerical data* ; Aged ; Follow-Up Studies ; Adult ; Mortality ; Cause of Death ; Obesity/mortality* ; Overweight/mortality*

Aim To explore the mechanism of Yangxin decoction in the treatment of chronic heart failure(CHF)based on network pharmacology and animal ex-periments.Methods The database was used to screen Yangxin decoction,a network of"drug-compo-nent-disease-target"was established,and the obtained targets were enriched and analyzed.The CHF model of rats was replicated by abdominal aortic ligation.After the administration,the general condition,body weight and heart weight of the rats were observed,and the he-modynamic changes,echocardiography indicators and left ventricular mass index were measured.HE staining was used to observe the morphological changes of myo-cardial tissue.Serum IL-1 β,IL-18,TNF-α and BNP were detected by ELISA.The expressions of NLRP3,caspase-1,ASC and NF-κB p65 proteinswere detected by Western blot.Results Enrichment analysis showed that the potential regulatory pathways of Yangx-in decoction in the treatment of CHF involved NOD-like signaling pathway,NF-κB signaling pathway,etc.The results of animal experiments showed that the body weight,left ventricular diastolic diameter and left ven-tricular systolic diameter of the rats in the administra-tion group decreased(P＜0.05),the left ventricular mass index,ejection fraction and short axis narrowing rate increased(P＜0.05),the pathological morphology of myocardial tissue was reduced,and the levels of IL-1 β,IL-18,TNF-α,BNP,NLRP3,caspase-1,ASC and NF-κB p65 decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusions The mechanism of Yangxin decoction in the treatment of CHF rats may be related to inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway and reduc-ing the inflammatory response.

Aim To explore the mechanism of ligustil-ide(LIG)improving demyelination by inhibiting in-flammatory response in mice with distal middle cerebral artery occlusion(dMCAO)through AIM2/caspase-1 signal pathway.Methods Thirty C57BL/6N male mice were randomly divided into three groups:sham operation group(Sham group,n=10),model group(dMCAO group,n=10)and treatment group(LIG group,n=10).The dMCAO mouse model was estab-lished by electrocoagulation in dMCAO group and LIG group.The mice were scored by Longa after waking up,and the changes of cerebral blood flow were moni-tored by laser speckle blood flow imaging system after dMCAO.One hour after modeling,LIG(30 mg·kg-1·d-1)was injected intraperitoneally in LIG group,and the same amount of normal saline was injected in sham group and dMCAO group for one week until the end of the experiment.The mice in each group were stained with TTC,and the brain injury was observed pathologically.Fatigue turning bar test and open field test were used to evaluate the motor function and anxie-ty degree of mice,and then the brain tissues of mice were taken for black gold staining to compare the chan-ges of myelin sheath in each group.Immunofluores-cence staining was used to detect the average fluores-cence intensity of MBP,IBA1 and GFAP in CC,CPU and CX regions of mouse brains.ELISAwas used to de-tect the contents of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1 β,IL-17A and BDNF in brain tissue proteins of mice.Western blot-ting was used to detect the protein expressions of AIM2,caspase-1 and ASC-in each group.Results Compared with the dMCAO group,the infarct area was reduced,the behavior was significantly improved and the demyelination was reduced in the LIG group.The expression of MBP protein in CC,CPU and CX regions increased(P＜0.05),the expression of IBA1 in CX decreased(P＜0.01),and the expression of GFAP in-creased in CC,CPU and CX regions(P＜0.01).The results of ELISA showed that the levels ofTNF-α(P＜0.01),IL-6(P＜0.01),IL-1β(P＜0.05)and IL-17A(P＜0.01)significantly decreased,while the ex-pression of BDNF increased(P＜0.05).The protein expression levels of AIM2,caspase-1 and ASC in mouse brain decreased after treatment(P＜0.01).Conclusion LIG has a protective effect on demyelina-tion in dMCAO mice,which may be related to the inhi-bition of AIM2/caspase-1 signaling pathway and in-flammation and to the promotion of BDNF secretion.

Objective:To explore the characteristics of laboratory examination of secondary sideroblastic anemia(SA).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the general information of a case of alcohol-induced secondary SA,and relevant domestic and foreign literature was reviewed to summarize the clinical characteristics of this disease.Results:The patient was diagnosed with microcytic hypochromic anemia,with abnormal red blood cells detected,such as elliptocytes,target cells,and teardrop cells,etc.Iron overload and more than 15％of ring sideroblasts were detected by Perls' Prussian blue staining of bone marrow smear,while periodic acid-schiff(PAS)staining,EGR1 and SF3B1 gene tests were all negative,and rare genotype of Hong Kong α-thalassemia(possibly HKαα/αα or HKαα/-α3.7)was observed.Conclusion:Patient medical history and medication history,peripheral blood and bone marrow cytological morphology,genetic testing,cytogenetics,etc.are helpful for the diagnosis of secondary SA.

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of aripiprazole combined with non-convulsive electroshock(MECT)for children and adolescents with first episode schizophrenia.Methods:94 children and adolescents with first episode schizophrenia who were admitted to Yiling Kangning Mental Hospital of Yichang from August 2022 to August 2024 were divided into control group(received aripiprazole,n=47)and study group(received aripiprazole combined with MECT,n=47)by using random number table method.The clinical efficacy,dysfunction scale[Positive and Negative Symptom Scale(PANSS),Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale(MoCA),Wechsler Memory Scale(WMS)],glucose and lipid metabolism indexes[low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),glycated hemoglobin(HbAlc),total cholesterol(TC),fasting blood glucose(FBG),High density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),inflammatory factor indexes[interleukin-1β(IL-1β),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-6(IL-6)],neurocytokine levels[serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF),s100βprotein(s100β),homocysteine(Hcy)]and the occurrence of adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.Results:Compared with the control group after treatment,the clinical total effective rate,MoCA,WMS score,HDL-C,BDNF were higher,PANSS score,HbAlc,FBG,TC,LDL-C,TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6,s100β and Hcy were lower in the study group(P＜0.05).There was no difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion:Aripiprazole combined with MECT in the treatment of in children and adolescents with first episode schizophrenia can reduce the degree of inflammation,regulate glucose and lipid metabolism,improve clinical symptoms and neurological function of children,with good safety.

Objective To assess the efficacy of a novel inguinal tourniquet in healthy individuals and to investigate the relationship between localized inguinal compression and femoral artery blood flow occlusion.Methods A self-controlled study was conducted.From November 9 to November 30,2024,11 volunteers were recruited at the Third Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital.Three compression methods--finger pressure,a novel groin tourniquet,and a SAM junction tourniquet(SJT)—were applied bilaterally to the inguinal region until distal blood flow signals disappeared.Each compression method was tested in 22 trials with a 5-minute interval between operations.Differences in hemostatic efficacy between bilateral inguinal regions and across compression methods were compared.Subsequently,the novel tourniquet was incrementally pressurized in 120 mmHg multiples using an integrated pressure device to analyze trends in popliteal artery blood flow velocity.Observational indicators included the internal pressure of the tourniquet pressurization device,peak systolic velocity(PSV)of popliteal artery,inguinal surface pressure magnitude,inguinal surface pressure distribution,and pain scores(assessed using a single-dimensional numerical rating scale).Results No statistically significant difference was observed in the minimum pressure required to occlude femoral artery blood flow bilaterally(P>0.05).The success rates of femoral artery blood flow occlusion at the inguinal region were 100%for the novel inguinal tourniquet,SJT,and finger pressure.The novel inguinal tourniquet induced the highest pain scores,ranging from 5 to 8.A significant reduction in PSV of popliteal artery was noted when the intra-tourniquet pressure reached 360 mmHg and 480 mmHg(P<0.05),with a 95%hemostasis efficacy observed within the range of 360-600 mmHg.No significant association was observed between the recovery of popliteal artery blood flow after limb movement and inguinal pressure distribution(P>0.05).The PSV of popliteal artery exhibited the strongest negative correlation with the average pressure within the inguinal compression area(r=-0.79,P<0.001),with a linear regression fitting line of y=69.69-0.13x(P<0.001,R2=0.58).Conclusions The novel inguinal tourniquet effectively occludes femoral artery blood flow within a pressure range of 360-600 mmHg,accompanied by moderate-to-severe pain.Its hemostatic mechanism mainly relies on increasing the mean pressure within the inguinal compression area.