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*

Objective To explore the current status of H.pylori infection in the natural population of Sanya City,analyze its influencing factors,and provide a reference basis for the prevention and control of H.pylori infection.Methods A total of 677 residents from four districts of Sanya City were selected by overall stratified random sampling method,and were subjected to urea 14C breath test and questionnaire survey to calculate the positive rate of H.pylori in the natural population and analyze the influencing factors of H.pylori infection.Results A total of 606 residents were included,and the number of H.pylori positive detections was 261,with a positive detection rate of 38.5％.Among them,different ethnicity,marital status,smoking,eating vegetables and fruits,and literacy level were associated with H.pylori infection(P＜0.05);gender,age,BMI,alcohol consumption,drinking water source,betel quid chewing,and the number of cohabitants were not significantly associated with H.pylori infection(P＞0.05).Family infection was an independent risk factor for H.pylori infection in the natural population of Sanya City,and Li ethnicity,frequent consumption of fruits and vegetables,and college and higher education level were independent protective factors for H.pylori infection in the natural population of Sanya City.Conclusion The rate of H.pylori infection in the natural population of Sanya City is lower than the national average.Consuming more fruits and vegetables and improving the awareness of hygiene protection are conducive to the prevention of H.pylori infection;and the promotion of the family and related members with the same examination and treatment is important to avoid aggregation of infection within the family.

AIM: To investigate the protective effect of salvianolic acid B on retina and its influence on angiogenesis in retinal vein occlusion(RVO)injured rats.METHODS: SD rats were randomly divided into control group, model group and salvianolic acid B group, with 10 rats in each group. In addition to the control group, rats in model group and salvianolic acid B group were induced RVO by Bengal red combined with laser photodynamic method. The rats in salvianolic acid B group were intraperitoneally injected with salvianolic acid B 50 mg/(kg·d), while the rats in control group and model group were only given the same amount of normal saline for 21 consecutive days. Fundus fluorescein angiography(FFA)was used to observe the retinal vein structure before and after administration. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of rat retina. The retinal function of rats was evaluated by electroretinogram(ERG). The fluorescence expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGFA)in retina of rats in each group was detected by immunofluorescence staining. The relative expression of HIF-1α, STAT3, p-STAT3 and VEGFA proteins in retinal tissue were detected by Western blotting.RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the blood flow at the retinal obstruction in the model group was recanalized, and the effective collateral circulation was abundant, but the shape was irregular, and there was fluorescence leakage. In salvianolic acid B group, the retinal vein circulation recovered, the shape became regular gradually, and the collateral vessels decreased. The retina of the model group and salvianolic acid B group showed different degrees of pathological damage. At the same time, the amplitude of ERG a wave and b wave, the thickness of retinal total layer(RTL), inner nuclear layer(INL)and outer nuclear layer(ONL)decreased, the fluorescence intensity of VEGFA enhanced, and the relative expression of HIF-1α, p-STAT3 and VEGFA protein increased(P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the retinal histopathological damage of salvianolic acid B rats was alleviated, the amplitude of ERG a-wave and b-wave, the thickness of RTL, INL and ONL were increased, the fluorescence intensity of VEGFA was weakened, and the relative expression of HIF-1α, p-STAT3 and VEGFA proteins was decreased(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Salvianolic acid B can alleviate the retinal histopathological injury and improve retinal function in RVO rats, which may be related to inhibiting the activation of HIF-1α/STAT3/VEGFA pathway and reducing angiogenesis.

AIM: To investigate the effects of ginsenoside Rg1 injection combined with inosine tablets and vitamin B1 on serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF), pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide(PACAP)and clinical efficacy in primary retinitis pigmentosa.METHODS: A total of 50 patients(100 eyes)with primary retinitis pigmentosa who admitted to the Department of Ophthalmology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University from August 2019 to March 2022 were selected as the research object. They were divided into the study group and the control group according to random number table, with 50 eyes in each group. Patients in the control group were treated with inosine tablets and vitamin B1, while patients in the study group were treated with ginsenoside Rg1 injection on the basis of the control group. The expression of BDNF and PACAP in serum, electroretinogram and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography(SD-OCT)were compared before and after treatment, and the retinal thickness(RT), mean deviation(MD), clinical efficacy and safety indexes were compared between the two groups.RESULTS: There were no differences in the MD of the two groups before treatment(t=1.670, P=0.098), while the MD of the study group was significantly lower than that of the control group after treatment(t=3.628, P<0.01). Before treatment, RT with a diameter of 1mm at the circle of macular fovea was compared between the two groups(t=0.108, P=0.914), it was significantly higher than that in the control group after treatment(t=6.125, P<0.01). Before treatment, there was no significant difference in the results of dark adaptation of electroretinogram between the two groups(all P>0.05). After treatment, the results of dark adaptation in the study group were significantly better than those in the control group(all P<0.01). Before treatment, there was no significant difference in the results of electroretinogram adaptation between the two groups(all P>0.05). After treatment, the results of electroretinogram adaptation in the study group were significantly better than those in the control group(all P<0.01). There was no significant difference in BDNF and PACAP between the two groups before treatment(all P>0.05). BDNF and PACAP in the study group were higher than those of the control group after treatment(all P<0.01). After treatment, no adverse reactions were observed in both groups.CONCLUSION: The treatment of patients with primary retinitis pigmentosa with ginsenoside will improve the retinal function and promote the prognosis of the disease by regulating the expression of BDNF and PACAP, and it is highly safe.

Bupleuri Radix is commonly used in the traditional Chinese medicine, and saikosaponins are the important active ingredients. In this study, we first established a relative quantitative method for 25 saikosaponins using ultra high performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTrap-MS) in the scheduled multiple reaction monitoring (sMRM) mode. The established method showed good intra-day and intra-day precision, linearity, repeatability and stability. Then the method was applied to compare 37 batches of Bupleuri Radix from different planting areas. The results showed that there was no significant difference in the saikosaponins composition of Bupleuri Radix from different planting areas in Shanxi Province, which indicating that Bupleuri Radix is well adapted to the environment, so it is suitable for widely planting. However, Bupleuri Radix harvested at spring and autumn were differed from those harvested at summer, which indicated that the traditional harvesting experience was reasonable. Correlation analysis showed that saikosaponins a and d were positively correlated with some saponins, and 4 saponins (such as clinoposaponin XII) showed bigger content variation were identified by coefficient of variation analysis. The LC-MS based pseudotargeted metabonomic method established in this study can be applied to the comprehensive detection of saikosaponins, which providing new method for the quality evaluation of Bupleuri Radix.

Objective:To investigate the differences in cerebral oxygen metabolism in healthy volunteers at three altitude areas by MR quantitative magnetic susceptibility imaging (QSM) combined with three-dimensional arterial spin labeling (3D-ASL).Methods:From March 2019 to October 2020, Zhengzhou Han Chinese volunteers recruited from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Xining Han Chinese volunteers recruited from the Fifth People′s Hospital of Qinghai Province, Lhasa Han Chinese volunteers and Tibetan volunteers recruited from Lhasa People′s Hospital were collected. They were divided into 21-30 age group, 31-40 age group, and 41-50 age group. All the volunteers underwent MR QSM combined with 3D-ASL sequence imaging, and oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) images of gray matter, and white matter were collected, OEF and CBF values were obtained, and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO 2) values were calculated. The comparison of various indicators among multiple groups was conducted using one-way ANOVA, and pairwise comparisons were conducted using LSD- t test. Results:A total of 132 volunteers were included, including 38 Han Chinese volunteers in Zhengzhou, 9 in the 21-30 age group, 13 in the 31-40 age group and 16 in the 41-50 age group; 27 Han Chinese volunteers in Xining, including 9 in the 21-30 age group, 8 in the 31-40 age group and 10 in the 41-50 age group; 34 Han Chinese volunteers in Lhasa, including 13 in the 21-30 age group, 11 in the 31-40 age group and 10 in the 41-50 age group; and 33 Tibetan volunteers in Lhasa, including 10 in the 21-30 age group, 10 in the 31-40 age group and 13 in the 41-50 age group. In the group aged 21-30 years, the overall difference in brain gray matter OEF values among volunteers from different altitudes was statistically significant ( P<0.05), with statistically significant differences in OEF values between Tibetans in Lhasa and Han Chinese in Xining, Han Chinese in Lhasa ( P<0.05). The overall difference in CMRO 2 values in the gray matter of volunteers at different altitudes was statistically significant ( P<0.05), with significant differences in CMRO 2 values between Lhasa Tibetan and Han Chinese in Zhengzhou, Han Chinese in Xining, Han Chinese in Lhasa ( P<0.05). In the 31-40 age group, there were statistically significant differences in the overall CBF values of gray and white matter among volunteers from different altitudes ( P<0.05). Among them, there were statistically significant differences in the CBF values of gray and white matter between Han Chinese in Zhengzhou and Han in Xining, Han Chinese in Lhasa, Lhasa Tibetan ( P<0.05). The overall differences in OEF values of gray matter and white matter among volunteers at different altitudes were statistically significant ( P<0.05). Among them, there were statistically significant differences in OEF values of gray matter and white matter between the Han Chinese in Zhengzhou and the Han Chinese in Xining, the Han Chinese in Lhasa ( P<0.05). There was also a statistically significant difference in OEF values of gray matter and white matter between the Han Chinese in Lhasa and the Tibetan in Lhasa ( P<0.05). The overall difference in CMRO 2 values in gray and white matter among volunteers from different altitudes was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Among them, there was a statistically significant difference in CMRO 2 values of cerebral gray matter between Lhasa Tibetans and Zhengzhou Han, Xining Han, Lhasa Han ( P<0.05), and there was a statistically significant difference in CMRO 2 values of cerebral white matter between Lhasa Tibetans and Zhengzhou Han, Lhasa Han ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The cerebral oxygen metabolism of Tibetan living in the plateau is characterized by low oxygen consumption, low blood oxygen dependence and high tissue oxygen utilization. The CMRO 2 of the Han people who migrated to the plateau for a long time is maintained at a certain level, similar to that in the plain area. The effects of age factors on CBF, OEF and CMRO 2 are small.

Objective: Individuals with dementia are at a substantially elevated risk for mortality; however, few studies have examined multimorbidity patterns and determined the inter-relationship between these comorbidities in predicting mortality risk. Methods: This is a prospective cohort study. Data from 6,556 patients who were diagnosed with dementia between 1997 and 2012 using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database were analyzed. Latent class analysis was performed using 16 common chronic conditions to identify mortality risk among potentially different latent classes. Logistic regression was performed to determine the adjusted association of the determined latent classes with the 5-year mortality rate. Results: With adjustment for age, a three-class model was identified, with 42.7% of participants classified as “low comorbidity class (cluster 1)”, 44.2% as “cardiometabolic multimorbidity class (cluster 2)”, and 13.1% as “FRINGED class (cluster 3, characterized by FRacture, Infection, NasoGastric feeding, and bleEDing over upper gastrointestinal tract).” The incidence of 5-year mortality was 17.6% in cluster 1, 26.7% in cluster 2, and 59.6% in cluster 3. Compared with cluster 1, the odds ratio for mortality was 9.828 (95% confidence interval [CI]=6.708–14.401; p<0.001) in cluster 2 and 1.582 (95% CI=1.281–1.953; p<0.001) in cluster 3. Conclusion Among patients with dementia, the risk for 5-year mortality was highest in the subpopulation characterized by fracture, urinary and pulmonary infection, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, and nasogastric intubation, rather than cancer or cardiometabolic comorbidities. These findings may improve decision-making and advance care planning for patients with dementia.

During the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic, there have been concerns about the impact of vaccines on people's fertility, including the fertility of those who are currently preparing for pregnancy and those who might become pregnant in future. However, there is still a lack of research on the effect of the COVID-19 vaccine on male fertility, and it is not surprising that couples and donors have concerns regarding vaccination. In this study, a retrospective cohort study was conducted to examine semen quality before and after receipt of the inactivated COVID-19 vaccine. There were no statistically significant changes in semen parameters (volume, sperm concentration, progressive motility, and total progressive motile count) after two doses of vaccine (all P > 0.05). In summary, our study updates the most recent studies on the effects of the COVID-19 vaccine on male fertility, and the information from this study could be used to guide fertility recommendations for assisted reproductive technology (ART) patients and donors.
COVID-19 ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies ; Semen ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; Vaccination ; Vaccines, Inactivated

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of Xingnao Kaiqiao (regaining consciousness and opening orifices) acupuncture on the efficacy and safety of intravenous thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) in patients with cerebral infarction. METHODS: A total number of 142 patients of cerebral infarction undergoing rt-PA intravenous thrombolysis were randomized into an acupuncture-medication group (71 cases) and a western medication group (71 cases, 1 case dropped off). In the western medication group, rt-PA intravenous thrombolysis was given. In the acupuncture-medication group, besides the intervention as the control group, Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture was provided at Shuigou (GV 26), Neiguan (PC 6), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Jiquan (HT 1), etc. once daily. One treatment session contained 6 treatments and 1 session was required. Before and after treatment, the score of the National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS), the levels of the relevant indexes of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) (platelet [PLT], D-dimer and fibrinogen), the incidences of sICH and adverse effect were compared between groups. The efficacy was assessed in two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, NIHSS scores and the levels of D-dimer were reduced compared with those before treatment in both groups (P<0.05), and those in the acupuncture-medication group were lower than the western medication group (P<0.05). The level of fibrinogen in the acupuncture-medication group was increased in comparison with that before treatment (P<0.05), and also higher than the western medication group (P<0.05). The incidence of sICH was 0% (0/71) in the acupuncture-medication group, lower than 8.6% (6/70) in the western medication group (P<0.05). The effective rate was 97.2% (69/71) in the acupuncture-medication group, higher than 87.1% (61/70) in the western medication group (P<0.05). The incidence of adverse effect was 2.8% (2/71) in the acupuncture-medication group, lower than 12.9% (9/70) in the western medication group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture may improve the efficacy of rt-PA intravenous thrombolysis in the patients with cerebral infraction and decrease the incidences of sICH and adverse effect. The mechanism may be related to the regulation of fibrinogen and D-dimer levels.
Acupuncture Therapy/adverse effects* ; Cerebral Infarction/drug therapy* ; Fibrinogen ; Humans ; Stroke/drug therapy* ; Thrombolytic Therapy/adverse effects* ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator/adverse effects* ; Treatment Outcome

AIM: To explore the efficacy of Danshen injection iontophoresis in the treatment of retinal vein occlusion(RVO).METHODS: The clinical data of 90 patients(90 eyes)with RVO treated in our hospital from January 2020 to December 2021 were analyzed retrospectively, and they were divided into control group and observation group according to treatment methods. A total of 38 patients(38 eyes)in the control group were treated with intravenous Xueshuantong+oral compound Xueshuantong capsule+enteric-coated aspirin, and 52 patients(52 eyes)in the observation group were treated with Danshen injection iontophoresis on this basis. The treatment time of the two groups was 3mo. The clinical efficacy, best corrected visual acuity, retinal condition and hemorheological indexes(whole blood low shear viscosity, fibrinogen)were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.RESULTS: The total effective rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group(87% vs 58%,P<0.05)at 3mo after treatment. The best corrected visual acuity in both groups was better than that before treatment, and the observation group was better than the control group(all P<0.05).The circulation time of retinal vein, the relative diameter of retinal vein and the relative area of retinal hemorrhage in the observation group were lower than those before treatment,and the observation group was lower than the control group(all P<0.05). The whole blood low shear viscosity and fibrinogen levels in the two groups were lower than those before treatment, and the observation group was lower than those in the control group(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Danshen injection iontophoresis is effective in the treatment of patients with RVO, which can effectively improve the visual acuity, treat fundus lesions and improve the abnormal blood flow.