BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with common pathophysiological processes, such as inflammation and fibrosis, in both the heart and the kidney. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms that drive these processes are not yet fully understood. Therefore, this study focused on the molecular mechanism of heart and kidney injury in CKD. METHODS: We generated an microRNA (miR)-26a knockout (KO) mouse model to investigate the role of miR-26a in angiotensin (Ang)-II-induced cardiac and renal injury. We performed Ang-II modeling in wild type (WT) mice and miR-26a KO mice, with six mice in each group. In addition, Ang-II-treated AC16 cells and HK2 cells were used as in vitro models of cardiac and renal injury in the context of CKD. Histological staining, immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and Western blotting were applied to study the regulation of miR-26a on Ang-II-induced cardiac and renal injury. Immunofluorescence reporter assays were used to detect downstream genes of miR-26a, and immunoprecipitation was employed to identify the interacting protein of LIM and senescent cell antigen-like domain 1 (LIMS1). We also used an adeno-associated virus (AAV) to supplement LIMS1 and explored the specific regulatory mechanism of miR-26a on Ang-II-induced cardiac and renal injury. Dunnett's multiple comparison and t -test were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Compared with the control mice, miR-26a expression was significantly downregulated in both the kidney and the heart after Ang-II infusion. Our study identified LIMS1 as a novel target gene of miR-26a in both heart and kidney tissues. Downregulation of miR-26a activated the LIMS1/integrin-linked kinase (ILK) signaling pathway in the heart and kidney, which represents a common molecular mechanism underlying inflammation and fibrosis in heart and kidney tissues during CKD. Furthermore, knockout of miR-26a worsened inflammation and fibrosis in the heart and kidney by inhibiting the LIMS1/ILK signaling pathway; on the contrary, supplementation with exogenous miR-26a reversed all these changes. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that miR-26a could be a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of cardiorenal injury in CKD. This is attributed to its ability to regulate the LIMS1/ILK signaling pathway, which represents a common molecular mechanism in both heart and kidney tissues.
Animals ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Angiotensin II/toxicity* ; Mice ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/chemically induced* ; Mice, Knockout ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male ; Signal Transduction/genetics* ; LIM Domain Proteins/genetics* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Cell Line ; Humans

Objective To investigate the prevalence of hyperuricemia among ethnic groups in Gongshan county,Yunnan province through a cross-sectional study.Methods A total of 229 residents aged ≥ 18 years from Dulong,Nu,Tibetan,Bai and Lisu ethnic groups were randomly selected in Gongshan County of Yunnan Province for questionnaire survey,physical examinations and laboratory tests.SPSS 22.0 was used for t test,Chi-square test,correlation analysis,and multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results A total of 107 cases of hyperuricemia were identified,with a detection rate of 46.7％,among which the prevalence was 43.9％in males,52.63％in female,48％in the Dulong,51％in the Lisu,47％in the Nu,37.5％in the Bai,52％in the Tibetan and 50％in the Han.There were no statistically significant differences in prevalence among all nationalities(P＞0.05).The proportion of individuals with a history of diabetes,as well as levels of urea nitrogen and serum creatinine,were significantly higher in the hyperuricemia group compared to the non-hyperuricemia group(P＜0.05).Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between hyperuricemia and diabetes,urea nitrogen and serum creatinine.(P＜0.05).Multivariate regression analysis showed that diabetes and elevated serum creatinine were independent risk factors for the onset of hyperuricemia(P＜0.05).Conclusion The detection rate of hyperuricemia is relatively high in Gongshan County,Yunnan Province,and there is no significant differences in prevalence among ethnic groups.Diabetes and elevated serum creatinine are associated with hyperuricemia,which increase the risk of developing hyperuricemia.

Objective:To summarize the experience of brain death determination under veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) assisted circulatory support, especially apnea test (AT) precautions, and to provide references for brain death determination in this scenario.Methods:In 78 patients who had VA-ECMO at Organ Transplant Center, Zhengzhou People's Hospital from October 2019 to December 2023, 8 organ donors had brain death determination under VA-ECMO assisted circulatory support. Baseline data, clinical data, and VA-ECMO data during AT trial were collected from these 8 patients to summarize the process of brain death determination.Results:Six of the 8 donors met the criteria of brain death; 10 EEG, 12 evoked potentials and 15 ATs were performed. Complications in ATs, including hypotension, decreased oxygenation and arrhythmia, were alleviated after timely improved VA-ECMO flow and applied cardiotonic and pressor drugs.Conclusion:AT is key for successful brain death determination in organ donors under VA-ECMO assisted circulatory support; therefore, complications should be closely monitored and managed.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors of post-stroke depression (PSD) in patients with first acute stroke 6 months after onset.Methods:Three hundred and sixty-seven patients with acute stroke who were treated for the first time in the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University were selected retrospectively. After onset for 6 months, the patients were followed up and divided into PSD group and non-PSD group. The clinical data, blood index, imaging data, degree of nerve damage and the patient's stigma level were compared between the two groups.Results:Totally 182 and 185 cases were included in the PSD and non-PSD groups, respectively. The incidence of PSD at 6 months post-stroke was 49.6% (182/367). The results of univariate analysis showed that diseased region, drinking history, monthly income, standard of culture, serum cortisol, total cholesterol (TC), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), Stigma Scale for Chronic Illness-8 Chronic Disease Stigma Scale-8(SSCI-8) scores, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores and subtype of stroke were risk factors for PSD ( P<0.05). Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that diseased region at frontal lobe ( OR = 3.245, P = 0.011), basal ganglia region ( OR = 2.820, P = 0.007), cerebellar hemisphere ( OR = 4.594, P = 0.010) and serum cortisol ( OR = 1.174, P<0.001), hs-CRP ( OR = 1.057, P<0.001), SSCI-8 scores ( OR = 1.674, P<0.001), NIHSS scores ( OR = 1.283, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for PSD. Conclusions:PSD is a common complication in patients with stroke. Diseased region (at frontal lobe, basal ganglia region, cerebellar hemispheres), hs-CRP, serum cortisol, level of morbidity stigma and degree of neurological impairment are development risk factors for the PSD at 6 months of acute stroke.

This study aims to optimize the teaching design of Nutritional Counseling and Education, a core course for registered dietitians in China, to strengthen the cultivation of practical nutrition counseling and education abilities of nutritional professionals in China, and to provide reference for other colleges and universities intending to offer the same type of courses. This study thoroughly examined the course design of Nutrition Counseling and Education in four universities in the United States, and compared it with the course design in Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. A profound comparison revealed that our course design was basically in line with that of the United States in terms of knowledge and ability cultivation objectives as well as the contents, teaching modes, and performance evaluation methods of theoretical and practical courses. However, there were slight deficiencies in our course design in terms of the integration of theoretical and practical courses, as well as the diversity and depth of practical courses. Our course design can be optimized by developing online teaching resources, drafting practical guidance manuals, increasing the number of practice bases, and enriching the modality and content of practical courses.

Objective:To analyze the competence assessment examinations of registered dietitians in China during 2017-2021 to inform the training of dietetic professionals.Methods:A systematic review was conducted about the composition and changing trends of examination participants during 2017-2021. Participants were divided into subgroups based on gender, age, education, professional background and affiliations and the qualification rate was compared across different subgroups.Results:The number of examination participants showed an increasing trend overall, with the majority being females and aged 26-35 years. The ratio of participants with bachelor's: master's: doctor's degree was about 15: 9: 1. The proportion of participants majoring in nutrition science decreased from 32.1% to 20.3%, while that of participants majoring in other medical and food sciences increased. Among participants from healthcare institutions, a decreasing proportion of participants were with a major in nutrition science, while this proportion among participants from companies were stable at 38.8% to 50.2%. The average qualification rate was 35.7%, showing no significant differences among different gender and age groups. But the qualification rate varied significantly across subgroups with different education level, professional background, and affiliations ( P < 0.05). Subgroups with more advanced degrees showed higher qualification rate and the best rate was observed in the subgroups with professional background in nutrition science and from nutrition-related institutions. Conclusion:The training of dietetic professionals in China should be improved, lifelong learning should be promoted in nutrition practitioners, and the sustainable development of dietitians should be impelled.

Objective:To investigate the changes of T1 and T2 values in residual liver after major liver resection in rats and the relationship with pathologic indices related to liver regeneration.Methods:Seventy healthy male Sprague Dawley rats, SPF grade, aged 7-8 weeks, weighting 250-280 g, were divided into MR scan group ( n=14) and pathologic analysis group ( n=56). The MR scan group was further divided into partial hepatectomy group ( n=7) and the sham operation group ( n=7). MRI T 1 mapping and T 2 mapping were performed before surgery and on day 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 14, 21 after surgery. T1 and T2 values of liver parenchyma were measured. In the pathologic analysis group, 7 rats were randomly included at each time point before and after surgery for pathologic examination, the diameter and proliferative activity (Ki-67 indices) of hepatocytes were assessed. The changes of imaging and pathologic indices were observed, and the correlations between MR parameters and liver volume and pathologic indices were analyzed. Results:Both T1 and T2 values in liver parenchyma were increased on day 1 after surgery and reached their maximum values on day 2 ( P=0.005 and P<0.001, compared with baseline), then were gradually decreased, and recovered to the preoperative level on day 14 and 21 ( P>0.05), respectively. T2 value was correlated with hepatocyte diameter, liver volume and Ki-67 indices better ( r=0.640, -0.764, 0.765, respectively, all P<0.001). T1 value was correlated with hepatocyte diameter, liver volume and Ki-67 indices ( r=0.472, -0.481 and 0.444, all P<0.001). Conclusion:The T1 and T2 values of rats liver remnant parenchyma showed regular changes, and were correlated with liver regeneration indices, which reflect the microscopic changes of rat liver remnant parenchyma, and are expected to be used for quantitative monitoring of liver remnant regeneration.

【Objective】 To investigate the frequencies of HLA-B alleles in Jiangsu Han population from Chinese Marrow Donor Program (CMDP) Jiangsu Branch in 8 prefecture-level cities, compare and analyze the distribution of common susceptible alleles at HLA-B locus in 8 prefecture-level cities. 【Methods】 The HLA-B locus of 27 249 unrelated volunteers from CMDP Jiangsu Branch were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction–sequence based typing (PCR-SBT) method, and frequencies of HLA-B alleles of 8 prefecture-level cities were calculated and compared. 【Results】 A total of 145 HLA-B alleles were detected in Jiangsu Han population, among them 104, 113, 83, 88, 88, 85, 84, 72 HLA-B alleles were detected in Changzhou, Nanjing, Zhenjiang, Yangzhou, Huai’an, Suqian, Xuzhou, and Yancheng Han population, respectively. In general, the common alleles in Changzhou, Yangzhou and Zhenjiang were very similar, and the most common alleles were B^*46∶01, 13∶02, 40∶01 and 58∶01. The common alleles in Nanjing, Huai’an and Suqian were rather similar, and the most common alleles were B^*13∶02, 46∶01, 40∶01, 58∶01 and 51∶01. The common alleles in Yancheng were rather similar to Nanjing, Huai’an and Suqian, with only difference in the order of B^*40∶01 and B^*58∶01. The common alleles in Xuzhou were close to Nanjing, Huai’an and Suqian too, with only difference in the order of B^*40∶01 and B^*46∶01. 【Conclusion】 The results reflected the distribution of HLA-B alleles of Jiangsu Han population from 8 prefecture-level cities and the gene distribution was basically consistent with the regional distribution. The major difference in HLA-B locus in Jiangsu 8 prefecture-level cities was B ^* 13∶02 and B ^* 46∶01. The frequency of B ^* 13∶02 in Northern Jiangsu (Huai’an, Suqian, Xuzhou, Yancheng) is much higher than that of B ^* 46∶01, and that in Nanjing is slightly higher than the frequency of B ^* 46∶01, which is consistent with that in North China. The frequency of B ^* 46∶01 in Southern Jiangsu (Changzhou), Yangzhou and Zhenjiang is higher than that of B ^* 13∶02, which is consistent with that in South China. The polymorphism analysis of alleles at HLA-B locus in 8 cities in Jiangsu Province provided significant basic data for the study of the correlation between HLA-B locus genes and diseases, as well as the population genetics and anthropology in Jiangsu Han population.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of myocardial blood flow (MBF) quantified by dynamic computed tomography (CT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with troponin level and left ventricle (LV) function in patients with ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five STEMI patients who successfully had undergone reperfusion treatment within 1 week of their infarction were consecutively enrolled. All patients were referred for dynamic CT-MPI. Serial high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT) levels and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) measured by echocardiography were recorded. Twenty-six patients with 427 segments were included for analysis. Various quantitative parameters derived from dynamic CT-MPI were analyzed to determine if there was a correlation between hs-TnT levels and LVEF on admission and again at the 6-month mark. RESULTS: The mean radiation dose for dynamic CT-MPI was 3.2 ± 1.1 mSv. Infarcted territories had significantly lower MBF (30.5 ± 7.4 mL/min/100 mL versus 73.4 ± 8.1 mL/min/100 mL, p < 0.001) and myocardial blood volume (MBV) (2.8 ± 0.9 mL/100 mL versus 4.2 ± 1.1 mL/100 mL, p = 0.044) compared with those of reference territories. MBF showed the best correlation with the level of peak hs-TnT (r = −0.682, p < 0.001), and MBV showed a moderate correlation with the level of peak hs-TnT (r = −0.437, p = 0.026); however, the other parameters did not show any significant correlation with hs-TnT levels. As for the association with LV function, only MBF was significantly correlated with LVEF at the time of admission (r = 0.469, p = 0.016) and at 6 months (r = 0.585, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: MBF quantified by dynamic CT-MPI is significantly inversely correlated with the level of peak hs-TnT. In addition, patients with lower MBF tended to have impaired LV function at the time of their admission and at 6 months.
Blood Volume ; Echocardiography ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Infarction ; Myocardial Infarction ; Myocardial Perfusion Imaging ; Reperfusion ; Stroke Volume ; Troponin T ; Troponin

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) alone or in combination for melanocytic nevus.Methods A total of 37 patients with clinically diagnosed melanocytic nevus were collected.Skin lesions were firstly examined by dermoscopy and RCM,then were resected to be subjected to histopathological examination for final diagnosis.The imaging features of melanocytic nevus were summarized.The sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value,negative predictive value and accuracy of different skin imaging techniques were calculated,and the consistency was analyzed between skin imaging techniques and histopathological examination.Results Based on the dermoscopic and RCM findings,2 kinds of nevus cells with different morphological features were observed in the dermis of intradermal nevus.One kind of nevus cells was characterized by a nonfusional,highly-refractive round structure in the papillary dermis under RCM,and by a brown or light brown homogenous pattern under dermoscopy,which was observed in 5 skin lesions.The other kind of nevus cells appeared as irregular,highly-refractive cell clumps in the papillary dermis under RCM,and by a cobblestone or globular pattern under dermoscopy,which was observed in 31 skin lesions.For the diagnosis of melanocytic nevus,the sensitivity,specificity,accuracy,positive predictive value and negative predictive value of RCM combined with dermoscopy were 91.7％,87.5％,90.9％,97.1％ and 70％ respectively,those of RCM were 86.1％,75％,84％,93.9％ and 54.5％ respectively,and those of dermoscopy were 77.8％,87.5％,75％,96.3％ and 41.2％ respectively.All the diagnostic indices of RCM combined with dermoscopy were higher than those of RCM or dermoscopy alone,except that the specificity was equal to that of dermoscopy alone.RCM showed higher sensitivity,accuracy and negative predictive value,but lower specificity and positive predictive value compared with dermoscopy.There were no significant differences in the diagnostic yield in melanocytic nevus between RCM combined with dermoscopy or RCM alone and histopathological examination (x2 =0.25,0.57,P =0.63,0.45,Kappa value =0.72,0.53,respectively).However,a significant difference in the diagnostic yield in melanocytic nevus was observed between dermoscopy and histopathological examination (x2 =5.81,P =0.012).Conclusion RCM combined with dermoscopy shows higher diagnostic accuracy for melanocytic nevus compared with RCM or dermoscopy alone.