ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Yangxin Tongmai Formula （养心通脉方， YTF） in trea-ting coronary heart disease with blood stasis syndrome based on DNA methylation. MethodsSeventy-two SD rats were randomly divided into a control group （n=12） and a modeling group （n=60）. The modeling group was subjected to a high-fat diet， intragastric administration of vitamin D3， and subcutaneous injection of isoprenaline to establish the rat model of coronary heart disease with blood stasis syndrome. Forty-one successfully modeled rats were then randomly allocated into model group， YTF low-， medium-， and high-dose groups， and the atorvastatin calcium group， with 8 rats in each group and 1 rat reserved. The YTF low-， medium-， and high-dose groups received YTF at 6， 12， and 18 g/（kg·d） by gavage， respectively. The atorvastatin calcium group received atorvastatin calcium tablets at 1.8 mg/（kg·d） by gavage. The control group and the model group received 0.9% sodium chloride injection at 4 ml/（kg·d） by gavage. All administrations were performed once daily for 3 weeks. Twenty-four hours after the last administration， serum lipid levels including total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， myocardial enzymes including cardiac troponin T （cTnT）， creatine kinase MB （CK-MB）， and lactate dehydrogenase （LDH）， and inflammatory factors including interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and interleukin-10 （IL-10） were detected by ELISA. Pathological changes in myocardial tissue were observed via HE staining. Whole blood DNA methylation sequencing was used to analyze differential methylation gene expression among the control group， model group， and YTF high-dose group. Western Blotting was used to verify the protein levels of the key genes and downstream signaling pathways. ResultsCompared to the control group， the model group showed increased levels of TC， TG， LDL-C， cTnT， CK-MB， LDH， and IL-1β， along with decreased levels of HDL-C and IL-10 （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared to the model group， all treatment groups exhibited decreased levels of TC， LDL-C， CK-MB， and LDH， along with increased IL-10 levels. Among these， the high-dose YTF group demonstrated superior efficacy in reducing cTnT levels compared to the other TCM groups （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. HE staining indicated that the YTF high-dose group ameliorated myocardial cell swelling， disordered arrangement， pyknosis， and disappearance of nuclei， thereby reducing myocardial cell damage. Whole blood DNA methylation sequencing identified 240 differentially methylated genes shared by the control group， model group， and YTF high-dose group， including 109 hypermethylated and 131 hypomethylated genes； eif2ak3 was identified as a key differentially methylated gene. Compared to the control group， the model group exhibited increased protein levels of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha kinase 3 （eIf2ak3）， phosphorylated protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase （p-PERK）， activating transcription factor 4 （ATF4）， C/EBP homologous protein （CHOP）， and Bax， along with a decreased level of B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2） protein （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared to the model group， the YTF high-dose group showed decreased protein levels of eIf2ak3， p-PERK， ATF4， CHOP， and Bax， and an increased level of Bcl-2 protein （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. ConclusionYTF may regulate key differentially methylated genes such as eIf2ak3 and the PERK/ATF4/CHOP signaling pathway， thereby inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress， reducing myocardial cell apoptosis， and exerting therapeutic effects in coronary heart disease blood stasis syndrome.

Background: Primary dysmenorrhea is the most prevalent gynecological complaint among women of reproductive age, often manifesting as intense cramping pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation. Although pharmaceutical interventions such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and oral contraceptives are commonly used to manage symptoms, their temporary effects and frequent side effects, including gastrointestinal issues and hormonal imbalances, limit long-term use. As a result, there is growing interest in complementary and alternative therapies. Huolongguan moxibustion, a traditional Chinese medical technique involving the burning of mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) near specific acupoints, is believed to enhance energy (qi) flow, promote blood circulation, reduce pain, and restore the balance of body functions. Aim: This study aims to investigate the clinical effectiveness of moxibustion in alleviating menstrual pain and improving overall well-being in patients with primary dysmenorrhea. Additionally, the study seeks to evaluate the feasibility and relevance of applying this traditional technique within contemporary medical practice. Materials and Methods: The study used a non-randomized clinical trial, double-blind, placebo-controlled design with treatment (n=30) and control (n=30) groups. Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), while quality of life will be measured using the EQ-5D questionnaire. Psychological status, including anxiety and depression levels, will be evaluated using Cox mentrual symptom scale (CMSS). Data will be collected at baseline and post-treatment, followed by statistical analysis to determine treatment efficacy. Result: In the experimental group that received sealed cupping moxibustion therapy, the COX score decreased by approximately 99% after 3 months compared with the baseline value, whereas in the control group it decreased by approximately 27%. In addition, the VAS and EQ-5D-5L scores in the experimental group showed a statistically significant reduction as the duration of treatment increased (P<0.001), indicating that sealed cupping moxibustion therapy effectively reduced pain and related symptoms. Conclusion The results of this study demonstrate that cupping moxibustion therapy significantly reduces pain and associated symptoms in patients with primary dysmenorrhea and improves their quality of life. The therapeutic effect increased with longer treatment duration, and the outcomes in the experimental group were significantly better than those in the control group. Therefore, cupping moxibustion therapy may be considered an effective traditional therapeutic approach for the management of primary dysmenorrhea.

Objective:To develop a rapid assessment scale for healthy aging suitable for the Chinese population.Methods:Based on existing healthy aging assessment scales, national standards, and expert consensus, an initial Healthy Aging Rapid Assessment Scale was drafted through two rounds of expert consultation. A pre-survey was conducted with 3 220 subjects recruited from Guangzhou between July 2023 and July 2024. Items were screened through item analysis and exploratory factor analysis to form the final scale. Reliability and validity of the final scale were validated across five cities: Guangzhou, Dongguan, Shenzhen, Baoding, and Chuxiong.Results:The initial version comprised 36 items, while the finalized scale contained 18 items across three dimensions: metabolic health, mental health, and cognitive health. Test-retest reliability ranged from 0.71 to 0.81 across all study sites. The Spearman-Brown coefficient varied between 0.91-0.96, Cronbach′s α between 0.77-0.83, comparative fit index (CFI) between 0.90-0.98, goodness-of-fit index (GFI) between 0.90-0.99, and root-mean-square error of approximation (RMSEA) between 0.03-0.09. For the three dimensions, reliability and validity metrics demonstrated consistency: Spearman-Brown coefficients 0.87-0.99, Cronbach′s α 0.77-0.83, CFI 0.90-0.98, GFI 0.90-0.99, and RMSEA 0.03-0.09 across four regions.Conclusion:The developed Healthy Aging Rapid Assessment Scale for the Chinese population exhibits robust reliability and validity.

Background: and Purpose Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) following endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is a severe complication associated with adverse functional outcomes and increased mortality rates. Currently, a reliable predictive model for sICH risk after EVT is lacking. Methods: This study used data from patients aged ≥20 years who underwent EVT for anterior circulation stroke from the nationwide Taiwan Registry of Endovascular Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke (TREAT-AIS). A predictive model including factors associated with an increased risk of sICH after EVT was developed to differentiate between patients with and without sICH. This model was compared existing predictive models using nationwide registry data to evaluate its relative performance. Results: Of the 2,507 identified patients, 158 developed sICH after EVT. Factors such as diastolic blood pressure, Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score, platelet count, glucose level, collateral score, and successful reperfusion were associated with the risk of sICH after EVT. The TREAT-AIS score demonstrated acceptable predictive accuracy (area under the curve [AUC]=0.694), with higher scores being associated with an increased risk of sICH (odds ratio=2.01 per score increase, 95% confidence interval=1.64–2.45, P<0.001). The discriminatory capacity of the score was similar in patients with symptom onset beyond 6 hours (AUC=0.705). Compared to existing models, the TREAT-AIS score consistently exhibited superior predictive accuracy, although this difference was marginal. Conclusions The TREAT-AIS score outperformed existing models, and demonstrated an acceptable discriminatory capacity for distinguishing patients according to sICH risk levels. However, the differences between models were only marginal. Further research incorporating periprocedural and postprocedural factors is required to improve the predictive accuracy.

PURPOSE: Assessing fluid responsiveness relying on central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO₂) yields varied outcomes across several studies. This study aimed to determine the ability of the change in ScvO₂ (ΔScvO₂) to detect fluid responsiveness in ventilated septic shock patients and potential influencing factors. METHODS: In this prospective, single-center study, all patients conducted from February 2023 to January 2024 received fluid challenge. Oxygen consumption was measured by indirect calorimetry, and fluid responsiveness was defined as an increase in cardiac index (CI) ≥ 10% measured by transthoracic echocardiography. Multivariate linear regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the impact of oxygen consumption, arterial oxygen saturation, CI, and hemoglobin on ScvO₂ and its change before and after fluid challenge. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used for the normality of continuous data. Data comparison between fluid responders and non-responders was conducted using a two-tailed Student t-test, Mann Whitney U test, and Chi-square test. Paired t-tests were used for normally distributed data, while the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for skewed data, to compare data before and after fluid challenge. RESULTS: Among 49 patients (31 men, aged (59 ± 18) years), 27 were responders. The patients had an acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II score of 24 ± 8, a sequential organ failure assessment score of 11 ± 4, and a blood lactate level of (3.2 ± 3.1) mmol/L at enrollment. After the fluid challenge, the ΔScvO₂ (mmHg) in the responders was greater than that in the non-responders (4 ± 6 vs. 1 ± 3, p = 0.019). Multivariate linear regression analysis suggested that CI was the only independent influencing factor of ScvO₂, with R² = 0.063, p = 0.008. After the fluid challenge, the change in CI became the only contributing factor to ΔScvO₂ (R² = 0.245, p < 0.001). ΔScvO₂ had a good discriminatory ability for the responders and non-responders with a threshold of 4.4% (area under the curve = 0.732, p = 0.006). CONCLUSION ΔScvO₂ served as a reliable surrogate marker for ΔCI and could be utilized to assess fluid responsiveness, given that the change in CI was the sole contributing factor to the ΔScvO₂. In stable hemoglobin conditions, the absolute value of ScvO₂ could serve as a monitoring indicator for adequate oxygen delivery independent of oxygen consumption.
Humans ; Shock, Septic/blood* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Oxygen Saturation ; Aged ; Fluid Therapy ; Oxygen/blood* ; Oxygen Consumption ; Adult

BACKGROUND: Early control of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is crucial for reducing the progress of cardiovascular disease. However, its additional role to the risk of primary osteoporosis in men with coronary heart disease was inconclusive. Our study aims to determine the association of LDL-C and its trajectories for osteoporosis risk in the middle-aged and aged men of China. METHODS: The retrospective cohort study of 1546 men aged 69.74 ± 11.30 years conducted in Beijing, China from 2015 to 2022. And the incidence of primary osteoporosis was annually recorded. LDL-C trajectories were further identified by latent class growth model using repeated measurements of LDL-C. The association of baseline LDL-C for osteoporosis was estimated using hazard ratio (HR) with 95% CI in Cox proportional hazard model, while mean level and trajectories of LDL-C for osteoporosis were evaluated using odds ratio (OR) with 95% CI in logistic regression model. RESULTS: During the median 6.2-year follow-up period, 70 men developed primary osteoporosis. The higher level of baseline LDL-C (HR = 1.539, 95% CI: 1.012-2.342) and mean LDL-C (OR = 2.190, 95% CI: 1.443-3.324) were associated with higher risk of osteoporosis in men with coronary heart disease after adjusted for covariates. Compared with those in the LDL-C trajectory of low-stable decrease, participants with medium-fluctuant trajectory, whose longitudinal LDL-C started with a medium LDL-C level and appeared an increase and then decrease, were negatively associated with osteoporosis risk (OR = 2.451, 95% CI: 1.152-5.216). And participants with initially high LDL-C level and then a rapid decrease demonstrated a tendency towards reduced risk (OR = 0.718, 95% CI: 0.212-2.437). CONCLUSIONS Elevated LDL-C level and its long-term fluctuation may increase the risk of primary osteoporosis in men. Early controlling a stable level of LDL-C is also essential for bone health.

Thalidomide (THA) is renowned for its potent anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to elucidate its underlying mechanisms in the context of Crohn's disease (CD) development. Mouse colitis models were established by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) treatment. Fecal microbiota and metabolites were analyzed by metagenomic sequencing and mass spectrometry, respectively. Antibiotic-treated mice served as models for microbiota depletion and transplantation. The expression of forkhead box P3⁺ (FOXP3⁺) regulatory T cells (Tregs) was measured by flow cytometry and immunohistochemical assay in colitis model and patient cohort. THA inhibited colitis in DSS-treated mice by altering the gut microbiota profile, with an increased abundance of probiotics Bacteroides fragilis, while pathogenic bacteria were depleted. In addition, THA increased beneficial metabolites bile acids and significantly restored gut barrier function. Transcriptomic profiling revealed that THA inhibited interleukin-17 (IL-17), IL-1β and cell cycle signaling. Fecal microbiota transplantation from THA-treated mice to microbiota-depleted mice partly recapitulated the effects of THA. Specifically, increased level of gut commensal B. fragilis was observed, correlated with elevated levels of the microbial metabolite 3alpha-hydroxy-7-oxo-5beta-cholanic acid (7-ketolithocholic acid, 7-KA) following THA treatment. This microbial metabolite may stable FOXP3 expression by targeting the receptor FMR1 autosomal homolog 1 (FXR1) to inhibit autophagy. An interaction between FOXP3 and FXR1 was identified, with binding regions localized to the FOXP3 domain (aa238-335) and the FXR1 domain (aa82-222), respectively. Conclusively, THA modulates the gut microbiota and metabolite profiles towards a more beneficial composition, enhances gut barrier function, promotes the differentiation of FOXP3⁺ Tregs and curbs pro-inflammatory pathways.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the associations between eight serum per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and regional fat depots, we analyzed the data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2018 cycles. METHODS: Multiple linear regression models were developed to explore the associations between serum PFAS concentrations and six fat compositions along with a fat distribution score created by summing the concentrations of the six fat compositions. The associations between structurally grouped PFASs and fat distribution were assessed, and a prediction model was developed to estimate the ability of PFAS exposure to predict obesity risk. RESULTS: Among females aged 39-59 years, trunk fat mass was positively associated with perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Higher concentrations of PFOS, perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorodecanoate (PFDeA), perfluorononanoate (PFNA), and n-perfluorooctanoate (n-PFOA) were linked to greater visceral adipose tissue in this group. In men, exposure to total perfluoroalkane sulfonates (PFSAs) and long-chain PFSAs was associated with reductions in abdominal fat, while higher abdominal fat in women aged 39-59 years was associated with short-chain PFSAs. The prediction model demonstrated high accuracy, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.9925 for predicting obesity risk. CONCLUSION PFAS exposure is associated with regional fat distribution, with varying effects based on age, sex, and PFAS structure. The findings highlight the potential role of PFAS exposure in influencing fat depots and obesity risk, with significant implications for public health. The prediction model provides a highly accurate tool for assessing obesity risk related to PFAS exposure.
Humans ; Fluorocarbons/blood* ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Environmental Pollutants/blood* ; Abdominal Fat ; Nutrition Surveys ; Alkanesulfonic Acids/blood* ; Obesity ; Environmental Exposure

OBJECTIVE: High-altitude hypoxia exposure often damages hippocampus-dependent learning and memory. Nogo-A is an important axonal growth inhibitory factor. However, its function in high-altitude hypoxia and its mechanism of action remain unclear. METHODS: In an in vivo study, a low-pressure oxygen chamber was used to simulate high-altitude hypoxia, and genetic or pharmacological intervention was used to block the Nogo-A/NgR1 signaling pathway. Contextual fear conditioning and Morris water maze behavioral tests were used to assess learning and memory in rats, and synaptic damage in the hippocampus and changes in oxidative stress levels were observed. In vitro, SH-SY5Y cells were used to assess oxidative stress and mitochondrial function with or without Nogo-A knockdown in Oxygen Glucose-Deprivation/Reperfusion (OGD/R) models. RESULTS: Exposure to acute high-altitude hypoxia for 3 or 7 days impaired learning and memory in rats, triggered oxidative stress in the hippocampal tissue, and reduced the dendritic spine density of hippocampal neurons. Blocking the Nogo-A/NgR1 pathway ameliorated oxidative stress, synaptic damage, and the learning and memory impairment induced by high-altitude exposure. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate the detrimental role of Nogo-A protein in mediating learning and memory impairment under high-altitude hypoxia and suggest the potential of the Nogo-A/NgR1 signaling pathway as a crucial therapeutic target for alleviating learning and memory dysfunction induced by high-altitude exposure. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT available in www.besjournal.com.
Animals ; Oxidative Stress ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Rats ; Nogo Proteins/genetics* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Hypoxia/metabolism* ; Altitude ; Synapses ; Humans ; Altitude Sickness/metabolism*