Objective To elucidate how the overexpression of cystathionine-β-synthase(CBS)plays an antihypertensive role by affecting peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α(PGC-1α)expression.Methods The adeno-associated viruses(AAVs),ones that overexpressed CBS,and another knocked down PGC-1α,were injected into the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus(PVN)of spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHRs).The rats'blood pressure was monitored,and the level of norepinephrine(NE)was examined by ELISA;PVN inflammatory response,oxidative stress and tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)expression were detected with RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence.Results PVN overexpression of CBS could increase the transcription level of CBS(by 3.8 times,P＜0.05)and PGC-1α(by 1.6 times,P＜0.05)in PVN of SHR.PVN overexpression of CBS could reduce blood pressure in SHR(from 177.81 mmHg to 128.77 mmHg,P＜0.001),but PVN knockdown of PGC-1αweakened such effect(from 128.77 mmHg to 152.79 mmHg,P＜0.05).PVN overexpression of CBS could alleviate PVN inflammatory response and oxidative stress,but this effect was weakened or even eliminated when knocking down PGC-1α was performed at the same time.Conclusion PVN overexpression of CBS can reduce blood pressure in SHR,and this effect may be achieved by increasing the transcriptional level of PGC-1α,alleviating PVN inflammatory response,oxidative stress,and improving sympathetic nerve excitation.

In order to investigate the mitigating effect of Yin Chen aqueous extract on liver injury induced by LPS combined with D-GalN in mice,a mouse liver injury model was established by in-traperitoneal injection of LPS and D-GalN,and the mice were group-fed by instillation of saline,bi-phenyl dibenzyl ester,and Yin Chen aqueous extract with different concentrations of LPS and D-GalN.The liver index of mice was calculated,pathological tissue sections were observed,and the expression of ALT,AST,inflammatory cytokines,oxidative stress,hepatic enzymes,and IL-17/TNF pathway were detected in serum to investigate the effects and mechanisms of the aqueous ex-tracts of Yin Chen in alleviating the liver injury in mice.The results showed that the liver index of mice in the model group was significantly elevated,the serum levels of ALT and AST were signifi-cantly elevated,the levels of IL-iβ,IL-8 and TNF-α in liver tissue were significantly elevated,the levels of IL-4 were significantly reduced,the levels of GSH-Px,CAT and SOD were significantly reduced,the levels of ROS and MDA were significantly elevated,CYP2E1 and CYP1A2 protein content and mRNA expression were significantly up-regulated,and the expression levels of TNF,TNFR1,IL-17A,ACT1 and IL-6 mRNA were significantly up-regulated.The study showed that the aqueous extract of Yin Chen had a certain alleviating effect on the liver injury caused by LPS combined with D-GalN in mice.The mechanism of action includes decreasing the metabolic level of hepatic drug enzymes,alleviating oxidative stress,inhibiting the expression of IL-17/TNF pathway and down-regulating the level of inflammatory factors in mice.

Objective:To evaluate the role of inositol 1, 4, 5 triphosphate receptor 1 (IP3R1)-regulated changes in mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membrane (MAM) structure in the long-term cognitive impairment induced by multiple exposures to sevoflurane anesthesia in neonatal mice.Methods:Sixty SPF-grade healthy neonatal C57BL/6J mice of either sex, aged 6 days, weighing 6-10 g, were divided into 3 groups ( n=20 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), multiple sevoflurane anesthesia group (group S), and IP3R antagonist 2-APB+ multiple sevoflurane anesthesia group (group I+ S). Group S and group I+ S inhaled 3% sevoflurane anesthesia for 2 h starting from 6, 8 and 10 days after birth. In group I+ S, 2-APB 3 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected before each sevoflurane anesthesia. The open field test was performed at day 31 after birth to assess the spontaneous mobility. The Morris water maze test was performed at days 31-36 after birth to assess the cognitive function. Mice were sacrificed at the end of the water maze test, hippocampal CA1 region was isolated and hippocampal tissues were obtained for determination of the intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca 2+ ] i) and rate of necroptosis (using Flow cytometry) and expression of IP3R1, G protein-coupled receptor 75 (GRP75), receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1), RIPK3, and phosphorylated human mixed-series protein kinase-like structural domains (p-MLKL) (by Western blot). Transmission electron microscopy was performed to observe and record the partial length of MAMs, endoplasmic reticulum circumference and mitochondrial circumference. Results:There were no statistically significant differences in the speed, distance, and time of staying at the center in open field tests among the three groups ( P>0.05). Compared with group C, the escape latency was significantly prolonged on postnatal days 33-35, the number of crossing the original platform was reduced, the necroptosis rate in the hippocampal CA1 region and [Ca 2+ ] i were increased, the expression of IP3R, GRP75, RIPK1, RIPK3 and p-MLKL was up-regulated, and the ratio of MAMs partial length/endoplasmic reticulum perimeter and ratio of MAMs partial length/mitochondria perimeter in hippocampal neurons were elevated in group S ( P<0.05). Compared with group S, the escape latency was significantly shortened on postnatal days 32-35, the number of crossing the original platform was increased, the necroptosis rate in the hippocampal CA1 region and [Ca 2+ ] i were decreased, the expression of IP3R, GRP75, RIPK1, RIPK3 and p-MLKL was down-regulated, and the ratio of MAMs partial length/endoplasmic reticulum perimeter and ratio of MAMs partial length/mitochondria perimeter in hippocampal neurons were decreased in group I+ S ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Structural changes in MAMs in the hippocampal CA1 region mediated by the up-regulation of IP3R1 expression are involved in the process of long-term cognitive impairment induced by multiple exposures to sevoflurane anesthesia in neonatal mice.

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between sevoflurane preconditioning-induced reduction of cognitive impairment and hippocampal necroptosis after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in rats.Methods:Sixty SPF healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 6 months, weighing 400-450 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=15 each) using the random number table method: control group (group C), sevoflurane group (Sev group), CPB group and CPB+ sevoflurane preconditioning group (CPB+ Sev group). The rats were exposed to 0.4% sevoflurane for 2 h in CPB+ Sev group and Sev group. The CPB model was established at 30 min after the end of sevoflurane preconditioning in CPB+ Sev group. The open field test was performed to assess the autonomic movement ability on the 2nd day after CPB. The Morris water maze test was used to assess the cognitive function on the 3rd day after CPB. The hippocampal tissues were removed after the end of the Morris water maze test for determination of the necroptosis rate and cytosolic calcium concentration of hippocampal neuron ([Ca 2+ ] i) (by flow cytometry) and the expression of phosphorylated receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (p-RIPK1), phosphorylated RIPK3 and phosphorylated mixed-lineage kinase-like domain (p-MLKL) (by Western blot) and for microscopic examination of the ultrastructure of hippocampal neurons (by transmission electron microscopy). Results:There was no statistically significant difference in the parameters of the open field test among the four groups ( P>0.05). Compared with group C, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, the number of crossing the original platform was decreased, the time of staying at the original platform quadrant was shortened, the hippocampal necroptosis rate and [Ca 2+ ] i were increased, the expression of p-RIPK1, p-RIPK3 and p-MLKL was up-regulated ( P<0.05), the organelles of hippocampal neurons swelled, lysosomes broke, and some chromatin in nuclei dissoluted in CPB group. Compared with CPB group, the escape latency was significantly shortened, the number of crossing the original platform was increased, the time of staying at the original platform quadrant was prolonged, the hippocampal necroptosis rate and [Ca 2+ ] i were decreased, the expression of p-RIPK1, p-RIPK3 and p-MLKL was down-regulated ( P<0.05), and the damage to the ultrastructure of hippocampal neurons was sinificantly reduced in CPB+ Sev group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism by which sevoflurane preconditioning attenuates cognitive impairment may be related to the inhibition of calcium overload-mediated hippocampal necroptosis in a rat model of CPB.

Objective:To evaluate the role of RhoA/ROCK2 pathway in electroacupuncture (EA) preconditioning-induced reduction of the perioperative neurocognitive disorder (PND) in aged rats.Methods:Eighty SPF healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 20 months, weighing 600-650 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=20 each) using the random number table method: sham operation group (group S), PND group, EA preconditioning group and EA preconditioning plus RhoA agonist arachidonic acid group (EA+ AA group). The PND model was prepared using exploratory laparotomy performed under 3% sevoflurane anesthesia. In PND, EA and EA+ AA groups, EA preconditioning was initiated 5 days before operation as follows: Bilateral acupoints Zusanli, Hegu and Neiguan were stimulated with sparse-dense waves at 2/15 Hz and an electric current intensity of 1 mA, applied for 30 min a day for 5 consecutive days. Arachidonic acidin 10 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected at 30 min before surgery in group AA. The open field test was conducted at 3 days postoperatively to measure the autonomous motor function, and the Morris water maze test was conducted at 3-7 days postoperatively to evaluate the cognitive function. After the end of Morris water maze test, the rats were sacrificed, and the hippocampal tissue in CA1 region was obtained for determination of the apoptosis rate of cells and concentrations of cytoplasmic calcium ion ([Ca 2+ ] i) (by flow cytometry) and the expression of phosphorylated RhoA (p-RhoA), ROCK2, and cleaved caspase-3 (by Western blot) and for examination of the ultrastructure of hippocampal neurons (with a transmission electron microscope). Results:There was no statistically significant difference in each parameter of the open field test among the four groups ( P>0.05). Compared with group C, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, the number of crossing the original platform was reduced, the apoptosis rate of hippocampal cells and [Ca 2+ ] i were increased, the expression of p-RhoA, ROCK2 and cleaved-caspase-3 was up-regulated ( P<0.05), and the pathological damage to hippocampal neurons was marked in PND group. Compared with PND group, the escape latency was significantly shortened, the number of crossing the original platform was reduced, the apoptosis rate of hippocampal cells and [Ca 2+ ] i were increased, the expression of p-RhoA, ROCK2 and cleaved-caspase-3 was up-regulated ( P<0.05), and the pathological damage to hippocampal neurons was significantly attenuated in EA group. Compared with EA group, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, the number of crossing the original platform was reduced, the apoptosis rate of hippocampal cells and [Ca 2+ ] i were increased, the expression of p-RhoA, ROCK2 and cleaved-caspase-3 was up-regulated ( P<0.05), and the pathological damage to hippocampal neurons was aggravated in EA+ AA group. Conclusions:The mechanism by which EA preconditioning reduces PND is related to inhibiting the activation of hippocampal RhoA/ROCK2 signaling pathway and reducing calcium overload-mediated apoptosis in cells of aged rats.

Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics and trends of postoperative pneumonia(POP)in tertiary general hospitals in Jiangsu Province,and provide theoretical basis for carrying out targeted pre-vention and control measures.Methods Surgery patients from 22 tertiary general hospitals in 12 cities in north,central,and south of Jiangsu Province from January 1,2022 to December 31,2023 were chosen as studied subjects,occurrence of POP was analyzed and compared.Results A total of 848 274 surgical procedures were performed in 22 hospitals,and 3 606 cases of POP occurred,with an incidence of 0.43％.The incidence in 2023 was 0.37％,which was lower than that in 2022(0.49％),with statistically significant difference(P＜0.001).The top three de-partments with high incidence of POP were neurosurgery(6.71％),cardiothoracic surgery(2.91％),and general surgery(0.77％).Among hospitals of different grades,the incidence of POP in tertiary first-class hospitals was 0.44％,which was higher than that in other tertiary hospitals(0.37％).There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of POP between municipal and district/county hospitals(P＞0.05).The incidence of POP in hospitals with a bed:infection control full-time staff ratio＜200∶1 was lower than that in hospitals with the ratio ≥200∶1(0.39％vs 0.47％,P＜0.001),while the incidence of POP in hospitals with a proportion ≥30％of full-time staff being doctors was higher than that in hospitals with a proportion＜30％(0.45％vs 0.36％,P＜0.001).The incidence of POP in male patients was higher than that in female patients(0.62％vs 0.26％,P＜0.001).The incidence of POP in elderly patients aged≥65 was higher than that in patients aged＜65(0.73％vs 0.26％,P＜0.001).A total of 2 667 strains of infectious pathogens were detected,with the top three being Acine-tobacter baumannii,Klebsiella pneumoniae,and Pseudomonas aeruginosa,accounting for 28.95％,22.72％,and 15.45％,respectively.The detection rates of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii(CRAB),carba-penem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae(CRKP),and carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa(CRPA)were 60.75％,21.45％,and 32.28％,respectively.The detection rate of CRKP decreased in 2023 compared with 2022,with statistically significant difference(P＜0.05).Conclusion The overall incidence of POP in tertiary general hos-pitals in Jiangsu Province is relatively low,but there are significant differences among different hospitals.There-fore,perioperative prevention and control measures should be carried out based on the epidemiological characteristics of patients.

Objective:To analyze the association between remnant cholesterol (RC) and the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in community population in Shanghai.Methods:Using baseline and follow-up data from the Shanghai Suburban Adult Cohort and Biobank, individuals with ASCVD (including coronary heart disease, stroke, myocardial infarction, and peripheral artery disease) at baseline were excluded. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was employed to analyze the relationship between RC and ASCVD risk and the association under different LDL-C levels.Results:A total of 57 281 participants were included, with a median follow-up of 5.61 person-years. During the follow-up, 1 436 ASCVD events (2.51%) were recorded. After adjusting for potential confounders, individuals with moderate ( HR=1.18, 95% CI: 1.03-1.36) or high RC levels ( HR=1.32, 95% CI: 1.15-1.51) had an increased risk of ASCVD. The association was stronger in participants younger than 60 years-old (interaction P=0.048). Participants with RC ≥0.97 mmol/L and LDL-C <3.40 mmol/L demonstrated a 19% ( HR=1.19, 95% CI: 1.06-1.35) increased risk of ASCVD. When RC ≥0.97 mmol/L and LDL-C ≥3.40 mmol/L, ASCVD risk increased by 42% ( HR=1.42, 95% CI: 1.21-1.67). Conclusions:Elevated RC increases ASCVD risk, regardless of LDL-C levels. RC can serve as a valuable predictor and intervention target for ASCVD.

In order to investigate the mitigating effect of Yin Chen aqueous extract on liver injury induced by LPS combined with D-GalN in mice,a mouse liver injury model was established by in-traperitoneal injection of LPS and D-GalN,and the mice were group-fed by instillation of saline,bi-phenyl dibenzyl ester,and Yin Chen aqueous extract with different concentrations of LPS and D-GalN.The liver index of mice was calculated,pathological tissue sections were observed,and the expression of ALT,AST,inflammatory cytokines,oxidative stress,hepatic enzymes,and IL-17/TNF pathway were detected in serum to investigate the effects and mechanisms of the aqueous ex-tracts of Yin Chen in alleviating the liver injury in mice.The results showed that the liver index of mice in the model group was significantly elevated,the serum levels of ALT and AST were signifi-cantly elevated,the levels of IL-iβ,IL-8 and TNF-α in liver tissue were significantly elevated,the levels of IL-4 were significantly reduced,the levels of GSH-Px,CAT and SOD were significantly reduced,the levels of ROS and MDA were significantly elevated,CYP2E1 and CYP1A2 protein content and mRNA expression were significantly up-regulated,and the expression levels of TNF,TNFR1,IL-17A,ACT1 and IL-6 mRNA were significantly up-regulated.The study showed that the aqueous extract of Yin Chen had a certain alleviating effect on the liver injury caused by LPS combined with D-GalN in mice.The mechanism of action includes decreasing the metabolic level of hepatic drug enzymes,alleviating oxidative stress,inhibiting the expression of IL-17/TNF pathway and down-regulating the level of inflammatory factors in mice.

Objective:To explore the correlation between skeletal muscle mass and strength with metabolic syndrome in children.Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted involving 383 children aged 10 to 15 years who visited the Department of Child Health Care, Children′s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from June 2021 to December 2022. Their height, weight, waist circumference, body composition, grip strength and blood pressure were measured. Relative skeletal muscle mass, muscle-to-fat ratio, and grip strength-to-body weight index were calculated. The levels of fasting blood glucose, lipids and insulin were tested. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. Children were divided into the metabolic syndrome group and the non-metabolic syndrome group. Independent t test or Mann-Whitney U test etc. was used to compare the difference between groups. Spearman correlation analysis and binary Logistic regression were used to investigate the correlation between skeletal muscle mass and strength and metabolic syndrome. The area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to compare the accuracy of the index of skeletal muscle in predicting metabolic syndrome in children. Results:Among the 383 children, 282 (73.6%) were male, at the age of 11.4 (10.6, 12.5) years. There were 216 children (56.4%) diagnosed with obesity and 90 children (23.5%) diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. Relative skeletal muscle mass, muscle-to-fat ratio, and grip strength-to-body weight index of the metabolic syndrome group were all lower than those in the non-metabolic syndrome group (all P<0.001). After adjusting for sex and age, relative skeletal muscle mass, muscle-to-fat ratio, and grip strength-to-body weight index were all negatively correlated with body mass index ( r=-0.84, -0.38, -0.63), waist circumference ( r=-0.76, -0.36, -0.70), systolic blood pressure ( r=-0.42, -0.21, -0.38), diastolic blood pressure ( r=-0.33, -0.18, -0.24), triglycerides ( r=-0.29, -0.13, -0.23), fasting insulin ( r=-0.28, -0.20, -0.29), and HOMA-IR ( r=-0.26, -0.18, -0.26) (all P<0.05), and positively correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( r=0.38, 0.13, 0.31, all P<0.01). After adjusting for sex and age, high relative skeletal muscle mass, high muscle-to-fat ratio, and high grip strength-to-body weight index all decreased the risks of metabolic syndrome ( OR=0.80, 0.55, 0.90), obesity ( OR=0.53, 0.64, 0.82), hypertension ( OR=0.86, 0.58, 0.92), low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( OR=0.83, 0.62, 0.92), hypertriglyceridemia ( OR=0.88, 0.78, 0.96). After adjusting for sex and age, high relative skeletal muscle mass and high grip strength-to-body weight index all decreased the risks of hyperglycemia ( OR=0.93 and 0.95, all P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the relative skeletal muscle mass, muscle-to-fat ratio, and grip strength-to-body weight index all had good predictive accuracy of metabolic syndrome in children (AUC=0.79, 0.71, 0.76), with optimal cutoff values of 40%, 1.2, and 35%, respectively. Conclusions:High relative skeletal muscle mass, high muscle-to-fat ratio, and high grip strength-to-body weight index are all protective factors for metabolic syndrome in children. Regular measurement of skeletal muscle mass and grip strength can aid in the early identification and prevention of obesity and metabolic syndrome during childhood .

Bisphenol A(BPA)is an environmental endocrine disruptor commonly found in industri-al products such as plastics,resin coatings,and paper coatings,and it poses potential reproductive hazards.Despite extensive research,studies examining its effects on the F1 generation of rabbits are limited.This study established a BPA exposure model in pregnant female rabbits to investigate its impact on reproductive hormones,apoptosis,oxidative stress,inflammatory responses,and tissue integrity in weaned female offspring.The results indicate that BPA exposure induces oxidative stress and inflammation in F1 rabbits,disrupts hormonal balance,and affects antioxidant enzymes and inflammatory mediators through the modulation of the Nrf2 and NF-κB signaling pathways,ultimately leading to apoptosis and tissue damage.