OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the potential mediating role of plasma phosphorylated tau217 (p-tau217) in the association between periodontitis and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHODS: In this case-control study, patients diagnosed with MCI in the Neurology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong Second Medical University from November 2023 to May 2024 were selected as the case group (MCI group). Cognitively normal (CN) volunteers, matched for age and education level and recruited from the physical examination center during the same period, served as the control group (CN group). The general demographic data of the study participants were collected. The Beijing versions of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), clinical dementia rating (CDR), and activities of daily living scale (ADL) were used to assess neuropsychological functions. Clinical periodontal examinations were conducted, the periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) was calculated, and the periodontitis stage was determined in accordance with the 2018 classification. Fasting elbow venous blood samples were collected in the morning, and blood biochemical indicators were measured. Plasma p-tau217 levels were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analyses were performed using t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, partial correlation analysis, multivariate Logistic regression analysis, multiple linear regression analysis, restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression analysis, and mediation effect analysis. RESULTS: Among the 192 participants, 96 belong to the MCI group and 96 to the CN group. The prevalence of periodontitis was 63.5% in the MCI group and 43.8% in the CN group, with a statistically significant difference (χ²=7.561, P=0.006). The plasma p-tau217 levels in the MCI group were significantly higher than those in the CN group [7.00 (4.27-9.65) ng/mL versus 2.02 (0.80-3.81) ng/mL, Z=-8.108, P<0.001]. Partial correlation analysis revealed that plasma p-tau217 levels were positively correlated with all the clinical periodontal indices (all P<0.001). After adjustments for baseline covariates, multivariate Logistic regression indicated that periodontitis was an independent risk factor for MCI. Patients with periodontitis had a 1.977-fold higher MCI risk than those without periodontitis (OR=1.977, 95%CI: 1.088-3.594, P=0.025). Moreover, the MCI risk for stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ periodontitis and stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ periodontitis was 1.878 times (OR=1.878, 95%CI: 1.029-3.425, P=0.040) and 2.625 times (OR=2.625, 95%CI: 1.073-6.246, P=0.035) higher than that for patients without periodontitis, respectively. Trend test showed that the MCI risk increased with periodontitis severity (P_trend=0.016). After adjustments for baseline covariates, multiple linear regression analysis showed that periodontitis was an independent risk factor for increased plasma p-tau217 levels (β=3.309, 95%CI: 2.363-4.254, P<0.001). Compared with patients without periodontitis, those with stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ periodontitis (β=1.838, 95%CI: 0.869-2.806, P<0.001) and stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ periodontitis (β=5.539, 95%CI: 4.442-6.636, P<0.001) had significantly higher plasma p-tau217 levels. In addition, trend test indicated that plasma p-tau217 levels increased with periodontitis severity (P_trend<0.001). After adjustments for baseline covariates, RCS regression analysis further revealed that PISA had a positive linear dose-response relationship with MCI risk (P_overall=0.002, P_nonlinear=0.344) and plasma p-tau217 levels (P_overall<0.001, P_nonlinear=0.140). After adjustments for baseline covariates, mediation analysis showed that plasma p-tau217 mediated the association between periodontitis and MCI, with a mediation proportion of 13.99% (95% Bootstrap CI: 0.38%-49.39%, P=0.038). CONCLUSIONS Periodontitis was independently positively associated with MCI risk, and plasma p-tau217 plays a mediating role in this association.
Humans ; Cognitive Dysfunction/complications* ; tau Proteins/blood* ; Periodontitis/complications* ; Case-Control Studies ; Male ; Female ; Phosphorylation ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Activities of Daily Living

Objective To discuss the application value of comfort medical mode in patients with uterine fibroids receiving interventional embolization therapy during hospitalization.Methods A total of 27 patients with uterine fibroids,who received interventional embolization at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University of China,were enrolled in this study.The patient's basic data,including age,the sum of the maximum diameter of the measurable uterine fibroids and the hemoglobin level at admission,were collected.After admission and before discharge,the self-efficacy scale score,Becker anxiety scale score,and positive and negative emotions scale score were determined in all the patients.According to the different medical management mode adopted during the hospitalization,the patients were divided into study group(n=14)and control group(n=13).Comfort medical mode guided by quantitative evaluation strategy was employed for the patients of the study group,while conventional management mode was adopted for the patients of the control group.SPSS 26.0 software was used for data analysis.Measurement data within group were analyzed by independent sample t-test,and measurement data between groups were analyzed by paired sample t-test,and P＜0.05 was defined as a statistically significant difference.Results There were no statistically significant differences in the basic data between the two groups,and no statistically significant differences in the self-efficacy scale score,Becker anxiety scale score,and positive and negative emotions scale score at admission existed between the two groups.In the study group,the self-efficacy score and positive emotion score at discharge were strikingly higher than those at admission(P＜0.001),and the anxiety degree and negative emotion score at discharge were obviously lower than those at admission(P＜0.001).In the control group,the scores of the above-mentioned scales at discharge did not differ from those at admission.Conclusion The comfort medical mode guided by quantitative evaluation strategy has better clinical effect in patients with uterine fibroids receiving interventional embolization therapy,it can improve patient's comfortableness degree during hospitalization period.

Objectives:To investigate the distribution and change of the burden of cardiovascular diseases attributable to tobacco consumption in China and the world from 1990 to 2021.Methods:Based on Global Burden of Disease(GBD)2021 database,age standardized mortality and age standardized disability-adjusted life year(DALY)rates and estimated annual percentage change(EAPC)from cardiovascular disease(including ischemic heart disease,stroke,atrial fibrillation and flutter,aortic aneurysm,peripheral artery disease)attributable to tobacco consumption were analyzed.The association of the human development index(HDI)and social demographic index(SDI)with age-standardized mortality was also analyzed.Results:Compared to 1990,the global burden of cardiovascular diseases attributable to smoking declined in 2021,age-standardized mortality decreased from 57.2/100 000 to 26.3/100 000(EAPC=-1.81%,95% CI:-2.00% to-1.63% ).The global burden of cardiovascular diseases attributable to second-hand smoke also decreased,age-standardized mortality decreased from 11.4/100 000 to 8.3/100 000(EAPC=-1.72%,95% CI:-1.91% to-1.53% ).In China,the burden of cardiovascular diseases attributable to smoking also decreased,age-standardized mortality decreased from 52.2/100 000 to 39.6/100 000(EAPC=-1.23%,95% CI:-1.44%-1.02% );the burden of cardiovascular diseases attributable to second-hand smoke decreased,age-standardized mortality decreased from 15.3/100 000 to 14.7/100 000(EAPC=-1.26%,95% CI:-1.63% to-0.90% ).Notably,the decrease in cardiovascular diseases burden attributable to second-hand smoke among Chinese women was more significant than the global level,the age-standardized mortality rate of Chinese women decreased from 17.9/100 000 to 14.5/100 000(EAPC=-2.24%,95% CI=-2.78%～-1.86% ).Among the five types of cardiovascular diseases attributable to tobacco consumption globally and in China,the age-standardized mortality and age-standardized DALY rates of aortic aneurysm,ischemic heart disease and peripheral artery disease were higher.Globally,ischaemic heart disease is the leading cause of death,accounting for 60.2% in 1990 and 61.7% in 2021,while stroke is the leading cause of death in China,accounting for 68.1% and 51.4% in 1990 and 2021,respectively.In addition,HDI and SDI are the two main factors affecting the disease burden.In regions and countries with SDI>7.2,age standardized mortality is below our forecast line.In the later part of the forecast,China's age standardized mortality showed a downward trend,possibly due to changes in tobacco control measures.Conclusions:Over the past 30 years,the burden of cardiovascular diseases attributed to tobacco consumption has decreased globally and in China.The decline in disease burden has been most pronounced among women.However,in countries and regions with an SDI below 7.2,the burden of disease remains significant high.Therefore,it is necessary to take tobacco control measures in key regions(China,East Asia,Central Europe,Central Asia and Southeast Asia)to actively reduce smoking rates and exposure to secondhand smoke in public places,so as to reduce the burden of cardiovascular diseases.

Objectives:To investigate the distribution and change of the burden of cardiovascular diseases attributable to tobacco consumption in China and the world from 1990 to 2021.Methods:Based on Global Burden of Disease(GBD)2021 database,age standardized mortality and age standardized disability-adjusted life year(DALY)rates and estimated annual percentage change(EAPC)from cardiovascular disease(including ischemic heart disease,stroke,atrial fibrillation and flutter,aortic aneurysm,peripheral artery disease)attributable to tobacco consumption were analyzed.The association of the human development index(HDI)and social demographic index(SDI)with age-standardized mortality was also analyzed.Results:Compared to 1990,the global burden of cardiovascular diseases attributable to smoking declined in 2021,age-standardized mortality decreased from 57.2/100 000 to 26.3/100 000(EAPC=-1.81%,95% CI:-2.00% to-1.63% ).The global burden of cardiovascular diseases attributable to second-hand smoke also decreased,age-standardized mortality decreased from 11.4/100 000 to 8.3/100 000(EAPC=-1.72%,95% CI:-1.91% to-1.53% ).In China,the burden of cardiovascular diseases attributable to smoking also decreased,age-standardized mortality decreased from 52.2/100 000 to 39.6/100 000(EAPC=-1.23%,95% CI:-1.44%-1.02% );the burden of cardiovascular diseases attributable to second-hand smoke decreased,age-standardized mortality decreased from 15.3/100 000 to 14.7/100 000(EAPC=-1.26%,95% CI:-1.63% to-0.90% ).Notably,the decrease in cardiovascular diseases burden attributable to second-hand smoke among Chinese women was more significant than the global level,the age-standardized mortality rate of Chinese women decreased from 17.9/100 000 to 14.5/100 000(EAPC=-2.24%,95% CI=-2.78%～-1.86% ).Among the five types of cardiovascular diseases attributable to tobacco consumption globally and in China,the age-standardized mortality and age-standardized DALY rates of aortic aneurysm,ischemic heart disease and peripheral artery disease were higher.Globally,ischaemic heart disease is the leading cause of death,accounting for 60.2% in 1990 and 61.7% in 2021,while stroke is the leading cause of death in China,accounting for 68.1% and 51.4% in 1990 and 2021,respectively.In addition,HDI and SDI are the two main factors affecting the disease burden.In regions and countries with SDI>7.2,age standardized mortality is below our forecast line.In the later part of the forecast,China's age standardized mortality showed a downward trend,possibly due to changes in tobacco control measures.Conclusions:Over the past 30 years,the burden of cardiovascular diseases attributed to tobacco consumption has decreased globally and in China.The decline in disease burden has been most pronounced among women.However,in countries and regions with an SDI below 7.2,the burden of disease remains significant high.Therefore,it is necessary to take tobacco control measures in key regions(China,East Asia,Central Europe,Central Asia and Southeast Asia)to actively reduce smoking rates and exposure to secondhand smoke in public places,so as to reduce the burden of cardiovascular diseases.

Objective Nowadays, radioactive xenon isotopes, including ^131mXe, ^133mXe, ¹³³Xe, and ¹³⁵Xe, are primarily released into the atmosphere through various reactor operation and major accidents of reactors. To improve the online monitoring capability of xenon in nuclear facilities and their gaseous effluents, a highly sensitive online xenon monitoring system was developed to monitor, warn, and alarm the activity concentration of radioactive xenon. Methods The online monitoring system for radioactive xenon gas in nuclear facilities was established using xenon membrane separation and concentration, xenon high-efficiency selective adsorption, and low-background gamma-ray spectrometry analysis methods. Results Under the operation mode of one-hour sampling and one-hour measuring, the minimum detectable activity concentration of the radioactive xenon online monitoring system for ¹³³Xe was approximately (1.43 ± 0.03) Bq/m³. Conclusion This system can be effectively used for online monitoring of xenon activity concentration in nuclear facilities such as nuclear power plants and isotope production reactors, as well as in gaseous effluents. It helps improve the safety level of personnel, the environment, and nuclear facilities.

BACKGROUND:Extracellular vesicles can regulate insulin resistance and control inflammatory response by participating in intercellular communication,while repairing skeletal muscles and promoting skeletal muscle regeneration,which is expected to be a novel treatment modality for sarcopenic obesity. OBJECTIVE:To review the biogenesis of extracellular vesicles,their biological functions,their relationship with sarcopenic obesity,and recent advances in the pathogenesis,diagnosis,and treatment of sarcopenic obesity. METHODS:The first author performed a computer search of PubMed,Embase,CNKI and other databases for relevant studies involving extracellular vesicle in sarcopenic obesity.The search keywords were"extracellular vesicle,exosome,sarcopenic obesity,obese sarcopenia,skeletal muscle regeneration,skeletal muscle mass regulation"in English and Chinese,respectively.The search period was from June 2022 to November 2022.After screening,87 articles were included for further review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Extracellular vesicles are important vectors of bidirectional cell communication and participate in the regulation of normal physiological and pathological processes through autocrine,paracrine and endocrine ways.Sarcopenic obesity is a complex multi-factor disease.Extracellular vesicles are involved in the occurrence and development of sarcopenic obesity mainly by regulating the inflammatory response of skeletal muscle and the homeostasis of muscle cells.Cytokines secreted by adipose tissue and skeletal muscle are released into the extracellular circulation through extracellular vesicle encapsulation and interact with each other to promote skeletal muscle insulin resistance and lipogenesis,which is the main pathophysiology of skeletal muscle atrophy in sarcopenic obesity.Extracellular vesicles not only promote the development of sarcopenic obesity by providing specific pathogenic markers,but also are a valuable diagnostic indicator of sarcopenic obesity.Release of extracellular vesicles from skeletal muscle during exercise enhances metabolic response and promotes skeletal muscle regeneration.Extracellular vesicles can not only be used as therapeutic targets for sarcopenic obesity but also be used to treat sarcopenic obesity by loading drugs to effectively improve drug bioavailability.

BACKGROUND:Currently,a variety of mesenchymal stem cells have been confirmed to have the effect of promoting wound repair,but there is still a lack of relevant research on whether placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells can promote acute skin wound healing. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cell transplantation on the healing of acute skin wound in rats. METHODS:Twenty SD rats were divided into PBS group and stem cell group by the random number table method,with 10 rats in each group.All rats were selected to establish a full-thickness skin defect model.In the PBS group and stem cell group,PBS buffer and placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells were immediately injected on the wound surface and wound margin immediately and on day 8 after modeling.The wound healing was observed immediately and on days 2,4,6,8,10,12,and 14 after modeling.The skin tissue of the wound surface was taken on day 14 and treated with hematoxylin-eosin staining,Masson staining,immunohistochemical staining and immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The wound surface of the rats in each group decreased with the prolongation of treatment time.The wound healing rate and wound epithelization rate of the stem cell group at 14 days were higher than those of the PBS group(P<0.01),and the wound contracture rate was lower than that of the PBS group(P<0.01).(2)The results of hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that the skin wound healing of the stem cell group was better than that of the PBS group;the degree of wound epithelization was higher,and the morphology of collagen fibers was close to that of normal skin.(3)Masson staining results showed that compared with the PBS group,collagen fibers in the skin wound tissue of the stem cell group were significantly increased and thicker,and the content of collagen fibers in the new tissue was significantly higher than that of the PBS group(P<0.01).(4)Immunohistochemical staining showed that the number of new capillaries in the stem cell group was higher than that in the PBS group(P<0.01),while the expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 were lower than those in the PBS group(P<0.01).(5)Immunofluorescence staining showed that the number of M2 macrophages in the new wounds of the stem cell group was higher than that of the PBS group(P<0.01),while the number of M1 macrophages was less than that in the PBS group(P<0.01).These findings indicate that placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells can accelerate skin wound healing,promote wound epithelization,and reduce wound contracture,which may be related to the promotion of capillary angiogenesis,regulation of collagen fiber production,inhibition of inflammation,and regulation of macrophage polarization to M2 type.

Objective To investigate the separation efficiency of three physical separation methods for gaseous ¹⁴C, namely membrane separation, adsorption separation, and low-temperature separation, to screen for the optimal separation method, and to provide a reference for the separation and enrichment of ¹⁴CO₂ in online monitoring of ¹⁴C. Methods The experimental plan was designed, and three devices were constructed for separation and purification experiments. The purity, recovery rate, and separation time of CO₂ separated by the three methods were analyzed. Results All the three methods achieved the separation of CO₂. Under certain conditions, 20 mL of sample gas was obtained. The separation time of membrane separation method was 0.5 hour, CO₂ gas with a sample purity of 0.0486%-0.0488%VOL was obtained, and the recovery rate was only 2.5%−12.7%. The separation time of MOF material adsorption separation method was 24−30 hours, CO₂ gas with a sample purity of 20.2%−47.5%VOL was obtained, and the recovery rate was 57.3%−63.2%. The separation time of low-temperature separation method was 3 hours, CO₂ gas with a sample purity of 96.0%−99.8%VOL was obtained, and the recovery rate was 81.5%−92.5%. Conclusion The purity and recovery rate of CO₂ with low-temperature separation method were higher compared to membrane separation method and MOF material adsorption separation method. The separation time of low-temperature separation method was moderate. The low-temperature separation method can provide a reference for the enrichment technology of ¹⁴C in the rapid measurement of gaseous ¹⁴C effluent.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is widely used to produce epoxy resin and polycarbonate plastic products. In severe cases, these plastics may release BPA, which then infiltrates into the environment. Various concentrations of BPA have been found in most biological fluid. Its presence has been well shown to be closely related to many chronic diseases, including chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, little is known regarding the adverse effects of BPA exposure and its succedent cellular events on CKD. Hence, in the current in vivo study, we aimed to assess the effects of chronic exposure to BPA on animal nephrotoxicity through investigating oxidative stress and apoptosis. Upon exposure to BPA at 0.01, 0.1, and 1 mg/L via drinking water for four weeks, the mated and pregnant females were continuously exposed to BPA until weaning. Subsequently, three weeks old F1-male neonates were also orally challenged with the same three doses of BPA for ten weeks. The results showed that the kidneys of 0.1 and 1 mg/L BPA-treated mice were seriously damaged; the contents of serum renal function indexes and lipid peroxidation products were significantly increased, including urea nitrogen, creatinine, uric acid, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances; the morphological structure of mouse kidneys was impaired; the expressions of antioxidant-related genes at mRNA and protein levels from mouse kidneys were markedly diminished, including glutathione-S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase; the expressions of genes and proteins related to apoptosis index (ratio of Bax/Bcl-1 and Caspase-3) were significantly enhanced. The data manifested that cumulative oxidative stress and apoptosis might play an essential role in the animal nephrotoxicity induced by chronic exposure to BPA.
Female ; Male ; Mice ; Animals ; Oxidative Stress ; Antioxidants ; Apoptosis ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic

Objective:To investigate the effect in lumbar mobility and stress of the facet joint and end plate after implantation of the movable artificial lumbar spine so as to lay a biomechanical foundation for its clinical application.Methods:Total lumbar CT data of a healthy adult male were selected to construct a finite element analysis model and its effectiveness was validated (physiological group). Two groups were replicated after removing the L 3 vertebral body and adjacent discs of the model in physiological group. One group was placed with each component of the movable artificial lumbar spine to construct the non-fusion model (non-fusion group). The other group was placed with titanium cage, titanium plate and other to construct the fusion model (fusion group). The models in the three groups were loaded with 500 N axial load and 10 Nm axial load, and the torque load was used to simulate the movement in six directions: forward flexion, backward extension, left and right lateral bending, and left and right torsion. The lumbar mobility and stress peak and distribution of the proximal facet joints (J 1-2, J 4-5), L 2 inferior endplate and L4 superior endplate at the three model operating sites (L 2-3, L 3-4) and adjacent segments (L 1-2, L 4-5) under the same conditions were compared. Results:The range of motions of the surgical site in flexion, extension, left bending, right bending, left torsion and right torsion were L 2-3of 3.9°-8.7° and L 3-4 of 3.6°-8.4° in non-fusion group, significantly increased compared with fusion group (L 2-3 0.1°-0.2°, L 3-4 0.1°-0.1°) and slightly increased compared with physiological group (L 2-3 2.3°-6.0°, L 3-4 2.3°-7.1°). The range of motions of the adjacent segments in the above six directions were L 1-2 of 1.4°-4.3° and L 4-5 of 1.4°-6.0° in non-fusion group, smaller than those in fusion group (L 1-2 2.1°-6.1°, L 4-5 3.3°-8.6°) and similar to those in physiological group (L 2-3 2.3°-6.0°, L 3-4 2.3°-7.1°). The peak values of von Mises stress in the proximal facet joints were J 1-2 of 7.07-19.21 MPa and J 4-5of 6.12-12.99 MPa in non-fusion group, similar to those in physiological group (J 1-2 8.42-18.53 MPa, J 4-5 7.49-11.70 MPa) and smaller than those in fusion group (J 1-2 10.54-21.16 MPa, J 4-5 10.63-16.13 MPa). The maximum von Mises stress of the L 2 inferior endplate and L 4 superior endplate in the above six directions was 29.39-54.72 MPa and 32.31-47.87 MPa in non-fusion group, significantly increased compared with the L 2 inferior endplate (21.20-42.07 MPa), L 4 superior endplate (22.50-36.76 MPa) and L 2 inferior endplate (11.04-29.55 MPa) in fusion group and the L 4 superior endplate (13.12-21.32 MPa) in physiological group. Conclusion:Compared with the traditional fusion prostheses, the placement of the movable artificial lumbar spine can reconstruct the range of motion of the surgical site in the direction of flexion, extension, lateral bending and torsion, greatly reduce the impact on the stress of adjacent facet joints and the range of motion of adjacent segments, and theoretically reduce the incidence of prosthesis subsidence.