Objective:To analyze the neuropsychological characteristics of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) complicated by mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and investigate the factors that influence the development of CHF complicated by MCI.Methods:A case-control study was conducted to retrospectively analyze the clinical data of 98 patients with CHF admitted to Baoji Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2019 to October 2020. Based on the Petersen MCI screening criteria, the patients were divided into the MCI group ( n = 48) and the normal cognitive group (NC group, n = 50). The neuropsychological characteristics were analyzed using the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. The cognitive domain scores of the two groups were tested and compared. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the factors influencing the development of CHF complicated by MCI. Results:The total scores of the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment in the NC group were 28.45 ± 1.10 and 27.90 ± 1.35, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the MCI group (23.50 ± 2.25, 22.95 ± 1.35, t = 13.92, 18.15, both P < 0.001). In addition, the NC group outperformed the MCI group in terms of the number of correct readings, time taken, attention, visuospatial function, memory, and language function ( t = 2.94, 7.29, 3.15, 9.90, 14.69, 4.87, all P < 0.01). The MCI group had a greater proportion of patients who were aged ≥ 65 years, had an education level of junior high school or below, experienced sleep disorders, and were classified as New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class Ⅲ, compared with the NC group ( χ2 = 4.18, 4.08, 6.88, 4.70, all P < 0.05). Additionally, the cardiac output was lower in the MCI group than in the NC group ( t = 4.70, P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that age ≥ 65 years ( OR = 3.904, 95% CI: 1.530-9.963), education level of junior high school or below ( OR = 2.565, 95% CI: 1.571-4.187), sleep disorders ( OR = 3.080, 95% CI: 1.445-6.564), and low cardiac output ( OR = 1.784, 95% CI: 1.168-2.725) were independent risk factors for CHF complicated by MCI ( P < 0.05). Conclusions:Patients with CHF complicated by MCI are more likely to experience impairments in visuospatial function, executive function, attention, language function, and memory. Independent risk factors for CHF complicated by MCI include age ≥ 65 years, education level of junior high school or below, sleep disorders, and low cardiac output.

Objective To enhance the mechanical properties of trichiral honeycomb sandwich structures and satisfy the design criteria for vertebral implant structures.Methods A chiral-like honeycomb sandwich structure with an auxiliary support structure was constructed for optimal design.The finite element method was used to study the influence of the auxiliary support structure on the chiral-like honeycomb sandwich structure and the relationship between the support position and mechanical property parameters.Furthermore,the influence of the deformation mechanism of different structures on mechanical properties was discussed.Results All chiral-like honeycomb sandwich structures exhibited enhanced mechanical properties in comparison to trichiral honeycomb sandwich structures.The mechanical properties of the chiral-like dCW honeycomb sandwich structure with the auxiliary support structure positioned perpendicular to the ligament were optimal,and this position represented the optimal support position.When the volume was used as a control variable,the compressive stiffness,stiffness-to-mass ratio,and transverse strain of the chiral-like honeycomb sandwich structure in the x1 direction were significantly correlated with the change of the support position,and all of them were positively correlated.Conclusions As a novel chiral-like honeycomb structure,it provides a biomechanical basis for the optimal design and clinical application of honeycomb sandwich structures as vertebral implant structures.

Ovarian follicle expansion is an important part of their growth and development into dominant follicles,and is regulated by a variety of molecules and signals,including follicular cavity formation,follicular fluid accumulation,and granulosa cell proliferation.Polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)is the most common reproductive endocrine disease in women,and patients mainly present with increased preantral follicles and polycystic ovarian lesions caused by inadequate ovarian follicle expansion.This review summarizes recent research developments concerning the physiological process of ovarian follicle expansion and the related regulatory factors and mechanisms.We also consider the possible factors restricting ovarian follicle expansion in patients with PCOS,to provide a theoretical basis for follicular dysplasia,ovulation disorders and other diseases caused by abnormal ovarian follicle expansion.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of intravesical injections of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) for the treatment of pediatric refractory urinary frequency and incontinence (UFI), and to analyze the factors predicting the therapeutic effect of BTX-A injections.Methods:A retrospective case series study was made on 35 children with UFI [(12.3±4.2) years old], including 13 males (37.1%) and 22 females (62.9%), treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2021 to March 2024.Urotherapy and drug treatments were ineffective in all children, who then received intravesical injections of BTX-A.The urodynamic study (UDS) was performed 1 week before treatment and 3 months after treatment, and the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) and Incontinence Quality of Life (I-QOL) were collected.Perioperative and postoperative adverse events were also recorded.A global response assessment (GRA) score of ≥2 at 3 months postoperatively was defined as effective treatment.According to the postoperative GRA score, the patients were divided into effective and ineffective groups to explore the predictive factors affecting the outcome of BTX-A treatment, such as age, gender, preoperative urodynamic parameters, and the types of urinary incontinence. t-test was used to compare quantitative data such as age, UDS parameters, OABSS, and I-QOL scores.The comparison of count data such as gender and urinary incontinence types was conducted using Fisher′s exact test. Results:The bladder compliance, bladder capacity ratio, OABSS and I-QOL scores of patients significantly improved after BTX-A injection (all P<0.05).The 77.1% (27/35) of the patients were satisfied with BTX-A treatment effects.The main adverse event during the follow-up was a temporary increase in postvoid residual urine after injecting BTX-A (7 cases), which was alleviated by the Creade action or clean intermittent catheterization.There was significant difference in age [(13.00±4.32) years vs.(10.00±2.67) years] and preoperative bladder compliance [(11.21±5.74) mL/cmH 2O vs.(5.13±2.42) mL/cmH 2O] between effective (27 cases) and ineffective groups (8 cases) ( t=2.383, 2.899, all P<0.05).The differences in preoperative bladder capacity ratio, maximum filling detrusor pressure, postvoid residual urine, voiding efficiency, gender, and the types of urinary incontinence were not statistically significant between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions:Intravesical injection of BTX-A is a safe and effective treatment for children with refractory UFI.A young age and poor bladder compliance at treatment are associated with poor prognosis of BTX-A treatment.

BACKGROUND: Meningeal metastasis (MM) is a form of malignant metastasis where tumor cells spread from the primary site to the pia mater, dura mater, arachnoid, subarachnoid space, and other cerebrospinal fluid compartments. Lung cancer is one of the most common malignant tumor types with MM. MM not only signifies that the lung cancer has progressed to an advanced stage but also leads to a range of severe clinical symptoms due to meningeal involvement. Currently, the risk factors associated with the development of MM are not fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for MM in patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) who underwent non-surgical interventions, in order to identify LUAD patients at high risk for MM. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed the clinical data of patients diagnosed with LUAD at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2020 to July 2024. Missing data were imputed using multiple imputation methods, and risk factors were identified through LASSO, univariate, and multivariate Logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 170 patients with LUAD were included in this study and divided into two groups: 87 patients with MM and 83 patients without MM. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses revealed that younger age at diagnosis (P=0.004), presence of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) L858R gene mutation (P=0.008), and concurrent liver metastasis at baseline (P=0.004) were independent risk factors for developing MM in LUAD patients who did not undergo surgical intervention. Conversely, higher baseline globulin levels (P=0.039) and the presence of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene mutation (P=0.040) were associated with a reduced risk of MM development. CONCLUSIONS Age at diagnosis, EGFR L858R mutation status, ALK gene mutation status, concurrent liver metastasis, globulin levels at baseline were significantly associated with the risk of developing MM in patients with LUAD patients who did not undergo surgical intervention. For patients diagnosed at a younger age, carrying the EGFR L858R mutation, or presenting with baseline liver metastasis, early implementation of tertiary prevention strategies for MM is crucial. Regular monitoring of MM status should be conducted in these high-risk groups.
Humans ; Male ; Adenocarcinoma of Lung/therapy* ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Lung Neoplasms/therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Aged ; Meningeal Neoplasms/genetics* ; Adult

Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, shows great promise in treating methamphetamine (METH) addiction. Nonetheless, the molecular target and the mechanism through which CBD treats METH addiction remain unexplored. Herein, CBD was shown to counteract METH-induced locomotor sensitization and conditioned place preference. Additionally, CBD mitigated the adverse effects of METH, such as cristae loss, a decline in ATP content, and a reduction in membrane potential. Employing an activity-based protein profiling approach, a target fishing strategy was used to uncover CBD's direct target. ATP5A1, a subunit of ATP synthase, was identified and validated as a CBD target. Moreover, CBD demonstrated the ability to ameliorate METH-induced ubiquitination of ATP5A1 via the D376 residue, thereby reversing the METH-induced reduction of ATP5A1 and promoting the assembly of ATP synthase. Pharmacological inhibition of the ATP efflux channel pannexin 1, blockade of ATP hydrolysis by a CD39 inhibitor, and blocking the adenosine A1 receptor (A1R) all attenuated the therapeutic benefits of CBD in mitigating METH-induced behavioral sensitization and CPP. Moreover, the RNA interference of ATP5A1 in the ventral tegmental area resulted in the reversal of CBD's therapeutic efficacy against METH addiction. Collectively, these data show that ATP5A1 is a target for CBD to inhibit METH-induced addiction behaviors through the ADO-A1R signaling pathway.

Stroke, a major cerebrovascular disease, has high morbidity and mortality. Effective methods to reduce the risk and improve the prognosis are lacking. Currently, uric acid (UA) is associated with the pathological mechanism, prognosis, and therapy of stroke. UA plays pro/anti-oxidative and pro-inflammatory roles in vivo. The specific role of UA in stroke, which may have both neuroprotective and damaging effects, remains unclear. There is a U-shaped association between serum uric acid (SUA) levels and ischemic stroke (IS). UA therapy provides neuroprotection during reperfusion therapy for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Urate-lowering therapy (ULT) plays a protective role in IS with hyperuricemia or gout. SUA levels are associated with the cerebrovascular injury mechanism, risk, and outcomes of hemorrhagic stroke. In this review, we summarize the current research on the role of UA in stroke, providing potential targets for its prediction and treatment.
Humans ; Uric Acid/metabolism* ; Stroke/drug therapy* ; Animals ; Hyperuricemia/drug therapy* ; Ischemic Stroke/blood* ; Biomarkers/blood*

High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), when released extracellularly, plays a pivotal role in the development of spinal cord synapses and exacerbates autoimmune diseases within the central nervous system. In experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a condition that models multiple sclerosis, the levels of extracellular HMGB1 and interleukin-33 (IL-33) have been found to be inversely correlated. However, the mechanism by which IL-33 deficiency enhances HMGB1 release during EAE remains elusive. Our study elucidates a potential signaling pathway whereby the absence of IL-33 leads to increased binding of P300/CBP-associated factor with HMGB1 in the nuclei of astrocytes, upregulating HMGB1 acetylation and promoting its release from astrocyte nuclei in the spinal cord of EAE mice. Conversely, the addition of IL-33 counteracts the TNF-α-induced increase in HMGB1 and acetylated HMGB1 levels in primary astrocytes. These findings underscore the potential of IL-33-associated signaling pathways as a therapeutic target for EAE treatment.
Animals ; Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/metabolism* ; Astrocytes/metabolism* ; Interleukin-33/metabolism* ; HMGB1 Protein/metabolism* ; Acetylation ; Mice, Knockout ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; p300-CBP Transcription Factors/metabolism* ; Mice ; Spinal Cord/metabolism* ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Signal Transduction

Objective:To evaluate the long-term clinical efficacy and the influence on anal function of surgery combined with ustekinumab (UST) in active Crohn's disease (CD) patients with perianal fistula.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Clinical data of active CD patients with perianal fistula undergoing surgery combined with UST at Longhua Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from August 2020 to December 2022 were collected. The primary endpoints were clinical healing rate, Wexner score, and anorectal manometry values at week 52 of treatment. Secondary endpoints included the Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI), perianal Crohn's disease activity index (PDAI), laboratory indicators [C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), fecal calprotectin (FC) ], endoscopic remission rate, Van Assche score, and radiographic healing rate at week 52 of treatment.Results:A total of 28 patients were included, with 22 males (78.6%) and 6 females (21.4%) ; age (25.2 ± 7.7) (16.0-52.0) years. There was 1 patient (3.6%) of simple anal fistula. There were 27 patients (96.4%) of complex anal fistulas, including 12 of high intersphincteric type, 15 of high transsphincteric type, in which 15 with branched tracts (or ≥2 fistula tracts). The pre-treatment CDAI was 187.0 (156.0, 245.0), and the PDAI was 10.0 (9.0, 12.0). Among the 28 patients, 23 (82.1%) underwent fistulotomy, 1 (3.6%) underwent transanal opening of intersphincteric space (TROPIS), and 4 (14.3%) underwent video-assisted anal fistula treatment (VAAFT) combined with fistula-tract laser closure (FiLaC). All the patients received UST treatment postoperatively, without concurrent use of immunosuppressants or corticosteroid therapy. At week 52 of treatment, 28 (100%) patients achieved clinical healing. Compared to pre-treatment, Wexner score of patients at week 52 of treatment was significantly lower [0 (0, 0) vs. 1.0 (0, 3.0), P < 0.001], maximum anal sphincter pressure increased [ (137.6±40.9) mmHg vs. (105.1±29.2) mmHg, P < 0.001], maximum anal sphincter contraction time extended [9.0 (5.0, 15.0) s vs. 4.0 (2.0, 6.0) s, P < 0.001], and there was no significant decrease in anal resting pressure ( P > 0.05). Compared to pre-treatment, CDAI, PDAI, Van Assche scores, and simple endoscopic score for Crohn's disease (SES-CD) of patients at week 52 of treatment all significantly decreased (all P < 0.001), and CRP, ESR, and FC all decreased (all P < 0.05), with statistically significant differences. The radiographic healing rate at week 52 of treatment was 75.0% (21/28), and the radiographic remission rate was 92.9% (26/28). The endoscopic remission rate was 57.1% (16/28), and the endoscopic response rate was 82.1% (23/28) . Conclusion:The long-term clinical healing rate of active CD patients with perianal fistula receiving surgery combined with UST is high, and the anal function can be improved significantly.

Objective We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shengxuebao Mixture in the treatment of cancer-related anemia(CRA)presenting with syndrome of deficiency of liver and kidney combined with syndrome of deficiency of both qi and blood.Methods A randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled,multicenter clinical trial was conducted.Eligible patients with malignant tumors meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled from 26 hospitals,including Dongzhimen Hospital,Beijing University of Chinese Medicine,Xiaogan Central Hospital,and Yangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine,from June 1,2022,to September 30,2024.Patients were allocated 1:1 to either the experimental group receiving Shengxuebao Mixture or the control group receiving its simulator(placebo)using a block randomization method under double-blind conditions.Both groups received 15 mL orally three times daily for 28 consecutive days.The primary efficacy indicators included the hemoglobin(Hb)improvement rate(RHb)and the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome improvement rate(RTCM)at week 4 of treatment.The secondary efficacy indicators encompassed Hb and red blood cell(RBC)count,Karnofsky Performance Status(KPS)score,TCM syndrome score,individual TCM symptom scores,and changes in each of these indicators compared to the baseline period at weeks 2,4,and 6 of treatment.Safety evaluations were conducted at week 4 of treatment.Results A total of 239 patients were enrolled,with 225 cases included in the Full Analysis Set(FAS)(109 in the experimental group vs.116 control group),163 in the Per Protocol Set(PPS)(77 vs.86),and 225 in the Safety Set(SS)(109 vs.116).Baseline characteristics between groups showed no significant differences.Significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups in RHb at week 4(FAS:49.51%vs.35.24%,P<0.05;PPS:53.25%vs.36.05%,P<0.05)and RTCM at week 4(FAS:61.54%vs.39.62%,P<0.01;PPS:64.94%vs.40.70%,P<0.01).At weeks 2,4,and 6,the experimental group showed greater improvements in Hb and RBC counts than the control group.Additionally,the TCM syndrome scores were lower in the experimental group than in the control group at these time points.Except for week 2 in PPS,the KPS improvement was better in the experimental group than in the control group(P<0.05).The experimental group also demonstrated a greater reduction in scores for individual TCM symptoms such as spiritlessness and weakness,poor appetite and reduced food intake at weeks 4 and 6 compared to the control group(P<0.05,P<0.01).Furthermore,the reduction in vertigo score was more pronounced in the experimental group at week 6(P<0.01).For the score of pale and lusterless complexion,only in the PPS was the reduction from baseline more significant in the experimental group than in the control group at weeks 4 and 6(P<0.05).No significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups in the incidence of all adverse events or drug-related adverse reactions.Conclusion Shengxuebao Mixture demonstrates significant efficacy in patients with CRA presenting syndrome of deficiency of liver and kidney combined with syndrome of deficiency of both qi and blood,effectively increasing Hb levels,ameliorating TCM syndromes,alleviating clinical symptoms,and enhancing functional status,with no significant difference in adverse drug reactions compared to the placebo.