BACKGROUND:The pathogenesis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy has not yet been clarified,and TAM(Tyro3,Axl,and MerTK)receptor tyrosine kinases can control apoptotic cells and suppress inflammatory responses in the central nervous system. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the difference of Mer receptor tyrosine kinase(MerTK)levels in plasma and sciatic nerve tissue of Sprague-Dawley rats with type 2 diabetes and diabetic peripheral neuropathy,and to study the correlation between MerTK and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. METHODS:Forty male Sprague-Dawley were randomly divided into control group with 15 rats,type 2 diabetes group with 10 rats,and diabetic peripheral neuropathy group with 15 rats.The control group was fed with ordinary diet,while the experimental groups were fed with high-fat and high-sugar diet.After 6 weeks,intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin at the minimum dose of 35 mg/kg was administered in the two experimental groups.After 14 days,tail vein blood was collected to detect blood glucose.If blood glucose≥16.7 mmol/L,the model of type 2 diabetes was successfully established.Rats in the diabetic peripheral neuropathy group continued to be fed with a high-sugar and high-fat diet for 8 weeks.The sciatic nerve conduction velocity of rats was detected through live isolation under anesthesia.Blood samples were collected from the abdominal aorta,and the sciatic nerve tissue was collected.Histological changes of nerve fibers in each group were observed under a light microscope to confirm the success of diabetic peripheral neuropathy modeling.ELISA was used to detect peripheral blood glucose,blood lipids and serum MerTK levels in rats;hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the histological changes in the sciatic nerve;immunofluorescence,immunohistochemistry and western blot were used to detect the expression of MerTK in the sciatic nerve tissue. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The Sprague-Dawley rat models of type 2 diabetes and type 2 diabetes peripheral neuropathy were successfully constructed,and the modeling rate of diabetic peripheral neuropathy was 80%.Compared with the control group,the blood glucose levels of rats in the type 2 diabetes and diabetic peripheral neuropathy groups were significantly higher(P<0.000 1),while the blood glucose level in the diabetic peripheral neuropathy group was higher than that in the type 2 diabetes group;and the sciatic nerve conduction velocity was significantly decreased(P<0.05),which was lower in the diabetic peripheral neuropathy group than the type 2 diabetes group.Histological examination:Compared with the control group,the sciatic nerve nuclei were reduced in the type 2 diabetes group,with some vacuolar degeneration and phagocytosis;in the diabetic peripheral neuropathy group,the cell body was swollen,the nuclear spacing was increased,vacuolar degeneration was observed,and the myelin sheath was partitioned and unsmooth,and lattice-like axons appeared.Serum MerTK levels were significantly higher in the diabetic peripheral neuropathy group than the control group.Expression of MerTK in the sciatic nerve tissue was significantly upregulated in the diabetic peripheral neuropathy group compared with the control group(P<0.05).To conclude,elevated levels of MerTK in plasma and sciatic nerve tissue of rats with diabetic peripheral neuropathy are presumably related to its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects.

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effects of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) combined regimens for hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients in Dehong Prefecture, Yunnan Province from 2022 to 2024, to analyze the characteristics of treatment failure patients, so as to provide a basis for discovering more effective treatment regimens in the future. MethodsData on HCV prevention and treatment in Dehong Prefecture was extracted from the China Disease Control and Prevention Information System. A total of 617 patients with HCV antiviral therapy were included, and the differences in variable characteristics among patients with different genotypes were analyzed using comparative statistical tests, including basic socio-demographic characteristics, biochemical testing indicators, and information on previous treatment and current treatment. In addition, the cure rate of HCV patients with diverse characteristics was compared, and the potential causes of treatment failure were explored simultaneously. ResultsThe cure rate of HCV was 96.8%, and statistically significant differences were observed in aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels, previous antiviral therapy history and initial treatment regimens among patients with different HCV genotypes (all P<0.05). Among the multi-type combination regimens, the cure rate of sofosbuvir (SOF)-containing regimens was 97.00%, that of velpatasvir (VEL)-containing regimens was 95.45%, and the cure rate of other treatment regimens, including the regimens with ribavirin (RIB) intervention, was 93.10%. Among the patients with treatment failure, 45.00% had genotype 3, 40.00% had abnormal abdominal ultrasound results, and all presented with elevated baseline AST test levels. ConclusionThe clinical treatment of HCV patients should consider the differences in genotype and biochemical test results. DAAs combined regimens for HCV have achieved a high cure rate in Dehong Prefecture and are applicable to HCV patients with diverse clinical characteristics, providing research evidence for wider application.

Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that nucleic acid-based therapies are promising for atherosclerosis. However, nearly all nucleic acid delivery systems developed for atherosclerosis necessitate injection, which results in rapid elimination and poor patient compliance. Consequently, oral delivery strategies capable of targeting atherosclerotic plaques are imperative for nucleic acid therapeutics. Herein we report the development of yeast-derived capsules (YCs) packaging an antisense oligonucleotide (AM33) targeting microRNA-33 (miR-33) for the oral treatment of atherosclerosis. YCs provide stability for AM33, preventing its premature release in the gastrointestinal tract. AM33-containing YCs, defined as YAM33, showed high transfection in macrophages, thus promoting cholesterol efflux and inhibiting foam cell formation by regulating the target genes/proteins of miR-33. Orally delivered YAM33 effectively accumulated within atherosclerotic plaques in ApoE ^-/- mice, primarily by transepithelial absorption via M cells in Peyer's patches and subsequent translocation via macrophages through the lymphatic system. Inhibition of miR-33 by oral YAM33 significantly delayed the progression of atherosclerosis. Moreover, oral treatment with YCs co-delivering AM33 and atorvastatin afforded significantly enhanced anti-atherosclerotic effects. Our findings suggest that yeast-based microcapsules represent an effective carrier for oral delivery of nucleic acids, either alone or in combination with existing drugs, offering a promising approach for precision therapy of atherosclerotic diseases.

Objective To preliminarily explore the potential efficacy of Xuesaitong Soft Capsule(XST)against post-stroke depression(PSD),and to investigate the material basis of XST's anti-PSD effect based on the metabolomics results to analyze its related pharmacokinetic(PK)characteristics and further analyze the pharmacodynamic(PD)equation of representative ingredients.Methods The initial evaluation of drug effica-cy was conducted by detecting the depressive-like behavior and neurotransmitter levels in rats.The Pearson correlation analysis was employed to analyze the correlation between the main metabolites regulated by XST and the saponin components entering the bloodstream.At various time points after drug administration,the blood concentration of ginsenoside Re and the concentration of norepinephrine(NE)in the serum of PSD rats were measured,and the compartment model was fitted accordingly.Furthermore,the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was utilized to determine the content of ginsenoside Re in the liver,spleen,kidney,prefron-tal cortex,hippocampus and striatum of PSD rats.Results Ginsenoside Re showed the optimal correlation by the Pearson correlation analysis.Based on its pharmacokinetic parameters,the pharmacodynamic equation with NE was E=160.462 × Ce/(38.663+Ce).The contents of ginsenoside Re in the liver,spleen,kidney,prefron-tal cortex,hippocampus and striatum of rats were(17.23+11.90),(19.05+5.67),(1.95+0.79),(70.13+6.75),(57.03+3.11),and(72.45+5.45)ng/g,respectively.Conclusion XST could improve the depressive-like behaviors in PSD rats by regulating the expression levels of neurotransmitter NE and 5-HT.Ginsenoside Re may be the pharmacodynamical material foundation for XST's preventative treatment of PSD.

Objective To investigate the effects of body weight and length of SD rats on the carotid artery balloon injury-induced vascular stenosis model in order to provide a reference for replicating an ideal vascular stenosis mod-el.Methods Male rats were divided into three groups based on body weight and length.The CONQUEROR? SC PTCA balloon catheter was employed,with a fixed balloon inflation volume of 0.2 mL to induce injury in the left common carotid artery,while the right side served as a control.As soon as surgery operation,one rat from each group was selected for Evans Blue dye verification.Fourteen days later,the injured and contra lateral common ca-rotid arteries from remaining rats were harvested for HE staining to check the extent of stenosis.Based on these find-ings,six rats within the optimal range of body weight and length were selected for further validation.Results Rats with body weights ranging from 280 to 380 g(corresponding body lengths of 21.0-26.5 cm)underwent balloon catheter injury,resulting in endothelial detachment and varying degrees of stenosis in the common carotid artery.In rats weighing 280-300 g(body lengths of 21.0-22.5 cm)had severe stenosis or occlusion of the common carotid artery with thrombosis.In rats weighing 320-340 g(body lengths of 23.0-24.5 cm),the internal and external elastic plates of the common carotid artery were ruptured and the vascular morphology was abnormal.Conversely,rats weighing 360-380 g(body lengths of 25.0-26.5 cm)did not show any ruptured elastic laminae or thrombus formation in the common carotid artery,and the extent of vascular stenos in rats with a body weight of 360 g was moderate and uniform.The results of the repeated validation experiments were consistent.Conclusions Rats with a body weight range of 360 g(corresponding body length of 25.0-26.5 cm)are suitable for development of an ideal vascular stenosis model.

Objective: To explore the pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) awareness, willingness, uptake patterns, barriers and needs among Chinese student men who have sex with men (MSM), so as to provide relevant evidence for targeted interventions with PrEP. Methods: A proportional sampling method was used to conduct a cross sectional survey of MSM aged 16 years and older residing in 21 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in mainland China between October 20 and December 20, 2021, to collect information on demographic and sexual behavioral characteristics, and 923 students of them were selected as the subjects of this study. The chi-square test and Fisher s test were used for univariate analysis, followed by multivariate Logistic regression to analyze the influencing factors of PrEP awareness and uptake. Results: According to the cascade analysis method, the awareness, willingness, uptake and adherence rates of PrEP among the student MSM were obtained as 88.95%, 67.36%, 13.20% and 45.21 %, respectively. HIV testing more than once in the last 3 months, and all of them were aware of the HIV test results of their sexual partners, and those with high frequency of condom use had a higher rate of awareness ( OR =2.32, 1.79, 1.69, P <0.05). Willingness rates were higher for those from the pilot city, using substances, and HIV testing more than once in the last 3 months ( OR =2.13, 1.65, 1.69, P <0.05). Higher rates of uptake were found among those from high risk and pilot areas, presence of commercial sex, substance use, and high literacy ( OR =5.60, 3.54,2.81, 1.92, 4.54, P <0.05). Adherence rates were higher among those who used one pill per day or both ( OR =12.77, 13.26, P <0.05). The barriers and needs faced by student MSM were primarily personal concerns about medication side effects, preventative effects, and confidence in sexual behavioral styles, and the high cost of medication and related service costs. Conclusions The student MSM population in China is characterized by high awareness, low willingness, low uptake, and low adherence to PrEP. Targeted interventions should be considered and tailored by the departments to facilitate PrEP promotion among student MSM.

Objective To analyze the influence of drainage volume on prognosis of acute hydrocephalus(AHC)after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage(aSAH)by continuous lumbar drainage.Methods A retrospective trial was conducted on 82 AHC patients after aSAH admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University between January 2017 and January 2022.In 6 months after discharge,modified Rankin Scale(mRS)score was used to evaluate the prognostic outcomes.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed on demographic factors,severity of subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH)at admission,medical history,cerebral vasospasm,and lumbar drainage data.Then a nomogram prediction model was constructed.Results Univariate analysis found that World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies(WFNS)score,Hunt-Hess grade,modified Fisher grade,time for continuous lumbar drainage,shunt dependence,cerebral vasospasm,and drainage volume were factors affecting the prognosis of the patients.Then logistic regression analysis revealed that high WFNS score(OR:3.25,95％CI:1.11～9.48),high modified Fisher grade(OR:3.66,95％CI:1.08～12.35),shunt dependence(OR:15.56,95％CI:1.22～198.57),and cerebral vasospasm(OR:22.24,95％CI:3.08～160.68)were independent predictors for mRS score,while volume of continuous lumbar drainage(OR:0.57,95％CI:0.40～0.82)was an independent protective factor.ROC curve analysis indicated a good predictive performance of the model(AUC=0.898,95％CI:0.935～0.861).Internal validation through Bootstrap method demonstrated excellent discriminatory ability of the model(C-index=0.950,95％CI:0.904～0.996;adjusted C-index:0.934).Conclusion Increased volume of lumbar drainage is an independent protective factor for poor prognosis following aSAH and can improve the prognosis of SAH patients.

Objective: To investigate the current situation and related factors of antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV infected male students engaging in men who have sex with men (MSM), so as to provide the reference data for HIV prevention and treatment. Methods: In November 2021, 137 MSM students from 31 provincial administrative regions in China were recruited. An online survey was conducted to collect data on demographic characteristics, ART status, CD4 count, and HIV viral load before treatment. Logistic regression was used to analyze the factors related the effectiveness of ART in MSM. Results: Among the included research subjects, 14.6% had late detection of HIV,97.1% of participants were currently undergoing ART. Among those whose ART duration was less than 6 months, while 76.9% were undergoing ART. Logistic regression indicated that HIV infected students who received ART for more than 24 months ( OR =5.28, 95% CI =1.38-20.22) had a higher rate of successful HIV suppression. HIV infected students who reported physical sensory side effects ( OR =0.08, 95% CI =0.01-0.71) and cognitive side effects ( OR =0.28, 95% CI =0.09-0.90) were more likely to experience failure of ARI inhibition ( P <0.05). Conclusions There is still room for improvement in the efficacy of ART among MSM students. Strategies to improve treatment adherence must consider individual variances among HIV infected patients and the side effects of medications when designing treatment plans.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) culture is a typical representative of excellent traditional Chinese culture,and its core concept is embodied in the ethical value principles of "benevolence,harmony,refinement,and sincerity",which are highly similar to Marxism in terms of value stance,ethical connotation,social ideal,and internal development path.TCM culture embodies the core values concepts and original ways of thinking of excellent traditional Chinese culture.It emphasizes the value position of benevolent love for others,the ethical connotation of putting life first,and the social ideals of "medical care for the world" and "universal harmony",which are highly compatible with Marxism's value position of putting people first,as well as the global governance ideal of building a community with a shared future for mankind emphasized by socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era,in terms of value orientation,moral matrix,and discourse system.Socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era,and TCM culture has realized its integration with modern science and technology,as well as with global public health practices under the guidance of Marxism,contributing Chinese solutions and Chinese wisdom to the construction of a community of common health for mankind.In the process of creative transformation and innovative development of TCM culture,it is both theoretically and practically necessary and urgent to dig the deeper points of convergence and explore the complementary utility space between the two sides,so as to enable them to absorb each other in openness,update and develop in integration,and continuously promote the "second combination".

Objective To explore the relationship between geriatric nutritional risk index(GNRI)and adverse outcomes in elderly patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis(MHD).Methods A prospective cohort trial was conducted on 337 MHD patients aged ≥60 years in hemodialysis centers of 11 hospitals in Beijing from April to June 2017.Their baseline data were collected,and they were divided into non-malnutrition(GNRI≥98,226 cases),mild malnutrition(92≤GNRI＜98,81 cases),and major malnutrition groups(GNRI＜92,30 cases).All of them were followed up until June 2018.The endpoint events were all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease(CVD)mortality.Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to compare the cumulative survival rate among the 3 groups.Multivariate Cox regression model was employed to analyze the relationship of GNRI with all-cause and CVD mortality.Results The mild and major malnutrition groups had significantly lower BMI,serum albumin level and GNRI(P＜0.01).During the median follow-up of 52(4.4-52.0)weeks,56(16.6％)patients died of all-cause death and 25(44.6％)of CVD death.Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed significant differences in all-cause mortality(x2=30.484,P＜0.01)and CVD mortality(x2=22.398,P＜0.01)in the 3 groups.Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that,as a continuous variable,elevated GNRI was a protective factor for all-cause mortality(HR=0.910,95％CI:0.870-0.952,P=0.000)and CVD mortality(HR=0.895,95％CI:0.852-0.940,P=0.000),and as a categorical variable,mild and major malnutri-tion were independently correlated with all-cause and CVD mortality(P＜0.05).Conclusion GNRI is an independent risk factor for all-cause and CVD mortality in elderly MHD patients.Mo-nitoring the nutritional status using GNRI can predict the risk of adverse prognosis.