In the mammalian central nervous system (CNS), astrocytes are the ubiquitous glial cells that have complex morphological and molecular characteristics. These fascinating cells play essential neurosupportive and homeostatic roles in the healthy CNS and undergo morphological, molecular, and functional changes to adopt so-called 'reactive' states in response to CNS injury or disease. In recent years, interest in astrocyte research has increased dramatically and some new biological features and roles of astrocytes in physiological and pathological conditions have been discovered thanks to technological advances. Here, we will review and discuss the well-established and emerging astroglial biology and functions, with emphasis on their potential as therapeutic targets for CNS injury, including traumatic and ischemic injury. This review article will highlight the importance of astrocytes in the neuropathological process and repair of CNS injury.
Astrocytes/drug effects* ; Humans ; Animals ; Central Nervous System/pathology* ; Central Nervous System Diseases/physiopathology*

Objective To investigate the population density and seasonal fluctuations of Aedes albopictus in Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, from 2021 to 2023, so as to provide insights into A. albopictus control and management of dengue fever. Methods The surveillance of A. albopictus density was performed in all surveillance sites assigned across all streets (townships) in Guangzhou City during the period from January to December from 2021 to 2023. The surveillance frequency was twice every half month from May to September, and once every month for the rest of a year. In each surveillance period, A. albopictus mosquito larvae were captured from indoor and outdoor small water containers in residential areas, parks, medical facilities, schools, other government sectors and social organizations, construction sites, special industries and others for mosquito species identification. Adult mosquitoes were captured using electric mosquito suction apparatus for species identification and gender classification. Adult mosquitoes and mosquito eggs were collected with mosquito and egg traps at the breeding and dwelling places of Aedes mosquitoes for identification. The mosquito oviposition index (MOI), Breteau index (BI), adult mosquito density index (ADI) and standard space index (SSI) were calculated. The A. albopictus density was classified into grades 0, 1, 2 and 3 in each surveillance site, with Grade 0 density defined eligible, and the eligible rate of A. albopictus density was calculated at all surveillance sites each year from 2021 to 2023. In addition, the changing trends in MOI, SSI, BI and ADI of A. albopictus were analyzed in Guangzhou City from 2021 to 2023. Results The eligible rates of A. albopictus density were 61.69%, 68.75% and 55.15% in surveillance sites of Guangzhou City from 2021 to 2023 (χ² = 297.712, P < 0.001), and appeared a tendency towards a reduction followed by a rise each year, which gradually reduced since January, maintained at a low level during the period between May and October, and gradually increased from November to December. The MOI, SSI, BI and ADI of A. albopictus all appeared a tendency towards a rise followed by a reduction in Guangzhou City during the period between January and December from 2021 to 2023. The BI of A. albopictus peaked in the first half of June in 2021 (4.03), the first half of July in 2022 (3.89) and the last half of August in 2023 (5.02), and the SSI of A. albopictus peaked in the last half of June in 2021 (0.93), the last half of May in 2022 (0.59), and the last half of June (0.94) and the first half of September in 2023 (1.12). In addition, the MOI of A. albopictus peaked in the first half of May in 2021 (8.64), the first half of June in 2022 (8.96), and the last half of May (10.21) and the last half of June in 2023 (10.89), and the ADI of A. albopictus peaked in the first half of June in 2021 (3.41), the last half of June in 2022 (4.06), and the first half of July in 2023 (3.61). Conclusions The density of A. albopictus is high in Guangzhou City during the period from May to October, and the risk of local outbreak caused by imported dengue fever is high. Persistent intensified surveillance of the density and seasonal fluctuation of A. albopictus is recommended and timely mosquito prevention and control is required according to the fluctuation in the A. albopictus density.

Geriatric oral health care encounters significant challenges with the increase in the proportion of older individuals. Age-related changes in the dentition, muscles, and joints result in a decline in objective masticatory function, subjective restoration requirements, and acceptability among the elderly population, with individual variations influenced by systemic health. Considering functional requirements, the adaptability of stomatognathic and systemic health conditions, health economics and other factors, the authors believe that it should not be limited to the conventional "one-to-one" strategy for replacing missing teeth in geriatric prosthodontics. There is an urgent need for a precise and adaptable restoration strategy that is more suitable for older individuals. The proposal of a new concept of functional tooth loss updates the minimal restoration standards for elderly patients and establishes the theory of age-friendly functional restoration. Based on the restoration strategy of functional tooth loss, this paper proposes a new concept termed "age-friendly functional restoration of the stomatognathic system", which integrates treatment considerations including endodontics, periodontology, mucosa, muscles, temporomandibular joint, and systemic health. Efforts should be made in four areas as follows. Firstly, the "assessment of accessible function" should be enhanced by considering the interrelationship between stomatognathic and systemic health. Secondly, the "evaluation of appropriate function" is supposed to be optimised in view of subjective needs and objective evaluation of the stomatognathic system. Moreover, the "formulation of treatment plans" needs to be accomplished with the aid of assistive technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to accurately exert appropriate functional restoration. Lastly, the "management and maintenance of health" is likely to be strengthened through follow-ups, propaganda and education, and preventive healthcare, so as to improve quality of life and ultimately achieve healthy ageing among older individuals.
Humans ; Tooth Loss/therapy* ; Aged ; Stomatognathic System ; Oral Health ; Dental Care for Aged ; Dental Restoration, Permanent/methods*

Objective:Based on the questionnaire, to analyze the current status of children′s bone age assessment in China, especially the application of artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted bone age assessment system in the clinic.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study. The questionnaire was adapted by ourselves through the literature method and expert interview method, and the whole volume included 22 questions, which were released in the form of WeChat applet questionnaire star to the physician groups of several associations and entrusted to the radiology and paediatricians with senior titles. The results of the different types of questions were summarised and analyzed, and the chi-square test was used to compare the count data.Results:A total of 450 valid questionnaires were collected from 162 medical institutions in 26 provinces and cities and autonomous regions, of which 232 (51.6%) were from 87 (53.7%) tertiary hospitals and 218 (48.4%) from 75 (46.3%) secondary hospitals. Of the respondents, 115 (25.6%) were senior, 137 (30.4%) middle and 198 (44.0%) junior. Child bone age measurement was performed at 75.9% (66/87) of tertiary care organizations and 26.7% (20/75) of secondary care organizations, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=39.10, P<0.001). Left wrist radiographs were predominantly used for bone age assessment (76.0%, 123/162), with 72.8% (118/162) of sites using the ATLAS method of assessment and 17.9% (29/162) using the scoring method. A total of 98.4% (443/450) of respondents agreed that AI technology should be used to assist in bone age assessment, but only 9.3% (15/162) of healthcare organizations used AI-assisted technology. Conclusion:At present, bone age assessment is widely used in medical institutions, but there are problems with non-standardized examination methods, inconsistent assessment standards, and imprecise assessment results. Expectations for AI technology-assisted diagnosis exist among a wide range of physicians, but there are fewer users.

Objective To investigate the impact of succinate dehydrogenase(SDH)on the modulation of human sperm functions.Methods The isolated human sperm were co-incubated with different concentrations(10,20,40 mmol/L)of SDH inhibitor disodium malonate for one or two hours.The activity of the SDH was measured by commercially available reagent kit,while the protein level of the SDH catalytic subunit SDHA was determined through Western blot analysis.Sperm functions were analyzed:1)The impact of disodium malonate on important mo-tility parameters of un-capcitated sperm including progressive motility rate(PR),total motility(TM),average pathvelocity(VAP)and the ability of capacitated sperm to penetrate viscous media were be assessed using a com-puter aided semen analysis system.2)Effect of disodium malonate on sperm survival rate was evaluated using the Eosin-Nigrosin microscopy.3)The incidence of acrosome reaction in capacitated sperm was be detected by PSA-FITC staining assay following disodium malonate treatment.Results Disodium malonate had no effect on expression of SDH catalytic subunit SHDA protein in human sperm.However,it inhibited the catalytic activity of the SDH,sperm forward motility,total motility,and the ability of sperm to penetrate viscous media.These inhibitory effects were positively correlated with the concentration of disodium malonate.Furthermore,disodium malonate had no any influence on the occurrence of spontaneous acrosome reaction in capacitated sperm.Conclusions Disodium mal-onate impairs human sperm motility by inhibiting succinate dehydrogenase activity.

Background::The potential impact of pre-existing coronary artery stenosis (CAS) on acute pulmonary embolism (PE) episodes remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the association between pre-existing CAS and the elevation of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) levels in patients with PE.Methods::In this multicenter, prospective case-control study, 88 cases and 163 controls matched for age, sex, and study center were enrolled. Cases were patients with PE with elevated hs-cTnI. Controls were patients with PE with normal hs-cTnI. Coronary artery assessment utilized coronary computed tomographic angiography or invasive coronary angiography. CAS was defined as ≥50% stenosis of the lumen diameter in any coronary vessel >2.0 mm in diameter. Conditional logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between CAS and hs-cTnI elevation.Results::The percentage of CAS was higher in the case group compared to the control group (44.3% [39/88] vs. 30.1% [49/163]; P = 0.024). In multivariable conditional logistic regression model 1, CAS (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.680; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.243–5.779), heart rate >75 beats/min (OR, 2.306; 95% CI, 1.056–5.036) and N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) >420 pg/mL (OR, 12.169; 95% CI, 4.792–30.900) were independently associated with elevated hs-cTnI. In model 2, right CAS (OR, 3.615; 95% CI, 1.467–8.909) and NT-proBNP >420 pg/mL (OR, 13.890; 95% CI, 5.288–36.484) were independently associated with elevated hs-cTnI. Conclusions::CAS was independently associated with myocardial injury in patients with PE. Vigilance towards CAS is warranted in patients with PE with elevated cardiac troponin levels.

AIM:To evaluate the bioequivalence of the two rivaroxaban tablets in Chinese healthy subjects.METHODS:Twenty-eight subjects under fasting status and twenty-eight subjects under fed status were enrolled in the study.This study was designed as a four period,fully repetitive,cross-over study.All subjects were administered test(T)and reference(R)rivaroxaban tablets(10 mg)un-der fasting and fed condition respectively.Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to detect the concentrations of rivaroxaban in plasma.WinNonlin 7.0 was used to calculate the main pharmacokinetic parameters(PK)and to eval-uate the bioequivalence.RESULTS:In fasting group,the main pharmacokinetic parameters of T and R preparation were as follows:Cmax were(186.57±56.41)and(187.61±50.89)ng/mL;AUC0-t were(1 156.21±335.85)and(1 177.59±343.72)h·ng·mL-1;AUC0-∞ were(1 235.77±384.03)and(1223.53±392.10)ng·h·mL-1.The 90％confidential interval(CI)of the three main parameters were 90.81％-105.67％,92.83％-103.85％and 95.04％-107.13％.The upper limit of the 90％CI for the test-to-reference ratio of the within-subject of Cmax,AUC0-t and AUC0-∞ were 1.56,1.41 and 1.73.In fed group,the main pharmacokinetic parameters of T and R preparation were as follows:Cmax were(207.81±45.26)and(211.04±36.62)ng/mL;AUC0-t were(1 271.26±260.92)and(1 233.23±201.85)h·ng·mL-1;AUC0-∞ were(1 290.76±264.90)and(1251.68±203.73)ng·h·mL-1.The 90％CI of the three main parameters were 92.82％-102.28％,97.68％-106.68％and 97.71％-106.68％.The upper limit of the 90％CI for the test-to-reference ratio of the within-subject of Cmax,AUC0t and AUC0-∞were 1.76,1.47 and 1.47.CONCLUSION:The two preparations of rivaroxaban tablets were bioequiva-lent.

AIM:To evaluate the bioequivalence of the two rivaroxaban tablets in Chinese healthy subjects.METHODS:Twenty-eight subjects under fasting status and twenty-eight subjects under fed status were enrolled in the study.This study was designed as a four period,fully repetitive,cross-over study.All subjects were administered test(T)and reference(R)rivaroxaban tablets(10 mg)un-der fasting and fed condition respectively.Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to detect the concentrations of rivaroxaban in plasma.WinNonlin 7.0 was used to calculate the main pharmacokinetic parameters(PK)and to eval-uate the bioequivalence.RESULTS:In fasting group,the main pharmacokinetic parameters of T and R preparation were as follows:Cmax were(186.57±56.41)and(187.61±50.89)ng/mL;AUC0-t were(1 156.21±335.85)and(1 177.59±343.72)h·ng·mL-1;AUC0-∞ were(1 235.77±384.03)and(1223.53±392.10)ng·h·mL-1.The 90％confidential interval(CI)of the three main parameters were 90.81％-105.67％,92.83％-103.85％and 95.04％-107.13％.The upper limit of the 90％CI for the test-to-reference ratio of the within-subject of Cmax,AUC0-t and AUC0-∞ were 1.56,1.41 and 1.73.In fed group,the main pharmacokinetic parameters of T and R preparation were as follows:Cmax were(207.81±45.26)and(211.04±36.62)ng/mL;AUC0-t were(1 271.26±260.92)and(1 233.23±201.85)h·ng·mL-1;AUC0-∞ were(1 290.76±264.90)and(1251.68±203.73)ng·h·mL-1.The 90％CI of the three main parameters were 92.82％-102.28％,97.68％-106.68％and 97.71％-106.68％.The upper limit of the 90％CI for the test-to-reference ratio of the within-subject of Cmax,AUC0t and AUC0-∞were 1.76,1.47 and 1.47.CONCLUSION:The two preparations of rivaroxaban tablets were bioequiva-lent.

Objective To collect the data of hospitalized death cases in a provincial grade A tertiary general hospital,analysis the characteristics,changing trends,rescue conditions and related influencing factors of inpatient death cases,and provide a reference for the hospital's death case management and improvement of medical quality.Methods The gender,age,inpatient department,length of hospitalization,cause of death,rescue measures,sequential organ failure assessment(SOFA)score,and the date of death cases in a grade A tertiary general hospital from January 1,2012,to December 31,2022,were collected from the hospital medical record database.The characteristics of death cases were then statistically summarized through data aggregation.Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to analyze the relationship between the two research variables,while multivariate Logistic regression analysis was employed to explore the relevant factors affecting the implementation of rescue measures when death events occur in hospitalized patients,and draw the receiver operator characteristic curve(ROC curve)to analyze the relevant factors affecting the implementation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the event of death in hospitalized patients.Results ① The in-hospital mortality rate of inpatients in this hospital in the past 10 years was 0.26％,the mortality rate of males was significantly higher than that of females[0.32％(1 959/607 170)vs.0.19％(1 021/549 802),χ2 = 210.615,P<0.01],the mortality rate of hospitalized patients increased with age(r = 0.860,P = 0.037),and elderly patients>65 years old were the main group of hospital deaths;②The top 5 main causes of death among patients in this hospital were tumors,circulatory system diseases,respiratory system diseases,digestive system diseases and the symptoms,signs,clinical and laboratory abnormal findings,and those who died due to these 5 types of diseases accounted for 82.05％(2 445/2 980)of the total number of deaths;③Before the death event,the electrocardiogram(ECG)monitoring rate of inpatients in this hospital was 77.99％,the epinephrine usage rate was 83.46％,the endotracheal intubation rate was 57.55％,the cardiopulmonary resuscitation implementation rate was 44.93％,and the defibrillation rate was 12.85％.The epinephrine usage rate[86.17％(1 688/1 959)vs.78.26％(799/1 021)],the endotracheal intubation rate[59.37％(1 163/1 959)vs.54.06％(552/1 021)]and the cardiopulmonary resuscitation implementation rate[46.30％(907/1 959)vs.42.31％(432/1 021)]of male patients was significantly higher than that of female patients(all P<0.05);the cardiopulmonary resuscitation implementation rate for patients who died over 65 years old was significantly lower than those in other age groups[43.25％(734/1 697)vs.47.16％(605/1 283),P<0.05],before the death of inpatients in the surgical department,the ECG monitoring rate[68.63％(641/934)vs.82.26％(1 679/2 041)],the epinephrine usage rate[75.48％(705/934)vs.87.21％(1 780/2 041)]and the cardiopulmonary resuscitation implementation rate[31.16％(291/934)vs.51.34％(1 048/2 041)]were significantly lower than those in other department(all P<0.05).Patients who died from tumors had the lowest implementation rate of rescue measures when the death event occurred.Except for tumor patients,the ECG monitoring rate[68.33％(233/341)vs.93.07％(1 356/1 457)],the epinephrine usage rate[86.22％(294/341)vs.95.47％(1 391/1 457)],the endotracheal intubation rate[60.12％(205/341)vs.71.31％(1 039/1 457)],the cardiopulmonary resuscitation rate[40.18％(137/341)vs.55.66％(811/1 457)]and the defibrillation rate[7.92％(27/341)vs.19.42％(283/1 457)]of patients who died due to digestive system diseases were significantly lower than those who died due to circulatory diseases,respiratory diseases,and symptoms,signs,clinical and laboratory abnormalities(all P<0.05);④Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that urban household registration and SOFA score≥14 points before death were independent factors influencing the likelihood of cardiopulmonary resuscitation being performed in patients with severe death[odds ratio(OR)and 95％confidence interval(95％ CI)were 6.731(1.891-23.958)and 10.023(3.169-31.704),P values are 0.003 and<0.001 respectively];⑤ROC curve analysis shows that urban household registration,SOFA score≥14 points before death and their combination had a certain predictive value for cardiopulmonary resuscitation in hospitalized patients with digestive diseases(all P<0.05),and the combined value was higher,the area under ROC curve(AUC)= 0.840,95％ CI was 0.742-0.934.sensitivity was 82.76％,specificity was 75.51％,positive predictive value was 78.18％,and negative predictive value was 73.91％.Conclusions Hospitals should specifically strengthen the medical quality management of inpatient death cases,enhance the early warning system for high-risk patients,and consistently standardize the rescue measures and procedures for inpatients.Additionally,hospitals should prioritize the care of elderly and male patients with circulatory and respiratory-related critical illnesses,they should also strive to improve their ability to identify and treat critically ill surgical patients,as well as enhance their expertise in managing severe digestive system diseases.

【Objective:】 To understand the current status and problems of the doctor-patient relationship under the family doctor contract service system through the investigation on residents contracted by community family doctors, and to provide reference for constructing harmonious doctor-patient relationship and promoting the healthy operation of the family doctor contract service system. 【Methods:】 A questionnaire survey was conducted on 1 655 residents of a certain university community in Xi’an from January to February 2023 who completed family doctor contract services in 2022. Through the general situation of signed residents, the willingness of signed family doctors, and the satisfaction and opinions with signed family doctors’ services, this paper investigated the current status of the doctor-patient relationship and proposed corresponding improvement strategies. 【Results:】 A total of 856 residents(52.68%) were willing to sign the contract, 322 residents(19.82%) were unwilling to sign the contract, 397 residents(24.43%) expressed indifference, and 50 residents(3.07%) abstained from signing the contract. There was no statistical difference in service satisfaction between residents of different genders(P=0.292). The satisfaction of working staff aged 40-60(72.33%) was higher than that of retirees aged over 60(61.05%, P<0.001). The satisfaction of those with bachelor’s degree or above(58.23%) was higher than that of those with bachelor’s degree below(51.77%, P=0.008). The satisfaction of individuals living alone(70.21%) was significantly higher than that of non-solitary individuals(54.35%, P<0.001). The overall satisfaction score of contracted residents with contracted services was(4.48±0.14) points, including 4.31 points for satisfaction with service methods, 4.47 points for satisfaction with service attitudes, 4.52 points for satisfaction with service content, and 4.60 points for satisfaction with service effectiveness. 【Conclusion:】 Most community residents have a positive attitude towards family doctor contract services. Improving service satisfaction and strengthening doctor-patient communication are feasible ways to improve grassroots doctor-patient relationships and promote the operation of the family doctor contract service system.