ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Tongluo Baoshen prescription （TLBS）-containing serum on the rat podocyte injury induced by lipopolysaccharide （LPS） and explore the potential mechanisms. MethodsSD rats were used to prepare the blank serum， losartan potassium-containing serum， and low-， medium-， and high-dose TLBS-containing sera. Rat podocytes were cultured in vitro， and the effects of drug-containing sera on podocyte viability were detected by the cell counting kit-8 （CKK-8） method. The optimal intervention volume fraction of drug-containing sera and the optimal concentration of LPS for inducing the podocyte injury were determined. Rat podocytes were grouped as follows： normal control （NC， 10% blank serum）， model control （MC， 20.00 mg·L^-1 LPS+10% black serum）， losartan potassium （LP， 20.00 mg·L^-1 LPS+10% losartan potassium-containing serum）， low-dose TLBS （TLBS-L， 20.00 mg·L^-1 LPS+10% low-dose TLBS-containing serum）， medium-dose TLBS （TLBS-M， 20.00 mg·L^-1 LPS+10% medium-dose TLBS-containing serum）， and high-dose TLBS （TLBS-H， 20.00 mg·L^-1 LPS+10% high-dose TLBS-containing serum）， and the interventions lasted for 48 h. The ultrastructure of podocytes was observed under a transmission electron microscope. The podocyte apoptosis was detected by the terminal deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick-end labeling （TUNEL） kit. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of gasdermin D N-terminal fragment （GSDMD-NT） in podocytes. The mRNA and protein levels of G protein-coupled receptor family C group 5 member B （GPRC5B）， nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） p50， NF-κB p52， NF-κB p65， Rel B， c-Rel， NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-1 （Caspase-1）， GSDMD-NT， interleukin （IL）-1β， IL-18， nephrin， integrin α₃， and integrin β₁ in podocytes were determined by real-time quaritiative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot， respectively. ResultsCompared with the NC group， the MC group showed reduced podocyte protrusions and organelles， segmental missing of cell membranes， increased and swollen mitochondria， irregular nuclear membranes， light chromatin， increased TUNEL fluorescence-positive nuclei （P<0.01）， obviously enhanced fluorescence intensity of GSDMD-NT， up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of GPRC5B， NF-κB p50， NF-κB p52， NF-κB p65， Rel B， c-Rel， NLRP3， caspase-1， GSDMD-NT， IL-1β， and IL-18 （P<0.01）， and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of nephrin， integrin α₃， and integrin β₁ （P<0.01） in podocytes. Compared with the MC group， the LP， TLBS-M， and TLBS-H groups showed improved ultrastructure of podocytes with increased protrusions， intact cell membranes， reduced organelles， and alleviated mitochondrial swelling， decreased TUNEL fluorescence-positive nuclei （P<0.01）， weakened fluorescence intensity of GSDMD-NT， down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of GPRC5B， NF-κB p50， NF-κB p52， NF-κB p65， Rel B， c-Rel， NLRP3， caspase-1， GSDMD-NT， IL-1β， and IL-18 （P<0.01）， and up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of nephrin， integrin α₃， and integrin β₁ （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Moreover， the changes above were the most obvious in the TLBS-H group. ConclusionThe TLBS-containing serum can regulate the GPRC5B/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway to inhibit pyroptosis， thereby ameliorating the podocyte injury induced by LPS.

Objective To compare the mid- and long-term clinical results of mitral valve plasty (MVP) and mitral valve replacement (MVR) in the treatment of functional mitral regurgitation (FMR). Methods Patients with FMR who underwent surgical treatment in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command from 2012 to 2021 were collected. The patients who underwent MVP were divided into a MVP group, and those who underwent MVR into a MVR group. The clinical data and mid-term follow-up efficacy of two groups were compared. Results Finally 236 patients were included. There were 100 patients in the MVP group, including 53 males and 47 females, with an average age of (61.80±8.03) years. There were 136 patients in the MVR group, including 72 males and 64 females, with an average age of (61.29±8.97) years. There was no statistical difference in baseline data between the two groups (P＞0.05). There was no statistical difference between the two groups in the extracorporeal circulation time, aortic occlusion time, postoperative hospital and ICU stay, intraoperative blood loss, or hospitalization death (P＞0.05), but the time of mechanical ventilation in the MVP group was significantly shorter than that in the MVR group (P=0.022). The total follow-up rate was 100.0%, the longest follow-up was 10 years, and the average follow-up time was (3.60±2.55) years. There were statistical differences in the left atrial diameter, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular end-systolic diameter and cardiac function between the two groups compared with those before surgery (P<0.05). The postoperative left ventricular ejection fraction in the MVP group was statistically higher than that before surgery (P=0.002), but there was no statistical difference in the MVR group before and after surgery (P=0.658). The left atrial diameter in the MVP group was reduced compared with the MVR group (P=0.026). The recurrence rate of mitral regurgitation in the MVP group was higher than that in the MVR group, and the difference was statistically significant (10.0% vs. 1.5%, P=0.003). There were 14 deaths in the MVP group and 19 in the MVR group. The cumulative survival rate (P=0.605) and cardiovascular events-free survival rate (P=0.875) were not statistically significant between the two groups by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Conclusion The safety, and mid- and long-term clinical efficacy of MVP in the treatment of FMR patients are better than MVR, and the left atrial and left ventricular diameters are statistically reduced, and cardiac function is statistically improved. However, the surgeon needs to be well aware of the indications for the MVP procedure to reduce the rate of mitral regurgitation recurrence.

Background::Hypothermia therapy has been suggested to attenuate myocardial necrosis; however, the clinical implementation as a valid therapeutic strategy has failed, and new approaches are needed to translate into clinical applications. This study aimed to assess the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of a novel selective intracoronary hypothermia (SICH) device in mitigating myocardial reperfusion injury.Methods::This study comprised two phases. The first phase of the SICH was performed in a normal porcine model for 30 minutes ( n = 5) to evaluate its feasibility. The second phase was conducted in a porcine myocardial infarction (MI) model of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion which was performed by balloon occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery for 60 minutes and maintained for 42 days. Pigs in the hypothermia group ( n = 8) received hypothermia intervention onset reperfusion for 30 minutes and controls ( n = 8) received no intervention. All animals were followed for 42 days. Cardiac magnetic resonance analysis (five and 42 days post-MI) and a series of biomarkers/histological studies were performed. Results::The average time to lower temperatures to a steady state was 4.8 ± 0.8 s. SICH had no impact on blood pressure or heart rate and was safely performed without complications by using a 3.9 F catheter. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α, C-reactive protein (CRP), and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were lower at 60 min post perfusion in pigs that underwent SICH as compared with the control group. On day 5 post MI/R, edema, intramyocardial hemorrhage, and microvascular obstruction were reduced in the hypothermia group. On day 42 post MI/R, the infarct size, IL-6, CRP, BNP, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 were reduced, and the ejection fraction was improved in pigs that underwent SICH.Conclusions::The SICH device safely and effectively reduced the infarct size and improved heart function in a pig model of MI/R. These beneficial effects indicate the clinical potential of SICH for treatment of myocardial reperfusion injury.

Aim To screen and study the effects of Tao Hong Si Wu decoction(THSWD)-mediated treat-ment on circular RNA(circRNA)expression profiles in rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO),and investigate the possible roles and molecular mecha-nisms of THSWD.Methods Next-generation RNA sequencing was conducted to identify circRNA expres-sion profiles in MCAO rats after treatment with THSWD and compared with the MCAO model group and control group.Bioinformatics analysis was performed to predict the potential target microRNAs and mRNAs.Gene On-tology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway analyses for the potential target mRNAs were applied to explore the potential roles of differentially expressed circRNAs.RT-qPCR was performed to verify circRNAs with significant differences in expression.Results We identified 87 significantly differentially expressed circRNAs between the MCAO group versus the control group,and 86 sig-nificantly differentially expressed circRNAs between the MCAO group versus the THSWD group.respective-ly.Among them,17 circRNAs induced by the MCAO model were reversed via treatment with THSWD.To demonstrate the roles of mRNAs targeted by DECs,the GO and KEGG databases were used.Further analysis revealed that five circRNAs may play important roles in the development of MCAO.Conclusions The com-prehensive expression profile of circRNAs in rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion after THSWD treat-ment is determined for the first time,suggesting that the therapeutic effect of THSWD on MCAO may be a-chieved by regulating the expression of circRNAs.

The leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor LILRB4(ILT3 or CD85k),a member of the immunosuppressive re-ceptor family,is expressed predominantly on the cell membranes of immune cells of myeloid origin,and exerts an immunosuppressive effect in immune regulation by activating either the autoinhibitory motif(ITIM)or by inhibiting Fc receptor activation motif(ITAM).In tumors,activation of LILRB4 receptor generates an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment that assists in tumor invasion and metastasis,and in inflammatory diseases,LILRB4 is expressed on a variety of cells,such as monocytes,macrophages,mast cells,etc.,and attenuates inflammatory responses.Currently,LILRB4 has become a therapeutic target for tumors and various inflammatory diseases,and anti-LILRB4 monoclonal antibodies against acute myeloid leukemia(AML)have entered clinical trials.This review dis-cusses LILRB4 in terms of its structural distribution,signaling,therapeutic targets,and new drug development.

Objective:To explore the changes in cardiac rehabilitation information needs of patients undergoing cryobaiioon ablation (CBA) for atrial fibrillation, analyze the influencing factors of different trajectory categories, so as to provide reference for rehabilitation guidance.Methods:From January 2022 to April 2023, convenience sampling was used to select patients who were planning to undergo CBA in the Cardiovascular Department at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University as participants. Patients were surveyed using the Information Needs in Cardiac Rehabilitation Scale at one day before surgery (T0), one month after surgery (T1), three months after surgery (T2), and six months after surgery (T3) .Results:A total of 257 questionnaires were distributed, and 218 valid questionnaires were collected. The total scores of the Information Needs in Cardiac Rehabilitation Scale for 218 patients at T0, T1, T2, and T3 were (187.86±35.28), (183.27±34.98), (174.03±34.01), and (167.35±33.96), respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the total scores of the Information Needs in Cardiac Rehabilitation Scale among 218 patients at different time points ( F=18.237, P<0.01). Four potential trajectory categories were fitted, namely the sustained medium high need group (40.83%, 89/218), the medium high need-decline group (36.70%, 80/218), the medium low need-improvement group (7.34%, 16/218), and the medium low need-decline group (15.14%, 33/218). Age, whether to merge underlying chronic diseases, place of residence, social support, and postoperative complications were potential trajectory factors affecting the cardiac rehabilitation information needs of atrial fibrillation patients ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:Medical and nursing staff should assess the development trajectory of patients' cardiac rehabilitation information needs as early as possible, emphasize the importance of cardiac rehabilitation, establish remote and controllable cardiac rehabilitation programs, encourage rural residents to participate in local community related cardiac rehabilitation activities, mobilize patients' social support resources, and improve their needs and compliance with cardiac rehabilitation.

In order to meet the market demand for the fast and accurate genetic detection of African swine fever virus(ASFV),a new method for EIS-qPCR detection was established with a rapid,high sensitivity,and pollution prevention.Primers and probes for a duplex qPCR were designed based on the conserved region of ASFV virus p72 gene and the endogenous internal standard(EIS)cytb gene sequence in pigs.An anti-contamination system was established with uracil DNA N-gly-cosylase enzyme in the reaction system.The results showed that the method can finish the rapid qPCR detection of ASFV within 30 min with a minimal detection limit of 4.12 copies/μL.Moreo-ver,the method only detected the ASFV p72 gene,and no amplifications of classical swine fever vi-rus(CSFV),pseudorabies virus(PRV),porcine parvo virus(PPV),porcine reproductive and re-spiratory syndrome virus(PRRSV)and porcine circovirus type 2(PCV2)were observed.Repeti-tive results showed a coefficient of variation below 2％.With strong anti-pollution capacity,the method can effectively eliminate false-positive amplification caused by low-dose aerosol pollution.Detection results of 146 clinical samples showed a 100％consistence with the results of the com-mercial ASFV detection kit.Compared with similar technologies,the EIS-qPCR established in this study was faster,sensitive,and suitable for the rapid diagnosis of ASFV infection in the early stage,which provided the tool for the monitoring and precise prevention and control of African swine fever.

Objective:To investigate the causal correlation between depression and stress urinary incontinence(SUI)using Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis.Methods:We searched the FinnGen Consortium database for genome-wide association studies(GWAS)on depression and obtained 23 424 case samples and 192 220 control samples,with the GWAS data on SUI provided by the UK Biobank,including 4 340 case samples and 458 670 control samples.We investigated the correlation between depression and SUI based on the depression data collected from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium(PGC).We employed inverse-variance weighting as the main method for the MR study,and performed sensitivity analysis to verify the accuracy and stability of the findings.Results:Analysis of the data from the UK Biobank and FinnGen Consortium showed that depression was significantly correlated with an increased risk of SUI(P=0.005),but not SUI with the risk of depression(P=0.927).And analysis of the PGC data verified the correlation of depression with the increased risk of SUI(P=0.043).Conclusion:Depression is associated with an increased risk of SUI,while SUI does not increase the risk of depression.

AIM To study the chemical constituents from salt-processed Citri Reticulatae Semen and their antioxidant activities.METHODS The 85% ethanol extract from salt-processed Citri Reticulatae Semen was isolated and purified by silica gel,D101 macroporous resins,MCI,ODS,Sephadex LH-20 and semi-prepative HPLC,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.Their antioxidant activities in vitro of the ethanol extract of Citri Reticulatae Semen,salt-processed Citri Reticulatae Semen and all the obtained compounds were evaluated by DPPH and ABTS+assay.RESULTS Sixteen compounds were isolated and identified as limonin(1),obacunone(2),nomilin(3),deacetyl nomilin(4),kaempferol(5),nobiletin(6),diosmetin(7),isosakuranetin(8),hesperetin(9),epicatechin(10),trans-p-menthane-1α,2β,8-triol(11),byakangelicin(12),vanillin(13),p-coumaric acid(14),4-[(1-ethoxy-2-hydroxy)ethyl]phenol(15),catechol(16).Compound 10 showed strong DPPH free radical scavenging activity,with an IC50 value of(0.015±0.001)μmol/mL,and strong ABTS+radical scavenging activity,with an IC50 value of(0.010±0.005)μmol/mL.CONCLUSION Compounds 8,11,15-16 are isolated from genus Citrus for the first time,5,12,14 are obtained from Citri Reticulatae Semen for the first time.Compound 10 shows obvious antioxidant activities.After salt roasting,the antioxidant activity of the ethanol extract of Citri Reticulatae Semen is enhanced.

AIM To study the chemical constituents from the leaves of Citrus reticulata Blanco and their anti-inflammatory activities.METHODS The 85%ethanol extract from the leaves of C.reticulata was isolated and purified by silica gel,D101 macroporous resin,MCI,ODS and Sephadex LH-20,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.The Griess method was used to determine their inhibitory activities on lipopolysaccharide-induced NO production in macrophages RAW 264.7 cells.The mice foot swelling inflammation model induced by carrageenan was established,and the levels of IL-1β,TNF-α were detected.RESULTS Twelve compounds were isolated and identified as nobiletin(1),tangeretin(2),5-demethylinoblitin(3),5,4'-dihydroxy-6,7,8,3'-tetramethoxy flavone(4),5-hydroxy-7,8,3',4'-trimethoxyflavanone(5),3,5,6,7,8,3',4'-heptamethoxyflavanone(6),hesperetin(7),5-hydroxy-6,7,3',4'-tetramethoxyphenone(8),β-balsam alcohol(9),stigmaster-5-en-3β-alcohol(10),p-hydroxybenzaldehyde(11),vanillin(12).Compounds 1,4,6,7,10 and 12 had strong inhibitory activites on NO release in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells,and the IC50 values were(25.21±2.10),(37.77±0.50),(38.19±1.58),(21.89±1.73),(43.81±1.18),(47.98±2.55),(41.23±1.11),(43.80±1.43)μmol/mL,respectively.Compounds 2-3 reduced IL-1β and TNF-α levels(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).CONCLUSION Compounds 6-7,9 are isolated from this plant for the first time.Compounds 1-4,8 exhibit strong in vitro anti-inflammatory activities,and compounds 2-3 exhibit significant in vivo anti-inflammatory activities.