This study investigated the role of the nuclear factor of activated T cells c3 (NFATc3) in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) during aortic aneurysm and dissection (AAD) progression and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Cytoplasmic and nuclear NFATc3 levels were elevated in human and mouse AAD. VSMC-NFATc3 deletion reduced thoracic AAD (TAAD) and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) progression in mice, contrary to VSMC-NFATc3 overexpression. VSMC-NFATc3 deletion reduced extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and maintained the VSMC contractile phenotype. Nuclear NFATc3 targeted and transcriptionally upregulated matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and MMP2, promoting ECM degradation and AAD development. NFATc3 promoted VSMC phenotypic switching by binding to eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2) and inhibiting its phosphorylation in the VSMC cytoplasm. Restoring eEF2 reversed the beneficial effects in VSMC-specific NFATc3-knockout mice. Cabamiquine-targets eEF2 and inhibits protein synthesis-inhibited AAD development and progression in VSMC-NFATc3-overexpressing mice. VSMC-NFATc3 promoted VSMC switch and ECM degradation while exacerbating AAD development, making it a novel potential therapeutic target for preventing and treating AAD.

AIM: To analyze the distribution frequency of gene polymorphisms of β receptor blockers, angiotensin receptor antagonists, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, calcium antagonists, and diuretics in hypertensive patients from southern Anhui province, and provide a theoretical basis for gene detection of hypertension drugs and personalized medication. METHODS: Drug gene testing information from 839 hospitalized patients with hypertension at Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College from July 2021 to April 2023 were collected, and the distribution frequency of each gene locus were analyzed. RESULTS: The genotype frequencies of ACE (I/D) I/I, I/D, and D/D were 42.1%, 46.0%, and 11.9%, respectively. the genotype frequencies of ADRB1 (1165G>C) G/G, G/C, and C/C were 8.3%, 40.0%, and 51.6%, respectively. The genotype frequencies of AGTR1 (1166A>C) A/A, A/C, and C/C were 90.2%, 9.8%, and 0.0%. The genotype frequencies of CYP2C9*3 (1075A>C) *1/*1, *1/*3, and *3/*3 were 91.3%, 8.7%, and 0.0%, respectively; the genotype frequencies of CYP2D6* 10 (100C > T) *1/*1, *1/*10, and *10/*10 were 25.0%, 36.6%, and 38.4%, respectively. The genotype frequencies of CYP3A5*3 (6986A>G) *1/*1, *1/*3, and *3/*3 were 7.0%, 39.0%, and 54.0%, respectively. The frequencies of NPPA (2238T>C) T/T, T / C, and C / C genotypes were 97.9%, 2.1%, and 0.0%, respectively. In addition, there was a significant difference in the genotype distribution frequency of multiple drug related gene loci in southern Anhui compared to other regions in China (P< 0.05). CONCLUSION: The genotype distribution frequency of hypertensive drug related gene loci had certain bias in southern Anhui, and were significant different from other regions in China, indicating that conducting genetic polymorphism testing of hypertensive drugs had certain guiding significance for the individualized application of hypertensive drugs in southern Anhui.

Objective To establish female and male bovine collagen-induced arthritis(CIA)models and compare the effects of gender differences on joint and extra-articular manifestations of the CIA model.Methods The CIA model was induced by injection of bovine type Ⅱ collagen and Freund's complete adjuvant into female and male SD rats.The general condition,arthritis index,foot swelling,serum proinflammatory factors and plasminogen activator inhibitor levels,spleen index,knee and ankle joint pathologies,right rear paw bone destruction,and pulmonary interstitial lesions were evaluated.Results The arthritis index of female CIA rats was significantly higher than that of male CIA rats on day 21 after initial immunization(P＜0.05),but no significant difference was found in the degree of foot swelling between the two groups at any time point(P＞0.05).Serum tumor necrosis factor α,interleukin-1β,and the spleen index of female CIA rats were significantly higher than those of male CIA rats(P＜0.05,P＜0.001).No significant difference was found in plasminogen activator inhibitor levels(P＞0.05).The scores of inflammatory cell infiltration and synovial hyperplasia in the knee and ankle pathologies of female CIA rats were significantly higher than those of male CIA rats(P＜0.05),and cartilage damage of the knee joint and bone damage of the right rear paw of female CIA rats were significantly higher than that of male rats(P＜0.05).Both male and female CIA rats showed pulmonary interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration and mild fibrosis,but the pulmonary interstitial lesions in females were more severe than those in males.Conclusions Female and male CIA models established in SD rats have arthritis and pulmonary interstitial lesions,but the lesion degree in female CIA rats is more serious.When using CIA models for RA-related research,attention should be focused on the effect of gender differences.

Objective To explore the flow chart and key points of etiological differential diagnosis of character"卜"sign in fetal three-vessel and trachea(3VT)view.Methods A retrospective study was performed on ultrasound images of 37 fetuses,who had"卜"sign in 3VT view during fetal heart ultrasound scanning in The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from Aug.2020 to Oct.2023.The types of diseases with"卜"sign and the flow chart and key points of differential diagnosis were summarized.All cases were diagnosed by 2 experienced senior prenatal ultrasound doctors independently.Results The incidence of"卜"sign was 0.14％(37/27 019).Among the 37 fetuses with"卜"sign on 3VT view,13(35.14％)cases had complete transposition of great arteries(TGA),11(29.73％)had double outlet of right ventricle with abnormal relationship of great arteries(DORV/AA),7(18.92％)had truncus arteriosus(TA,van Praagh A1,A2 and A3),and 6(16.22％)had pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect(PA/VSD).During the process of differential diagnosis,the presence or absence of aorta and pulmonary arteries,the ventricle-artery connection relationship,and the blood supply to both lungs should be focused on,and the final diagnosis can be derived step by step according to the flow chart.The key points of differential diagnosis were as follows:the ventricle-artery connection was inconsistent in TGA;in DORV/AA both aorta and pulmonary artery were entirely or mostly from right ventricle without normal spiral relationship;in TA only a common artery trunk was detected,and main pulmonary artery or its branches were from the artery trunk;and in PANSD pulmonary artery was atresia and only aorta was detected,and the blood supply to both lungs was from ductus arteriosus and/or aortopulmonary collateral arteries.Conclusion The fetal differential diseases with"卜"sign in 3VT view include TGA,DORV/AA,TA(van Praagh A1,A2 and A3),and PA/VSD.Understanding the flow chart and key points of differential diagnosis can improve the prenatal detection rate and diagnosis of related malformations.

Objective To assess the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Beck Depression Inventory,Second Edition(BDI-Ⅱ-C)among Yi middle school students in Liangshan Prefecture.Methods A stratified cluster sampling method was used to select 466 Yi middle and high school students in Liangshan Prefecture to respond to the BDI-Ⅱ-C.The general demographic characteristics of the samples were described,and independent sample t-test,chi-square test,and reliability analysis were conducted to analyze the data.The sample was randomly divided into 2 halves for exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis.Results The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for BDI-Ⅱ-C was 0.925 for the sample of Yi middle school students in Liangshan Prefecture.The correlation coefficients between individual items ranged from 0.192 to 0.612,and those between individual items and total scores ranged from 0.492 to 0.761.Exploratory factor analysis found that the scale could be divided into three dimensions,including emotional symptoms,somatic symptoms,and negative symptoms.Confirmatory factor analysis results revealed that the various indicators of the three-factor model were x2/df=1.604,comparative fit index(CFI)=0.940,Tucker-Lewis index(TLI)=0.932,incremental fit index(IFI)=0.941,and root mean square error of approximation(RMSEA)=0.051.Conclusion BDI-Ⅱ-C exhibits good reliability and validity among Yi middle school students in Liangshan Prefecture,but the convergent validity of the structural validity is poor.

Objective:To assess the prognostic impact of frailty on elderly inpatients with heart failure.Methods:This prospective cohort study enrolled 121 in elderly patients with heart failure from Beijing Hospital, the General Hospital of the People's Liberation Army, and Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital between September 2018 and April 2019.Patients were assessed for frailty using the Fried frailty phenotype and categorized into frail and non-frail groups.Follow-ups were conducted at 3-, 6-, and 12-months post-enrollment through clinic visits or phone calls to record adverse events.Composite endpoints include all-cause mortality and rehospitalization duo to deterioration of heart failure.Results:The study included 121 patients with an average age of 78.0±7.4 years, of whom 71(58.7%)were male and 57(47.1%)were classified as frail.Compared to the non-frail group, the frail group had lower estimated glomerular filtration rates[49.5±20.7 ml/(min·1.73m 2) vs.(64.0±27.1)ml/(min·1.73m 2)], lower scores in Basic Activities of Daily Living[5.0(4.0, 6.0) vs.6.0(5.0, 6.0)], Instrumental Activities of Daily Living[2.0(1.3, 7.8) vs.7.0(5.0, 8.0)], and Mini-Mental State Examination[26.0(16.0, 28.0) vs.27.0(22.3, 29.0)], all P<0.05.They also experienced longer hospital stays[10.5(6.0, 18.8)days vs.8.0(6.0, 11.8)days, P=0.008].During the follow-up period, the incidence of composite endpoint events was significantly higher in the frail group(43.9% vs.25.0%, P=0.029).Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated that the one-year incidence of composite endpoint events was significantly higher in the frail group( P=0.013).Multivariable Cox regression analysisindicated that frailty was an independent risk factor for composite endpoint events( HR=2.201, 95% CI: 1.089-4.447, P=0.028). Conclusions:Frailty is an independent risk factor for poor outcomes in elderly hospitalized patients with heart failure and should be considered a crucial factor in clinical assessment and treatment strategies.

Objective::To assess the role of a nurse-assisted early warning intervention in improving prophylaxis against obstetric venous thromboembolism (VTE) and preventing VTE following cesarean delivery (CD).Methods::A prospective cohort study conducted between January 1, 2020, and December 30, 2022, enrolled pregnant women who underwent CD in the obstetric unit of Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital. The patients were assigned to a control group (routine nursing care) or the intervention group (nurse-assisted early warning intervention) depending on whether or not the nurse-assisted early warning intervention had been implemented. The χ2 test and Student’s t-test were used for statistical analysis. The primary outcome was the incidence of systemic VTE following CD, and secondary outcomes were the rates of mechanical or pharmacologic prophylaxis receipts for VTE and the frequency and severity of adverse events related to pharmacologic prophylaxis. Results::A total of 27,074 cases were enrolled. The incidence of symptomatic VTE following CD was significantly lower in the intervention group (0.29 per 1000 deliveries) than in the control group (2.4 per 1000 deliveries) ( P < 0.001). Significantly more cases received mechanical and pharmacological VTE prophylaxis in the intervention group than in the control group (respectively, 19.8% vs. 12.6% receiving mechanical prophylaxis and 0.9% vs. 0.2% receiving pharmacological prophylaxis). No cases of life-threatening bleeding occurred in either group. Conclusion::The application of nurse-assisted early warning intervention may be an effective method for preventing VTE following CD.

Objective::To assess the role of a nurse-assisted early warning intervention in improving prophylaxis against obstetric venous thromboembolism (VTE) and preventing VTE following cesarean delivery (CD).Methods::A prospective cohort study conducted between January 1, 2020, and December 30, 2022, enrolled pregnant women who underwent CD in the obstetric unit of Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital. The patients were assigned to a control group (routine nursing care) or the intervention group (nurse-assisted early warning intervention) depending on whether or not the nurse-assisted early warning intervention had been implemented. The χ2 test and Student’s t-test were used for statistical analysis. The primary outcome was the incidence of systemic VTE following CD, and secondary outcomes were the rates of mechanical or pharmacologic prophylaxis receipts for VTE and the frequency and severity of adverse events related to pharmacologic prophylaxis. Results::A total of 27,074 cases were enrolled. The incidence of symptomatic VTE following CD was significantly lower in the intervention group (0.29 per 1000 deliveries) than in the control group (2.4 per 1000 deliveries) ( P < 0.001). Significantly more cases received mechanical and pharmacological VTE prophylaxis in the intervention group than in the control group (respectively, 19.8% vs. 12.6% receiving mechanical prophylaxis and 0.9% vs. 0.2% receiving pharmacological prophylaxis). No cases of life-threatening bleeding occurred in either group. Conclusion::The application of nurse-assisted early warning intervention may be an effective method for preventing VTE following CD.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has played an important role in the prevention and treatment of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic in China. The integration of Chinese and Western medicine is an important feature of Chinese COVID-19 prevention and treatment. According to a series of evidence-based studies, TCM can reduce the infection rate of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in high-risk groups. For patients with mild and moderate forms of COVID-19, TCM can relieve the related signs and symptoms, shorten the period of nucleic-acid negative conversion, and reduce conversion rate to the severe form of the disease. For COVID-19 patients with severe and critical illnesses, TCM can improve inflammatory indicators and blood oxygen saturation, shorten the hospital stay, and reduce the mortality rate. During recovery, TCM can improve patients' symptoms, promote organ function recovery, boost the quality of patients' life, and reduce the nucleic-acid repositive conversion rate. A series of mechanism research studies revealed that capability of TCM to treat COVID-19 through antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects, immune regulation, and protection of organ function via a multicomponent, multitarget, and multipathway approach.
Humans ; COVID-19 ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Epidemics

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Xinfeng capsules on immunoinflammatory indicators in patients with rheumatoid arthritis （RA） due to spleen deficiency and dampness exuberance. MethodA total of 102 patients were randomly divided into control group and observation group according to the random number table method， with 51 cases in each group. All patients were treated with methotrexate tablets， while those in the observation group received additional Xinfeng capsules. The course of treatment in both groups was 12 weeks. The 28-joint disease activity score （DAS28）， visual analogue scale （VAS） scores， morning stiffness time， erythrocyte sedimentation rate （ESR）， high-sensitivity C-reactive protein （hs-CRP）， rheumatoid factor （RF）， anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide （anti-CCP） antibody， vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）， and serum amyloid A （SAA） of the two groups before and after treatment were compared. The efficacy and incidence of adverse events were compared between the two groups. The Apriori association rule model and random walk model were constructed to evaluate the effect of Xinfeng capsules in improving hs-CRP， ESR， RF， SAA， VEGF， and anti-CCP. ResultThere were no dropouts in this study. There was no statistical difference in the indicators between the two groups before treatment. After 12 weeks of treatment， the total effective rate in the observation group was 90.19% （46/51）， which was higher than 74.51% （38/51） in the control group （χ²＝4.320，P<0.05）. DAS28， VAS score， and morning stiffness time in the observation group were improved compared with those in the control group （P<0.05）. Apriori association rule model results showed that the application of Xinfeng capsules in the observation group had a strong correlation with the reduction of RF， ESR， hs-CRP， SAA， and VEGF. The results of the random walk model showed that the improvement coefficients of hs-CRP， ESR， RF， SAA， and VEGF in the observation group were all better than those of the control group， and the improvement coefficient of anti-CCP in the control group was better than that of the observation group. The improvement degree of hs-CRP， ESR， RF， SAA， and VEGF in the observation group was superior to that of the control group （P<0.05）. The incidence of adverse reactions in the observation group was lower than in the control group （χ²＝4.057，P<0.05）. ConclusionOn the basis of the treatment with methotrexate tablets， Xinfeng capsules can effectively improve the immunoinflammatory level in RA due to spleen deficiency and dampness exuberance and reduce the incidence of adverse reactions.