This study aims to investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of polysaccharide extract PCP1 from Polygonatum cyrtonema in ameliorating cerebral ischemia-reperfusion(I/R) injury in rats through modulation of the Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3) signaling pathway. In vivo, SD rats were randomly divided into the sham group, model group, PCP1 group, nimodipine(NMDP) group, and TLR4 signaling inhibitor(TAK-242) group. A middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion(MCAO/R) model was established, and neurological deficit scores and infarct size were evaluated 24 hours after reperfusion. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) and Nissl staining were used to observe pathological changes in ischemic brain tissue. Transmission electron microscopy(TEM) assessed ultrastructural damage in cortical neurons. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to measure the levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-18(IL-18), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-10(IL-10), and nitric oxide(NO) in serum. Immunofluorescence was used to analyze the expression of TLR4 and NLRP3 proteins. In vitro, a BV2 microglial cell oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion(OGD/R) model was established, and cells were divided into the control, OGD/R, PCP1, TAK-242, and PCP1 + TLR4 activator lipopolysaccharide(LPS) groups. The CCK-8 assay evaluated BV2 cell viability, and ELISA determined NO release. Western blot was used to analyze the expression of TLR4, NLRP3, and downstream pathway-related proteins. The results indicated that, compared with the model group, PCP1 significantly reduced neurological deficit scores, infarct size, ischemic tissue pathology, cortical cell damage, and the levels of inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, TNF-α, and NO(P<0.01). It also elevated IL-10 levels(P<0.01) and decreased the expression of TLR4 and NLRP3 proteins(P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, in vitro results showed that, compared with the OGD/R group, PCP1 significantly improved BV2 cell viability(P<0.05, P<0.01), reduced cell NO levels induced by OGD/R(P<0.01), and inhibited the expression of TLR4-related inflammatory pathway proteins, including TLR4, myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88), tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6(TRAF6), phosphorylated nuclear factor-kappaB dimer RelA(p-p65)/nuclear factor-kappaB dimer RelA(p65), NLRP3, cleaved-caspase-1, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein(ASC), GSDMD-N, IL-1β, and IL-18(P<0.05, P<0.01). The protective effects of PCP1 were reversed by LPS stimulation. In conclusion, PCP1 ameliorates cerebral I/R injury by modulating the TLR4/NLRP3 signaling pathway, exerting anti-inflammatory and anti-pyroptotic effects.
Animals ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/genetics* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Reperfusion Injury/genetics* ; Male ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Polysaccharides/isolation & purification* ; Polygonatum/chemistry* ; Brain Ischemia/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Mice ; Humans

OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can result in fatigue and post-exertional malaise; however, whether severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection exacerbates lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) is unclear. This study investigated the association between prenatal SARS-CoV-2 infection and postpartum LUTS. METHODS: A multicenter, retrospective cohort study was conducted at two tertiary hospitals in China from November 1, 2022, to November 1, 2023. Participants were classified into infected and uninfected groups based on SARS-CoV-2 antigen results. LUTS prevalence and severity were assessed using self-reported symptoms and the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-Short Form (IIQ-7). Pelvic floor muscle activity was measured using electromyography following the Glazer protocol. Group comparisons were performed to evaluate the association of SARS-CoV-2 infection with LUTS and electromyography parameters, with stratified analyses conducted using SPSS version 26.0. RESULTS: Among 3,652 participants (681 infected, 2,971 uninfected), no significant differences in LUTS prevalence or IIQ-7 scores were observed. However, SARS-CoV-2 infection was an independent factor influencing the electromyographic activity of the pelvic floor muscles (mean tonic contraction amplitudes), regardless of delivery mode ( P = 0.001). CONCLUSION Prenatal SARS-CoV-2 infection was not significantly associated with an increased risk of postpartum LUTS but independently altered pelvic floor muscle electromyographic activity, suggesting potential neuromuscular effects.
Humans ; Female ; COVID-19/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Adult ; Pregnancy ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms/virology* ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/virology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Electromyography ; SARS-CoV-2/physiology* ; Pelvic Floor/physiopathology* ; Prevalence

BackgroundThe functional changes of the default mode network （DMN） are closely related to the onset of major depressive disorders. However， the relationship between the DMN subsystem （core subsystem， dorsomedial prefrontal cortex subsystem， medial temporal lobe subsystem） and symptoms of first-episode major depressive disorder remains unclear. ObjectiveTo investigate abnormal functional connectivity between DMN subsystems and the whole brain in first-episode major depressive disorder patients during the resting-state， and to analyse the correlations between these functional connectivity patterns and clinical symptoms， so as to reveal the potential neural mechanisms from the perspective of DMN subsystem. MethodsFrom September 2020 to September 2023， a total of 64 first-episode outpatients and inpatients meeting the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders， fourth edition （DSM-IV） were enrolled at the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Mental Health Center as the study group. During the same period， 54 healthy volunteers matched for age， gender， and years of education were recruited from the community as the control group. Both groups were assessed using the Hamilton Depression Scale-24 item （HAMD-24）. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance images （rs-fMRI） of the two groups were acquired using a Siemens 3.0 T scanner， and differences in functional connectivity between DMN subsystems （core subsystem， dorsomedial prefrontal cortex subsystem， medial temporal lobe subsystem） and the whole brain were compared. The functional connectivity values of brain regions with statistically significant differences between the two groups were extracted. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient analysis was used to investigate the correlation between these functional connectivity values and HAMD-24 scores of the study group. ResultsUltimately， 46 patients and 43 controls completed the study. Compared with the control group， the study group exhibited significantly stronger functional connectivity in the following pathways： between the right superior parietal lobule （core subsystem） and right cerebellar lobule VIII （t=3.954， P<0.05， GRF-corrected）， between the right lateral temporal cortex （dorsomedial prefrontal cortex subsystem） and right cerebellar lobule VIII， right and left hippocampi， right medial， and paracingulate gyrus （t=4.595， 4.208， 5.200， 4.038， P<0.05， GRF-corrected）， and between the temporoparietal junction （dorsomedial prefrontal cortex subsystem） and left lingual gyrus and right cerebellar lobule VIII （t=3.557， 4.274， P<0.05， GRF-corrected）. Conversely， weaker functional connectivity was observed between the right inferior frontal gyrus and left gyrus rectus （t=-3.824， P<0.05， GRF-corrected）. Furthermore， within the study group， the functional connectivity values between the right lateral temporal cortex and right hippocampus， as well as between the temporoparietal junction and right cerebellar lobule VIII， were both negatively correlated with the HAMD-24 cognitive impairment factor score （r=-0.306， -0.318， P<0.05）. ConclusionIncreased functional connectivity between the DMN （specifically its core and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex subsystems） and cerebellum， partial limbic system， and lingual gyrus may be associated with the neuropathology of first-episode major depressive disorder. Furthermore， alterations in functional connectivity between the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex subsystem and both the cerebellum and hippocampus in these patients may be related to cognitive function. ［Funded by 2019 Annual Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Natural Science Foundation Project （number， 2019MS03038）； 2023 Annual Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Natural Science Foundation Project （number， 2023MS08028）］

Liver ischemia-reperfusion injury (LIRI) is a pathological process involving multiple injury factors and cell types, with different stages. Currently, protective drugs targeting a single condition are limited in efficacy, and interventions on immune cells will also be accompanied by a series of side effects. In the current bottleneck research stage, the multi-target and obvious clinical efficacy of Chinese medicine (CM) is expected to become a breakthrough point in the research and development of new drugs. In this review, we summarize the roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) in various stages of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion and on various types of cells. Combined with the current research progress in reducing ROS/RNS with CM, new therapies and mechanisms for the treatment of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion are discussed.
Reperfusion Injury/drug therapy* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Reactive Nitrogen Species/metabolism* ; Humans ; Liver/drug effects* ; Animals ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

ObjectiveTo understand the surveillance of influenza-like illness (ILI) and influenza vaccination status in Jing’an District, Shanghai, and to provide a basis for optimizing influenza prevention and control strategies. MethodsThe sentinel surveillance data for ILI and virological surveillance data of influenza viruses in Jing’an District were collected from the Chinese influenza surveillance information system, and data for influenza vaccination were collected from Shanghai immunization information system from September 2017 to August 2023. Epidemiological characteristics of ILI, influenza etiology, and the temporal and population distributions of influenza vaccination were analyzed using descriptive epidemiological methods. ResultsILI as a percentage of total visit surveillance units (ILI%) reported by sentinel hospital was increased in Jing’an District of Shanghai from September 2017 to August 2023 (F=18.841, P=0.012). The peak of the influenza cases mainly appeared in winter-spring, but there were two peaks in winter-spring and summer from September 2019 to August 2020, from September 2020 to August 2021, and from September 2021 to August 2022. In particular, there were two peaks in winter-spring from September 2022 to August 2023, with a rebound during the descending process. The average positive rate of ILI was 21.64% (2 421/11 189) during the 6 years. There was a peak in winter-spring during every year with the exception of the period from September 2020 to August 2021. The dominant strains were B/Yamagata and A/H1N1 in winter-spring from September 2017 to August 2018. The dominant strain was A/H1N1 in winter-spring from September 2018 to August 2019 and from September 2022 to August 2023. The dominant strain was B/Victoria in winter-spring from September 2019 to August 2020 and from September 2021 to August 2022. Different subtype strains occurred alternately, and the dominant strains were A/H1N1 and A/H3N2 in recent years. The influenza vaccination coverage was 2.94% from September 2017 to August 2023, and the vaccination coverage was highest in young children. The vaccination coverage for females was higher than that for males (χ²=546.963, P<0.001), and the vaccination coverage for registered residents was higher compared to that for migrants (χ²=123.141, P<0.001). ConclusionILI% exhibits an upward trend in Jing’an District of Shanghai, and the dominant strain is A subtype. The influenza vaccination coverage is still low, which is insufficient to have an impact on the spread of influenza. It is recommended that the surveillance of ILI and variations of influenza virus strains should be improved continuously, and effective steps should be taken to promote influenza vaccination.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the therapeutic mechanisms of electroacupuncture at"Tianshu"(ST25)and"Sanyinjiao"(SP6)acupoints combined with metformin in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)using serum non-targeted metabolomics.METHODS Male SD rats were randomly divided into blank group,model group,metformin group,electroacupunc-ture group,and acupuncture-medicine combination(electroacupuncture combined with metformin)group.A type 2 diabetes model was established by high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin.The metformin group was treated with 250 mg·kg-1 metformin by gavage,the electroacupuncture group was treated with bilateral Tianshu and Sanyinjiao,the acupuncture-medicine combination group was treated with metformin by gavage combined with electroacupuncture,and the blank group and model group were treated with normal saline by gavage.All rats were treated 6 times a week for 7 weeks.After the intervention,the blood glucose level in the tail vein of the rats was measured using a blood glucose meter in the fasting state.The blood glucose levels of the rats were measured at 30,60,120,and 240 min after intraperitoneal injection of 50%glucose solution(4 mL·kg-1)to evaluate glu-cose tolerance.The serum insulin level of the rats was detected by ELISA and the insulin resistance index was calculated.The blood biochemical parameters were measured by an automatic blood biochemical analyzer.HE staining was used to evaluate the pathological conditions of the liver and pancreatic tissues of the rats.Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS)technology was used for mass spectrometry detection to identify differential metabolites,and MetaboAnalyst 5.0 was used for pathway enrichment analysis.RESULTS Compared with the blank group,the fasting blood glucose,area under the glucose tolerance curve,and insulin resistance index of the model group rats were significantly increased(P<0.001),blood TP and GLB were significantly de-creased(P<0.01),AST,ALT,and ALP were significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.001),and obvious inflammatory cell infiltration and pathological damage were observed in the liver and pancreas tissues;compared with the model group,the fasting blood glucose,area under the glucose tolerance curve,and insulin resistance index of the acupuncture-medicine combination group were sig-nificantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.001),blood ALP was significantly decreased(P<0.01),TP and GLB were significant-ly increased(P<0.05),and the pathological damage of the liver and pancreas was significantly improved.Serum metabolomics showed that the metabolic profiles of the groups were well distinguished.Compared with the blank group,the differential metabolites in the model group were enriched in histidine metabolism,thiamine metabolism,taurine and hypotaurine metabolism,ascorbic acid and alde-hyde ester metabolism,valine,leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis pathways;compared with the model group,237 metabolites such as 3-aminoadipic acid,3-oxocyclobutanecarboxylic acid and phosphorylcholine in the acupuncture-medicine combination group were sig-nificantly reduced,and the pathways were enriched in histidine metabolism,linoleic acid metabolism,thiamine metabolism,taurine and hypotaurine metabolism,valine,leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis pathways.CONCLUSION Electroacupuncture combined with metformin can effectively improve the glucose and lipid metabolism of T2DM rats,and its potential mechanism may be related to the regulation of amino acid metabolism.

Objective:To explore the feasibility of the new auxiliary analysis software in chromosomal aberration analysis of radiation workers during occupational health examinations.Methods:Health examination data of 2 469 radiation workers in Henan province were collected. Manual analysis of chromosomal aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes was conducted using the new auxiliary software and the Ikaros software. Then, the chromosomal aberrations detected using both software tools were compared.Results:The new auxiliary software yielded a lower chromosomal aberration rate among radiation workers compared with the Ikaros software [(0.314 ± 0.014)% vs. (0.391 ± 0.022)%, χ2 = 9.24, P = 0.002]. Notably, the new auxiliary software yielded a significantly lower rate of acentric fragments (ace) [(0.136 ± 0.009)% vs. (0.209 ± 0.020)%, χ2= 17.76, P < 0.001]. However, no statistically significant differences were observed between the result of the two software tools in the rates of dicentrics plus rings (dic + r) and translocations ( P > 0.05). According to the GBZ/T 248-2014 standard, the differences in abnormality rates of chromosomal aberrations between the two groups had no statistically significance ( P > 0.05), with both groups showing an abnormality rate of 0 for ace. Furthermore, the new auxiliary software could double the detection efficiency. Among pre-service radiation workers of various occupations, the differences in the chromosomal aberrations detected using the two software tools exhibited statistical significance ( χ2 = 10.26, P = 0.001). In contrast, the differences in the chromosomal aberrations among in-service and post-service radiation workers had no statistically different significance ( P>0.05). The Poisson regression analysis result demonstrated that the rate of chromosomal aberrations excluding ace was affected by age ( z = 2.73, P = 0.006), while gender, analysis method, service status, and occupation had no impact. Conclusions:The two software tools yielded largely consistent result in detecting chromosomal aberrations induced by exposure to ionizing radiation. Notably, the new auxiliary software can significantly improve detection efficiency, indicating the feasibility of applying it to chromosomal aberration analysis among radiation workers.

Paraplegia caused by spinal cord injury is a serious neurological complication, for which surgery is currently the main treatment method. Due to different surgical approaches, patients are usually expected to maintain a passive prone position for a long time or switch between the supine and prone positions. Affected by multiple factors such as neurogenic sensory disorders, pathological changes in muscle tone and operative duration, the risk of intraoperative acquired pressure injury (IAPI) is significantly increased. Current clinical prevention strategies for IAPI in these patients predominantly focus on localized pressure relief during positioning, lacking systematic, standardized comprehensive prevention protocols or evidence-based guidelines. To address it, Department of Nursing, Orthopedics Branch, China International Exchange and Promotive Association for Medical and Health Care, Spinal Trauma Professional Committee, Orthopedics Branch, Chinese Medical Doctor Association, Nursing Group of Spine and Spinal Cord Professional Committee of Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine organized experts in relevant fields to formulate Guideline for the prevention of intraoperative acquired pressure injury in paraplegic patients with spinal cord injury ( version 2025), based on evidence-based medical evidence and latest research results and clinical practice at home and abroad. Eleven recommendations were put forward from the aspects of preoperative risk assessment, intraoperative prevention strategies, postoperative handover and monitoring, and supportive mechanisms for IAPI prevention, aiming to standardize the prevention measures and management strategies of IAPI in paraplegic patients with spinal cord injury and accelerate the recovery of patients and improve the therapeutic effect.

Aim To study the correlation between es-trogen metabolism function of intestinal flora and liver fibrosis disease phenotype and differential intestinal bacteria by fecal microbiota transplantation(FMT).Methods C57BL/6J male mice were divided into normal group(Control-M),liver fibrosis Model group(Model),FMT-1 group(normal mice fecal microbiota transplantation from liver fibrosis mice),and FMT-2 group(liver fibrosis mice fecal microbiota transplanta-tion from female mice).The model group was induced by high fat and high glucose combined with low dose of CCl4 for 16 weeks.In the FMT group,the bacteria were destroyed by mixed antibacterial solution and then the corresponding fecal microbiota solution was given.The model group was established in the FMT-2 group and the model group at the same time.Liver function(ALT,AST)was detected by biochemical methods;liver inflammation(IL-1α,IL-6)was detected by ELISA;liver pathology was detected by HE and Mas-son methods;the expressions of α-SMA,collagen Ⅰ,estrogen receptor ERα,ERβ and GPER were detected by Western blot;estrogen metabolic enzymes β-glucu-ronidase and β-glucosidase in intestinal flora were de-tected by double antibody sandwich assay;gut microbi-ota was detected by 16S rDNA method;the correlation between estrogen metabolic enzymes,estrogen receptors and disease phenotypes and disease-related differential bacteria was analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis.Results Liver function,inflammation and fibrosis in-dices were significantly higher in the model group than those in the control-M group and significantly lower in the FMT-2 group than in the model group;estrogen metabolic enzymes of the intestinal flora significantly increased in the model group compared to the control-M group and significantly decreased in the FMT-2 group compared to the model group;the model group showed a significant increase in ERβ and GPER and a significant decrease in ERα compared to the control-M group,while the FMT-2 group showed a significant de-crease in ERβ and GPER and a significant increase in ERα compared to the model group;the FMT-2 group increased the enterobacterial abundance and diversity reduced by modelling;estrogen metabolic enzymes,es-trogen receptor ERβ and GPER were all positively cor-related with the disease phenotype,while the opposite was true for ERα;estrogen metabolic enzymes were positively correlated with Allobaculum,Ruminococcus and Alistipes,and negatively correlated with Akkerman-sia,Lactobacillus and Prevotella.Conclusions Fecal microbiota transplantation in female mice can alleviate liver fibrosis in male mice,which is related to the im-provement of estrogen metabolism of intestinal flora.