OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanisms of Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWD) modulating the gut microbiome and trimethylamine oxide (TAMO) to exert cardioprotective effects. METHODS: Ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery was performed in rats to induce heart failure (HF). Except for the sham-operation group (n=10), 36 operation-induced models were randomized into 3 groups using a random number table (n=12 in each group): the model group, the BYHWD group (15.02 g/kg BYHWD), and the positive group (4.99 g/kg metoprolol succinate). After 4-week treatment (once daily by gavage), echocardiography was applied to evaluate the cardiac function and the Tei index (the ratio of ventricular isovolumic contraction time (IVCT) and isovolumic diastolic time (IVRT) to ejection time (ET)) was calculated; hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was observed to characterize the pathology of the myocardium and small intestinal villi. D-lactic acid was detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Expressions of occludin, claudin-1, and zonula occludens (ZO-1) were detected by Western blot. 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (16S rRNA) sequencing was used to explore the changes in the intestinal flora. TMAO was detected via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). RESULTS: In the echocardiography, the Tei index was considerably lower in the positive and BYHWD groups compared with the model group (P<0.05). Besides, BYHWD improved the pathology of myocardium and small intestine of HF rats and lowered the D-lactic acid content in the serum, when compared with the model group (P<0.05). BYHWD also improved the expression of occludin and claudin-1 (P<0.05); in the gut microbiota analysis, BYHWD slowed down modifications in the structure distribution of gut microbiota and regulated the diversity of intestinal flora in HF rats. The content of TMAO in the serum was significantly lowered by BYWHT compared with the model group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION BYHWD may delay progression of HF by enhancing the intestinal barrier structure, and regulating intestinal flora and TAMO.
Rats ; Animals ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Claudin-1 ; Occludin ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Heart Failure

Objective To analyze the correlation between uric acid and coronary atherosclerotic heart disease in adults. Methods A total of 186 patients with hyperuricemia from January 2020 to October 2021 were selected as the observation group and 186 subjects with normal blood uric acid were selected as the control group . The levels of uric acid, hs-CRP, MCP-1, IL-6, RANTES and adropin protein were measured . The SYNTAX score was used to assess the risk of coronary heart disease and the incidence rate of coronary heart disease was recorded. The correlation between uric acid and inflammatory indexes was analyzed by linear regression model . The relationship between serum uric acid level and coronary atherosclerotic heart was tested by spearman correlation test. Results The levels of hs-CRP, MCP-1, IL-6, RANTES and adropin protein in the observation group were higher than the control group significantly (P<0.05) . The syntax score of the observation group was higher than the control group significantly (P<0.05) .The incidence rate of coronary heart disease in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The level of uric acid was significantly positively correlated with hs-CRP, MCP-1, IL-6, RANTES and adropin . There was positive correlation between serum uric acid and syntax score and the incidence of coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (P<0.05). Conclusion The increase of uric acid level can predict coronary atherosclerotic heart disease. Patients with hyperuricemia should actively carry out uric acid lowering treatment to prevent the risk of coronary atherosclerotic heart disease.

Objective To understand the distribution and changes in antimicrobial resistance of clinically isolated Pseudomonas aeruginosa(P.aeruginosa)in the member hospitals of Hunan Provincial Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System from 2012 to 2021.Methods Antimicrobial susceptibility testing by disk diffusion or automa-ted instrument was performed on clinical isolates.Testing results were determined according to the standards of 2022 edition from American Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI).Statistical analysis was performed by WHONET 5.6 software.Data were analyzed by trend test(Cochran-armitage)and Chi-square test with SPSS.Results A total of 176 441 strains of P.aeruginosa were surveilled by Hunan Provincial Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System from 2012 to 2021.99.4％of the strains were isolated from hospitalized patients,and about 70％of the strains were isolated from respiratory specimens.8.4％of P.aeruginosa were from children(0-17 years old),91.6％were from adults.Antimicrobial susceptibility testing results showed that P.aeruginosa was most sensitive to polymyxin B over 10 years,with a resis-tance rate of less than 6％.Resistance rates to piperacil-lin,piperacillin/tazobactam,ceftazidime,cefepime,aztreonam,imipenem,amikacin,gentamicin,tobramycin,cip-rofloxacin,levofloxacin,and polymyxin B all showed downward trends.A total of 29 920 carbapenem-resistant P.aeruginosa(CRPA)strains were detected.The average isolation rate of CRPA in this province was 18.0％over 10 years.CRPA detection rate from adult was 18.5％,higher than that from children(12.3％),and both showing downward trends.Conclusion The resistance rate of clinically isolated P.aeruginosa in Hunan Province to most commonly used antimicrobial agents is decreasing.

As the incidence of diabetes mellitus is rapidly increasing worldwide,that of related complications,such as diabetic kidney disease(DKD),also increases,conferring a heavy economic burden on the patients,families,society,and government.Diabetes mellitus complicated with chronic kidney disease(CKD)includes DKD and the CKD caused by other reasons.Because of the insufficient knowledge about CKD,the assessment of diabetes mellitus complicated with CKD remains to be improved.The therapies for diabetes mellitus complicated with CKD focus on reducing the risk factors.In clinical practice,DKD may not be the CKD caused by diabetes.According to clinical criteria,some non-diabetic kidney disease may be misdiagnosed as DKD and not be treated accurately.This review summarizes the status quo and research progress in the assessment,diagnosis,and treatment of diabetes mellitus complicated with CKD and predicts the directions of future research in this field.
Humans ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications* ; Diabetic Nephropathies/etiology* ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/therapy* ; Risk Factors ; Diabetes Mellitus/therapy*

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is the leading cause of death among urban and rural residents in China, and elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a risk factor for ASCVD. Considering the increasing burden of ASCVD, lipid management is of the utmost importance. In recent years, research on blood lipids has made breakthroughs around the world, hence a revision of China guidelines for lipid management is imperative, especially since the target lipid levels in the general population vary in respect to the risk of ASCVD. The level of LDL-C, which can be regarded as appropriate in a population without frisk factors, can be considered abnormal in people at high risk of developing ASCVD. As a result, the "Guidelines for the prevention and treatment of dyslipidemia" were adapted into the "China Guidelines for Lipid Management" (henceforth referred to as the new guidelines) by an Experts' committee after careful deliberation. The new guidelines still recommend LDL-C as the primary target for lipid control, with CVD risk stratification to determine its target value. These guidelines recommend that moderate intensity statin therapy in adjunct with a heart-healthy lifestyle, be used as an initial line of treatment, followed by cholesterol absorption inhibitors or/and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors, as necessary. The new guidelines provide guidance for lipid management across various age groups, from children to the elderly. The aim of these guidelines is to comprehensively improve the management of lipids and promote the prevention and treatment of ASCVD by guiding clinical practice.

Dens invaginatus (DI) is a developmental anomaly as a result of a deepening or invagination of the enamel organ into the dental papilla during tooth development. In addition, DI is a malformation with varying anatomical features, which poses numerous challenges to treatment. Endodontic treatment of dens in dente is one of the most complica-ted cases of DI. Herein, an immature lateral incisor that employed regenerative endodontic treatment was presented. The mentioned tooth was diagnosed with DI, pulp necrosis, and chronic apical periodontitis. Hence, a favorable prognosis has been shown by a 2-year review with cone beam computed tomography. The tooth was functional with normal periodontal parameters and exhibited a normal response to the electric pulp sensibility test. Thus, regenerative endodontic treatment can also be recommended to endodontists for teeth with DI.
Humans ; Regenerative Endodontics ; Incisor/diagnostic imaging* ; Dens in Dente ; Dental Pulp Necrosis/therapy* ; Odontogenesis

Objective: To analyze the prevalence of dry and wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in patients with diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia, and to analyze the risk factors for AMD. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional epidemiologic study was conducted involving 14,440 individuals. We assessed the prevalence of dry and wet AMD in diabetic and non-diabetic subjects and analyzed the risk factors for AMD. Results: The prevalence of wet AMD in diabetic and non-diabetic patients was 0.3% and 0.5%, respectively, and the prevalence of dry AMD was 17% and 16.4%, respectively. The prevalence of wet AMD in healthy, hypertensive, hyperlipidemic, and hypertensive/hyperlipidemic populations was 0.5%, 0.3%, 0.2%, and 0.7%, respectively. The prevalence of dry AMD in healthy, hypertensive, hyperlipidemic, and hypertensive/hyperlipidemic populations was 16.6%, 16.2%, 15.2%, and 17.2%, respectively. Age, sex, body mass index, and use of hypoglycemic drugs or lowering blood pressure drugs were corrected in the risk factor analysis of AMD. Diabetes, diabetes/hypertension, diabetes/hyperlipidemia, and diabetes/hypertension/hyperlipidemia were analyzed. None of the factors analyzed in the current study increased the risk for the onset of AMD. Conclusion There was no significant difference in the prevalence of wet and dry AMD among diabetic and non-diabetic subjects. Similarly, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of wet and dry AMD among subjects with hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Diabetes co-existing with hypertension and hyperlipidemia were not shown to be risk factors for the onset of dry AMD.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiology* ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias/epidemiology* ; Hypertension/epidemiology* ; Macular Degeneration/etiology* ; Risk Factors

Objective: We evaluated the safety and efficacy of lipoprotein apheresis (LA) in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) who can't reach low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C) target goals with the maximal tolerated dose of lipid-lowering agents. Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. Between February 2015 and November 2019, patients with FH who were admitted in Fuwai hospital and treated with LA were consecutively enrolled. Based on intensive lipid-lowering agents, these patients received LA by double filtration plasma pheresis (DFPP) method. The changes of lipid levels such as LDL-C and lipoprotein(a)[Lp(a)] were compared before and after LA treatment, and the changes of immunoglobulin (Ig) concentration and LA-related adverse effects were also discussed. Results: A total of 115 patients with FH were enrolled in this study, of which 8 cases were homozygous FH and 107 cases were heterozygous FH. The age was (43.9±12.2) years and there were 75 (65.2%) males, and 108 (93.8%) with coronary artery disease. For pre-and immediately after LA treatment, the LDL-C was (5.20±2.94) mmol/L vs. (1.83±1.08) mmol/L, Lp(a) concentration was 428.70(177.00, 829.50)mg/L vs. 148.90(75.90, 317.00) mg/L (P<0.001), with a decrease of 64.2% and 59.8% respectively. The levels of IgG and IgA measured 1 day after LA treatment were both in the normal range and IgM concentration was below the reference value, the reductions of which were 15.1%, 25.0% and 58.7% respectively (P<0.001). Six patients had mild symptoms of nausea, hypotension dyspnea and palpitation, the symptoms were relieved by symptomatic treatment. Conclusion: For patients with FH who do not achieve LDL-C target goal with the maximal tolerated lipid-lowering agents, especially those with elevated Lp(a) levels, LA, which can significantly further reduce LDL-C and Lp(a) levels, is an effective and safe option.
Adult ; Blood Component Removal/methods* ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II/therapy* ; Lipoprotein(a)/chemistry* ; Lipoproteins/chemistry* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

Objective: To construct and compare the dynamic prediction models of the risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in the elderly based on six different cognitive function scales. Methods: Based on longitudinal data from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative from 2005 to 2020, Mini-mental state examination (MMSE), functional activities questionnaire (FAQ), Alzheimer's disease assessment scale-cognitive (ADAS-Cog) 11, ADAS-Cog13, ADAS delayed word recall (ADASQ4), and Rey auditory verbal learning test (RAVLT)_immediate were used as longitudinal cognitive function evaluation indicators to assess the longitudinal changes in cognitive function. The joint model was used to analyze association between indicators variation trajectory and survival outcome MCI, and construct the risk prediction model of MCI in the elderly, the linear mixed model was constructed the longitudinal sub-model which described the evolution of a repeated measure over time, a proportional hazards model was constructed the survival sub-model, and the two sub-models were connected through the correlation parameter (α). The areas under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC) were used to evaluate the predictive efficacy of the model in the follow-up period of (t, t+Δt). The starting point t was selected at the 30^th, 42^nd, and 54^th month, and the Δt was selected as 15 and 21 months. Based on the prediction model, an example of the research object was selected for dynamic individual predictions of the risk of MCI. Results: Finally, 544 older adults (aged 60 years and above) with normal baseline cognitive status were included, of which 119 cases (21.9%) had MCI during the follow-up process were regarded as the case group, and 425 cases remained normal as the control group. The joint model suggests that the longitudinal trajectories of the six evaluation indicators are all related to the risk of MCI (P<0.001). The risk of MCI decreased by 32.3% (HR=0.677, 95%CI: 0.541-0.846) and 10.8% (HR=0.892, 95%CI: 0.865-0.919) for each one-point increase of MMSE and RAVLT_immediate longitudinal scores. The risk of MCI increased by 53.2% (HR=1.532, 95%CI: 1.393-1.686), 36.2% (HR=1.362, 95%CI: 1.268-1.462), 23.2% (HR=1.232, 95%CI: 1.181-1.285), and 85.1% (HR=1.851, 95%CI:1.629-2.104) for each one-point increase of FAQ, ADAS-Cog11, ADAS-Cog13, and ADASQ4 longitudinal scores. AUC results show that RAVLT_immediate (0.760 2) and ADASQ4 (0.755 8) have higher average prediction efficiency, followed by ADAS-Cog13 (0.743 7), ADAS-Cog11 (0.715 3), FAQ (0.700 8) and MMSE (0.629 5). ADASQ4 joint model was used to provide a dynamic individual prediction of the risk of MCI. The average probability of MCI after five years of follow-up and ten years of follow-up in the example individuals were 8% and 40%, respectively. Conclusions: The RAVLT_immediate and ADASQ4 scales, which are only for memory tests, have high accuracy in predicting the risk of MCI. Using the RAVLT_immediate and ADASQ4 scales as longitudinal cognitive function evaluation indicators to construct a joint model, the results can provide a basis for realizing MCI risk prediction for the elderly.
Aged ; Alzheimer Disease/psychology* ; Cognition ; Cognitive Dysfunction/epidemiology* ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Risk Factors

Aim To observe the effect of hirudin on pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis in rats with bleo-myc in-induced pulmonary fibrosis and the underlying mechanism.Methods Sixty male SD rats were ran¬domly divided into control group, model group, hirudin treatment group ( low,medium and high concentration) and prednisone group.The control group received en-dotracheal injection of saline, while the remaining five groups carried out endotracheal one-time injection of blemycin to establish rat pulmonary fibrosis model.From the second day after modeling, hirudin treatment groups were respectively administered different concen¬trations of hirudin subcutaneous injection, while control group was given saline, and prednisone was gavaged with 5 mg • kg~1 prednisone acetate, then all rats were sacrificed on day 28.Lung lesions were observed by HE and Masson staining.The relative expression levels of COL 1 and ot-SMA mRNA were detected by real¬time fluorescence quantitative PCR.The content of hydroxy proline ( HYP) in lung tissues was determined by kit.The expression levels of p38MAPK/NF-KB sig¬naling pathway related proteins in lung tissues were de¬tected by Western blot, and IL-6 and TNF-cx levels were detected by ELISA.Results Compared with model group, the inflammatory response and interstitial fibrosis of lung tissues were improved, the content of hvdroxvproline decreased, the expression of p-p38 MAPK,NF-kB p-p65and p~IkB protein decreased, and the concentration of TNF-cx and IL-6 decreased after hirudin intervention.Conclusions Hirudin can effec¬tively inhibit alveolar inflammation and reduce the de¬velopment of pulmonary fibrosis, which may be related to regulating p38 MAPK/NF-kB signaling pathway,re¬ducing the inflammatory response of lung tissues and reducing the deposition of extracellular matrix.