Background The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is a vast area with a wide array of ecological environments, resulting in considerable regional variations in air pollution characteristics. Current research is limited by a scarcity of systematic, region-wide studies and risk assessments. Objective To assess the health risks associated with inhalation exposure to nine heavy metal and metalloid elements in atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) for the population of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Methods From the 10th to the 16th of each month throughout 2023, atmospheric PM_2.5 samples were collected at designated monitoring sites in 12 leagues (cities) across the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to analyze the characteristics and trends in concentration. The health risk assessment model developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency was employed to evaluate both the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks associated with the heavy metal elements beryllium (Be), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), hydrargyrum (Hg), plumbum (Pb), manganese (Mn), and nickel (Ni) and the metalloid elements stibium (Sb) and arsenic (As). Results In 2023, a total of 1206 valid PM_2.5 samples were analyzed from the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The annual average PM_2.5 concentrations in Inner Mongolia, as well as in the cities of Ordos, Wuhai, and the Alxa League, all exceeded the national limit of 35 μg·m⁻³. The PM_2.5 concentrations across the leagues (cities) exhibited a clear seasonal variation, peaking in winter, followed by spring, and reaching a minimum in summer and autumn. The median PM_2.5 concentration in Ordos throughout the year was higher than that in the other leagues (cities) of the region. Concerning health risks, the non-carcinogenic risks associated with the 9 elements detected in each league (city) were all below 1, indicating acceptable levels. However, the non-carcinogenic risk values for Mn, Cr, and As were relatively high; specifically, Ordos City displayed the highest non-carcinogenic risk values for Mn (7.74×10⁻¹) and Cr (2.97×10⁻²), while Chifeng City recorded the highest value for As (2.34×10⁻³). The carcinogenic risk values for As, Cd, Cr, and Ni fell within the range of 1×10⁻⁹ to 1×10⁻⁵, representing an acceptable level. The health risks varied with age, and the elderly residents faced the highest non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks. Conclusion While the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks from heavy metals and metalloids within atmospheric PM_2.5 in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region are generally within acceptable limits, the potential risks that Mn, As, and Cr pose to the health of elderly people warrants particular attention, and Ordos and Chifeng cities exhibit notably higher health risks among other areas. It is recommended that regular, long-term monitoring be conducted, taking into account the specific conditions at monitoring sites across each league (city), and that targeted air quality management strategies be implemented to protect public health.

This study aims to investigate the mechanism by which resveratrol(RES) alleviates cerebral vascular endothelial damage in sepsis-associated encephalopathy(SAE) through network pharmacology and animal experiments. By using network pharmacology, the study identified common targets and genes associated with RES and SAE and constructed a protein-protein interaction( PPI) network. Gene Ontology(GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were performed to pinpoint key signaling pathways, followed by molecular docking validation. In the animal experiments, a cecum ligation and puncture(CLP) method was employed to induce SAE in mice. The mice were randomly assigned to the sham group, CLP group, and medium-dose and high-dose groups of RES. The sham group underwent open surgery without CLP, and the CLP group received an intraperitoneal injection of 0. 9% sodium chloride solution after surgery. The medium-dose and high-dose groups of RES were injected intraperitoneally with 40 mg·kg-1 and 60 mg·kg~(-1) of RES after modeling, respectively, and samples were collected 12 hours later. Neurological function scores were assessed, and the wet-dry weight ratio of brain tissue was detected. Serum superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase( CAT) activity, and malondialdehyde( MDA) content were measured by oxidative stress kit. Histopathological changes in brain tissue were examined using hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to evaluate tight cell junctions and mitochondrial ultrastructure changes in cerebral vascular endothelium. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the expression of zonula occludens1( ZO-1), occludin, claudins-5, optic atrophy 1( OPA1), mitofusin 2(Mfn2), dynamin-related protein 1(Drp1), fission 1(Fis1), and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α). Network pharmacology identified 76 intersecting targets for RES and SAE, with the top five core targets being EGFR, PTGS2, ESR1, HIF-1α, and APP. GO enrichment analysis showed that RES participated in the SAE mechanism through oxidative stress reaction. KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that RES participated in SAE therapy through HIF-1α, Rap1, and other signaling pathways. Molecular docking results showed favorable docking activity between RES and key targets such as HIF-1α. Animal experiment results demonstrated that compared to the sham group, the CLP group exhibited reduced nervous reflexes, decreased water content in brain tissue, as well as serum SOD and CAT activity, and increased MDA content. In addition, the CLP group exhibited disrupted tight junctions in cerebral vascular endothelium and abnormal mitochondrial morphology. The protein expression levels of Drp1, Fis1, and HIF-1α in brain tissue were increased, while those of ZO-1, occludin, claudin-5, Mfn2, and OPA1 were decreased. In contrast, the medium-dose and high-dose groups of RES showed improved neurological function, increased water content in brain tissue and SOD and CAT activity, and decreased MDA content. Cell morphology in brain tissue, tight junctions between endothelial cells, and mitochondrial structure were improved. The protein expressions of Drp1, Fis1, and HIF-1α were decreased, while those of ZO-1, occludin, claudin-5, Mfn2, and OPA1 were increased. This study suggested that RES could ameliorate cerebrovascular endothelial barrier function and maintain mitochondrial homeostasis by inhibiting oxidative stress after SAE damage, potentially through modulation of the HIF-1α signaling pathway.
Animals ; Mice ; Network Pharmacology ; Resveratrol/administration & dosage* ; Male ; Sepsis-Associated Encephalopathy/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/genetics* ; Endothelium, Vascular/metabolism* ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Protein Interaction Maps/drug effects* ; Humans ; Sepsis/complications* ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects*

This study aims to explore the protective effect of Chaihu Jia Longgu Muli Decoction on rats with heart failure after myocardial infarction, and to clarify its possible mechanisms, providing a new basis for basic research on the mechanism of classic Chinese medicinal formula-mediated inflammatory response in preventing and treating heart failure induced by apoptosis after myocardial infarction. A heart failure model after myocardial infarction was established in rats by coronary artery ligation. The rats were divided into sham group, model group, and low, medium, and high-dose groups of Chaihu Jia Longgu Muli Decoction, with 10 rats in each group. The low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups of Chaihu Jia Longgu Muli Decoction were given 6.3, 12.6, and 25.2 g·kg~(-1) doses by gavage, respectively. The sham group and model group were given an equal volume of distilled water by gavage once daily for four consecutive weeks. Cardiac function was assessed using color Doppler echocardiography. Myocardial pathology was detected by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, apoptosis was measured by TUNEL assay, and mitophagy was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin(IL)-1β, and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP) in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The expression of apoptosis-related proteins B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax), and cleaved caspase-3 was detected by Western blot. Additionally, the expression of phosphorylated nuclear transcription factor-κB(NF-κB) p65(p-NF-κB p65)(upstream) and nuclear factor kappa B inhibitor alpha(IκBα)(downstream) in the NF-κB signaling pathway was assessed by Western blot. The results showed that compared with the sham group, left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) and left ventricular short axis shortening(LVFS) in the model group were significantly reduced, while left ventricular end diastolic diameter(LVEDD) and left ventricular end systolic diameter(LVESD) increased significantly. Myocardial tissue damage was severe, with widened intercellular spaces and disorganized cell arrangement. The apoptosis rate was increased, and mitochondria were enlarged with increased vacuoles. Levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and NT-proBNP were elevated, indicating an obvious inflammatory response. The expression of pro-apoptotic factors Bax and cleaved caspase-3 increased, while the anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 decreased. The expression of p-NF-κB p65 was upregulated, and the expression of IκBα was downregulated. In contrast, the Chaihu Jia Longgu Muli Decoction groups showed significantly improved of LVEF, LVFS and decreased LVEDD, LVESD compared to the model group. Myocardial tissue damage was alleviated, and intercellular spaces were reduced. The apoptosis rate decreased, mitochondrial volume decreased, and the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and NT-proBNP were lower. The expression of pro-apoptotic factors Bax and cleaved caspase-3 decreased, while the expression of the anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 increased. Additionally, the expression of p-NF-κB p65 decreased, while IκBα expression increased. In summary, this experimental study shows that Chaihu Jia Longgu Muli Decoction can reduce the inflammatory response and apoptosis rate in rats with heart failure after myocardial infarction, which may be related to the regulation of the IκBα/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Animals ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Rats ; Myocardial Infarction/physiopathology* ; Male ; NF-kappa B/genetics* ; Heart Failure/etiology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha/genetics* ; Humans ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics*

Extensive epigenetic reprogramming involves in memory CD8+ T-cell differentiation. The elaborate epigenetic rewiring underlying the heterogeneous functional states of CD8+ T cells remains hidden. Here, we profile single-cell chromatin accessibility and map enhancer-promoter interactomes to characterize the differentiation trajectory of memory CD8+ T cells. We reveal that under distinct epigenetic regulations, the early activated CD8+ T cells divergently originated for short-lived effector and memory precursor effector cells. We also uncover a defined epigenetic rewiring leading to the conversion from effector memory to central memory cells during memory formation. Additionally, we illustrate chromatin regulatory mechanisms underlying long-lasting versus transient transcription regulation during memory differentiation. Finally, we confirm the essential roles of Sox4 and Nrf2 in developing memory precursor effector and effector memory cells, respectively, and validate cell state-specific enhancers in regulating Il7r using CRISPR-Cas9. Our data pave the way for understanding the mechanism underlying epigenetic memory formation in CD8+ T-cell differentiation.
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism* ; Cell Differentiation ; Chromatin/immunology* ; Animals ; Mice ; Immunologic Memory ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; SOXC Transcription Factors/immunology* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/immunology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Gene Regulatory Networks ; Enhancer Elements, Genetic

Objective Based on the theory of"lung governs the skin and hair"in"Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic",this paper analyzes the medication rules of whitening and freckle-removing.The aim of this study is to provide reference for the clinical practice of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)theory and the medication in TCM cosmetics.Methods"Chinese Medical Classics"was used to search the records of whitening and freckle-related drugs.The frequency,nature,flavor,meridian tropism and compatibility laws of TCM for whitening and freckle-removal were analyzed by statistics and association rules.The network pharmacology research was used to analyze the whitening and freckle-removing effects and mechanisms of high-frequency drugs.Then,the potential active ingredients were analyzed.The whitening and anti-freckle effect was verified through cytotoxicity experiments and melanin content detection.Results A total of 171 external prescriptions were selected in eligible articles,including 261 Chinese medicinals,most of which were pungent and belong to the lung meridian.The most frequently used Chinese medicinals was"Erbai Yixin"(EBYX,Angelicae Dahuricae Radix,Typhonii Rhizoma,Asari Radix et Rhizoma).Network pharmacological analysis showed that the core targets of EBYX for whitening and removing freckles are TP53,EGFR,ALB,etc.,which are mainly involved in oxygen perception and response,skin immune regulation,skin cell growth,differentiation,stress,inflammatory response,and other biological processes.Based on the results of molecular docking,biological analysis proved that the active ingredients of EBYX are chrysophanol,gallic acid and caffeic acid,which have inhibitory effects on the proliferation of melanoma cells and melanin production.Conclusion Most of the ancient prescriptions for whitening and removing freckles are pungent and belong to the lung meridian,which embodies the theory of"lung governs the skin and hair".The high-frequency drug EBYX may play a role by regulating skin redox,immunity and inflammation.The active ingredients of EBYX have an inhibitory effect on melanin formation.This study enriches the scientific connotation of TCM whitening and freckle-removing prescriptions based on the theory of"lung governs the skin and hair",realizes interdisciplinary integration and provides support for the modernization of TCM.

Objective:To explore the cognition and behavior of nurses in blood purification centers on the quality of death of patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis.Methods:The descriptive phenomenological research method was adopted. From August to October 2022, a total of 14 nurses from blood purification centers in three hospitals, namely Beijing Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing Hospital and Beijing Chaoyang Hospital were selected as interview subjects by the purposive sampling method. Semi-structured in-depth interview method was used to collect data, and Colaizzi 7-step analysis method was used to analyze data.Results:The cognition and behavior of nurses in the blood purification center towards the quality of death of maintenance hemodialysis patients were analyzed into four themes, namely factors affecting the quality of death of patients, convenient conditions for nurses to carry out quality of death improvement work, proactive measures taken by nurses to improve the quality of death and obstacles in the process of improving the quality of death of patients.Conclusions:The nurses in the blood purification centers have special characteristics in their feelings about the death of patients with maintenance hemodialysis, and they have certain cognition and judgment about the quality of death of patients. Managers need to pay attention to the relevant needs and suggestions of the nurses in the blood purification centers and provide help and guidance, so as to continuously improve the quality of patient death and achieve the goal of optimal death of patients.

AIM:To investigate the effects of curcumin on cardiac dysfunction induced by chronic restraint stress in a depression rat model.METHODS:Thirty-two Wistar rats weighing(200±20)g were randomly divided into control,model,low-dose curcumin,and high-dose curcumin groups(n=8 per group).The rats in model and curcumin groups were subjected to chronic restraint stress for 5 h daily at random time,while those in control group were maintained under normal conditions.Following daily stress exposure,the rats in low-and high-dose curcumin groups received 100 and 200 mg/kg curcumin daily,respectively,and those in control and model groups received the same volume of normal saline daily.The above treatments lasted for 28 d.Body weight of the rats was measured weekly.Sucrose preference test was performed on days 14 and 28 of the experiment.Serum corticosterone content was determined to evaluate depression.Histological changes of cardiac tissues were observed using HE and Masson staining.Echocardiography was conducted to examine heart function.The related mRNA and protein levels were detected using RT-qPCR and Western blot,respective-ly.RESULTS:Compared with control group,the rats in model group exhibited significantly slower weight gain(P<0.05),impaired sucrose preference(P<0.01),and increased corticosterone levels(P<0.01).HE staining revealed myo-cardial hypertrophy in model group but not in control group.Masson staining indicated significantly higher cardiac fibrosis in model group than control group(P<0.01).Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated a significant increase in posi-tive collagen type I expression(P<0.01).RT-qPCR results showed significantly elevated mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines(tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-6,and interleukin-1β)and fibrosis factors(α-smooth muscle actin,colla-gen type I,and collagen type Ⅲ)in model group compared with control group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Western blot re-vealed a significant increase in c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK)phosphorylation level in model group(P<0.01).Treat-ment with low-and high-dose curcumin reversed the above indicators.CONCLUSION:Curcumin treatment attenuated cardiac inflammation and fibrosis in rats subjected to chronic restraint stress,possibly by inhibiting JNK signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic potential of low-dose computed tomography angiography(CTA)and global biomimetic three-dimensional model reconstruction technology in patients with arterial erectile dysfunction(ED).Methods A total of 136 patients with ED were selected.Digital subtraction angiography(DSA)was performed on all patients as per their treatment requirements and conditions,following ultrasound and CTA examination,and 75 patients finally completed DSA examination.All patients with International Index for Erectile Function(IIEF5)score ranged from 1 to 20.All patients received immediate ultrasound monitoring after injection of alprostadil 10 μg and underwent CTA examination.DSA was conducted at a minimum interval of 72 h.The global biomimetic three-dimensional model tool was used to reconstruct the CTA data and evaluate the stenosis of the pudendal vessels.The diagnostic efficacy of CTA examination,ultrasound and DSA examination were compared and calculated.Results A total of 1 632 vessels were evaluated in 136 patients,including 155 stenoses.DSA was performed in 75 patients.A total of 900 vessels were evaluated,of which 88 were stenoses.Compared with the results of CTA,ultrasound and DSA,the average stenosis scores of all measured vessels were not statistically significant(P＜0.05).The correlation between CTA and ultrasound(r2=0.939 9,P＜0.000 1)and DSA(r2=0.944 0,P＜0.000 1)in the evaluation of vascular stenosis were good,and the diagnostic consistency was consistent.Conclusion Low-dose CTA and global biomimetic three-dimensional model reconstruction technology can effectively diagnose pudendal artery stenosis,and can perform all-round reconstruction observation,which is worthy of further clinical application.

Objective:To investigate the etiology of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Mianyang city in 2022, and to analyze the genetic characteristics of coxsackievirus A6.Methods:Pharyngeal swabs were collected from patients with HFMD in Mianyang city in 2022. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect enteroviruses in the samples. Part of the VP1 gene in enterovirus-positive samples was amplified by nested PCR using enterovirus typing primers to further identify the viral types. The VP1 coding region of all CVA6-positive samples and the whole genome of some samples were amplified and sequenced by PCR. The endemic strain in Mianyang city was analyzed for phylogeny, gene homology, amino acid variation and genetic recombination.Results:A total of 151 pharyngeal swabs were collected, and 104 enterovirus-positive samples were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, with an overall detection rate of 68.88% (104/151). The typing results showed that there were 77 cases of CVA6 infection, with a positive rate of 50.99% (77/151). The full-length VP1 genes of 77 CVA6 strains were amplified, sequenced, and successfully spliced, and phylogenetic analysis showed that all 77 strains were of the D3 genotype. There were multiple amino acid variant sites in the prevalent strains in Mianyang city compared with the reference strain. Twenty whole genome sequences were amplified, sequenced, and successfully spliced, and homology analysis showed that the nucleotide homology between the 20 positive sequences ranged from 97.0% to 99.9%. Phylogenetic tree and recombination analysis showed that no recombination occurred in the coding regions of the epidemic strains in this study.Conclusions:The predominant pathogen causing HFMD in Mianyang city in 2022 is CVA6 D3 subtype, which is consistent with the national epidemic in 2022.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical application of urine sediment score (USS) in early diagnosis, etiological differentiation, staging and prognosis of acute kidney injury (AKI), and to investigate the diagnostic efficacy of independent USS and its combination with blood urea nitrogen(Bun) serum creatinine(sCr) and uric acid(UA) in AKI.Methods:From August 23 to September 28, 2023, 9 020 morning urine samples of hospitalized patients in the First Hospital of Jilin University were detected by Sysmex UF5000.A total of 3 226 ssamples with small and round cell (SRC) > 1/μl and/or CAST>1/μl were screened for microscopic examination, and 404 cases with positive renal tubular epithelial cells and/or cast were enrolled in this study. There were 218 males and 186 females, aged 59.5 (49.0, 71.0) years. The 404 cases were divided into the USS AKI group (345 cases) and the USS non-AKI group (59 cases) according to the USS results based on the microscopic findings. According to Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria, they were divided into KDIGO criteria AKI group (63 cases) and KDIGO criteria non-AKI group (341 cases), and the AKI group was divided into renal AKI group (33 cases) and non-renal AKI group (30 cases). According to the clinical diagnosis recorded in the medical records, they were divided into clinically diagnosed AKI group (29 cases) and clinically diagnosed non-AKI group (375 cases).The χ 2 test or Fisher exact test was used to compare USS in different AKI causes and stages. Logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratio of renal AKI and stage 3 AKI. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of USS, sCr, UA and Bun alone and in combination in the diagnosis of AKI, and the best cut-off value, sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of AKI were calculated. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:The USS was used to identify the etiology of KDIGO standard AKI group,and there were significant differences in USS between renal AKI group and non-renal AKI group (χ 2=11.070, P<0.001). Compared to USS=1, the odds ratio of renal AKI was 8.125 when USS≥2 (95% CI 2.208—29.901). There was a statistically significant difference in the comparison of USS between groups in each stage of the AKI staging study based on USS (χ 2=15.724, P<0.05). Compared to USS=1, the odds ratio of stage 3 AKI was 9.714 when USS≥2 (95% CI 1.145-82.390). The AUC of independent USS in the diagnosis of AKI was 0.687 (95% CI 0.618-0.757, P<0.001), the specificity was 65.7% and the sensitivity was 61.9%. The AUC of USS combined with Bun, sCr, UA in the diagnosis of AKI was 0.794 (95% CI 0.608-0.980, P<0.05), the specificity was 82.4%, and the sensitivity was 88.9%. Conclusions:There wasan increased likelihood of renal AKI or stage 3 AKI while USS≥2,and whose combination with Bun, sCr and UA will improve the diagnostic efficiency of AKI.