OBJECTIVES: To explore the molecular mechanism by which miR-124 affects cognitive function of sleep-deprived rats. METHODS: Fifty-four adult male SD rats were randomized into 6 groups (n=9), including a normal control group, a sleep deprivation (SD) model group, and 4 intracerebral microinjection groups in which the rats were subjected to stereotactic injection of miR-124 agomir, miR-124 agomir NC, miR-124 antagomir, or miR-124 antagomir into the lateral ventricle 7 days before SD modeling. The cognitive functions of the rats were evaluated with Morris water maze test, and pathological changes in the hippocampus were observed using HE staining. The expression level of miR-124 in hippocampal tissues of the rats was detected with qRT-PCR, and the expression level of apoptosis-related proteins and signaling pathway proteins were determined using Western blotting. RESULTS: In Morris water maze test, the SD rat models treated with miR-124 agomir showed a significantly shorter escape latency and fewer platform crossings with increased percentage of time and swimming distance in the fourth quadrant as compared with those in SD model group, while the rats treated with miR-124 antagomir exhibited worsened performance in the test. In the SD rat models, treatment with miR-124 agomir obviously lessened pathological changes in the hippocampus, while treatment with miR-124 antagomir significantly worsened the pathological changes. Compared with those in SD model group, the miR-124 agomir-treated rats showed an increased hippocampal expression of miR-124 with upregulated protein expressions of PI3K, p-AKT/AKT, and Bcl-2 and downregulated expressions of Bax and caspase-3 proteins, while rats treated with miR-124 antagomir showed significantly decreased hippocampal expression of miR-124 with lowered expressions of PI3K, p-AKT/AKT and Bcl-2 proteins and increased Bax and caspase-3 protein expressions. CONCLUSIONS High expression of miR-124 alleviates SD-induced cognitive decline and neuronal apoptosis in rats by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
Animals ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Cognition ; Rats ; Sleep Deprivation/metabolism* ; Apoptosis ; Maze Learning

Objective:To analyze the changing trend of cervical cancer epidemiological characteristics and disease burden in cancer registration areas of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (Guangxi) from 2010 to 2017, and to provide scientific basis for the development of cervical cancer prevention and control strategies in Guangxi.Methods:Using descriptive analysis method, based on the incidence and death data of cervical cancer in the tumor registration areas of Guangxi from 2010 to 2017, Crude morbidity, crude mortality, age-standardized morbidity and mortality (referred to as the winning rate), disability adjusted life years (DALYs) rate and the annual percentage change (APC) and average annual percentage change (AAPC) of the above indicators were calculated, and stratified analysis was conducted for urban and rural areas and different age groups.Results:From 2010 to 2017, the crude incidence rate of cervical cancer in Guangxi showed a significant upward trend, rising from 10.31/10 5 in 2010 to 19.94/10 5 in 2017, with an average annual growth rate of 7.9% ( P＜0.05). However, after age standardization, the trend of the age-standardized incidence rate of cervical cancer was not statistically significant ( P＞0.05). During the same period, the crude mortality rate of cervical cancer increased from 2.69/10 5 to 6.21/10 5, with an average annual growth rate of 13.1% ( P＜0.05), and the trend of the age-standardized mortality rate was basically consistent with that of the crude mortality rate. The analysis of urban-rural differences showed that the growth rates of the crude incidence rate and crude mortality rate of cervical cancer in rural areas were higher than those in urban areas from 2010 to 2017 (AAPC incidence rate: 21.3% vs. 2.3%; AAPC mortality rate: 20.1% vs. 8.4%). The analysis of age differences showed that the crude incidence rate and crude mortality rate of cervical cancer in all age groups increased to varying degrees, among which the growth rate of the incidence rate (AAPC=16.2%, P＜0.05) and mortality rate (AAPC=14.7%, P＜0.05) of cervical cancer in women aged 65 and above was the fastest. In addition, the DALYs rate of cervical cancer in Guangxi increased from 50.6/10 5 in 2010 to 111.0/10 5 in 2017, with an average annual increase of 11.9% ( P＜0.05). The growth rate of the DALYs rate in rural areas was higher than that in urban areas, and the growth rate of the DALYs rate in the 50-59 age group was higher than those in other age groups. Conclusions:From 2010 to 2017, the incidence rate, mortality rate and DALYs rate of cervical cancer in Guangxi showed an upward trend. Comprehensive prevention and control measures for cervical cancer, such as improving the early diagnosis and treatment system, promoting the popularization of HPV vaccination and strengthening health education, should be taken to reduce the disease burden of cervical cancer.

The incidence of cancer continues to rise, and improving treatment outcomes and quality of life for cancer patients has become a major goal. Death anxiety is prevalent throughout the entire disease trajectory of cancer patients. It not only severely impairs their psychological well-being and quality of life but also undermines treatment confidence and rational decision-making. Therefore, it warrants significant clinical attention. This paper reviews the current status of assessment, influencing factors, and intervention strategies for death anxiety in cancer patients, aiming to provide a reference for healthcare professionals.

Objective:To observe the effect of robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) supplemented with intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) of the cerebellum in restoring lower limb function after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).Methods:Eighty ACLR patients were randomly divided into a control group, a magnetic stimulation group, a robot group and a combined group, each with 20 members. The robot and magnetic stimulation groups underwent RAGT and cerebellar iTBS before conventional training, while the combined group received iTBS followed by RAGT and then conventional training. The treatments were administered once a day, three days per week for four weeks. Before and after the intervention, the peak torque ratio of the knee flexors and extensors (H/Q), peak torque of the knee extensors (PT), and knee repositioning angle difference were measured. Knee function and balance (using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS)) were also assessed.Results:The combined group demonstrated significantly better quadriceps PT and H/Q% than the other 3 groups. Knee repositioning angle difference improved significantly in all of the groups after the treatment, with the combined group showing the smallest difference (5.00±1.21)°, significantly better than the other three groups. Lysholm and BBS scores had also improved significantly in all of the groups, with the combined group′s improvements again significantly better than those of the other groups.Conclusion:Intermittent theta burst stimulation of the cerebellum combined with robot-assisted gait training can significantly improve knee function and balance after ACLR.

The incidence of cancer continues to rise, and improving treatment outcomes and quality of life for cancer patients has become a major goal. Death anxiety is prevalent throughout the entire disease trajectory of cancer patients. It not only severely impairs their psychological well-being and quality of life but also undermines treatment confidence and rational decision-making. Therefore, it warrants significant clinical attention. This paper reviews the current status of assessment, influencing factors, and intervention strategies for death anxiety in cancer patients, aiming to provide a reference for healthcare professionals.

Objective:To observe the effect of robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) supplemented with intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) of the cerebellum in restoring lower limb function after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).Methods:Eighty ACLR patients were randomly divided into a control group, a magnetic stimulation group, a robot group and a combined group, each with 20 members. The robot and magnetic stimulation groups underwent RAGT and cerebellar iTBS before conventional training, while the combined group received iTBS followed by RAGT and then conventional training. The treatments were administered once a day, three days per week for four weeks. Before and after the intervention, the peak torque ratio of the knee flexors and extensors (H/Q), peak torque of the knee extensors (PT), and knee repositioning angle difference were measured. Knee function and balance (using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS)) were also assessed.Results:The combined group demonstrated significantly better quadriceps PT and H/Q% than the other 3 groups. Knee repositioning angle difference improved significantly in all of the groups after the treatment, with the combined group showing the smallest difference (5.00±1.21)°, significantly better than the other three groups. Lysholm and BBS scores had also improved significantly in all of the groups, with the combined group′s improvements again significantly better than those of the other groups.Conclusion:Intermittent theta burst stimulation of the cerebellum combined with robot-assisted gait training can significantly improve knee function and balance after ACLR.

Objective:To analyze the changing trend of cervical cancer epidemiological characteristics and disease burden in cancer registration areas of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (Guangxi) from 2010 to 2017, and to provide scientific basis for the development of cervical cancer prevention and control strategies in Guangxi.Methods:Using descriptive analysis method, based on the incidence and death data of cervical cancer in the tumor registration areas of Guangxi from 2010 to 2017, Crude morbidity, crude mortality, age-standardized morbidity and mortality (referred to as the winning rate), disability adjusted life years (DALYs) rate and the annual percentage change (APC) and average annual percentage change (AAPC) of the above indicators were calculated, and stratified analysis was conducted for urban and rural areas and different age groups.Results:From 2010 to 2017, the crude incidence rate of cervical cancer in Guangxi showed a significant upward trend, rising from 10.31/10 5 in 2010 to 19.94/10 5 in 2017, with an average annual growth rate of 7.9% ( P＜0.05). However, after age standardization, the trend of the age-standardized incidence rate of cervical cancer was not statistically significant ( P＞0.05). During the same period, the crude mortality rate of cervical cancer increased from 2.69/10 5 to 6.21/10 5, with an average annual growth rate of 13.1% ( P＜0.05), and the trend of the age-standardized mortality rate was basically consistent with that of the crude mortality rate. The analysis of urban-rural differences showed that the growth rates of the crude incidence rate and crude mortality rate of cervical cancer in rural areas were higher than those in urban areas from 2010 to 2017 (AAPC incidence rate: 21.3% vs. 2.3%; AAPC mortality rate: 20.1% vs. 8.4%). The analysis of age differences showed that the crude incidence rate and crude mortality rate of cervical cancer in all age groups increased to varying degrees, among which the growth rate of the incidence rate (AAPC=16.2%, P＜0.05) and mortality rate (AAPC=14.7%, P＜0.05) of cervical cancer in women aged 65 and above was the fastest. In addition, the DALYs rate of cervical cancer in Guangxi increased from 50.6/10 5 in 2010 to 111.0/10 5 in 2017, with an average annual increase of 11.9% ( P＜0.05). The growth rate of the DALYs rate in rural areas was higher than that in urban areas, and the growth rate of the DALYs rate in the 50-59 age group was higher than those in other age groups. Conclusions:From 2010 to 2017, the incidence rate, mortality rate and DALYs rate of cervical cancer in Guangxi showed an upward trend. Comprehensive prevention and control measures for cervical cancer, such as improving the early diagnosis and treatment system, promoting the popularization of HPV vaccination and strengthening health education, should be taken to reduce the disease burden of cervical cancer.

Gastric cancer(GC)is one of the most common gastrointestinal tumors.As a newly discovered type of non-coding RNAs,transfer RNA(tRNA)-derived small RNAs(tsRNAs)play a dual biological role in cancer.Our previous studies have demonstrated the potential of tRF-23-Q99P9P9NDD as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for GC.In this work,we confirmed for the first time that tRF-23-Q99P9P9NDD can promote the proliferation,migration,and invasion of GC cells in vitro.The dual luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed that tRF-23-Q99P9P9NDD could bind to the 3'untranslated region(UTR)site of acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase short/branched chain(ACADSB).In addition,ACADSB could rescue the effect of tRF-23-Q99P9P9NDD on GC cells.Next,we used Gene Ontology(GO),the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG),and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis(GSEA)to find that downregulated ACADSB in GC may promote lipid accumulation by inhibiting fatty acid catabolism and ferroptosis.Finally,we verified the correlation between ACADSB and 12 ferroptosis genes at the transcriptional level,as well as the changes in reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels by flow cytometry.In summary,this study proposes that tRF-23-Q99P9P9NDD may affect GC lipid metabolism and ferroptosis by targeting ACADSB,thereby promoting GC progression.It provides a theoretical basis for the diagnostic and prognostic monitoring value of GC and opens up new possibilities for treatment.

Objective:To investigate the response of mandibular condylar chondroprogenitors to flow fluid shear stress(FFSS).Methods:Chondroprogenitors were in vitro cultured and stimulated with FFSS that can cause cell degeneration,and treated with sec-ond-generation high-throughput RNA sequencing.Differential gene expression was screened using DESeq2 software for gene ontology(GO)functional enrichment analysis,kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction(PPI)network analysis.qRT-PCR was performed to validate the core genes screened by PPI.Results:A total of 1996 differentially expressed genes were obtained,mainly including inflammatory response and cell cycle related molecules.Among them,Actal,Atf3,Ccl2,116,Nfkbia,Ret and Vcaml were identified as the core genes.Conclusion:FFSS stimulation affects chondroprogenitor function by acting on inflammatory responses and cell cycle-related signaling pathways in chondroprogenitors.