Objective: To investigate the status and influencing factors of influenza vaccination among the elderly, so as to provide insights into improving the strategies for influenza vaccination among the elderly. Methods: Elderly people aged 60 years and above were recruited from one community each in five sub-districts of Shihezi City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region using a random sampling method. Demographic information, knowledge about influenza and influenza vaccines, vaccine literacy and influenza vaccination status in the past year were collected through questionnaire surveys. Factors affecting influenza vaccination among the elderly were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: Totally 1 121 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 95.08%. There were 417 males (37.20%) and 704 females (62.80%). The majority were aged 60-<81 years, accounting for 80.37% (901 individuals). The awareness of knowledge about influenza and influenza vaccines was 78.86%. Low vaccine literacy was observed in 786 individuals, representing 70.12%. The influenza vaccination rate was 20.96%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that age (71-<81 years, OR=1.607, 95%CI: 1.041-2.479; ≥81 years, OR=1.719, 95%CI: 1.040-2.842), educational level (middle school/technical secondary school, OR=0.616, 95%CI: 0.416-0.911), medical expense payment (employee medical insurance, OR=6.531, 95%CI: 2.030-21.010; resident medical insurance, OR=3.385, 95%CI: 1.095-10.466; public expense, OR=4.828, 95%CI: 1.700-13.712), vaccination willingness (yes, OR=6.237, 95%CI: 3.277-11.871), influenza vaccination history (yes, OR=14.600, 95%CI: 8.733-24.408) and vaccine literacy (medium and above, OR=2.412, 95%CI: 1.636-3.555) were associated with influenza vaccination among the elderly. Conclusion The influenza vaccination rate among the elderly was relatively low, and was mainly affected by age, educational level, medical expense payment, vaccination willingness, influenza vaccination history and vaccine literacy.

Mitochondrial dysfunction in chondrocytes is a key pathogenic factor in osteoarthritis (OA), but directly modulating mitochondria in vivo remains a significant challenge. This study is the first to verify a correlation between mitochondrial dysfunction and the downregulation of the FOXO3 gene in the cartilage of OA patients, highlighting the potential for regulating mitophagy via FOXO3 gene modulation to alleviate OA. Consequently, we developed a chondrocyte-targeting CRISPR/Cas9-based FOXO3 gene-editing tool (FoxO3) and integrated it within a nanoengineered 'truck' (NETT, FoxO3-NETT). This was further encapsulated in injectable hydrogel microspheres (FoxO3-NETT@SMs) to harness the antioxidant properties of sodium alginate and the enhanced lubrication of hybrid exosomes. Collectively, these FoxO3-NETT@SMs successfully activate mitophagy and rebalance mitochondrial function in OA chondrocytes through the Foxo3 gene-modulated PINK1/Parkin pathway. As a result, FoxO3-NETT@SMs stimulate chondrocytes proliferation, migration, and ECM production in vitro, and effectively alleviate OA progression in vivo, demonstrating significant potential for clinical applications.

Objective To explore the mediating effect of psychological resilience between perceived spousal support and dignity loss in breast cancer patients.Methods A convenience sampling method was employed,involving 377 breast cancer patients who met the study criteria and received treatment at a tertiary oncology hospital in Yunnan Province from March to September 2023.Data were collected using a general information questionnaire,the Dignity Scale,the Perceived Spousal Support Scale,and the Psychological Resilience Scale.Data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS 26.0 software.Results The scores for dignity loss,perceived spousal support,and psychological resilience of breast cancer patients were(41.72±6.77),(100.42±6.93),and(75.27±8.50),respectively.Pearson correlation analysis showed that dignity loss was negatively correlated with both perceived spousal support and psychological resilience(r1=-0.568,r2=-0.640,both P＜0.05).Mediation effect analysis indicated that psychological resilience had a mediating effect between perceived spousal support and dignity loss,with a value of-0.320(95％CI-0.409 to-0.246),accounting for 57.1％of the total effect.Conclusion The dignity of breast cancer patients in this study is in a state of mild loss,and psychological resilience plays a partial mediating role between perceived spousal support and dignity loss.This suggests that clinical medical staff should pay attention to the spousal support situation of breast cancer patients,provide timely guidance and health education to spouses,enhance the level of support from spouses,and strengthen the confidence and capability of couples in jointly coping with the disease,thereby alleviating dignity loss in breast cancer patients and improving their quality of life.

Objective:A subunit vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 BA.2 variant was prepared by prokaryotic expression system and its immunogenicity was evaluated.Methods:The recombinant plasmid of BA.2 variant RBD and the tandem of RBD and TT-P2 epitopes was constructed by molecular cloning technology, and recombinant proteins So and Sot were obtained by protein purification technology. Mice were immunized by intramuscular injection after mixing protein So/Sot as immunogens with Al(OH) 3 adjuvant to evaluate the effect of cellular and humoral immunity. Results:High purity soluble protein were obtained by dialysis and renaturation after expressed by prokaryotic system. The number of antigen-specific T lymphocytes secreting IFN-γ and IL-4 (213.7±0.6 and 311.7±1.5) in the Sot group induced by mice was significantly higher than that in the So group (94.3±16.8 and 185.7±4.2) ( P<0.001). The serum antibody level induced by Sot group was higher than that in the So group, the geometric mean titer (GMT) of neutralizing antibodies against BA.2 strain were 588 and 337, respectively ( P<0.05). Sot protein induced Th1/Th2 mixed type immune response with the predominance of Th2 type. Conclusions:The protein subunit vaccine expressed by the prokaryotic system have excellent cellular and humoral immunogenicity, which provides a strong theoretical basis for the development of the protein subunit vaccines of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.

Objective:To study the effects of low-dose dexmedetomidine via nasal spray on preoperative anxiety and tracheal intuba-tion induced stress response in elderly patients with maxillofacial surgery using heart rate variability(HRV).Methods:60 elderly pa-tients underwent maxillofacial surgery were randomly divided into the dexmedetomidine group(group D)and the control group(group C).Patients in the group D were treated with nasal spray of dexmedetomidine at 45 min preoperatively.Those in the group C were giv-en the same dose of normal saline spray at the same time.All patients were given intravenous combined with inhalation general anes-thesia.The hemodynamics,HRV index,sedation score and BIS value of the 2 groups of patients were compared at 3 time points,be-fore operation(T0),entrance(T1)and tracheal intubation(T2)respectively.Results:At T1,the average score of Ramsay in group D and group C was 2.8±0.7 and 1.1±0.39,BIS 87.3±6.1 and 97.4±0.5,SD1 20.9±7.0 and 15.4±5.4,SDNN 30.9±6.6 and 37.1±7.0,LF/HF 1.3±0.3 and 2.6±0.4,respectively(P＜O.01).At T2,the average score of SD1 in group D and group C was 10.4±3.5 and 7.7±3.1,SDNN 59.2±6.5 and 70.1±7.1,LF/HF 5.l±0.5 and 7.5±0.5,respectively(P＜0.01).Conclusion:Low-dose dexmedetomidine nasal spray can effectively relieve the preoperative anxiety of elderly patients in maxillofacial surgery and reduce the stress response of tracheal intubation.

Post-dialysis fatigue is a common complication in hemodialysis patients, which can lead to increased all-cause mortality and readmission rates, limiting their participation in daily life. This article mainly summarizes the application of assessment tools and theoretical models on post-dialysis fatigue in the management of post-dialysis fatigue in hemodialysis patients, providing a reference for medical and nursing staff to manage post-dialysis fatigue in patients.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to evaluate the immunogenicity of BA.2 variant receptor binding domain (RBD) recombinant protein formulated with CpG 1826 plus alum dual adjuvant. METHODS: The BA.2 variant RBD (residues 308-548) fusing TT-P ₂ epitope was obtained from prokaryotic expression system, purification technology and dialysis renaturation, which was designated as Sot protein. The soluble Sot protein formulated with CpG 1826 plus alum dual adjuvant was designated as Sot/CA subunit vaccine and then the BALB/c mice were intramuscularly administrated with two doses of the Sot/CA subunit vaccine at 14-day interval (day 0 and 14). On day 28, the number of effector T lymphocytes secreting IFN-γ and IL-4 in mice spleen were determined by enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot) assay. The serum IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, the level of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) induced by Sot/CA subunit vaccine was also evaluated by the microneutralization assay. RESULTS: The high-purity soluble Sot protein with antigenicity was successfully obtained by the prokaryotic expression, protein purification and dialysis renaturation. The Sot/CA subunit vaccine induced a high level of IgG antibodies and NAbs, which were of cross-neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2 BA.2 and XBB.1.5 variants. Meanwhile, Sot/CA subunit vaccine also induced a high level of effector T lymphocytes secreting IFN-γ (635.00 ± 17.62) and IL-4 (279.20 ± 13.10), respectively. Combined with a decreased IgG1/IgG2a ratio in the serum, which indicating Sot/CA subunit vaccine induced a Th1-type predominant immune response. CONCLUSION The Sot protein formulated with CpG 1826 plus alum dual adjuvant showed that the excellent cellular and humoral immunogenicity, which provided a scientific basis for the development of BA.2 variant subunit vaccines and references for the adjuvant application of subunit vaccines.
Animals ; COVID-19 Vaccines/immunology* ; Alum Compounds/pharmacology* ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Vaccines, Subunit/immunology* ; Mice ; SARS-CoV-2/immunology* ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides/administration & dosage* ; Female ; Adjuvants, Immunologic ; COVID-19/immunology* ; Antibodies, Viral/blood* ; Immunogenicity, Vaccine ; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/immunology* ; Antibodies, Neutralizing/blood* ; Adjuvants, Vaccine ; Immunoglobulin G/blood*

Osteoarthritis is a prevalent global joint disease, which is characterized by inflammatory reaction and cartilage degradation. Cyasterone, a sterone derived from the roots of Cyathula officinalis Kuan, exerts protective effect against several inflammation-related diseases. However, its effect on osteoarthritis remains unclear. The current study was designed to investigate the potential anti-osteoarthritis activity of cyasterone. Primary chondrocytes isolated from rats induced by interleukin (IL)-1β and a rat model stimulated by monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) were used for in vitro and in vivo experiments, respectively. The results of in vitro experiments showed that cyasterone apparently counteracted chondrocyte apoptosis, increased the expression of collagen II and aggrecan, and restrained the production of the inflammatory factors inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-5 (ADAMTS-5), metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), and metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) induced by IL-1β in chondrocytes. Furthermore, cyasterone ameliorated the inflammation and degenerative progression of osteoarthritis potentially by regulating the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. For in vivo experiments, cyasterone significantly alleviated the inflammatory response and cartilage destruction of rats induced by monosodium iodoacetate, where dexamethasone was used as the positive control. Overall, this study laid a theoretical foundation for developing cyasterone as an effective agent for the alleviation of osteoarthritis.
Animals ; Rats ; Chondrocytes ; NF-kappa B ; Iodoacetic Acid ; Inflammation ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Apoptosis

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical phenotype and genetic variant in a child with Verheij syndrome (VRJS). METHODS: A child who had presented at the Soochow University Affiliated Children's Hospital and Wujiang District Children's Hospital in July 2022 for "elevated scapula since early childhood" was selected as the study subject. Peripheral blood samples of the child and his parents were collected and subjected to whole exome sequencing. Candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. RESULTS: The child had manifested elevated scapulae, torticollis, neck asymmetry, facial dysmorphism, dispersed café-au-lait spots, limited mobility of upper limbs and shoulder joints, and intellectual disability. Sequencing revealed that he has harbored a de novo heterozygous c.405dupT (p.Ile136Tyrfs*4) variant of the PUF60 gene. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), this variant was classified as pathogenic (PVS1+PS2_moderate+PM2_supporting). Combined his clinical features and result of genetic testing, the child was diagnosed with VRJS due to variant of the PUF60 gene. CONCLUSION The clinical manifestations of VRJS include facial dysmorphism, intellectual disability, elevated scapulae, vertebral fusion, other skeletal malformations, without significant abnormalities of the heart, kidney, and eyes, which need to be distinguished from Klippel-Feil syndrome. Above finding has expended the mutation spectrum of the PUF60 gene and provided a reference for delineation of the genotype-phenotype correlation of the VRJS.
Child ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Male ; Cafe-au-Lait Spots ; Computational Biology ; Genetic Testing ; Genomics ; Intellectual Disability/genetics* ; Mutation

The incidence of orofacial pain is high, and its pathological mechanism is complex. Currently, there is a lack of long-lasting and effective clinical treatment drugs, resulting in a major economic burden to patients and society. Therefore, it is important to develop more durable and effective drugs for treatment. In recent years, substantial evidence has shown that α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors (AMPARs) play a vital role in somatic and orofacial pain. Among them, subunit phosphorylation regulated by protein kinases and interactions with partner proteins promote the activation and trafficking of AMPARs and signal transduction to regulate the expression of AMPARs. The increase of GluA1-containing AMPARs promotes calcium ion influx, further activating protein kinases and auxiliary proteins, which forms a self-feedback loop. This is an important mechanism that promotes chronic pain. The expression of AMPARs in the trigeminal nervous system and the spinal cord nervous system overlaps, and the above mechanism may also participate in regulating orofacial pain. However, research on AMPARs in orofacial neuropathic pain or cancer-related pain is relatively insufficient, and more in-depth research is needed in the future. Furthermore, there is a lack of clinical evidence for AMPAR antagonists to treat pain. Understanding the regulatory mechanisms of the activation and trafficking of AMPARs and precisely intervening in the activation and trafficking of AMPARs may provide effective strategies for the development of new analgesics and offer new insights for treating orofacial pain.