ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of quercetin on acute gouty arthritis （GA） in rats by inhibiting the reactive oxygen species （ROS）/NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）/interleukin-1β （IL-1β） signaling pathway. MethodsSixty SPF-grade male SD rats were randomized into normal， model， colchicine （0.3 mg·kg^-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （25， 50， 100 mg·kg^-1， respectively） quercetin groups （n=10）. The rats in the dosing groups were administrated with the corresponding drugs （10 mL·kg^-1） by gavage once a day for one week. An equal volume of normal saline was given by gavage to rats in normal and model groups. One hour after drug administration on day 5， an acute GA model was established in other groups except the control group via intra-articular injection of monosodium urate （MSU） suspension into the right posterior ankle joint cavity. The joint swelling and gait were scored at the time points of 6， 12， 24， 48 h after modeling. Histopathological alterations in the ankle joint tissue from each group were assessed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Malondialdehyde （MDA）， xanthine oxidase （XOD）， and total superoxide dismutase （T-SOD） assay kits were used to assess the levels of MDA， XOD， and T-SOD in the serum. The levels of tumor interleukin-6 （IL-6）， necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， and IL-1β in the rat serum， as well as ROS in the ankle joint tissue， were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Western blot was performed to determine the protein levels of NLRP3， thioredoxin-interacting protein （TXNIP）， apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD domain （ASC）， precursor cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1 （pro-Caspase-1）， cleaved Caspase-1 （Caspase-1 p20）， and IL-1β in the ankle joint tissue. Real-time PCR was employed to assess the mRNA levels of TXNIP， NLRP3， ASC， IL-1β， and TNF-α in the ankle joint tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group exhibited decreased spontaneous activity， mental fatigue， increased ankle joint swelling and gait scores （P<0.01）， aggravated synovial tissue edema and inflammatory cell infiltration （P<0.01）， elevated levels of XOD， MDA， TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6 in the serum and ROS in the joint tissue （P<0.01）， a declined level of T-SOD （P<0.01）， up-regulated protein levels of NLRP3， TXNIP， ASC， pro-Caspase-1， Caspase-1 p20， and IL-1β in the ankle joint tissue （P<0.01）， and up-regulated mRNA levels of NLRP3， TXNIP， ASC， IL-1β， and TNF-α in the ankle joint tissue （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the medium- and high-dose quercetin groups showed improved general conditions， decreased gait scores （P<0.05， P<0.01）， reduced joint swelling （P<0.01）， alleviated synovial tissue edema and inflammatory cell infiltration （P<0.05， P<0.01）， lowered levels of XOD， MDA， TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6 in the serum and ROS in the joint tissue （P<0.01）， increased levels of T-SOD （P<0.01）， down-regulated protein levels of TXNIP， NLRP3， ASC， pro-Caspase-1， Caspase-1 p20， and IL-1β in the ankle joint tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and down-regulated mRNA levels of TXNIP， NLRP3， ASC， IL-1β， and TNF-α in the ankle joint tissue （P<0.01）. Low-dose quercetin also ameliorated some of the above parameters （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionQuercetin exerts anti-GA effects by blocking the ROS/NLRP3/IL-1β signaling pathway， downregulating NLRP3 inflammasome activation， and inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture based on "status-target coherence" theory combined with Kegel exercises for vaginal laxity syndrome (VLS). METHODS: Sixty-six patients with VLS were randomized into an observation group (33 cases, 2 cases dropped out, 1 case was discontinued) and a control group (33 cases, 5 cases dropped out). The observation group was treated with acupuncture combined with Kegel exercises, acupuncture was applied to bilateral Ciliao (BL32), Zhongliao (BL33), Sanyinjiao (SP6), etc. The control group was treated with Kegel exercises. Both acupuncture and Kegel exercises were performed once every other day, three times a week for 12 weeks. Before and after treatment, the vaginal laxity questionnaire (VLQ) score, pelvic floor muscle strength (vaginal resting pressure, vaginal systolic pressure, vaginal contraction duration), degree of vaginal laxity and sexual satisfaction questionnaire (SSQ) grade were observed in both groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the VLQ score, vaginal resting pressure, vaginal systolic pressure, vaginal contraction duration in the observation group were elevated compared with those before treatment (P<0.05), and SSQ grade was improved (P<0.05); and the above indexes in the observation group were better than those in the control group (P<0.05). There were no significant difference before and after treatment in the degree of vaginal laxity in the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Acupuncture based on "status-target coherence" theory combined with Kegel exercises can effectively enhance the strength of pelvic floor muscles, improve the symptoms of vaginal laxity, and improve the satisfaction of sexual life, and its therapeutic effect is better than Kegel exercises alone.
Humans ; Female ; Adult ; Vagina/physiopathology* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Exercise Therapy ; Young Adult ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Acupuncture Points ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Vaginal Diseases/therapy*

Objective:To investigate the correlation between triglyceride-glucose-body mass index (TyG-BMI index) and the outcome of young patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).Methods:Consecutive young patients with first-ever AIS (aged 18-45 years) admitted to Pingyi County People's Hospital and Qingdao Municipal Hospital from January 2020 to December 2023 were included retrospectively. The demographic data, vascular risk factors, baseline blood pressure, baseline laboratory tests, classification of stroke etiology, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores, and main treatment methods were collected. At 3 months after the onset of stroke, the modified Rankin Scale was used for outcome evaluation. A score of 0-2 was defined as good outcome and >2 were defined as poor outcome. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent factors associated with poor outcome in young patients with AIS. Results:A total of 253 young patients with AIS were enrolled, including 196 males (77.5%), aged 38.65±5.34 years; baseline NIHSS score 3.03±2.88. At 90 days after onset, 206 patients (81.4%) had good outcome, while 47 (18.6%) had poor outcome. The poor outcome group had significantly higher systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, triglyceride glucose (TyG) index, body mass index (BMI), TyG-BMI index, and baseline NIHSS score than those of the good outcome group (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for gender, systolic blood pressure, baseline NIHSS score, and antiplatelet drug use, the TyG-BMI index was significantly independently associated with the poor outcome in young patients with AIS (odds ratio 1.039, 95% confidence interval 1.021-1.057; P<0.001). Conclusion:A higher baseline TyG-BMI index is independently associated with the poor outcome in young patients with AIS.

Objective : To investigate the role and related mechanisms of IgD on the viability , proliferation , apoptosis , and other functions of Molm_13 cells. Methods: Peripheral blood serum was collected from AML patients and healthy controls. The sIgD levels were quantified by ELISA. For in vitro studies , Molm_13 cells were treated with varying concentrations of IgD. Cell viability and proliferation were assessed via CCK_8 assays , CFSE staining , and colony formation assays. Apoptosis rates were determined using an Annexin V/PI apoptosis detection kit. Preliminary exploration of the mechanisms related to IgD_induced proliferation of Molm_13 were analyzed through differential gene analysis. Results: Compared with healthy controls , the levels of sIgD in AML patients were significantly el_ evated (P < 0. 001 ) . IgD treatment dose_dependently increased Molm_13 cell viability and proliferation ( P < 0. 05) , inhibited apoptosis rates (P < 0. 001) . Conclusion IgD promotes the viability and proliferation of Molm_ 13 cells , and reduces apoptosis.

ObjectiveThe differential expression of microRNAs （miRNAs） between the active stage and the remission stage of ulcerative colitis （UC） was analyzed by bioinformatics method， and the regulatory relationship was constructed by screening the differentially expressed genes （DEGs）. The mechanism of Xizhuo Jiedu recipe in the treatment of UC was speculated and verified by animal experiments. MethodThe miRNAs data set of colonic mucosa tissue of UC patients was obtained from the gene expression database （GEO）， and the most differentially expressed miRNAs were screened by GEO2R， Excel， and other tools as research objects. TargetScan， miRTarbase， miRDB， STRING， TRRUST， and Matescape databases were used to screen key DEGs， predict downstream transcription factors （TFs）， gene ontology （GO）， and conduct Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） enrichment analysis. The key signaling pathways were selected for animal experiments. In animal experiments， the UC mouse model was prepared by making the mouse freely drink 2.5% dextran sodium sulfate （DSS）. Xiezhu Jiedu recipe and mesalazine were given by gavage for seven days， and the inflammatory infiltration of colonic mucosa was observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expression of miR-155-5p in colon tissue. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect the protein expression levels of cytokine signal transduction inhibitor （SOCS1）， phosphorylated transcriptional signal transductor and activator 3 （p-STAT3）， phosphorylated Janus kinase 2 （p-JAK2）， and retinoic acid-associated orphan receptor-γt （ROR-γt）. The expression levels of transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β）， interleukin-17 （IL-17）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and interleukin-10 （IL-10） in serum were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. ResultThe GSE48957 dataset was screened from the GEO database， and miR-155-5p was selected as the research object from the samples in the active and remission stages. 131 DEGs were screened. The GO/KEGG enrichment analysis was closely related to biological processes such as positive regulation of miRNA transcription and protein phosphorylation， as well as signaling pathways such as stem cell signaling pathway， IL-17 signaling pathway， and helper T cell 17 （Th17） cell differentiation. The Matescape database was used to screen out 10 key DEGs， among which SOCS1 was one of the key DEGs of miR-155-5p. Further screening of the TFS of key DEGs revealed that STAT3 was one of the main TFs of SOCS1. The results of animal experiments showed that Xiezhu Jiedu Recipe could effectively down-regulate the mRNA expression of miR-155-5p and protein expression of p-STAT3， p-JAK2， and ROR-γt in colon tissue of UC mice and the expression of IL-17 and IL-6 in serum of UC mice， up-regulate the protein expression of SOCS1 and the expression of TGF-β and IL-10， increase the level of anti-inflammatory factors， and reduce inflammatory cell infiltration. ConclusionIt is speculated that Xizhuo Jiedu recipe may interfere with SOCS1 by regulating the expression of miR-155-5p in UC mice， inhibit the phosphorylation of STAT3， inhibit the differentiation of CD4⁺ T cells into Th17 cells， reduce the levels of pro-inflammatory factors （IL-17 and IL-6）， and increase the levels of anti-inflammatory factors （TGF-β and IL-10）. As a result， the inflammation of colon mucosa in UC mice was alleviated.

Cancer genomics has led to the discovery of numerous oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes that play critical roles in cancer development and progression.Oncogenes promote cell growth and proliferation,whereas tumor suppressor genes inhibit cell growth and division.The dysregulation of these genes can lead to the development of cancer.Recent studies have focused on non-coding RNAs(ncRNAs),including circular RNA(circRNA),long non-coding RNA(lncRNA),and microRNA(miRNA),as therapeutic targets for cancer.In this article,we discuss the oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes of ncRNAs associated with different types of cancer and their potential as therapeutic targets.Here,we highlight the mechanisms of action of these genes and their clinical applications in cancer treatment.Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer development and identifying specific therapeutic targets are essential steps towards the development of effective cancer treatments.

To revise GBZ 188 Technical Specification for Occupational Health Surveillance based on national laws, regulations, standards, specifications and legal documents of occupational disease, and combination with the actual situation in China. The main modifications are as follows: the occupational health surveillance for workers exposed to toluene (xylene may implement by reference), bromopropane, methyl iodide, ethylene oxide, chloroacetic acid, indium and its compounds, coal tar, coal tarasphalt, asphalt, β-naphthylamine, dust of metal and its compounds(tin, iron, antimony, barium and its compounds), hard metal dust, erionite dust, low temperature, laser, tick-borne encephalitis virus, Borrelia burgdorferi, and human immunodeficiency virus, for scraper or grind operators, and underground workers using squatting or kneeling position, crawling position, side-lying position, or shoulder position for a long period of time are included. The emergency health screening for workers exposed to arsenic, fluorine and its inorganic compounds, and acrylamide are included. The occupational medical examination (OME) for workers exposed to amino and nitro compounds of benzene, phosgene, monomethylamine, organic fluorine and dimethyl sulfate has been adjusted and made mandatory, with corresponding assessments required upon leaving the job. The special occupational health surveillance for workers exposed to mycobacterium tuberculosis and hepatitis virus is removed. The OME conclusion of reexamination is removed, and standardize recheck/additional inspection requirements. The optional items in OME performed before, during and after leaving post are removed, but the optional items in emergency medical examination are retained. Additional OME items are added. The Guideline for OME Summary Reports is added as informative appendix, and so on. The revised GBZ 188 Technical Specification for Occupational Health Surveillance is more scientific and practical.

Objective To compare the sedative efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine and sufen-tanil combined with propofol in elderly patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP).Methods Sixty elderly patients from July to October 2022,aged 65-90 years,BMI 15-33 kg/m2,ASA physical status Ⅰ-Ⅲ,had normal cardiac function or NHYA grade Ⅰ or Ⅱ,underwent ERCP were enrolled.Patients were divided into two groups by random number table method:the dexmedeto-midine group(group D)and the sufentanil group(group S),30 patients in each group.Group D received an intravenous infusion of dexmedetomidine 0.5 μg/kg for 10 minutes followed by intravenous propofol 1 mg/kg for sedation induction.Group S received intravenous sufentanil 0.12 μg/kg followed by intravenous propofol 1 mg/kg for sedation induction.The operation time,total dosage of propofol,incidence of body movement were recorded.The lowest SpO2,use of airway interventions,incidence of hypoxemia were recor-ded.Adverse cardiovascular events(tachycardia,bradycardia,hypertension,hypotension,and arrhythmia)were recorded.Awakening time,VAS pain scores at rest 15 minutes after entering PACU,incidence of mod-erate to severe postoperative pain,and postoperative nausea and vomiting in PACU were recorded.Results Adequate deep sedation was successfully achieved in the two groups(Ramsay scale≥5 scores).Compared with group S,the lowest SpO2 and bradycardia were significantly increased(P＜0.05),the use of airway interventions,hypoxemia,tachycardia,and hypotension were significantly decreased in group D(P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in operation time,total dosage of propofol,incidence of body movement,hypertension,VAS pain scores at rest 15 minutes after entering PACU,moderate to severe post-operative pain,and postoperative nausea and vomiting in PACU between the two groups.Conclusion Dexmedetomidine or sufentanil combined with propofol can provide adequate deep sedation for ERCP proce-dure.Dexmedetomidine combined with propofol can keep intraoperative cardiovascular function more stable,and reduce the occurrence of intraoperative hypoxemia and cardiovascular adverse events.

Objective: To investigate the associations between early life exposure to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm (PM 2.5 ) and the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among school aged children. Methods: A total of 165 children with ASD and 165 age and gender matched typical development (TD) children were recruited. Children s basic information were obtained via questionnaires, and the severity of ASD symptoms was assessed with Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS). Early life PM 2.5 exposure (preconception, entire pregnancy, and the first two years after birth) were extracted from the Tracking Air Pollution in China (TAP) datasets. Conditional Logistic regression and generalized linear model were used to evaluate the associations of early life exposure to PM 2.5 with the risk and the ASD severity symptoms, respectively. Results: The PM 2.5 exposure of ASD group during preconception[(55.08±9.34)μg/m 3], entire pregnancy[(50.44±8.71)μg/m 3], the first year after birth [(45.04± 8.25 )μg/m 3] and the second year after birth [(40.19±7.12)μg/m 3] were significant higher than those in TD children [(47.66± 7.63 , 44.19±7.16, 38.95±6.07, 35.76±5.65)μg/m 3]( t =7.94, 7.13, 7.70, 6.32, P <0.05). After adjusting for potential confounding, each increase of 1 μg/m 3 in PM 2.5 was associated with higher risk of ASD during preconception ( OR=1.21, 95%CI =1.13-1.29), entire pregnancy( OR=1.18, 95%CI =1.11-1.26), the first year after birth ( OR=1.30, 95%CI =1.18-1.43) and the second year after birth ( OR=1.29, 95%CI =1.17-1.42). No similar results were observed regarding the analyses of SRS total and sub scale scores( P >0.05). Conclusion Early life exposure to PM 2.5 is relate to the risk of ASD, these findings indicated that more attention should be paid to ambient PM pollution in the early life prevention and control of ASD.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between the iliac cortical density line and pelvic tilt (PT) in X-ray films of patients with kyphosis.Methods:The imaging data of 67 patients with kyphosis treated in Tianjin Beichen Hopsital from August 2016 to December 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. PT and iliac tilt (IT) were measured on lateral X-ray of the spine. IT was defined as the angle between the density line of the iliac cortex and vertical direction. The correlation between PT and IT was analyzed, and a linear regression model was established.Results:PT and IT can be determined by X-ray lateral films of spine in 67 patients. Pearson correlation analysis results showed that PT was significantly correlated with IT( r=0.852, P<0.05). Subgroups analysis was conducted by gender. The linear regression formulas for females and males were PT=IT-12.9° and PT=IT-16.7°, respectively. Conclusions:When it is difficult to identify the femoral head on X-ray film, IT can be measured conveniently and directly through the density line of the iliac cortex, and then PT can be reliably evaluated through IT.