The development of safe and effective carriers is crucial for improving the in vivo stability of siRNA drugs and facilitating their clinical translation. Chitosan (CS), a natural cationic polymer, shows great potential in nucleic acid drug delivery. To optimize the physicochemical properties of CS/siRNA nanoparticles (NPs) and increase their siRNA delivery efficacy, in this study, hyaluronic acid (HA) was added into CS to form stable complex NPs through electrostatic interactions. The HA component is able to target the CD44 receptors on the surface of tumor cells, facilitating efficient siRNA delivery. First, we systematically investigated the effects of the molecular weights and mass ratio of CS and HA on the physicochemical properties of CS/HA NPs. The results showed that at HA: CS mass ratios of approximately 5:5 and 6:4, the complex NPs exhibited small particle sizes, narrow size distribution, and high storage stability. Under similar conditions, the size of CS/HA NPs increased with the increase in the molecular weights of CS and HA. Based on these findings, suitable conditions were selected to prepare CS/HA NPs for siRNA delivery. Cell experiments demonstrated that the introduction of HA effectively reduced the cytotoxicity of the CS delivery system and enhanced the NP uptake. The CS/HA/siRNA NPs achieved 50% to 60% silencing of the luciferase gene in HeLa-Luc cells. CS/HA NPs formed smaller nanoparticles with siRNA than pure CS and mediated specific interactions with tumor cells via HA, leading to efficient siRNA delivery. These findings provide valuable insights into the construction of natural polymer composite nanoparticles for application in siRNA delivery.
Hyaluronic Acid/chemistry* ; Chitosan/chemistry* ; RNA, Small Interfering/administration & dosage* ; Nanoparticles/chemistry* ; Humans ; Particle Size ; HeLa Cells ; Hyaluronan Receptors

ObjectiveTo investigate the application of the novel inflammatory factor adsorption column CA280 combined with low-dose plasma exchange （LPE） in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure （ACLF）. MethodsA prospective cohort study was designed， and a total of 93 ACLF patients who were admitted to The Ninth Hospital of Nanchang from June 2023 to January 2025 were enrolled and randomly divided into DPMAS+LPE group with 50 patients and CA280+LPE group with 43 patients. In addition to comprehensive medical treatment， the patients in the DPMAS+LPE group received DPMAS and LPE treatment， and those in the CA280+LPE group received CA280 and LPE treatment. The two groups were observed in terms of routine blood test results， liver function parameters， renal function markers， electrolytes， coagulation function parameters， cytokines， adverse events， and 28-day prognosis before surgery （baseline）， during surgery （DPMAS or CA280）， and after surgery （after sequential LPE treatment）. The paired t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data before and after treatment within each group， and the independent-samples t test was used for comparison between groups； the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data before and after treatment within each group， and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison between groups. The chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups， and the Spearman test was used for correlation analysis. ResultsAfter CA280 treatment， the ACLF patients had significant reductions in the levels of cytokines （IL-6， IL-8， IL-10， TNF-α， and IFN-γ）， liver function parameters （ALT， AST， ALP， TBil， DBil， Alb， and glutathione reductase）， and the renal function marker urea nitrogen （all P<0.05）， and in terms of coagulation function parameters， there were significant increases in prothrombin time， activated partial thromboplastin time （APTT）， thrombin time， and international normalized ratio （INR） and significant reductions in prothrombin activity （PTA） and fibrinogen （FIB） （all P<0.05）. Compared with the DPMAS+LPE group， the CA280+LPE group showed better improvements in the serum cytokines IL-8 （Z=-2.63， P=0.009）， IL-10 （Z=-3.94， P<0.001）， and TNF-α （Z=-1.53， P=0.023）， and the two artificial liver support systems had a similar effect in improving liver function （ALT， AST， GGT， GR， TBil， and DBil） （all P >0.05）， but the CA280+LPE group showed a significantly greater reduction in Alb （Z=-2.08， P=0.037）. CA280+LPE was more effective in reducing uric acid （Z=-2.97， P=0.003）. Compared with DPMAS+LPE， CA280+LPE treatment resulted in a significant reduction in INR （Z=-4.01， P<0.001）， a significant increase in APTT （Z=-2.53， P=0.011）， and significant greater increases in PTA （Z=-6.28， P<0.001） and FIB （Z=-3.93， P<0.001）. There were no significant differences in the incidence rates of adverse reactions and the rate of improvement at discharge between the two groups （all P>0.05）. The Spearman correlation analysis showed that IL-6 was significantly correlated with WBC （r=0.22， P=0.042）， TBil （r=0.29， P=0.005）， and FIB （r=-0.33， P=0.003）； IL-8 was positively correlated with APTT （r=0.37， P<0.001） and INR （r=0.25， P=0.013）； TNF-α was significantly correlated with WBC （r=0.40， P<0.001） and TBil （r=0.34， P<0.001）. ConclusionCompared with DPMAS， CA280 combined with LPE can effectively clear proinflammatory cytokines and improve liver function in ACLF patients， but it has a certain impact on Alb and coagulation function. This regimen provides a new option for the individualized treatment of ACLF and can improve the short-term prognosis of patients， but further studies are needed to verify its long-term efficacy.

Background With the unprecedented development of aviation business, the work load and job burnout of airport employees are becoming more and more serious, and the impact on sleep quality needs to be addressed. Objective To explore the current situation of work load and sleep quality of airport employees, and whether job burnout plays a role in the relationship between the two variables. Methods During September 2023, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among employees of an airport in Hunan Province, and 1503 employees were surveyed. A basic information questionnaire, a work load measurement questionnaire, Maslach Burnout Inventory General Survey, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were used in the survey. Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of sleep quality. SPSS 25.0 PROCESS v4.1 plug-in was used to analyze the mediating effect of job burnout. Results A total of 1503 questionnaires were distributed in this study, and 1424 valid questionnaires were recovered, with a recovery rate of 94.7%. The rate of heavy work load was 50.0% (712/1424), the rate of job burnout was 74.6% (1062/1424), and the rate of sleep disorders was 58.7% (836/1424). The results of logistic regression analysis showed that individuals with job burnout had a 1.734 times higher risk of reporting sleep disorders compared to those without job burnout (95% CI: 1.306, 2.302); compared to those with light work load, individuals with heavy work load have a higher risk of sleep disorders (OR=3.422, 95%CI: 2.639, 4.437). The results of mediating effect test indicated a work load-burnout-sleep quality pathway (P <0.001), with a mediation effect value of 0.1052 (95%CI: 0.019, 0.067), accounting for 18.02% of the total effect. Conclusion The rate of job burnout and the rate of reporting poor sleep quality are high among airport employees, and job burnout plays a mediating role in the relationship between work load and sleep quality. Adopting measures to reduce work load and reduce burnout can improve the sleep quality of airport employees.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility, efficacy and safety of Sentinel cerebral embolic protection device (CEPD) during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). This study is a subgroup analysis of the China Moderate to Severe Valvular Heart Disease Registry, which has been registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2300075006). METHODS: Patients undergoing TAVR with the Sentinel CEPD from October 2023 to September 2024 were retrospectively enrolled. A total of 80 patients were included, with a median age of 72 (68, 76) years, including 52 males (65.0%) and 28 females (35.0%); 62 patients (77.5%) with tricuspid valves, and 18 patients (22.5%) with bicuspid valves; 34 patients (42.5%) with type Ⅰ aortic arch, 24 patients (30.0%) with type Ⅱ aortic arch, 12 patients (15.0%) with type Ⅲ aortic arch, and 10 patients (12.5%) with bovine-type aortic arch. Clinical data of the patients were summarized and analyzed. The primary endpoints were success rate of Sentinel CEPD implantation, as well as all-cause death, symptomatic stroke, transient ischemic attack, and Sentinel CEPD access vessel complications during hospitalization and within 30 days postoperatively. RESULTS: In the 80 patients, self-expanding valves were used in 68 cases (85.0%) and balloon-expandable valves in 12 cases (15.0%). Seventy-nine patients (98.8%) successfully underwent TAVR with Sentinel CEPD deployment. Macroscopically visible debris was captured in 92.5% (74/80) by filters of Sentinel CEPD. Although the procedure time for Sentinel CEPD placement was slightly longer in patients with bovine-type aortic arch, there was no statistically significant difference in deployment time among different aortic arch types (P>0.05). During hospitalization and within 30 days postoperatively, only one case of transient ischemic attack occurred, and there was no all-cause mortality, symptomatic stroke, or access-site vascular complications related to the Sentinel CEPD observed. CONCLUSIONS The Sentinel CEPD demonstrates high feasibility across aortic arch types, potential efficacy in embolic capture, and excellent safety in TAVR.
Humans ; Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Embolic Protection Devices ; Retrospective Studies ; Intracranial Embolism/prevention & control* ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aortic Valve Stenosis/surgery* ; Aortic Valve/surgery*

Objective:To explore the effect of heme-binding protein 1(HEBP1)down-regulation on the function of microglia BV2,and to clarify the key role of HEBP1 in the microglia.Methods:Negative control and HEBP1 knockdown small interfering RNA(siRNA)were constructed to knockdown HEBP1 gene in mouse-derived microglial BV2,and the HEBP1 knockdown BV2 cell models were obtained.The BV2 cells were divided into si-NC group,si-HEBP1-1 group,si-HEBP1-2 group,and si-HEBP1-3 group.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)and Western blotting methods were used to detect the expression levels of HEBP1 mRNA and protein in the BV2 cells after knockdown;the siRNA with the most significart knockdown effect was selected for stlbsequent expreriments.The proliferation abilities of the cells in si-NC group and si-HEBP1 group were detected by cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)assay,and the cell migration rates were assessed by scratch assay;the cellular mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels were detected by kits;the cellular mitochondrial respiratory function was detected by mitochondrial respirometer.The BV2 cells were divided into si-NC group,si-NC+lipopolysacch aride(LPS)group,si-HEBP1 group,and si-HEBP1+LPS group.RT-qPCR method was used to detect the expression levels of HEBP1,interleukin-1β(IL-1β),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),and interleukin-6(IL-6)mRNA in the BV2 cells in various groups,and Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of HEBP1 protein in the BV2 cells in various groups.Results:When the BV2 cells were transfected with siRNA carrying with red fluorescence tag CY3,the transfect effricacy was above 90％;compared with si-NC group,the expression levels of HEBP1 protein in the BV2 cells in si-HEBP1-1 group,si-HEBP1-2 group,and si-HEBP1-3 group were significantly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),especially in si-HEBP1-1 group.Compared with si-NC group,the expression levels of HEBP1 mRNA in the BV2 cells in si-HEBP1-1 group,si-HEBP1-2 group,and si-HEBP1-3 group were significantly decreased(P<0.01),especially in si-HEBP1-1 group;indicating that si-HEBP1-1 was the siRNA with best HEBP1 knowdown effect,and the HEBP1 knockdown BV2 cell model was successfully constructed.The CCK-8 resuts showed that compared with si-NC group,the proliferation activities of the BV2 cells in si-HEBP1 group were decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01);from 90 min,the differences in proliferation activities of the BV2 cells in two groups were obvious.The cell scratch experiment results showed that compared with si-NC group,the cell migration rate in si-HEBP1 group was significantly decreased(P<0.05).The fluorescence microscope results showed that compared with si-NC group,the mitochondrial membrane potential of the BV2 cells in si-HEBP1 group was significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with si-NC group,the ROS level in the BV2 cells in si-HEBP1 group was significantly increased(P<0.05).The mitochondrial respiration function testing results showed that compared with si-NC group,routine respiration(ROUNTINE)and leak respiration(LEAK)in si-HEBP1 group were significautly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and electron transfer system capacity(ETS)and residual oxygen consumption(ROX)had no significant differences(P>0.05);the ATP amount was decreased(P<0.05).The RT-qPCR results showed that compared with si-NC group,the expression levels of IL-1β,TNF-α,and IL-6 mRNA in the BV2 cells in si-NC+LPS group were significantly decreased(P<0.01);compared with si-HEBP1 group,the expression levels of IL-1β,TNF-α,and IL-6 mRNA in the BV2 cells in si-HEBP1+LPS group were significantly decreased(P<0.01);compared with si-NC+LPS group,the expression levels of IL-1β,TNF-α,and IL-6 mRNA in the BV2 cells in si-HEBP1+LPS group were significantly increased(P<0.01).Conclusion:Knockdown of HEBP1 gene can decrease the proliferation and migration abilities of the microglia BV2 and increase inflammatory response to LPS stimulus,and their mechanisms may be related to mitochondrial function damage and decreased ATP production of the BV2 cells.

ObjectiveTo investigate the difference in the risk of cardiovascular diseases between patients with different subtypes of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） from the perspective of metabolism， since cardiovascular events induced by metabolic disorders are the leading cause of death in NAFLD. MethodsThe cluster sampling method was used to conduct a multicenter cross-sectional study among three representative hospitals in Pudong New Area of Shanghai， China. A total of 37 122 sets of physical examination data from July 2022 to June 2023 were collected and stratified according to body mass index （BMI）. The chi-square test was used for comparison of continuous data between groups， and a multivariable Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association between NAFLD subtypes and cardiometabolic risk factors. ResultsA total of 9 372 cases of NAFLD were detected， with a detection rate of 25.25%， and more than 97% of these patients were diagnosed with metabolic associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD）. The subgroup analysis showed that the detection rates of lean， overweight， and obese NAFLD were 7.72%， 33.99%， and 63.56%， respectively. Compared with the patients with lean or overweight NAFLD， the patients with obese NAFLD showed a significantly higher proportion of patients with abnormalities in blood pressure， blood glucose， triglyceride （TG）， high-density lipoprotein （HDL） or uric acid （all P<0.001）. Among related risk factors， lean NAFLD was associated with the increase in total cholesterol （TC）（P<0.05）， while overweight NAFLD and obese NAFLD were not associated with TC abnormalities （P>0.05）； obese NAFLD was not associated with TG abnormalities， while lean NAFLD and overweight NAFLD were associated with TG abnormalities （both P<0.05）； all types of NAFLD were associated with the abnormalities of waist-hip ratio， blood pressure， blood glucose， low-density lipoprotein， HDL， and uric acid （all P<0.05）. ConclusionThe detection rates of different subtypes of NAFLD in Shanghai Pudong are close to those reported in China and globally， and the epidemiologic data of NAFLD can be used analogously for MAFLD. There are certain differences in the distribution and association of cardiometabolic risk factors between different subtypes of NAFLD， and targeted interventions should be formulated based on the metabolic characteristics of each type of NAFLD.

OBJECTIVE To establish a quantitative analysis of multi-components by single-marker （QAMS） method for simultaneous determination of six flavonoids and two phenolic acids in Perilla frutescens leaves using scutellarin and rosmarinic acid as internal reference substances， and apply this method to determine the contents of eight components in 20 batches of P. frutescens leaves samples from different regions. METHODS Scutellarin served as the internal reference to calculate relative correction factors （RCFs） for scutellarin-7-O-diglucuronide， luteolin-7-O-diglucuronide， apigenin-7-O-diglucuronide， luteolin-7-O- β-D-glucuronide and apigenin-7-O-glucuronide. Rosmarinic acid was employed as the internal reference to determine the RCF for caffeic acid. The contents of the above flavonoids and phenolic acids were calculated with QAMS， and compared with the results of external standard method. RESULTS The eight analytes demonstrated excellent linearity within their respective concentration ranges （r≥0.999 0）. The mean recovery rates for spiked samples ranged from 95.60% to 102.15%， with relative standard deviations （RSDs） of 0.72% to 2.70% （n＝6）. The method exhibited good precision， repeatability， and stability （RSD＜2.50%， n＝6）. Variations in instruments， columns， column temperature， flow rate， and formic acid volume fraction had minimal impact on the RCFs （RSD＜3%， n＝3）. Comparison with the external standard method showed no significant differences in the content of each component across batches， except for caffeic acid in the ZS12 batch （absolute value of RE＜5%， n＝2）. The contents of six CARS-21） flavonoid components in P. frutescens leaves samples varied significantly across different geographic origins， while the content of total flavonoids showed no significant difference. In contrast， the contents of two phenolic acid components and total phenolic acid exhibited significant variation among samples from different regions. CONCLUSIONS The developed QAMS method can simultaneously determine the contents of six flavonoids and two phenolic acids in P. frutescens leaves. It is convenient for detection， highly accurate， and cost-effective. This method is suitable for the quality control of P. frutescens leaves， and the variation of flavonoid and phenolic acid content in samples from different regions provides a reference for the selection of optimal cultivation areas.

Objective To explore the effects of oleanolic acid on NF-κB/caspase-9 signaling pathway in kidneys of rat with diabetic nephropathy.Methods The diabetic nephropathy model rats were established,and the model rats were randomly divided intooleanolic acid low,medium and high dose groups,metformin group,and model group,with another 12 healthy SD rats as control group.The levels of blood glucose were measured at weeks 1,2 and 3 post-drug administration,and blood lipid and 24h urine urinary microalbumin(UMA)were measured after entire drug administration.Furthermore,we also detected the renal histopathology of rats,apoptosis of renal tubular,glomerular cells,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-6(IL-6)and protein expression of NF-κB/caspase-9 signaling pathway.Results Compared with the control group,the model group demonstrated higher levels of blood glucose at weeks 1,2 and 3,blood lipid,UMA,TNF-α and IL-6,higher proportion of apoptotic renal tubular and glomerular,and higher expressions of caspase-9 protein and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the pathological damage of renal tissue in the metformin group and oleanolic acid low,middle and high dose groups were alleviated,the levels of blood glucose at weeks 1,2 and 3,blood lipid,UMA,TNF-α and IL-6,the proportion of apoptotic renal tubular and glomerular,and the expressions of caspase-9 proteins and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 were decreased,and these indexes in oleanolic acid groups showed a dose-dependent manner(P＜0.05).Conclusion Oleanolic acid can improve the metabolism of glucose and lipid,reduce the pathological damage of renal tissue,inhibit the apoptosis of renal tubular and glomerular,and inhibit the NF-κB/caspase-9 pathway in diabetic nephropathy rats.

Objective:To explore the current status and influencing factors of fatigue in patients with Cushing syndrome in China, so as to provide a basis for clinical interventions.Methods:Convenience sampling was used to select 260 inpatients with Cushing syndrome who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria in 9 ClassⅢ Grade A hospitals within the 7 geographic subregions of China from February to April 2023 for the study. General Information Questionnaire, the Chinese version of the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory-20, Barthel Index, and Self-Rating Depression Scale were used for the survey.Results:A total of 260 questionnaires were distributed and 241 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 92.7% (241/260). The MFI-20 score of 241 patients with Cushing syndrome was 58.00 (46.00, 64.00). 65.1% (157/241) of patients with Cushing syndrome suffered from fatigue, and 73.2% (115/157) of patients with fatigue exhibited multidimensional fatigue. Univariate analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences in fatigue scores among patients with Cushing syndrome with different cultural levels, recurrence frequency, activity of daily living, hypertension, and depression ( P<0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that depression was a risk factor for fatigue in patients with Cushing syndrome, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:Fatigue in patients with Cushing syndrome needs attention. Medical and nursing staff should pay close attention to the psychological status of patients with Cushing syndrome, encourage them to actively cope, alleviate their depression, in order to improve their fatigue.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of murine nerve growth factor for injection combined with prednisone in the treatment of children with idiopathic facial palsy(IFP).Methods A total of 170 children with IFP admitted to Huzhou First People's Hospital between April 2022 and June 2023 were selected as subjects.The children were divided into control group(n=85)and experimental group(n=85)by lottery method.The control group was treated with prednisone,and the experimental group was treated with mouse injectable murine nerve growth factor+prednisone.The clinical efficacy,neurotrophic factor levels,red blood cell immune function,facial nerve function,and adverse reactions were compared between two groups.Results The total effective rate in experimental group was significantly higher than that in control group(P＜0.05).After treatment,the experimental group demonstrated greater levels of nerve growth factor,glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor(GDNF),red blood cell C3b receptor ring formation rate,compared to control group.the experimental group showed lower levels of red blood cell immune complex ring rate and H-B grade scale scores(P＜0.05).Conclusion The combination of mouse nerve growth factor and prednisone injection has a remarkable effect on IFP patients,improving GDNF level and red blood cell immune function,improving facial nerve function and high safety.