Objective: To examine the mediating effect of frailty on social isolation and cognitive function among the elderly. Methods: Demographic information, smoking, alcohol consumption and cognitive function of the elderly at ages of 60 years and older were collected from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study 2020. Social isolation and frailty were evaluated using social isolation index and frailty index, respectively. The mediating effect of frailty on social isolation and cognitive function was analyzed using the Process program, and the significance of the mediating role was tested using the Bootstrap test. Results: A total of 2 822 individuals were enrolled, including 1 483 males (52.55%) and 1 339 females (47.45%). There were 2 497 (88.48%) and 325 (11.52%) individuals at ages of 60-<75 years and ≥75 years, respectively. The median cognitive function score was 14 (interquartile range, 16) points. There were 432 cases with social isolation (15.31%), with a median social isolation index of 10 (interquartile range, 5) points. The median frailty index was 0.11 (interquartile range, 0.15). There were 1 111 individuals without frailty, accounting for 39.37%; 1 214 individuals with pre-frailty, accounting for 43.02%; and 497 individuals with frailty, accounting for 17.61%. Mediating effect analysis showed that social isolation affected cognitive function directly and negatively with the effect value of -0.773 (95%CI: -0.899 to -0.647), and also affected cognitive function by frailty indirectly and negatively with the effect value of -0.147 (95%CI: -0.188 to -0.110), with the mediating effect contributed 15.98% of the total effect. Conclusion Frailty can directly or indirectly affect cognitive function among elderly through social isolation.

This research study focuses on addressing the limitations of current neuropathic pain (NP) treatments by developing a novel dual-target modulator, E0199, targeting both Na_V1.7, Na_V1.8, and Na_V1.9 and K_V7 channels, a crucial regulator in controlling NP symptoms. The objective of the study was to synthesize a compound capable of modulating these channels to alleviate NP. Through an experimental design involving both in vitro and in vivo methods, E0199 was tested for its efficacy on ion channels and its therapeutic potential in a chronic constriction injury (CCI) mouse model. The results demonstrated that E0199 significantly inhibited Na_V1.7, Na_V1.8, and Na_V1.9 channels with a particularly low half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) for Na_V1.9 by promoting sodium channel inactivation, and also effectively increased K_V7.2/7.3, K_V7.2, and K_V7.5 channels, excluding K_V7.1 by promoting potassium channel activation. This dual action significantly reduced the excitability of dorsal root ganglion neurons and alleviated pain hypersensitivity in mice at low doses, indicating a potent analgesic effect without affecting heart and skeletal muscle ion channels critically. The safety of E0199 was supported by neurobehavioral evaluations. Conclusively, E0199 represents a ground-breaking approach in NP treatment, showcasing the potential of dual-target small-molecule compounds in providing a more effective and safe therapeutic option for NP. This study introduces a promising direction for the future development of NP therapeutics.

Flagella are important protein structures on the cell surface of bacteria and the main appendage for bacterial swimming. Flagella play a crucial role in bacterial motility, chemotaxis, pathogenicity, and environmental sensing. With the development of microscopic tracking technology and flagellum visualization tools, new forms of flagellar motility and increasing roles of flagella in the physiological activities of bacteria have been discovered. This review introduces the visualization methods of flagella and the applications of these methods in studying flagellar functions, giving insights into exploring the functions of flagella and laying a theoretical foundation for its future applications in inhibiting bacterial transmission and treating bacterial infections.
Flagella/physiology* ; Bacterial Physiological Phenomena ; Chemotaxis/physiology* ; Bacteria

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)combined with argon-helium cryoablation(AHC)in the treatment of hypervascular small hepatocellular carcinoma(sHCC).Methods The clinical data of 35 patients with hypervascular sHCC,who received TACE combined with AHC at the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University of China from March 2018 to February 2019,were retrospectively analyzed.All patients were treated with TACE treatment first,after 3-7 days the patients received AHC therapy.The postoperative 1-,3-,and 6-month curative effect were evaluated,and the postoperative 1-,3-,and 5-year survival rates were calculated.The liver function and immune function indicators,as well as the serum tumor markers were detected.The adverse reactions during treatment were recorded.Results The postoperative 1-,3-,and 6-month objective remission rate(ORR)were 100.00％,94.29％and 91.43％respectively,and the disease control rate(DCR)were 100.00％,100.00％and 97.14％ respectively.The overall survival(OS)was(46.54±2.88)months,and the postoperative 1-,3-,and 5-year survival rates were 94.29％(33/35),65.71％(23/35)and 48.57％(17/35)respectively.The postoperative 3-day serum levels of ALT,AST and TBIL were significantly elevated when compared with their preoperative baseline levels(all P＜0.05),which returned to preoperative levels in 2 weeks after treatment(P＞0.05).The postoperative 2-week CD4+％and CD4+％/CD8+％ratio were remarkably increased when compared with their preoperative values(both P＜0.05),while the postoperative 2-week AFP,AFP-L3％,DCP and GPC3 levels were strikingly decreased when compared with their preoperative values(all P＜0.001).None of the patients developed procedure-related severe complications after treatment.Conclusion For the treatment of hypervascular sHCC,TACE combined with AHC has satisfactory clinical efficacy and safety.

The pathogenesis of aplastic anemia(AA)is complex and associated with hematopoietic stem cell defect,abnormal bone marrow microenvironment,immune dysfunction,and somatic mutation,in which the immune mechanism plays an important role.This article reviews the pathogenesis of AA from the following aspects:regulatory T cell reduction,hematopoietic stem cell reduction caused by factor-related apoptosis/factor-related apoptosis ligand signaling pathway,aberrant target gene expression induced by inflammatory factor-stimulated microRNAs,and regulatory T cell dysfunction,so as to provide ideas and methods for clinical practice.

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship of physical activity (PA) and cognitive function to sleep quality in older adults with cognitive impairment based on resting electroencephalogram (EEG), and to explore the mediating role of specific EEG markers in the relationship between PA and sleep quality. MethodsFrom March to May, 2024, 137 older adults were recruited from Chenfu Jiayuan and Qiangwei Jiuli in Songjiang district, and Luyan communities in Jinshan district, Shanghai. The assessments included Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), along with a five-minute EEG recording. ResultsThere was significant difference in sleep quality among older adults with different levels of cognitive impairment (t = -7.400, P < 0.001). The PSQI total score was negatively correlated with MoCA scores (r = -0.412, P < 0.001) and total physical activity level (PAL) (r = -0.363, P < 0.001). The θ power in the frontal areas (F3, F4) was significantly correlated with both PSQI scores and PAL (P < 0.01). The θ power in F3 + F4 exhibited a significant partial (effect size = -0.0004, 95%CI -0.0007 to -0.0002) mediating effect between PA and sleep quality in older adults with cognitive impairment. ConclusionOlder adults with more severe cognitive impairment tend to have poorer sleep quality, whereas higher PAL is associated with better sleep quality. PA can indirectly influence sleep quality in older adults with cognitive impairment by affecting θ power (F3 + F4).

Objective:To analyze the seroepidemiological characteristics of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among adolescents aged 0-14 years in Henan Province and to evaluate the effectiveness of the childhood hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) immunization program.Methods:From September 2021 to March 2022, a total of 4 883 adolescents aged 0-14 years were selected from 25 villages or communities of 18 provincial-level cities in Henan Province by using the multi-stage random cluster sampling method. Demographic data were collected through questionnaires. The 3 ml of blood samples were collected from individuals aged 0-4 years and 5 ml of blood samples were collected from individuals aged 5-14 years to test HBsAg, HBcAb and HBsAb. Data on vaccination were collected through Henan Provincial Immunization Information System and hepatitis B cases in Henan Province were collected through China Infectious Disease Reporting System. The effectiveness of the childhood HepB immunization program was analyzed.Results:The average age of 4 883 subjects was (7.32±2.81) years old. The positive rates of HBsAg and HBcAb were 0.1% (7/4 883) and 1.0% (50/4 883), and the population standardized rates were 0.3% and 1.7%. In 2002, the positive rate of HBsAg among adolescents aged 0-14 years in Henan Province was 3.39%. Compared with that in 2002, the number of chronic HBV infections among adolescents in Henan Province in 2022 decreased by about 0.7 million. In 2002, the vaccination rate of newborns who completed all three doses of vaccine was 6.26%. In 2003, the vaccination rate of the hepatitis B vaccine rose rapidly, reaching 90% in 2013 for the first time. After 2014, the vaccination rate in Henan Province continued to remain above 95%. The proportion of cases among children aged 1-4 years in clinical reports decreased from 0.43% (1 108/256 566) in 2006 to 0.01% (78/80 655) in 2021. The proportion of cases among adolescents aged 5-19 years decreased from 18.21% (46 710/256 566) in 2006 to 1.1% (827/80 655) in 2021.Conclusions:From 2002 to 2022, the positive rate of HBsAg among adolescents aged 0-14 years has decreased significantly in Henan Province. The effectiveness of the HepB immunization program for children is good.