Objective Previous studies on the association between lipid profiles and chronic kidney disease(CKD)have yielded inconsistent results and no defined thresholds for blood lipids. Methods A prospective cohort study including 32,351 subjects who completed baseline and follow-up surveys over 5 years was conducted.Restricted cubic splines and Cox models were used to examine the association between the lipid profiles and CKD.A regression discontinuity design was used to determine the cutoff value of lipid profiles that was significantly associated with increased the risk of CKD. Results Over a median follow-up time of 2.2(0.5,4.2)years,648(2.00%)subjects developed CKD.The lipid profiles that were significantly and linearly related to CKD included total cholesterol(TC),triglycerides(TG),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),TC/HDL-C,and TG/HDL-C,whereas low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)and LDL-C/HDL-C were nonlinearly correlated with CKD.TC,TG,TC/HDL-C,and TG/HDL-C showed an upward jump at the cutoff value,increasing the risk of CKD by 0.90%,1.50%,2.30%,and 1.60%,respectively,whereas HDL-C showed a downward jump at the cutoff value,reducing this risk by 1.0%.Female and participants with dyslipidemia had a higher risk of CKD,while the cutoff values for the different characteristics of the population were different. Conclusion There was a significant association between lipid profiles and CKD in a prospective cohort from Northwest China,while TG,TC/HDL-C,and TG/HDL-C showed a stronger risk association.The specific cutoff values of lipid profiles may provide a clinical reference for screening or diagnosing CKD risk.

Objective:To investigate the effects of compound Duzhong Jiangu Granules on joint function and gut microbiota in patients with Kashin-Beck disease.Methods:A single group pre- and post-experimental design was conducted, the patients with Kashin-Beck disease were selected as the subjects in Xunyi County, Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province; and treated with oral administration of compound Duzhong Jiangu Granules (12 g/bag, 1 bag/time, 3 times/day) for a period of 1 month. The improvement of joint function was evaluated using the joint dysfunction index scoring method before and after treatment. Morning stool samples of patients were collected and the changes in gut microbiota were analyzed before and after treatment using 16S rDNA sequencing technology.Results:A total of 87 patients with Kashin-Beck disease were included, including 44 males and 43 females; the age was (60.38 ± 7.12) years old, and the body mass index was (23.67 ± 3.59) kg/m 2. The comprehensive scores of joint dysfunction index for patients with Kashin-Beck disease before and after treatment were (7.27 ± 2.05) and (5.86 ± 2.01) points, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( t = 5.88, P < 0.001). The sequencing results of gut microbiota showed that there were statistically significant differences in the alpha diversity (chao1, observed species index) and beta diversity of gut microbiota in patients with Kashin-Beck disease before and after treatment ( Z = - 5.08, - 5.03, R = 0.09, P < 0.001). In the distribution of gut microbiota, Firmicutes was the dominant phylum, with relative abundances of 50.21% and 52.09% before and after treatment, respectively; the Bifidobacterium was the dominant bacterial genus, with relative abundances of 16.83% and 18.81% before and after treatment, respectively. At the genus level, a total of 17 gut microbiota genera were screened out, among which the relative abundances of Hafnia-Obesumbacterium, Gammaproteobacteria_unclassified, Acinetobacter, Pantoea, Leuconostoc, and Akkermanisia were significantly higher than before treatment ( Z = - 2.40, - 2.24, - 2.06, - 3.59, - 2.24, - 2.11, P < 0.05). The relative abundances of Dubosiella, Selenomonas, Anaeroplasma, Lachnospiraceae_ NK4A136_group, Rikenella, Prevotella, Megasphaera, Lactobacillus, Prevotella-9, Phascolarctobacterium, and Desulfovibrio were significantly lower than before treatment ( Z = - 9.38, - 2.61, - 2.18, - 8.43, - 2.45, - 2.46, - 2.49, - 7.29, - 2.29, - 2.55, - 2.08, P < 0.05). Conclusions:Compound Duzhong Jiangu Granules can effectively improve the joint function of patients with Kashin-Beck disease, and alter the diversity and richness of the gut microbiota community. It may reduce clinical symptoms in patients by regulating the structure of gut microbiota.

The syndrome of dampness stagnancy due to spleen deficiency (DSSD) is relatively common globally. Although the pathogenesis of DSSD remains unclear, evidence has suggested that the gut microbiota might play a significant role. Radix Astragali, used as both medicine and food, exerts the effects of tonifying spleen and qi. Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) comprises a macromolecule substance extracted from the dried root of Radix Astragali, which has many pharmacological functions. However, whether APS mitigates the immune disorders underlying the DSSD syndrome via regulating gut microbiota and the relevant mechanism remains unknown. Here, we used DSSD rats induced by high-fat and low-protein (HFLP) diet plus exhaustive swimming, and found that APS of moderate molecular weight increased the body weight gain and immune organ indexes, decreased the levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and endotoxin, and suppressed the Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-‍κB (TLR4/NF-‍κB) pathway. Moreover, a total of 27 critical genera were significantly enriched according to the linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe). APS increased the diversity of the gut microbiota and changed its composition, such as reducing the relative abundance of Pseudoflavonifractor and Paraprevotella, and increasing that of Parasutterella, Parabacteroides, Clostridium XIVb, Oscillibacter, Butyricicoccus, and Dorea. APS also elevated the contents of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Furthermore, the correlation analysis indicated that 12 critical bacteria were related to the body weight gain and immune organ indexes. In general, our study demonstrated that APS ameliorated the immune disorders in DSSD rats via modulating their gut microbiota, especially for some bacteria involving immune and inflammatory response and SCFA production, as well as the TLR4/NF-κB pathway. This study provides an insight into the function of APS as a unique potential prebiotic through exerting systemic activities in treating DSSD.
Rats ; Animals ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Spleen ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; Polysaccharides/pharmacology* ; Astragalus Plant/metabolism* ; Immune System Diseases/drug therapy* ; Body Weight

Objective This study focused on the low voltage and low concentration contrast agent technology in vascular imaging of stroke patients.Methods Totally144 patients of ischemic stroke confirmed from January 2022 to January 2023 were enrolled.They were divided into four groups according to different imaging methods:conventional group(tube voltage 120kV,iodine concentration 370mgI/ml),low voltage group(tube voltage 80kV,iodine concentration 370mgI/ml),low concentration group(tube voltage 120kV,iodine concentration 320mgI/ml)and dual-low group(tube voltage 80kV,iodine concentration 320mgI/ml),the post-processing technology adopted ASiR algorithm for 3D reconstruction.Then to compare contrast signal-to-noise ratio(CNR)and signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)of the reconstructed image,image quality score,CT values of internal carotid artery(ICA),anterior cerebral artery(AA)A1,middle cerebral artery(MA)M1,posterior cerebral artery(PA)P1,vertebral artery(VA)and basilar artery(BA),mean iodine intake and radiation dose parameters including volume CT dose index(CTDIvol)and dose length product(DLP).Results The CNR and SNR values in dual-low group were significantly less than the other three groups(P<0.05),while image quality score and CT value of each artery were no differences among the four groups(P>0.05).What's more,CTDIvol,DLP and iodine intake volume in dual-low group were significantly less than the others(P<0.05).Conclusion The dual-low technology scanning could obtain satisfactory head and neck CT angiography for stroke patients.

Background Current evidence on whether occupational sulfur dioxide (SO₂) exposure affects the risk of hypertension is still limited, and the research results of the effect of environmental SO₂ exposure on risk of hypertension remain inconsistent. Objective To analyze the association between self-reported occupational exposure to SO₂ and the risk of hypertension, and the potential dose-response relationship between the years of exposure to SO₂ and the risk of hypertension. Methods Based on the Jinchang cohort, a nested case-control study design was adopted. A total of 841 newly diagnosed hypertension patients were followed up as the case group, and the control group was selected with 1∶1 individual matching based on non-occupational factors and occupational factors, respectively. The former matching conditions included age ±2 years old, same gender, working age ±2 years, and home address in the same sub-district. The latter was limited to working in the same workshop on the basis of the former conditions. Finally, the former included 717 controls and the latter included 488 controls. A unified questionnaire was used to collect general demographic characteristics, lifestyle habits, history of diabetes, family history of hypertension, and information on occupational exposure to SO₂ (self-reported history of occupational exposure to SO₂ and years of exposure to SO₂). Conditional logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between occupational exposure to SO₂ and hypertension, and the dose-response relationship between the years of SO₂ exposure and the risk of hypertension. Results In the nested case-control study matching with the non-occupational factors, the OR of hypertension in workers with self-reported occupational exposure to SO₂ was 2.39 (95%CI: 1.68-3.39); while when matching with the occupational factors, the OR of hypertension in workers with self-reported occupational exposure to SO₂ was 1.48 (95%CI: 1.04-2.12). The results of the dose-response relationship showed that as the SO₂ exposure years increased from 1-9 years, 10-19 years, 20-29 years, and 30 years and above, in the nested case-control study matching with non-occupational factors, the ORs of hypertension were 1.85 (95%CI: 0.68-5.08), 1.46 (95%CI: 0.58-3.67), 1.64 (95%CI: 1.00-2.67), and 4.95 (95%CI: 2.63-9.31), respectively; in the nested case-control study matching with occupational factors, the ORs of hypertension were 0.98 (95%CI: 0.40-2.41), 1.84 (95%CI: 0.72-4.70), 1.37 (95%CI: 0.82-2.29), and 2.44 (95%CI: 1.37-4.35), respectively. The two dose-response relationships were positive by χ² trend test (P_trend<0.05). Conclusion Self-reported occupational exposure to SO₂ is associated with the risk of hypertension in the study population, and the hypertension risk increases with the increase of SO₂ exposure years.

Objective:To investigate the immunogenicity and safety of a boost dose of measles, mumps, and rubella combined vaccine (MMR) for children 4 to 6 years old.Methods:Children, aged 4 to 6 years old, had vaccinated with 1 dose of measles and rubella combined vaccine(MR) at the age of 8 months and 1 dose of MMR vaccine at 18-months, were recruited in Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, and Beijing, respectively. All children were assigned into 4, 5 and 6-year-old group. The children who met inclusion and exclusion criteria were vaccinated with 1 dose MMR vaccine, and were collected blood samples before vaccination and 35 to 42 d after the vaccination. During the study period, adverse events were collected at 30 min, 1 d, 2 d, 3 d, 4-12 d, and 13 to 42 days after vaccination. Serum was tested for IgG antibodies against measles, mumps and rubella. Geometric mean concentrations (GMC) of measles, mumps, and rubella antibodies were compared among groups by analysis of variance or non-parametric test. Seropositive rates and adverse event rates were compared among groups by Chi-square test or Fisher exact test.Results:A total of 500 children were included in immunogenicity analysis and 535 children were included in safety analysis. The overall adverse event rate was 20.37%, the most of severity for adverse events was mild. The rates of local and systemic adverse events were 0.37% and 20.00%, respectively. Symptoms of local adverse events were redness. The main systemic adverse events were fever, followed by cough, rash and runny nose. Received a dose of MMR vaccine for booster immunization, the seropositive rates of measles antibody, mumps antibody and rubella antibody were above 99% for all 3 age groups, and there was no significant difference between groups. There were significant differences in mumps antibody GMC among groups ( P=0.042), but no significant differences in measles and rubella antibodies GMC. Conclusion:The immunogenicity and safety of a boosted MMR vaccintion in children aged 4, 5 and 6 years were all similar good.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the molecular basis for an A subtype of the ABO blood group. METHODS: The forward and reverse typing of the ABO blood group were identified by gel card and test tube methods. The ABO gene of the patient was detected by PCR-sequence specific primer (PCR-SSP). Exons 1 to 7 of the ABO gene was amplified by PCR and sequenced. The ABO gene was also subjected to subclone sequencing for haplotype analysis. RESULTS: The patient's red cells showed weak agglutination with anti-A but non-agglutination with anti-B. The patient's serum showed 1+ agglutination with A cells and 4+ agglutination with B cells. Based on above serological characteristics, the patient was defined as Aw subtype of the ABO blood group. Sequencing analysis showed that the patient was heterozygous for c.106G>T, c.188G>A, c.189C>T, c.220C>T, c.297A>G, c.467C>T, c.543G>C, c.646T>A, c.681G>A, c.771C>T, c.829G>A, in addition with a c.261G deletion. Combined with the result of subclone sequencing, the ABO genotype of the patient was determined as ABO*AW.33. new/O.01.02, which harbored c.467C>T and c.543G>C variants compared with ABO*A1.01 and c.543G>C variant compared with ABO*A1.02. The novel allele has been submitted to GenBank with an accession number of MK302122. CONCLUSION A novel allele of Aw33 subtype has been identified with its GTA transferase gene harboring c.467C>T and c.543G>C variants compared with A1.01.
ABO Blood-Group System ; genetics ; Alleles ; Exons ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Phenotype

Objective:To investigate the physiological role of F1Fo-ATP synthase α-subunit encoding gene (ATP1) in promoting Candida albicans ( C. albicans) to escape from macrophage killing through eliminating intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) by using a reverse genetics approach. Methods:An ATP1 deletion strain and a parental strain of C. albicans were cultured on the YPD media, and the number of formed colonies on the plates was counted to evaluate in vitro viability of C. albicans. To evaluate their in vivo viability, the ATP1 deletion strain and parental strain of C. albicans were inoculated into mice through the caudal vein, kidney tissues were taken out from the mice 1-7 days after the infection, and inoculated onto the YPD medium followed by numeration of colonies after 48 hours of culture. After co-culture of overnight-cultured C. albicans suspensions with macrophages, some of the C. albicans suspensions were inoculated onto the YPD solid medium followed by numeration of colonies and determination of survival rate, and some culture supernatants were inoculated into the 96-well plate for detection of the level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) released by macrophages by LDH release assay. A model mimicking oxidative stress in macrophages was established by using hydrogen peroxide. After treatment with hydrogen peroxide, the number of colonies was counted to compare the viability of the C. albicans strains. DCFH-DA staining was conducted to detect the intracellular ROS level in C. albicans after co-culture with macrophages or treatment with hydrogen peroxide, and real-time fluorescence-based quantitative PCR to measure mRNA expression of catalase 1 (CAT1) , superoxide dismutase 4 (SOD4) and SOD5 genes in C. albicans after treatment with hydrogen peroxide. Statistical analysis was carried out by using two-way analysis of variance or Student t test. Results:In vitro, the colony number in both the parental strain group and ATP1 deletion strain group gradually increased over time; after 24 hours, the colony number of the ATP1 deletion strain group was only 10% of that in the parental strain group ( F = 481.84, P < 0.001) . The number of colony formed by the parental strain-infected mouse kidney tissues gradually increased over time, but that by the ATP1 deletion strain-infected mouse kidney tissues gradually decreased, and there was a significant difference between the two groups ( F = 78.27, P = 0.001) . After in vitro co-culture of C. albicans with macrophages, the survival rate in the ATP1 deletion strain group (62.67% ± 3.51%) was significantly lower than that in the parental strain group (82.33% ± 2.52%, t = 7.88, P = 0.001) , and the percentage of LDH released by macrophages was also significantly lower in the ATP1 deletion strain group (27.80% ± 3.54%) than in the parental strain group (87.78% ± 0.17%, t = 33.89, P < 0.001) , which were consistent with the in vivo results. In the model mimicking oxidative stress, the viability of the ATP1 deletion strain group was significantly lower than that of the parental strain group ( F = 3 440.65, P < 0.001) . Both in the co-culture model with macrophages and in the model mimicking oxidative stress in macrophages, the intracellular ROS levels were significantly higher in the ATP1 deletion strain group than in the parental strain group (both P < 0.001) . Furthermore, the mRNA expression of CAT1, SOD4 and SOD5 genes was significantly lower in the ATP1 deletion strain group than in the parental strain group after treatment with hydrogen peroxide (all P < 0.001) . Conclusion:ATP1 deletion may reduce the capabilities of C. albicans to counteract oxidative stress and eliminate ROS, likely by down-regulating the expression of oxidative stress- and ROS clearance-related genes respectively, which may prevent C. albicans from escaping from the macrophage killing and lead it to be eliminated by the host ultimately.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of different positions external physical vibration lithecbole (EPVL) therapy for ureteral calculi related renal colic. Methods: This study was a prospective multicenter randomized controlled trial. The inclusion criteria was that patients volunteered to participate in the trial and signed informed consent, patients’age ranged from 18-65 years old, ureteral calculi related with renal colic, stone diameter was less than 7 mm, patients were not treated with analgesia, antispasmodic drugs. The exclusion criteria was that combination of severe urinary tract infection, severe hydronephrosis, urinary malformation, severe hypertension, history of cerebrovascular disease, vital organ dysfunction, obesity (BMI>35 kg/m²), history of ureteral calculi exceeded 2 months, abnormal blood coagulation. Patients were randomized into observation group and control group using random number table method. The observation group and the control group were placed on the physical vibration stone arranging machine with head low foot high position and head high foot low position respectively. The inclination angle was 24°. The secondary vibrator vibrated for 6 minutes, then the patient took the prone position and opened the main, the secondary vibrator. The treatment is completed after 6 minutes of vibration. The analgesic effect, stone removal, follow-up effects and adverse reactions in the two groups was compared. We defined the pain relief rate as(VAS score before treatment-VAS score after treatment)/VAS score before treatment×100%. Results: A total of 100 patients were included in the study, 50 in the observation group and 50 in the control group. There were no statistical difference in the age of the two groups [(41.8±11.7)years and (46.6±13.9 years)], gender distribution [37(male)/13(female) and 42(male)/ 8(female)], location of stones (in the observation group, 19 cases in upper ureter, 7 cases in the middle ureter and 24 cases in the lower ureter; in the control group, 12 cases in the upper ureter, 3 cases in the middle ureter, and 35 in the lower ureter), left and right distribution of stones [21(right)/ 29 (left) and 22 (right)/ 28(left)], long diameter of stones [(5.2±0.9)mm and(5.1±1.1)mm], VAS scores before treatment (7.5±1.4 and 7.6±1.5), and readmission rate [22%(11/50)With 18%(9/50)], 1 week stone removal rate [70%(35/50) and 64%(32/50)]. The incidence of adverse reactions was 8%(4/50) in the observation group including 3 cases of nausea, 1 case of vomiting. The incidence of adverse reactions was 4% in the control group (2/50), which 2 cases showed nausea. The number of patients who chose EPVL, ESWL or surgery for the subsequent treatment in observation group was 35 cases, 9 cases, and 6 cases respectively. The number of patients who chose EPVL, ESWL or surgery for the subsequent treatment in the control group was 35 cases, 10 cases and 5 cases respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). The VAS score after treatment of the observation group was lower than that of the control group (2.4±1.3 and 3.7±1.5, P<0.01). The total effective rate of the observation group was higher than that of the control group [94%(47/50) and 76%(38/50), P<0.01]. 46 patients underwent urinary ultrasonography to check the degree of hydronephrosis. The reduction rate of hydronephrosis was higher in the observation group than in the control group [54.5%(18/33) and 30.8%(4/13)], but there was no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.146). In the upper ureteral calculi, the VAS score of the observation group was lower than that of the control group (2.4±0.3 and 3.9±0.4, P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the total effective rate between the two groups. In the lower ureteral calculi, the observation group had low VAS score after treatment. In the control group (2.4±0.2 and 3.5±0.2, P<0.01), there was no significant difference in the total effective rate between the two groups; the middle segment stones were less included (10 in total) and were not discussed. Conclusions The external physical vibration lithecbole adopts " head high and low position" has better effect than "head low foot high position" in treatment of ureteral calculi with renal colic, and security is acceptable.

Objective To explore the potential genetic variants related with late-onset Alzheimer's disease(LOAD),and to broaden the AD genetic susceptibility factor profile.Methods We targetedly sequenced four lipids metabolism related genes including apolipoprotein E(APOE),sortilin-related receptor gene (SORL 1),apolipoprotein C-I (APOC1) and clusterin (CLU),validated these candidate variants in patients with LOAD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI)and the controls with normal cognitive function,and made a bioinformatic analysis.Results The mutation in the allele of CLU rs117389184,a low-frequency single nucleotide polymorphism,would increase the risk of LOAD and MCI[OR (95 ％ CI):3.56 (1.08-4.84),P =0.026;OR (95 ％ CI):3.06 (0.98-4.03),P =0.026],suggesting CLU rs117389184 gene variant was associated with cognitive impairment.This variation could affect CLU gene expression by interfering with the binding of transcription factors.Conclusions CLU rs117389184 is a new genetic risk variant for LOAD and MCI.