Objective:To investigate the expression level of transcription factor dimerization partner 2 (TFDP2) in the placentas of women with preeclampsia, and analyze its effect on the apoptosis of trophoblast cells.Methods:Placental tissues from thirty puerperae with preeclampsia who gave birth by cesarean section in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School between January 2018 and December 2022 (preeclampsia group) and 30 healthy puerperae undergoing cesarean section during the same period (control group) were retrospectively selected. Immunohistochemistry was used to localize TFDP2 in the placental tissues. Real-time quantitative-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot were used to detect the differences in expression of TFDP2 at mRNA and protein levels in placental tissues between the two groups. Forskolin-exposed BeWo cells were transfected with small interfering RNA (siRNA) to knockdown TFDP2 and the changes in the expression of apoptosis-related indicators, B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) and Bcl2 associated X (Bax), at protein and mRNA levels were analyzed by Western blot and qRT-PCR, respectively. Besides, the change in the apoptosis level of BeWo cells was detected using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining and flow cytometry. Downstream signaling pathways were analyzed to understand the involved molecular mechanisms. Two independent samples t-test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results:TFDP2 was mostly localized in the syncytiotrophoblasts and the extravillous trophoblasts in the normal placentas. TFDP2 expression in the syncytiotrophoblasts was lower in the preeclampsia group than in the control group at both mRNA (0.722±0.239 vs. 1.000±0.348, t=3.61, P=0.001) and protein (0.728±0.185 vs. 1.000±0.206, t=2.41, P=0.037) levels. Comparing the group without knockdown of TFDP2, the knockdown of TFDP2 in BeWo cells elevated the Bax/Bcl2 ratio (mRNA: 1.755±0.452 vs. 1.000±0.279, t=3.48, P=0.006; protein: 3.206±0.922 vs. 1.000±0.290, t=3.95, P=0.017), and increased cell apoptosis both in number and ratio (TUNEL staining: 4.556±1.740 vs. 2.444±1.130, t=3.05, P=0.008; flow cytometry: 21.37%±1.66% vs. 12.61%±0.38%, t=8.92, P=0.001). Furthermore, following TFDP2 knockdown, a decrease in the phosphorylation activity of catalytic subunit of protein kinase A (PKAc) at the Thr197 site was observed in the cytoplasm of BeWo cells (0.466±0.035 vs. 1.000±0.075, t=11.19, P<0.001) and a reduction in the expression of β-catenin in the cell nucleus was also detected (0.250±0.093 vs. 1.000±0.269, t=4.57, P=0.010). Conclusion:The expression of TFDP2 decreased significantly in the placentas of patients with preeclampsia, which may promote the apoptosis of syncytiotrophoblasts by inhibiting the PKAc/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Objective:To summarize the clinical features and postoperative efficacy of patients with oval window atresia accompanied by facial nerve aberration.Methods:The clinical data of patients with congenital middle ear malformation with facial nerve aberration admitted to our hospital from January 2015 to March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 97 cases (133 ears) in total. Among them, 39 patients (44 ears) had complete follow-up data, including 27 male patients and 12 females, aged 7-48 years old, with an average age of 17.8 years old. Of these, 14 cases (16 ears) were patients combined with facial nerve aberration, and 25 cases (28 ears) were without facial nerve aberration. The results of imaging examination, pure-tone audiometry, selection of surgical strategy, intraoperative findings and postoperative hearing improvement were summarized and analyzed. The malformations of malleus, incus, stapes, oval window and facial nerve were recorded. Prism 9 software was used to statistically analyze the mean bone conductance and air-bone gap of patients before and after surgery.Results:All the 14 patients (16 ears) with middle ear malformation accompanied by facial nerve aberration and oval window atresia showed poor hearing and no facial palsy since childhood. High resolution CT (HRCT) examination of temporal bone, pure tone audiometry and Gelle test were performed before surgery. The malformations of malleus, incus, stapes, oval window and facial nerve were recorded. Preoperative high-resolution CT (HRCT) examination of temporal bone found 12 ears with 4 or more deformities, accounting for 75.00%, in the group of patients with facial nerve malformation. The preoperative average bone conductive threshold was (15.3±10.4) dB and the average air-bone gap was (46.3±10.6) dB in pure-tone audiometry (0.5, 1, 2, 4kHz). According to the different degrees of facial nerve and ossicle malformation, we performed three different hearing reconstruction strategies for the 14 patients (16 ears) with facial nerve aberration and oval window atresia, including 7 ears of incus bypass artificial stape implantation, 7 ears of Malleostapedotomy (MS) and 2 ears of Malleus-cochlear-prothesis (MCP). After 3 months to 18 months of follow-up, all patients showed no facial paralysis. The postoperative mean bone conductive threshold was (15.7±7.9) dB and air-bone gap was (19.8±8.5) dB. There were significant differences in mean air-bone gap before and after operation ( t=7.766, P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between the mean bone conductive threshold before and after surgery ( t=0.225, P=0.824). There was no significant difference of mean reduction of air-bone gap between patients with and without facial nerve aberration ( t=1.412, P=0.165). There was no significant difference between the three hearing reconstruction strategies. There was no significant displacement of the Piston examined by U-HRCT. Conclusion:For patients of middle ear malformation whose facial nerve cover the oval window partially, incus bypass artificial stape implantation or Malleostapedotomy (MS) can be selected according to the specific condition of auditory ossis malformation, and for patients whose facial nerve completely covers the oval window area, Malleus-cochlear-prothesis (MCP) can be selected. Three types of stapes surgery are safe and reliable for patients with oval window atresia accompanied by facial nerve aberration. There was no significant difference in efficacy between them. Preoperative HRCT assessment of middle ear malformation is effective. There is no significant difference of surgical effect with or without facial nerve aberration. The U-HRCT can be used to evaluate the middle ear malformation before surgery and the Piston implantation status after surgery. Due to the risks of surgery, those who do not want to undergo surgery can choose artificial hearing AIDS, such as hearing aid, vibrating soundbridge, bone bridge or bone-anchored hearing aid.

ObjectiveThis study aims to explore risk factors for the development of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events （MACCEs） in middle-aged and elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with stable angina pectoris （T2DM-SAP） based on real-world clinical data in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， so as to develop a COX proportional risk prediction model and visualize the predicted results using a nomogram. MethodBased on the clinical scientific research information sharing system， the medical records of 586 T2DM-SAP patients （45-94 years old） were collected from January 2012 to December 2019， including age， gender， course of disease， major medical history， laboratory examination， tongue image， pulse image， TCM syndrome， and major treatment drugs. MACCE outcome indicators of patients were obtained by telephone follow-up and re-hospitalization records. The data was divided into a training set and a validation set according to 7∶3. In the training set， COX univariate analysis was used to determine the risk factors for MACCE in T2DM-SAP patients， and then variables were screened by forward-backward stepwise regression method， so as to establish a MACCE risk prediction model and construct a nomogram. The predictive efficacy of the model was reflected by the C-index， receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve， calibration map， and clinical decision curve. ResultThe history of cerebrovascular disease ［Hazard ratio （HR）=1.983， 95% confidence interval （CI，1.314-2.993）］， low-density lipoprotein （LDL-C/mmol·L^-1）≥4.1［HR=2.683， 95%CI（1.461-4.925）］， dull red tongue ［HR=1.955， 95%CI（1.273-3.002）］， dull purple tongue ［HR=4.214， 95%CI（2.017-8.803）］， white thick coating ［HR=3.030， 95%CI（1.634-9.293）］， thin and weak pulse ［HR=2.233， 95%CI（1.283-3.888）］， and syndrome of wind-phlegm blocking collaterals ［HR=2.007， 95%CI（1.179-3.418）］ were found to be risk factors in middle-aged and elderly T2DM-SAP patients. Insulin ［HR=0.604， 95%CI（0.399-0.914）］， glycosidase inhibitor ［HR=0.627， 95%CI（0.409-0.962）］， and TCM treatment ［HR=0.328， 95%CI（0.214-0.503）］ were protective factors in middle-aged and elderly T2DM-SAP patients. The prediction model was constructed based on the above risk factors. The C-index of the model was 0.818 （95% CI 0.777 -0.859） in the training set and 0.814 （95% CI 0.773-0.855） in the validation set， and the change of C-index over time was plotted. The AUC of patients for 5， 10， 15 years in the training set was 0.71， 0.67， and 0.61. The AUC of patients for 5， 10， and 15 years in the validation set was 0.60， 0.68， and 0.63， respectively. The calibration map and clinical decision curves of 5， 10， 15 years were drawn in the training set and the validation set， respectively. The model was well calibrated and clinically effective. ConclusionThe history of cerebrovascular disease， LDL， dull red tongue， dull purple tongue， white thick coating， thin and weak pulse， and syndrome of wind-phlegm blocking collaterals are risk factors for MACCE in middle-aged and elderly T2DM-SAP patients， and insulin， glycosidase inhibitors， TCM treatment are protective factors for MACCE in middle-aged and elderly T2DM-SAP patients. A clinical prediction model is established accordingly. This model has good discrimination， calibration degree， and clinical effectiveness and provides a scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of MACCE in middle-aged and elderly T2DM-SAP patients.

Background::Limited information exists regarding the impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection on psoriasis patients. The objective of this study was to identify clinical factors associated with the prognosis of psoriasis following SARS-CoV-2 infection.Methods::A retrospective, multicenter study was conducted between March and May 2023. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to identify factors associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related psoriasis outcomes. The study included 2371 psoriasis patients from 12 clinical centers, with 2049 of them having been infected with SARS-CoV-2.Results::Among the infected groups, lower exacerbation rates were observed in individuals treated with biologics compared to those receiving traditional systemic or nonsystemic treatments (22.3% [236/1058] vs. 39.8% [92/231] vs. 37.5% [140/373], P <0.001). Psoriasis progression with lesions (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 8.197, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 5.685–11.820, compared to no lesions), hypertension (adjusted OR = 1.582, 95% CI = 1.068–2.343), traditional systemic (adjusted OR = 1.887, 95% CI= 1.263–2.818), and nonsystemic treatment (adjusted OR= 1.602, 95% CI= 1.117–2.297) were found to be associated with exacerbation of psoriasis after SARS-CoV-2 infection, but not biologics (adjusted OR = 0.931, 95% CI = 0.680–1.274, compared to no treatment), according to multivariable logistic regression analysis. Conclusions::A reduced risk of psoriasis exacerbation after SARS-CoV-2 infection was observed with biologics compared to traditional systemic and nonsystemic treatments. Significant risk factors for exacerbation after infection were identified as existing psoriatic lesions and hypertension.

Animal models are powerful tools for studying the mechanism of depressive disorders and screening antidepressants,but so far there is no model which can stimulate the clinical status of patients ideally.Here,we briefly introduced the research advances in classic animal models of depres-sive disorders,and focused on stress-related animal models,especially those induced by physical and social psychological stressors.The tests for evaluating animal depression behavior were reviewed.In this article,the strengths and weaknesses of each model were analyzed,and the precautions in its application were recommended.Finally,given the high heterogeneity of depressive disorders,this article elaborated on the research progress in models for subtypes of depressive disorders,such as treatment resistant depression,bipolar disorder,peripartum depression,and premenstrual syndrome.

【Objective】 To investigate the effects of high-dose hyperbaric trioxygen autologous blood therapy (HOT) on oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2) and serum inflammatory factors in dogs with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). 【Methods】 Twelve healthy adult beagles were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=4). The blank group was injected with normal saline intravenously. The ARDS model was established by intravenous injection of oleic acid (0.12 mL/kg) in the ARDS group and ARDS+ HOT group. The mark of a successful model is that the oxygen and index (PaO2/FiO2) <300 mmHg. In the ARDS+ HOT group, after the ARDS model was established, 16 G indwelling needle was used to puncture the left femoral vein and connect the line of the HOT device. Venous blood (50 mL/ dog) was collected from the femoral vein under negative pressure to the blood storage bottle (100 mL blood storage bottle), and then the blood collection was stopped and the gas injection switch of the HOT device was turned on. Inject 50 mL of 20ng/dL trioxygen gas into the blood storage bottle. After gas injection, turn the blood storage bottle upside down three times to fully trioxidize the blood and then inject it back into the dog. Repeat this treatment for 10 cycles. PaO2 and PaO2/FiO2 were detected before treatment and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 h after treatment. The serum was retained after treatment, and the expressions of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were detected by ELISA. The animals were euthanized, and the gross lung morphology of the dogs was observed at autopsy. The dorsal segment of the left lower lobe of the lung was taken for pathological section HE staining, and the morphological changes of the lung tissue were observed under the microscope. 【Results】 After 5 hours of treatment, the PaO2/FiO2 of blank group was 481.85±35.31, and that of ARDS group was 183.67±20.18, which was significantly lower than that of blank group (P<0.01). The ARDS HOT group was 271.90±21.35, which was significantly higher than the ARDS group (P<0.01). The inflammatory factor IL-6 was (206.49±38.85) pg/mL in the blank group, and (293.12±30.38) pg/mL in the ARDS group, which was significantly higher than that in the blank group (P<0.01). There was a significant difference between the ARDS HOT group and ARDS group (221.56±46.69) pg/mL (P<0.01). The results of inflammatory factor IL-8 detection showed that the IL-8 in ARDS group was increased compared with the blank group (P<0.01); and the IL-8 in ARDS HOT group was decreased compared with ARDS group (P<0.01). Myeloperoxidase MPO test results showed that the blank group was (505.58±73.94) pg/mL, and the ARDS group was (605.69±108.88) pg/mL, which was significantly higher than the blank group (P<0.05). The ARDS HOT group was (476.52±103.85) pg/mL, which was significantly lower than the ARDS group (P<0.05). Microscopic examination of lung pathology showed that the lung tissue injury in ARDS HOT group was significantly reduced compared with ARDS group. 【Conclusion】 HOT can reduce the inflammation and injury of lung in ARDS model dogs through significantly increasing the PaO2/FiO2, down-regulating the expression of MPO, then inhibiting the activity of neutrophils and reducing the levels of IL-6 and IL-8.

Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is an important cause of ischemic stroke and vascular dementia, which brings heavy burden to families and society. The prevention and treatment of CSVD has always been a research hotspot, but its pathogenesis is still not completely clear. This article reviews the pathogenesis of CSVD, including chronic cerebral hypoperfusion, blood-brain barrier dysfunction, vascular endothelial dysfunction, interstitial fluid reflux disorder, inflammatory response, and genetic factors, in order to provide more sufficient theoretical basis for early intervention and treatment of CSVD.

In order to overcome the challenges of insufficient restriction enzyme sites, and construct a fusion-expression vector with flexible fusion direction, we designed an LB cloning system based on the type IIS and type IIT restriction enzymes LguⅠ and BbvCⅠ. The LB cloning system is constructed by inserting the LB fragment (GCTCTTCCTCAGC) into the multiple cloning site region of the broad-host plasmid pBBR1MCS-3 using PCR. The LB fragment contains partially overlapped recognition sites of LguⅠ and BbvCⅠ. Therefore, the same non-palindromic sequence will be generated by these two restriction endonucleases digestion. This feature can be used to quickly and flexibly insert multiple genes into the expression vector in a stepwise and directed way. In order to verify the efficacy of the cloning system, two glycosyltransferase genes welB and welK of Sphingomonas sp. WG were consecutively fused to the LB cloning vector, and the recombinant plasmid was transferred into Sphingomonas sp. WG by triparental mating. The results showed that gene fusion expression has little effect on sphingan titer, but enhanced the viscosity of sphingan. The viscosity of the sphingan produced by recombinant strain Sphingomonas sp. WG/pBBR1MCS-3-LB-welKB was 24.7% higher than that of the wild strain after fermentation for 84 h, which would be beneficial for its application. In conclusion, the application of LB cloning system were verified using Sphingomonas sp. WG. The LB cloning system may provide an efficient tool for fusion expression of target genes.
Base Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Fermentation ; Plasmids/genetics* ; Sphingomonas/metabolism*

Objective:To investigate the clinical safety and efficacy of tirofiban in the treatment of hemiplegic stroke warning syndrome.Methods:Patients with hemiplegic stroke warning syndrome admitted to Jining First People's Hospital without receiving intravenous thrombolysis from January 2018 to May 2020 were enrolled retrospectively. Some patients were given tirofiban intravenous infusion for at least 24 h in acute phase, then received oral antiplatelet therapy (tirofiban group); some only received aspirin+ clopidogrel dual antiplatelet therapy (control group). The primary endpoint was muscle strength at the paralytic side and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at day 7 after onset. The secondary endpoint was the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 3 months after onset, and ≤2 was defined as good clinical outcome. The safety endpoint was the bleeding events during treatment. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent influencing factors of clinical outcome. Results:A total of 30 patients with hemiplegic stroke warning syndrome were enrolled, including 19 (63.3%) in the tirofiban group and 11 (36.7%) in the control group. There was no significant difference in baseline clinical data between the two groups, and no drug-related bleeding complications occurred during treatment. The muscle strength at paralytic side and NIHSS score at day 7 after onset, NIHSS score at discharge and good clinical outcome rate at 3 months in the tirofiban group were significantly better than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that tirofiban was an independent protective factor for good outcome after adjusting the NIHSS score at the beginning of treatment (odds ratio 0.040, 95% confidence interval 0.040-0.449; P=0.009). Conclusions:Tirofiban is safe and effective in the treatment of patients with hemiplegic stroke warning syndrome in acute phase. It can effectively block the progress of the disease, improve the outcome of patients, and will not increase the risk of bleeding.

Objective:To investigate the safety of intraoperative prophylactic addition of tirofiban on the basis of preoperative oral administration of aspirin and clopidogrel in patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms accepted stent-assisted coil embolization, and explore the effect of tirofiban on perioperative thrombotic events.Methods:The clinical data of 275 patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms who underwent stent assisted coil embolization in our hospital from January 2016 to December 2019 were retrospectively collected. Among them, 110 patients admitted to our hospital from January 2016 to December 2017 only received preoperative oral administration of aspirin and clopidogrel combined with antiplatelet treatment (classic group), and 165 patients admitted to out hospital from January 2018 to December 2019 received intraoperative prophylactic addition of tirofiban on the basis of preoperative oral administration of aspirin and clopidogrel (improved group). The differences of perioperative safety and thrombotic events between the two groups were compared and analyzed.Results:The incidence of intraoperative visual thrombotic events in the classic group and the improved group were 6.4% (7/110) and 1.2% (2/165), respectively, with significant difference ( P<0.05); the incidence of postoperative thrombotic events was 4.5% (5/110) and 2.4% (4/165), respectively, without significant difference ( P>0.05); the incidence of urethrorrhagia was 9.1% (10/110) and 21.2% (35/165), respectively, with significant difference ( P<0.05); and the incidence of gingival hemorrhage was 13.6% (15/110) and 19.4% (32/165), respectively, without significant difference ( P>0.05). No acute gastrointestinal hemorrhage or cerebral hemorrhage occurred in both groups; urethrorrhagia and gingival hemorrhage were transient and relieved spontaneously. Conclusion:Intraoperative prophylactic addition of tirofiban on the basis of preoperative oral administration of aspirin and clopidogrel can reduce the incidence of intraoperative visual thrombotic events without increasing the risk of hemorrhage in stent-assisted coil embolization of unruptured intracranial aneurysms.