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ABSTRACT: Aims: Electroacupuncture (EA) at Shuigou (GV26) and Baihui (GV20) has shown therapeutic benefits for stroke patients. Given that natural killer (NK) cell infiltration into the brain significantly contributes to the exacerbation of cerebral ischemic injury, this study investigated the impact of EA at Shuigou (GV26) and Baihui (GV20) on post-ischemic brain infiltration and activation of NK cells. Methods: Neurological deficit score, rotarod test, adhesive removal test, and TTC staining were used to evaluate the beneficial effects of EA in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) mice. The inhibitory effect of EA on STAT3 activation was assessed using Western blot. Flow cytometry was used to explore the impact of EA on post-ischemic brain infiltration of NK cells, as well as the activating receptor NKG2D expression and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production by these infiltrated NK cells. Results: EA significantly alleviated neurological functional deficits and reduced brain infarction in MCAO mice. Abundant NK cells infiltrated into the ischemic hemisphere, but this infiltration was significantly suppressed by EA. Furthermore, EA attenuated NKG2D levels and reduced production of IFN-γ by NK cells in the ischemic brain. Notably, EA's inhibitory effect on post-ischemic NK cell brain infiltration and activation was comparable to that of STAT3 inhibition. The combination of EA and STAT3 inhibition did not result in further enhancement of the inhibitory effect. Moreover, the protective effects of EA against MCAO injury were abolished when STAT3 was activated. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that EA at Shuigou (GV26) and Baihui (GV20) inhibits the post-ischemic brain infiltration and activation of NK cells through STAT3 inhibition, significantly contributing to its therapeutic effects against brain ischemia.

Abstract Investigating the impact of carbon emissions trading policy and elucidating the underlying mechanisms are crucial for enhancing policy effectiveness and refining related systems. This study examines the impact of carbon emissions trading policy by constructing a difference-in-difference model utilizing unbalanced panel data from China’s provinces spanning the period from 2005 to 2019. Additionally, a mediating effect model is employed to delve into the underlying mechanisms. The key findings are as follows: Firstly, the implementation of carbon emissions trading policy has a notable inhibitory impact on carbon emissions. Secondly, both the upgrading of industrial structure and the reduction of energy intensity play mediating roles in carbon emissions reduction. However, the development of clean energy industries does not exhibit a significant mediating effect. In conclusion, this study offers policy recommendations aimed at facilitating carbon reduction. These include enhancing the market-based trading mechanism for carbon emissions, optimizing and upgrading industrial structures, fostering innovation in green and low-carbon technologies, and promoting the development and utilization of clean energy.

Objectives: The Albumin-Bilirubin (ALBI) score has been widely used to assess the prognosis in patients with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between ALBI score and all-cause mortality in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in general. Methods: Patients aged ≥ 18 years with previous or current HBV infection from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in the United States between 1999 and 2018 were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. Weight univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were used to assess the relationship between ALBI score and all-cause mortality. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was utilized to assess the predictive effect of ALBI score for all-cause mortality. Results: A total of 3,666 patients were included, of whom 925 (23.53 %) patients died. Compared with ALBI score ≤ -2.6, HBV-infected patients with ALBI score > -2.6 [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.75; 95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.43–2.14] were corrected with a higher all-cause mortality risk after adjusting for confounders. Stratified analyses showed that higher ALBI score was related to a higher risk of all-cause mortality in different patients with HBV infection (All P

Abstract Background Sepsis is the leading cause of death in hospitalized patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Although substantial progress has been made in studies on the treatment of sepsis, the mortality rate remains extremely high. We have previously reported that electroacupuncture (EA) induced tolerance against sepsis, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Methods C57BL/6 mice were pretreated with EA before sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Then the indexes associated with pulmonary edema and mortality were tested. And the changes of endogenous cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway especially their typical receptor α7nAChR were detected. Finally, the mechanism of EA in sepsis was explored through regulating the expression of α7nAChR. Results The expression of α7nAChR was significantly decreased after sepsis, while EA prevented this reduction. Methyllycaconitine (MLA), an antagonist of α7nAChR, attenuated the beneficial effects of EA. On the other hand, as an α7nAChR agonist, GTS-21 produced similar protective effects against sepsis. Furthermore, the EA-induced enhancement of α7nAChR and inhibition of NF-κB expression in the lungs were reversed by MLA administration. Conclusions EA robustly protects the lungs against sepsis and inhibits NF-κB release by activating α7nAChR in mice.

Epithelial regeneration is critical for barrier maintenance and organ function after intestinal radiation injury. Accumulating evidence indicates that the interleukin family members play critical roles in intestinal stem-cell-mediated epithelial regeneration. However, little is known about the relationship between interleukin 33 (IL-33)/ST2 axis and intestinal regeneration after radiation injury. We demonstrate here that IL-33 expression significantly increased after radiation treatment. Deficiency of IL-33/ST2 promotes intestinal epithelial regeneration, resulting in a reduction of mortality during radiation-induced intestine injury. Using ex vivo organoid cultures, we show that recombinant IL-33 promotes intestinal stem cell differentiation. Mechanistically, the effects of IL-33 were mediated by activation of transforming growth factor-β signaling. Our findings reveal a fundamental mechanism by which IL-33 is able to regulate the intestinal crypt regeneration after tissue damage.

Microglia, resident macrophages of the CNS, are essential to brain development, homeostasis, and disease. Microglial activation and proliferation are hallmarks of many CNS diseases, including neuropathic pain. However, molecular mechanisms that govern the spinal neuroimmune axis in the setting of neuropathic pain remain incompletely understood. Here, we show that genetic ablation or pharmacological blockade of transient receptor potential vanilloid type 4 (TRPV4) markedly attenuated neuropathic pain-like behaviors in a mouse model of spared nerve injury. Mechanistically, microglia-expressed TRPV4 mediated microglial activation and proliferation and promoted functional and structural plasticity of excitatory spinal neurons through release of lipocalin-2. Our results suggest that microglial TRPV4 channels reside at the center of the neuroimmune axis in the spinal cord, which transforms peripheral nerve injury into central sensitization and neuropathic pain, thereby identifying TRPV4 as a potential new target for the treatment of chronic pain.

Two strategic documents issued by the Chinese Central Government projected that, by the mid-21st century, the linear transport infrastructure (LTI) network of China will rank at the forefront of ecological and sustainable transport networks globally. With this goal, it is urgent to summarize existing research, benchmark international research levels, and propose development directions and strategies for terrestrial vertebrate species protection around LTI in China. In this study, we searched for peer-reviewed papers before 2020 in both Chinese and international databases. A total of 170 academic articles were collected. Most focused on roads, but some focused on railways, of which the Qinghai-Tibet Railway occupied half. The most researched taxa were mammals, including the Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii), Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris), and Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), the number of bird research papers was less than half that of mammal research papers, and fewer amphibian and reptile studies. The impact of LTI on wildlife was classified to habitat effects, roadkill, behavioral influences, and barrier effects. Wildlife preservation efforts included wildlife and habitat surveys, route selection, subgrade and pavement design, and the design and monitoring of wildlife crossing structures. Studies were concentrated in five zoogeographical regions, i.e., the Qinghai-Tibet, South China, Central China, Northeast China, and Southwest China regions. Conservation suggestions, knowledge gaps, and future research directions for China were identified through comparisons with the state of international research. These focal priorities will help guide the development of road ecology in China. Multi-disciplinary, cross-departmental, and national level research is necessary. Based on this review, a national data integration platform should be established and efforts to cooperate with international research teams to mitigate the adverse effects of LTI should be made.

Ferroptosis is distinct from other apoptotic forms of programmed cell death and is characterized by the accumulation of iron and lipid peroxidation. Iron plays a crucial role in the oxidation of lipids via the Fenton reaction with oxygen. Hence, iron accumulation causes phospholipid peroxidation which induces ferroptosis. Moreover, detoxification by glutathione is disrupted during ferroptosis. A growing number of studies have implicated ferroptosis in nervous system disorders such as depression, neurodegenerative disease, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and sepsis-associated encephalopathy. This review summarizes the pathogenesis of ferroptosis and its relationship with various nervous system disorders.

Drought stress is a prevalent abiotic stress that adversely affects multiple physiological processes in plants, especially their photosynthetic capacity. Application of plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) has been considered as an eco-friendly strategy to ameliorate the deleterious effects of drought stress on plants. The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens QST713 on plant growth, leaf relative water content (RWC), photosynthesis processes, photosynthetic pigment content and antioxidant enzyme activities in two alfalfa varieties, Galalxie Max (drought-tolerant) and Saidi 7 (drought-sensitive) under drought conditions. The results showed that drought stress significantly declined plant biomass production, RWC, photosynthetic pigment content (Chl a, Chl b and carotenoids) and photosynthetic gas exchange parameters (transpiration rate (Tr), stomatal conductance (Gs) and intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci)), whereas it enhanced the enzymatic activity of peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in both cultivars. In contrast, the inoculation of the bacillus strain QST713 was more effective on plant growth, showing higher plant biomass production compared to the non-inoculated plants under drought stress. Moreover, the application of QST713 significantly promoted the content of RWC, the accumulation of chlorophyll content and the activities of antioxidant enzymes as well as enhanced the photosynthetic capacity of alfalfa seedlings under drought stress. These results suggest that QST713 could be considered as a promising bio-inoculant for plants exposed to environmental stresses.

In this paper, a wideband, miniaturized, and high gain double-slot Vivaldi antenna is proposed. First, a corner cutting technique is adopted to broaden the frequency band. Second, a pair of defected ground slots is added to the edges of the antenna to extend the low-end frequency limitation from 2.27 to 1.15 GHz, which provides a great design freedom. Third, a novel unit cell of an index-near-zero metasurface is proposed in our design. The unit cell is a two-stub-loaded split-ring resonator, which has a compact size, a wide frequency band, and a good reflection coefficient. The gain of the double-slot Vivaldi antenna is improved over a wide frequency band by the inclusion of the index-near-zero metasurface in the aperture, without changing the overall dimensions or compromising the whole frequency band performance of the antenna. Finally, to verify the design method, an ultra-wideband double-slot Vivaldi antenna with defected ground slots and metasurface was fabricated and measured. The circuit has an overall size of 0.76 λg × 0.41 λg × 0.005 λg. The modified antenna exhibits a measured gain of 0.7-14 dBi over the frequency band of 1.13-12 GHz.

Abstract Background Both multimorbidity and activities of daily living (ADL) disability and instrument activities of daily living (IADL) disability are common among elderly individuals. ADL/IADL disability may reduce individuals’ capacities for independent living and quality of life. This study aimed to examine the association between multimorbidity and ADL/IADL disability. Methods A multi-stage cluster sample of 2058 residents aged 80 or older was investigated in Shanghai, China. Multimorbidity was defined as the simultaneous presence of two or more chronic diseases with ten common chronic conditions under consideration. Subjects who responded that they “need partial or full assistance” to any ADL/IADL items were defined as having ADL/IADL disability. We examined the association of multimorbidity with ADL/IADL disability, adjusted for socio-demographic characteristics by using logistic regression. Results Of respondents, 23.23 % had ADL disability, 37.90 % had IADL disability, and 49.17 % had multimorbidity. After adjusted socio-demographic characteristics, a graded association was showed between ADL disability and the quantity of chronic conditions: odds ratio (OR) for 1 condition, 1.53(95 % confidence interval [CI], 1.04-2.24); OR for 2 conditions, 2.06(95 % CI, 1.43-2.96); OR for 3 conditions, 3.23(95 % CI, 2.14-4.86); OR for 4 or more conditions, 5.61(95 % CI, 3.26-9.66). Similar associations were also observed between the quantity of chronic conditions and IADL disability. Conclusions The quantity of chronic conditions had relatively strong association with both ADL and IADL disability. Initiating prevention of additional chronic conditions and interventions on clusters of diseases may decrease the potential risk of ADL/IADL disability. Additionally, more attention should been given to the older low-income women living with relatives/non-relatives with multimorbidity.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to provide a comprehensive analysis of the potential health impact of universal vaccination of infants with the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) in China. Methods: A decision-analytic model designed for pneumococcal disease and outcomes of pneumococcal infection was populated with local age-specific incidence and mortality data to estimate the expected health benefits of vaccinating birth cohorts of approximately 16 million infants per year over a 10-year time horizon in China. The model incorporates both the direct impact on vaccinated children and the indirect effect of herd protection on unvaccinated children and adults. Results: The model predicts that more than 16.2 million cases of pneumococcal disease and 709 411 deaths could be prevented in China over the initial 10-year period following the introduction of the PCV7 vaccine. The majority of these health benefits are due to the indirect effectiveness of the vaccine on the unvaccinated population, resulting in approximately 10.8 million cases prevented and 636 371 lives saved over 10 years. Conclusions: The results suggest that a policy of universal PCV7 vaccination among infants in China would have a substantial positive public health impact on the population of China.

Aims: Sepsis‐associated encephalopathy (SAE) is manifested as a spectrum of disturbed cerebral function ranging from mild delirium to coma. However, the pathogenesis of SAE has not been clearly elucidated. Astrocytes play important roles in maintaining the function and metabolism of the brain. Most recently, it has been demonstrated that disorders of lipid metabolism, especially lipid droplets (LDs) dyshomeostasis, are involved in a variety of neurodegenerative diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate whether LDs are involved in the underlying mechanism of SAE. Methods: The open field test, Y‐maze test, and contextual fear conditioning test (CFCT) were used to test cognitive function in SAE mice. Lipidomics was utilized to investigate alterations in hippocampal lipid metabolism in SAE mice. Western blotting and immunofluorescence labeling were applied for the observation of related proteins. Results: In the current study, we found that SAE mice showed severe cognitive dysfunction, including spatial working and contextual memory. Meanwhile, we demonstrated that lipid metabolism was widely dysregulated in the hippocampus by using lipidomic analysis. Furthermore, western blotting and immunofluorescence confirmed that LDs accumulation in hippocampal astrocytes was involved in the pathological process of cognitive dysfunction in SAE mice. We verified that LDs can be inhibited by specifically suppress hypoxia‐inducible lipid droplet‐associated protein (HILPDA) in astrocytes. Meanwhile, cognitive dysfunction in SAE was ameliorated by reducing A1 astrocyte activation and inhibiting presynaptic membrane transmitter release. Conclusion: The accumulation of astrocytic lipid droplets plays a crucial role in the pathological process of SAE. HILPDA is an attractive therapeutic target for lipid metabolism regulation and cognitive improvement in septic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the intensification of population aging, chronic diseases have become one of the major public health problems facing China. Obtaining and using authoritative health information is the foundation of chronic disease management. Currently, the channels for middle-aged and elderly patients with chronic diseases to obtain health information are increasingly diversified, but incorrect and false information is prevalent, and the health information discrimination ability of this population is relatively weak. In order to promote the rational use of health information by middle-aged and elderly patients with chronic diseases, this article systematically summarizes the current research progress on health information authority identification behavior (including behaviors in two aspects: health information trust evaluation and health information adoption evaluation) among middle-aged and elderly patients with chronic diseases at home and abroad based on authority theory.

BackgroundThe complex relationship between insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels and heart failure (HF) is not fully understood, particularly across different populations and conditions. This meta-analysis aims to elucidate the dual perspectives of IGF-1 levels in the general population, HF patients, and individuals with treatment-naïve acromegaly, highlighting IGF-1 as a biomarker and potential therapeutic target in HF management.MethodsStudies were searched across multiple electronic databases up to January 2024 and independently identified by reviewers. The outcomes were analyzed using RevMan 5.4 and STATA 15.ResultsA total of 25 articles were ultimately included in the analysis. Six studies compared IGF-1 levels between HF patients and non-HF controls, revealing significantly lower IGF-1 levels in HF patients (mean difference −20.93; 95% CI −37.88 to −3.97; p = 0.02). This reduction was consistent across various HF subtypes and severities. In addition, individuals with intermediate IGF-1 levels had a lower risk of developing HF [risk ratio (RR) 0.78; 95% CI 0.74–0.83; p

Crystal structures activate innate immune cells, especially macrophages and initiate inflammatory responses. We aimed to understand the role of the mechanosensitive TRPV4 channel in crystal-induced inflammation. Real-time RT-PCR, RNAscope in situ hybridisation, and Trpv4eGFP mice were used to examine TRPV4 expression and whole-cell patch-clamp recording and live-cell Ca2+ imaging were used to study TRPV4 function in mouse synovial macrophages and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Both genetic deletion and pharmacological inhibition approaches were used to investigate the role of TRPV4 in NLRP3 inflammasome activation induced by diverse crystals in vitro and in mouse models of crystal-induced pain and inflammation in vivo. TRPV4 was functionally expressed by synovial macrophages and human PBMCs and TRPV4 expression was upregulated by stimulation with monosodium urate (MSU) crystals and in human PBMCs from patients with acute gout flares. MSU crystal-induced gouty arthritis were significantly reduced by either genetic ablation or pharmacological inhibition of TRPV4 function. Mechanistically, TRPV4 mediated the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome by diverse crystalline materials but not non-crystalline NLRP3 inflammasome activators, driving the production of inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β which elicited TRPV4-dependent inflammatory responses in vivo. Moreover, chemical ablation of the TRPV1-expressing nociceptors significantly attenuated the MSU crystal-induced gouty arthritis. In conclusion, TRPV4 is a common mediator of inflammatory responses induced by diverse crystals through NLRP3 inflammasome activation in macrophages. TRPV4-expressing resident macrophages are critically involved in MSU crystal-induced gouty arthritis. A neuroimmune interaction between the TRPV1-expressing nociceptors and the TRPV4-expressing synovial macrophages contributes to the generation of acute gout flares. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background This study aims to explore the impacts of knowledge and attitude on the behavior of antibiotic use during the treatment of the common cold based on the expanding KAP model, and then identify the critical behavioral stage. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 815 public from 21 community health centers (CHCs) in Chongqing, China. Based on the expanding KAP model, a self-administered questionnaire was designed to measure knowledge, attitude, multi-stage behavior, and perceived threat, in which multi-stage behavior was divided into pre-use antibiotic behavior, during-use antibiotic behavior, and post-use antibiotic behavior. A structural equation model was used to examine the model fit and the direct, indirect, mediating effects, and moderating effect of the variables. Results The expanding KAP showed good model fit indices with χ²/df = 0.537, RMSEA = 0.033, CFI = 0.973, GFI = 0.971, NFI = 0.934, TLI = 0.979. Knowledge had a positive effect on attitude (β = 0.503, p

ObjectiveWe aimed to evaluate the diagnostic effectiveness of computed tomography (CT)-based radiomics for predicting lymph node metastasis (LNM) in patients diagnosed with esophageal cancer (EC).MethodsThe present study conducted a comprehensive search by accessing the following databases: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, with the aim of identifying relevant studies published until July 10th, 2023. The diagnostic accuracy was summarized using the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and area under the curve (AUC). The researchers utilized Spearman’s correlation coefficient for assessing the threshold effect, besides performing meta-regression and subgroup analysis for the exploration of possible heterogeneity sources. The quality assessment was conducted using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 and the Radiomics Quality Score (RQS).ResultsThe meta-analysis included six studies conducted from 2018 to 2022, with 483 patients enrolled and LNM rates ranging from 27.2% to 59.4%. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR, DOR, and AUC, along with their corresponding 95% CI, were 0.73 (0.67, 0.79), 0.76 (0.69, 0.83), 3.1 (2.3, 4.2), 0.35 (0.28, 0.44), 9 (6, 14), and 0.78 (0.74, 0.81), respectively. The results demonstrated the absence of significant heterogeneity in sensitivity, while significant heterogeneity was observed in specificity; no threshold effect was detected. The observed heterogeneity in the specificity was attributed to the sample size and CT-scan phases (P < 0.05). The included studies exhibited suboptimal quality, with RQS ranging from 14 to 16 out of 36. However, most of the enrolled studies exhibited a low-risk bias and minimal concerns relating to applicability.ConclusionThe present meta-analysis indicated that CT-based radiomics demonstrated a favorable diagnostic performance in predicting LNM in EC. Nevertheless, additional high-quality, large-scale, and multicenter trials are warranted to corroborate these findings.Systematic Review RegistrationOpen Science Framework platform at https://osf.io/5zcnd.