Melatonin attenuates degenerative disc degression by downregulating DLX5 via the TGF/Smad2/3 pathway in nucleus pulposus cells.

Background: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is the leading cause of low back pain, and apoptosis plays a key role in its pathogenesis. Distal-less homeobox 5 (Dlx5) has been reported to induce cell apoptosis. Melatonin, as a powerful antiapoptotic agent, has been widely reported.

Late-onset aspirin-related hemolysis and subsequent subdural hemorrhage in patient with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.

Key Clinical Message: Aspirin-related hemolysis in G6PD deficiency could be late-onset during long-term administration. Hemolytic anemia could continue for a relatively long time in elder patient with G6PD deficiency, which might be related to other adverse events.

Abstract: Aspirin-related hemolysis in G6PD-deficient individuals was generally reported among patients who received high-dose supplements within several days after ingestion.

Pain behavior and phenotype in a modified anterior lumbar disc puncture mouse model.

Background: An experimental study was performed to improve the anterior approach model of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD).

Objective: The aims of this study were to investigate the anterior approach model of IVDD for the cause of death, phenotypes, and underlying mechanisms of low back pain in mice.

Method: In this study, we conducted an anterior puncture procedure on a cohort of 300 C57BL/6J mice that were 8 weeks old.

The landscape of investigator-initiated oncology trials conducted in mainland China during the past decade (2010-2019).

The number of clinical trials conducted in mainland China, including investigator-initiated trials (IITs), has increased rapidly in recent years. However, there are few data on the characteristics of cancer-related IITs. We performed a comprehensive analysis of the landscape of cancer-related IITs in mainland China in the past decade.

Higher Cumulative Blood Pressure in Midlife Predicts an Increased Risk of Atrial Fibrillation: Evidence From the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.

Background: Elevated blood pressure (BP) is reportedly associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the association between cumulative BP exposure in midlife and incident AF in mid-to-late life remains unclear.

Methods And Results: Participants enrolled in the ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) study with 4 consecutive BP measurements and no prevalent AF at baseline were included.

Evolution and major changes of the diagnosis and treatment protocol for COVID-19 patients in China 2020-2023.

Since the identification of the first case of pneumonia of unknown cause in 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has spread the globe for over 3 years. As the most populous country in the world, China's disease prevention policies and response plans concern the health of the country's 1.4 billion people and beyond.

Associations of Renal Function Trajectories and Long-Term Cardiovascular Risks Among a Population Without Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background The longitudinal trajectories of renal function have been associated with cardiovascular events in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the change pattern of renal function in those without CKD has not yet been reported. We aim to explore patterns of renal function change in a non-CKD population and its associated risks with cardiovascular outcomes.

Clinical features of capsule endoscopy in young adults: A single-center retrospective study.

Background And Aim: Capsule endoscopy (CE) has been used in clinical examination among people of various ages, while few studies exclusively focused on the young. We aimed to explore its clinical features in young adults and those with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB).

Methods: A total of 479 young adults aged 18-44 years were analyzed, with median age of 33 years.

Childhood antibiotics as a risk factor for Crohn's disease: The ENIGMA International Cohort Study.

Background And Aim: Environmental factors play a key role in development of Crohn's disease (CD), thought to be mediated by changes in the gut microbiota. We aimed to delineate the potential contribution of antibiotic exposure to subsequent development of CD, across diverse geographical populations.

Methods: This case-control study in Australia and three cities in China (Hong Kong, Guangzhou, and Kunming) included four groups: patients with CD, at-risk individuals including non-affected first-degree relatives (FDRs) and household members of CD patients (HM), and unrelated healthy controls (HCs).

The involvement of immune system in intervertebral disc herniation and degeneration.

Intervertebral disc (IVD) herniation and degeneration contributes significantly to low back pain (LBP), of which the molecular pathogenesis is not fully understood. Disc herniation may cause LBP and radicular pain, but not all LBP patients have disc herniation. Degenerated discs could be the source of pain, but not all degenerated discs are symptomatic.

Egg consumption improves vascular and gut microbiota function without increasing inflammatory, metabolic, and oxidative stress markers.

Egg consumption is one of the many inconsistencies in evidence linking dietary cholesterol to cardiovascular disease (CVD). In addition, the gut microbiota and its metabolite, trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), have been shown to play a crucial role in the development of CVD. The fact that egg is rich in choline suggests that excessive egg consumption may increase TMAO production by altering the gut microbiota.

Clinical expert consensus on standard care of blood glucose for residents in senior care facility in China (2021 edition).

With the demographic changes, more and more elderly people have chosen to spend their retirement life in a senior care facility. The elderly people in senior care facility are commonly suffering from various geriatric syndromes, including declined daily living activities, cognitive dysfunction, frailty, comorbidities, and polypharmacy, which make them vulnerable to adverse effects, like hypoglycemia and fall. Therefore, layered management is necessary for this population with group disparities.

The antiepileptic effect of Gastrodiae Rhizoma through modulating overexpression of mTOR and attenuating astrogliosis in pilocarpine mice model.

Objective: To investigate the effect of water extract of Gastrodiae Rhizoma (GR) on the development of acquired temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and on regulating the expression of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and semaphorin 3F (SEMA3F).

Methods: A pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE) model was adopted to precipitate injury in the limbic systems. GR and carbamazepine (CBZ) treatments were given to mice for 14 days prior to SE induction to demonstrate the antiepileptic effects and continued for 5 more days to illustrate the effects on histologic studies.

Endothelial progenitor cells in cardiovascular diseases.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death in both developed and developing countries. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are derived from hematopoietic stem cells with powerful function of angiogenesis. There are many studies on the relation between coronary heart disease and circulating EPCs.