Xiaojun Zhou

Background: Strategies for repairing spinal cord injury (SCI) emphasize blocking the shift of microglia to the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype, lowering neuroinflammation, and fostering neuronal survival. The cGMP-PKG pathway modulates immune cell function by decreasing the secretion of pro-inflammatory elements such as IL-1β and TNF and boosting the levels of the anti-inflammatory element IL-10, thereby alleviating inflammatory responses. Additionally, transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) at specific frequencies may indirectly regulate immune cell activity and inflammatory cytokine secretion by modulating the autonomic nervous system, thereby demonstrating anti-inflammatory potential. Objective: To assess how tACS influences microglial polarization following SCI and investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods: Proteomics sequencing, Western blotting, ELISA, Nissl staining, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR), immunofluorescence, live/dead staining and other experimental techniques were employed. Furthermore, an in vivo rat model was used to determine the effect of tACS on the recovery of motor function following injury. Results: The polarization of glial cells towards the M1 proinflammatory phenotype was partially suppressed by tACS, thereby alleviating neuroinflammation and improving neuronal survival to promote functional recovery after SCI. Mechanistic studies revealed that tACS modulates the conversion of the glial inflammatory phenotype by initiating the cGMP-PKG signaling pathway, thereby offering neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. Conclusion: The activity of the cGMP-PKG signaling pathway is upregulated by tACS, thereby modulating microglial polarization, suppressing neuroinflammation and protecting neurons from inflammatory injury. As a non-invasive neuromodulation technique, tACS holds potential as a therapeutic approach for SCI.

Depression is a common issue among illicit drug users. However, the interaction between addiction memory, family functioning, and depressive symptoms remains insufficiently examined. This study investigates the relationship between addiction memory, family functioning, and depressive symptoms, with self-esteem serving as a mediator. A random sample of 600 illicit drug users from Hubei, China, was evaluated using the Addiction Memory Intensity Scale (AMIS), Family APGAR Index, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). A factorial algorithm was used to parcel the AMIS, PHQ-9, and RSES items, and structural equation modeling was applied to examine the mediation effect. The model fit the data well (χ²/df = 2.248, CFI = 0.956, NNFI = 0.966, RMSEA = 0.046, SRMR = 0.040), with significant path coefficients (p < 0.05). Addiction memory was positively correlated with depression (β = 0.195, p < 0.001), while family functioning negatively correlated with depression (β = −0.113, p = 0.008). Both addiction memory and family functioning indirectly influenced depression through self-esteem, with mediating effects equal to 1.154 (95% CI: 0.106 to 0.209) and −0.097 (95% CI: −0.154 to −0.047). These findings suggest that interventions targeting addiction memory and family functioning may alleviate depressive symptoms by improving self-esteem among illicit drug users.

Background: Internet addiction (IA) is one of the most prevalent mental health problems among adolescents. Several studies have reported that the prevalence of IA among adolescents has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, with China’s ongoing regular epidemic prevention and control, it is unclear whether the prevalence among adolescents is still at such high levels in China during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional study from December 2020 to January 2021 that aims to understand the prevalence and related factors of IA among adolescents in Nanchang, China, during the pandemic. Methodology: The cross-sectional survey was conducted in seven secondary schools in Nanchang. Participants completed a questionnaire comprising Young’s Diagnostic Questionnaire for internet addiction (YDQ), International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form, and questions regarding demographic characteristics, outdoor activity time, and sleep quality. Results: A total of 6,553 secondary school students participated in the survey. Of the total, 14.4% (946/6553) were classified as addicted internet users (YDQ ≥5). The risk of IA was higher among students of older age (OR=1.17) and with poorer subjective sleep quality (OR=1.27-2.56). Urban household registration (OR=0.80), high level of physical activity (OR=0.68), 1-2 hours of outdoor activity per day (OR=0.69), long sleep duration (OR = 0.60), and normal sleep duration (OR = 0.74) were protective factors of IA. Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, adolescents in China reported some risks for IA. Age, household registration, outdoor activity time, level of physical activity, subjective sleep quality, and sleep duration were the key factors affecting IA. Therefore, extended school and family support should be provided for vulnerable adolescents in this extraordinary period.

Outpatient satisfaction is important in evaluating the performance of tertiary public hospitals in China. However, only a few studies have examined the interaction between outpatient satisfaction and its related factors. This study aimed to explore the relationship between patient satisfaction and its related factors in provincial tertiary hospitals. Six hundred outpatients in three provincial tertiary hospitals in Nanchang, China, were randomly selected. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the relationship of the factors associated with outpatient satisfaction. The conceptual model fitted the data well (χ²/df = 4.367, CFI = 0.951, TLI = 0.937, SRMR = 0.055, RMSEA = 0.075), with all the path coefficients being statistically significant (p < 0.001). The environment and facilities showed the most significant influence on outpatient satisfaction (standardized total effect = 0.389), followed by the quality of diagnosis and treatment (standardized total effect = 0.235). The waiting time for medical services showed a partial mediation effect of 0.077 between the environment and facilities and outpatient satisfaction. The study indicates that targeted measures should be taken to improve the amenities of hospitals and shorten the waiting time for medical services, thus further improving outpatients’ medical experience.

Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in many countries including China. Early diagnosis and risk assessment represent one of effective approaches to reduce the CVD-related mortality. The purpose of this study was to understand the prevalence and influencing factors of cerebrovascular disease among community residents in Qingyunpu District, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, and to construct a model of cerebrovascular disease risk index suitable for local community residents. A stratified cluster sampling method was used to sample 2147 community residents aged 40 and above, and the prevalence of cerebrovascular diseases and possible risk factors were investigated. It was found that the prevalence of cerebrovascular disease among local residents was 4.5%. Poisson regression analysis found that old age, lack of exercise, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and family history of cerebrovascular disease are the main risk factors for local cerebrovascular disease. The relative risk ORs were 3.284, 2.306, 2.510, 3.194, 1.949, 2.315, respectively. For these six selected risk factors, a cerebrovascular disease risk prediction model was established using the Harvard Cancer Index method. The R value of the risk prediction model was 1.80 (sensitivity 81.8%, specificity 47.0%), which was able to well predict the risk of cerebrovascular disease among local residents. This provides a scientific basis for the further development of local cerebrovascular disease prevention and control work.

Background . This study aims to investigate the prevalence of glaucoma and its related factors among residents aged 40 and over in Jiangxi Province, China, and provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of glaucoma. Methods . The cluster sampling method was used to randomly select six townships. Similarly, eight villages were randomly selected from each sample township. A total of 5385 rural residents from 48 villages were collected for a questionnaire survey. A logistic regression model was used to explore the personal behavioral factors related to glaucoma. Results . Among the 5385 participants, the prevalence rate of glaucoma was 1.4%. The logistic regression model found that alcohol consumption, vegetable consumption, physical exercise, daily reading time, and frequent reading environment were related to glaucoma. Conclusion . To prevent the occurrence of glaucoma, it is important for rural residents to reduce the frequency of alcohol consumption, increase the frequency of vegetable consumption and physical exercise, control the length of daily reading, and read in a moderately lit environment.

Objective To study the prevalence of gum bleeding in children aged 12–15 years in Jiangxi Province and related influencing factors for the development of effective prevention and treatment strategies. Methods A multistage cluster stratified sampling method was used to select 8,160 children aged 12–15 years for this study. Enrolled children completed a set of survey questionnaires covering children's gender, age, parents' educational level, oral health knowledge scores, attitude scores, and brushing habits in addition of dental examination. All the data were analyzed using the chi‐square test and logistic regression. Results Among 8,160 children, the gum bleeding rate was 66.5 percent (95% CI: 65.8%–68.1%). The gum bleeding rate in urban children (68.0 percent) was higher than that in rural areas (65.0 percent) (P < 0.01); the gum bleeding rate in boys (67.6 percent) was higher than that in girls (65.4 percent) (P < 0.05). The results of binary logistic regression analysis showed that age, urban and rural areas, mother education, knowledge score, attitude score, and brushing frequency were all important factors affecting gum bleeding. Conclusion This study showed that incidence of gum bleeding in Jiangxi children is high which is affected by their age, mother's education, and several other factors. These new findings form the baseline information essential for the development of more effective approaches to prevent and control children gum bleeding in Jiangxi and other regions in the future.