ObjectiveNon-invasive magnetic stimulation technology has been widely used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but there is a lack of convenient and timely methods for evaluating and providing feedback on the effectiveness of the stimulation, which can be used to guide the adjustment of the stimulation protocol. This study aims to explore the possibility of heart rate variability (HRV) in diagnosing AD and guiding AD magnetic stimulation intervention techniques. MethodsIn this study, we used a 40 Hz, 10 mT pulsed magnetic field to expose AD mouse models to whole-body exposure for 18 d, and detected the behavioral and electroencephalographic signals before and after exposure, as well as the instant electrocardiographic signals after exposure every day. ResultsUsing one-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficient analysis, we found that some HRV indicators could identify AD mouse models as accurately as behavioral and electroencephalogram(EEG) changes (P<0.05) and significantly distinguish the severity of the disease (P<0.05), including rMSSD, pNN6, LF/HF, SD1/SD2, and entropy arrangement. These HRV indicators showed good correlation and statistical significance with behavioral and EEG changes (r>0.3, P<0.05); HRV indicators were significantly modulated by the magnetic field exposure before and after the exposure, both of which were observed in the continuous changes of electrocardiogram (ECG) (P<0.05), and the trend of the stimulation effect was more accurately observed in the continuous changes of ECG. ConclusionHRV can accurately reflect the pathophysiological changes and disease degree, quickly evaluate the effect of magnetic stimulation, and has the potential to guide the pattern of magnetic exposure, providing a new idea for the study of personalized electromagnetic neuroregulation technology for brain diseases.

To clarify the species, pathogenicity, and distribution of the pathogens causing the root rot of Atractylodes lancea in Hubei province, the tissue separation method was used to isolate the pathogens from root rot samples in the main planting areas of A. lancea in Hubei. Based on the preliminary identification of the Fusarium genus by the internal transcribed spacer(ITS) sequence, three housekeeping genes, EF1/EF2, Btu-F-FO1/Btu-F-RO1, and FF1/FR1, were amplified and sequenced. Subsequently, a phylogenetic tree was constructed based on these TEF gene sequences to classify the pathogens. The pathogenicity of these strains was determined using the root irrigation method. A total of 194 pathogen strains were isolated using the tissue separation method. Molecular identification using the three housekeeping genes identified the pathogens as F. solani, F. oxysporum, F. commune, F. equiseti, F. tricinctum, F. redolens, F. fujikuroi, F. avenaceum, F. acuminatum, and F. incarnatum. Among them, F. solani and F. oxysporum were the dominant strains, widely distributed in multiple regions, with F. solani accounting for approximately 54% of the total isolated strains and F. oxysporum accounting for approximately 34%. Other strains accounted for a relatively small proportion, totaling approximately 12%. The results of pathogenicity determination showed that there were certain differences in pathogenicity among strains. The analysis of the pathogenicity differentiation of the widely distributed F. solani and F. oxysporum strains revealed that these dominant strains in Hubei were mainly highly pathogenic. This study determined the species, pathogenicity, and distribution of the pathogens causing the root rot of A. lancea in Hubei province. The results provide a scientific basis for further understanding the root rot of A. lancea and its epidemic occurrence and scientifically preventing and controlling this disease.
Plant Diseases/microbiology* ; Atractylodes/microbiology* ; Phylogeny ; Plant Roots/microbiology* ; Fusarium/classification* ; China ; Virulence ; Fungal Proteins/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the factors associated with mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in children with severe aplastic anemia (SAA). METHODS: The clinical data of 90 children with SAA who received allo-HSCT in the Department of Hematology, Wuhan Children's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from August 2016 to July 2023 were collected. The clinical features and causes of death were analyzed retrospectively. Cox proportional hazards model was used to screen the risk factors of death. RESULTS: Only 9 children died with a median time of 6.3(2.6, 8.3) months among the 90 children with SAA after allo-HSCT. Among the 5 deaths due to infection, 3 were pulmonary infection, including 2 cases of cytomegalovirus pneumonia. One case developed septic shock due to gastrointestinal infection. One case experienced graft failure, which was complicated by bloodstream infection, and developed septic shock. Three cases died of transplantation-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA). One case died of gastrointestinal graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). The results of multivariate analysis showed that post-transplant +60 d PLT≤30×10⁹/L (HR=7.478, 95%CI : 1.177-47.527, P =0.033), aGVHD Ⅲ-Ⅳ (HR=7.991, 95%CI : 1.086-58.810, P =0.041), and TA-TMA occurrence (HR=13.699, 95%CI : 2.146-87.457, P =0.006) were independent risk factors for post-transplant mortality. CONCLUSION Allo-HSCT is an effective therapy for SAA in children. Post-transplant +60 d PLT≤30×10⁹/L, aGVHD Ⅲ-Ⅳ, and TA-TMA occurrence are independently associated with post-transplant mortality, which may be helpful for early detection of potential high-risk children and optimization of clinical diagnostic and treatment strategies.
Humans ; Anemia, Aplastic/therapy* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects* ; Risk Factors ; Retrospective Studies ; Child ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Male ; Female ; Graft vs Host Disease ; Child, Preschool ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Adolescent ; Infant

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the protective effects of gentiopicroside (GPS) against reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation in endothelial cells, aiming to reduce atherosclerosis. METHODS: Eight-week-old male ApoE-deficient mice were randomly divided into 2 groups (n=10 per group): the vehicle group and the GPS treatment group. Both groups were fed a high-fat diet for 16 weeks. GPS (40 mg/kg per day) was administered by oral gavage to the GPS group, while the vehicle group received an equivalent volume of the vehicle solution. At the end of the treatment, blood and aortic tissues were collected for assessments of atherosclerosis, lipid profiles, oxidative stress, and molecular expressions related to NLRP3 inflammasome activation, ROS production, and apoptosis. Additionally, in vitro experiments on human aortic endothelial cells treated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) were conducted to evaluate the effects of GPS on NLRP3 inflammasome activation, pyroptosis, apoptosis, and ROS production, specifically examining the role of the sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway. SIRT1 and Nrf2 inhibitors were used to confirm the pathway's role. RESULTS: GPS treatment significantly reduced atherosclerotic lesions in the en face aorta (P<0.01), as well as in the thoracic and abdominal aortic regions, and markedly decreased sinus lesions within the aortic root (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Additionally, GPS reduced oxidative stress markers and proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1 β and IL-18, in lesion areas (P<0.05, P<0.01). In vitro, GPS inhibited ox-LDL-induced NLRP3 activation, as evidenced by reduced NLRP3 (P<0.01), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD, cleaved-caspase-1, and cleaved-gasdermin D expressions (all P<0.01). GPS also decreased ROS production, apoptosis, and pyroptosis, with the beneficial effects being significantly reversed by SIRT1 or Nrf2 inhibitors. CONCLUSION GPS exerts an antiatherogenic effect by inhibiting ROS-dependent NLRP3 inflammasome activation via the SIRT1/Nrf2 pathway.
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Iridoid Glucosides/therapeutic use* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism* ; Animals ; Atherosclerosis/metabolism* ; Inflammasomes/drug effects* ; Male ; Sirtuin 1/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Humans ; Endothelial Cells/pathology* ; Mice ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

Glutamine provides carbon and nitrogen to support the proliferation of cancer cells. However, the precise reason why cancer cells are particularly dependent on glutamine remains unclear. In this study, we report that glutamine modulates the tumor suppressor F-box and WD repeat domain-containing 7 (FBW7) to promote cancer cell proliferation and survival. Specifically, lysine 604 (K604) in the sixth of the 7 substrate-recruiting WD repeats of FBW7 undergoes glutaminylation (Gln-K604) by glutaminyl tRNA synthetase. Gln-K604 inhibits SCFFBW7-mediated degradation of c-Myc and Mcl-1, enhances glutamine utilization, and stimulates nucleotide and DNA biosynthesis through the activation of c-Myc. Additionally, Gln-K604 promotes resistance to apoptosis by activating Mcl-1. In contrast, SIRT1 deglutaminylates Gln-K604, thereby reversing its effects. Cancer cells lacking Gln-K604 exhibit overexpression of c-Myc and Mcl-1 and display resistance to chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. Silencing both c-MYC and MCL-1 in these cells sensitizes them to chemotherapy. These findings indicate that the glutamine-mediated signal via Gln-K604 is a key driver of cancer progression and suggest potential strategies for targeted cancer therapies based on varying Gln-K604 status.
Glutamine/metabolism* ; Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein/genetics* ; Humans ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc/genetics* ; Cell Proliferation ; Signal Transduction ; Neoplasms/pathology* ; F-Box-WD Repeat-Containing Protein 7/genetics* ; Cell Survival ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Apoptosis

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality based on the 10-year population-based multicenter prospective study. METHODS: A general population-based multicenter prospective study was conducted at four sites in rural China between 2013 and 2023. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess the association between BMI and mortality. Stratified analyses were performed based on the individual characteristics of the participants. RESULTS: Overall, 19,107 participants with a sum of 163,095 person-years were included and 1,910 participants died. The underweight (< 18.5 kg/m ²) presented an increase in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [ aHR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.66-2.41), while overweight (≥ 24.0 to < 28.0 kg/m ²) and obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m ²) presented a decrease with an aHR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.52-0.73) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.37-0.70), respectively. Overweight ( aHR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67-0.86) and mild obesity ( aHR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87) had a positive impact on mortality in people older than 60 years. All-cause mortality decreased rapidly until reaching a BMI of 25.7 kg/m ² ( aHR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98) and increased slightly above that value, indicating a U-shaped association. The beneficial impact of being overweight on mortality was robust in most subgroups and sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION This study provides additional evidence that overweight and mild obesity may be inversely related to the risk of death in individuals older than 60 years. Therefore, it is essential to consider age differences when formulating health and weight management strategies.
Humans ; Body Mass Index ; China/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Rural Population/statistics & numerical data* ; Aged ; Follow-Up Studies ; Adult ; Mortality ; Cause of Death ; Obesity/mortality* ; Overweight/mortality*

The traditional detection methods for monitoring the biomass,protein,chlorophyll content and other key indicators in the growth of chlorella have some problems,including complicated operation,slow detection speed and difficult large-scale application.In this study,a fast and efficient monitoring method for the key indicators in the growth of chlorella was established using near infrared spectroscopy and chemometrics.Near-infrared spectroscopy was used to collect near-infrared spectra of chlorella algal fluid at different growth stages,and standard methods were used to detect the biomass,protein and chlorophyll contents of corresponding samples.A quantitative analysis model was established based on partial least squares regression(PLSR).To improve the prediction ability of the model,multiplicative scatter correction(MSC)was used to reduce the interference of scattering on the raw spectrum(RS),standard normal variate(SNV)was used to normalize the original spectral data to eliminate differences between samples,continuous wavelet transform(CWT)was used to obtain the key features of spectral data,the first derivative(1st)was used to enhance the differentiation of the original spectral features,and monte carlo-uninformative variable elimination(MC-UVE)and randomization test(RT)were used to screen the valid variables in the wavelength.By evaluating the prediction ability of different models,the quantitative analysis models of chlorella biomass,protein and chlorophyll content were finally determined.The results showed that the model based on 1st combined with RT spectra had better predictive ability for chlorella nutrient content detection,and the root mean square errors of prediction(RMSEP)and coefficients of determination(R2)were 0.041 and 0.933 for biomass,0.012 and 0.973 for protein,and 0.517 and 0.962 for chlorophyll,respectively.This model showed practical application value,and could realize the rapid and accurate detection of chlorella biomass,protein and chlorophyll content at the same time.

Objective To analyze the characteristics and risk factors associated with postoperative deep vein thrombosis(DVT)of the lower extremities in patients undergoing surgery for lumbar degenerative diseases.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from 298 patients who were hospitalized for lumbar degenerative diseases and underwent lumbar spine surgery treatment in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from October 1,2022 to April 15,2023.Patients were divided into DVT group(n=71)and non-DVT group(n=227)according to whether DVT of the lower limbs occurred within 1 week postoperatively.The incidence and distribution characteristics of postoperative DVT were analyzed.Univariate and binary logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for DVT,and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were used to determine cut-off values for relevant risk factors.Results A total of 298 patients were included,among whom 159 were males(53.4%)and 139 were females(46.6%),with an average age of(64.5±9.8)years.DVT occurred in 71 patients,and the incidence of lower extremity DVT was 23.8%.In the DVT group,there were 49 cases(69.0%)of intermuscular vein thrombosis,and 22 cases of other types of thrombosis(7 cases of peroneal vein thrombosis,4 cases of posterior tibial vein thrombosis,3 cases of common femoral vein thrombosis,1 case of anterior tibial vein thrombosis,and 7 cases of multiple thrombosis);58 cases(81.7%)had DVT in one lower extremity,and 13 cases(18.3%)had DVT in both lower extremities.Univariate analysis results showed that age,body mass index(BMI),length of hospital stay,history of hypertension,operative time,and intraoperative blood loss were associated with the occurrence of lower extremity DVT after surgery for lumbar degenerative diseases(P<0.05).Binary logistic regression analysis results indicated that older age(OR=1.079,P<0.01),higher BMI(OR=1.130,P=0.01),history of hypertension(OR=2.992,P<0.01),and larger intraoperative blood loss(OR=1.002,P=0.03)were independent risk factors for the occurrence of lower extremity DVT.ROC curve analysis demonstrated that patients with age>58.5 years,BMI>24.01 kg/m2,history of hypertension,and intraoperative blood loss>550 ml had a significantly increased risk of postoperative lower limb DVT.Conclusions The incidence of lower extremity DVT after surgery for lumbar degenerative disease is high,and intermuscular venous thrombosis is more common.Older age,higher BMI,history of hypertension,and larger intraoperative blood loss are independent risk factors for the occurrence of lower extremity DVT after surgery.

Aggregatibacter aphrophilus(A.aphrophilus)is a normal bacterial flora in the oropharynx,and rarely causes lumbar spine infection in clinical practice.As fastidious bacteria,A.aphrophilus has high nutritional requirements,thus is difficult to be cultured and identified,and prone to be missed in detection.A.aphrophilus was detected from the blood culture of a patient with lumbar spine infection in a hospital.The anti-infection treat-ment based on detection results for the patient was effective after adjusting antimicrobials.This paper reports a rare case of A.aphrophilus lumbar spine infection with literature reviews.

Objective:To analyze the association between visceral fat area (VFA) and fatty liver based on quantitative CT (QCT) in people receiving health examination with normal body mass index (BMI).Methods:A cross-sectional study. A total of 1 305 physical examiners who underwent chest CT and QCT examination in the Department of Health Management of Henan Provincial People′s Hospital from January to December 2021 were retrospectively selected as subjects. The physical components at the central level of the lumbar two cone were measured with QCT, including subcutaneous fat area (SFA), VFA and liver fat content (LFC). And the metabolic indexes, such as blood lipids and blood glucose, were collected. The t-test and χ2 test were used to analyze the correlation between the detection rate of fatty live and LFCr and age and gender. According to level of VFA (<100 cm 2, 100-150 cm 2 and≥150 cm 2), the subjects were divided into three groups, and one-way ANOVA and χ2 test were used in comparison between groups. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the correlation between VFA and metabolic indexes and LFC. Results:Of the 1 305 subjects, there were 634 males and 671 females. The detection rate of fatty liver in normal BMI population was 65.67%, and it was 72.71% and 59.02% respectively in men and women ( χ2=27.12, P<0.001), and the detection rate of fatty liver and LFC increased with age (both P<0.05). With the increase of VFA, the age, BMI, SFA, LFC, total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), fasting blood glucose (FBG), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), blood uric acid and prevalence of fatty liver increased (all P<0.05), and the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) decreased ( P<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that after adjustment for age factors, regardless of male or female, LFC was independently positively related with VFA, BMI, and ALT (male β=0.206, 0.145, 0.174, female β=0.194, 0.150, 0.184; all P<0.05). FBG was positively correlated with male independently ( β=0.134; P<0.001). The indicators related to female independently were TC, TG, and blood uric acid ( β=-0.121, 0.145, 0.141, all P<0.05) Conclusion:In the population receiving health examination with normal BMI, the VFA measured by QCT technique is closely related to fatty liver.