Objective:To explore the effect of NOD-like receptor thermal protein 3 ( NLRP3) knockout in γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic neurons in the hippocampal CA1 area on improving cognitive dysfunction in mice after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods:Forty-eight healthy male NLRP3 flox/flox mice weighing 25-28 g were randomly divided into 4 groups ( n=12): sham-operated+control virus group (SV group), sham-operated+ NLRP3 specific knockout group (SG group), TBI+control virus group (TV group), TBI+ NLRP3 specific knockout group (TG group). TBI in the TV and TG groups was established by free-fall method, while surgical procedures such as scalp incision and cranial window opening without impact were given to the SV and SG groups. Adenovirus was injected into the hippocampal CA1 area of SG and TG groups 21 d before TBI to induce NLRP3 specific knockout in GABA-ergic neurons in the hippocampal CA1 area; empty virus was injected into the CA1 area of SV and TV groups. Cognitive function was evaluated using novel object recognition test 30 and 31 d after TBI, and learning and memory functions were assessed using Morris water maze test 32-36 d after TBI. Field potentials in the hippocampal CA1 area were recorded during novel object recognition 31 d after TBI. After behavioral tests, these mice were sacrificed. Immunofluorescent staining was used to detect the fluorescent intensity of microtubule-associated protein2 (MAP2), glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 (GAD67), and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) in the hippocampal CA1 area, as well as percentage of pyroptosis-associated inflammatory factor interleukin-18 (IL-18)/GAD67 double-positive neurons in total GAD67 positive neurons. Results:Compared with the SV and SG groups, the TV and TG groups had decreased novel object recognition index, decreased number of platform crossings during the experimental period, increased escape latency on day 3 and day 4 of the training period in Morris water maze test, decreased θ and γ oscillation power in the hippocampal CA1 area during novel object recognition, decreased fluorescent intensity of MAP2, GAD67, and PSD95 in the hippocampal CA1 area, increased percentage of IL-18/GAD67 double-positive neurons, with significant differences ( P<0.05). Compared with the TV group, the TG group had increased novel object recognition index, increased number of platform crossings in Morris water maze test, decreased escape latency during the training period, increased θ and γ oscillation power in the hippocampal CA1 area during novel object recognition, increased fluorescence intensity of MAP2, GAD67, and PSD95 in the hippocampal CA1 area, decreased percentage of IL-18/GAD67 double-positive neurons, with significant differences ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Specific inhibition of NLRP3 expression in GABA-ergic neurons in the hippocampal CA1 area can improve cognitive dysfunction in mice after TBI, whose mechanism may be related to inhibited GABA-ergic neuronal pyroptosis in the hippocampal CA1 area.

Objective:To explore the mediation effects of perceived social support and work-family conflict on clinical nurses′ self-efficacy and parenting stress, and to provide theoretical basis for formulating intervention programs for parenting stress.Methods:A total of 631 clinical nurses from 8 grade A hospitals in Anhui Province were selected by convenience sampling method from August to October 2023. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with the general data questionnaire, the Chinese version of Work-Family Behavioral Role Conflict Scale, the Parenting Stress Scale for Clinical Nurses, the Perceptived Social Support Evaluation Scale and the General Self Efficacy Scale to analyze the relationship between perceptive social support, work-family conflict, self-efficacy and parenting stress and the mediating effect.Results:A total of 603 clinical nurses were included, including 9 males and 594 females, aged (35.16 ± 4.59) years. The total scores of work-family conflict, parenting stress, understanding of social support and self-efficacy were (87.10 ± 14.38), (51.00 ± 9.51), (59.91 ± 11.57) and (26.68 ± 6.27) points. The total effect of self-efficacy on parenting stress was - 0.385. The mediating paths of self-efficacy on parenting stress included: self-efficacy→perceived social support→parenting stress; self-efficacy→work-family conflict→parenting stress; self-efficacy→perceived social support→work-family conflict→parenting stress. The three indirect effects accounted for 18.69%, 53.72% and 16.87% of the total effect.Conclusions:Social support and work-family conflict have a chain mediation effect between clinical nurses′self-efficacy and parenting stress. Nursing managers can improve the self-efficacy of clinical nurses and enhance the understanding of social support to help reduce work-family conflict, so as to effectively alleviate the level of child-rearing stress of clinical nurses.

Objective:To investigate the rates of low disease activity and clinical remission in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)in a real-world setting,and to analyze the related factors of low disease activity and clinical remission.Methods:One thousand patients with SLE were enrolled from 11 teaching hospitals.Demographic,clinical and laboratory data,as well as treatment regimes were collec-ted by self-completed questionnaire.The rates of low disease activity and remission were calculated based on the lupus low disease activity state(LLDAS)and definitions of remission in SLE(DORIS).Charac-teristics of patients with LLDAS and DORIS were analyzed.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the related factors of LLDAS and DORIS remission.Results:20.7％of patients met the criteria of LLDAS,while 10.4％of patients achieved remission defined by DORIS.Patients who met LLDAS or DORIS remission had significantly higher proportion of patients with high income and longer disease duration,compared with non-remission group.Moreover,the rates of anemia,creatinine eleva-tion,increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR)and hypoalbuminemia was significantly lower in the LLDAS or DORIS group than in the non-remission group.Patients who received hydroxychloroquine for more than 12 months or immunosuppressant therapy for no less than 6 months earned higher rates of LLDAS and DORIS remission.The results of Logistic regression analysis showed that increased ESR,positive anti-dsDNA antibodies,low level of complement(C3 and C4),proteinuria,low household in-come were negatively related with LLDAS and DORIS remission.However,hydroxychloroquine usage for longer than 12 months were positively related with LLDAS and DORIS remission.Conclusion:LLDAS and DORIS remission of SLE patients remain to be improved.Treatment-to-target strategy and standar-dized application of hydroxychloroquine and immunosuppressants in SLE are recommended.

Objective:To investigate the effect of Spautin-1 (an inhibitor of autophagy) on improving anxiety-like behaviors and its mechanism in mice after traumatic brain injury (TBI).Methods:Thirty-six C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into sham-operated group, TBI group, and TBI+Spautin-1 group ( n=12); TBI models in the latter two groups were established by modified Feeney free fall epidural impingement method. Mice in TBI+Spautin-1 group were administered with Spautin-1 (2 μL, 10 mmol/L) into the lateral ventricle 10 min after modeling, but mice in the other two groups were only injected with same volume of solvent. Neuropathy Symptom Score (NSS) was used to evaluate the functions of motor, sensory and reflexes of mice on 1 st, 7 th and 14 th d of modeling. On 15 th and 16 th d of modeling, open field test and elevated plus maze test were used to evaluate the anxiety-like behaviors in mice. The number of Nissl bodies in the amygdala of mice was calculated by Nissl staining 16 d after modeling. The numbers of neuron specific nucleoprotein (NeuN) positive cells, interleukin (IL)-18 and IL-1β positive astrocytes in the amygdala were detected by immunofluorescent staining. Western blotting was used to detect the autophagy-and pyrotopic-associated protein expressions in the amygdala region of mice. Results:(1) As compared with the sham-operated group, the TBI group and TBI+Spautin-1 group had significantly increased NSS scores on 1 st and 7 th d of modeling ( P<0.05). (2) Open field test showed that as compared with the sham-operated group, the TBI group and TBI+Spautin-1 group had significantly smaller number of crossing grids, significantly decreased percentage of time spending in the central zone ([central area residence time/total time] × 100%), significantly decreased percentage of frequencies entering into opening arm (OE) (OE/[OE+frequencies of entering closing arm]×100%) and opening arm time (OT) percentage (OT/[OT+time of closing arm]×100%); as compared with the TBI group, TBI+Spautin-1 group had significantly larger number of crossing grids, and significantly increased time percentage spending in the central zone, OE percentage, and OT percentage ( P<0.05). (3) As compared with sham-operated group, the TBI group and TBI+Spautin-1 group had significantly smaller numbers of Nissl bodies and NeuN positive cells in the amygdala of mice ( P<0.05); as compared with TBI group, TBI+Spautin-1 group had significantly larger numbers of Nissl bodies and NeuN positive cells in the amygdala of mice ( P<0.05). (4) As compared with the sham-operated group, the TBI group and TBI+Spautin-1 group had significantly increased percentages of IL-1β and IL-18 positive astrocytes in amygdala of mice ( P<0.05); as compared with the TBI group, the TBI+Spautin-1 group had significantly decreased percentages of IL-1β and IL-18 positive astrocytes in amygdala of mice ( P<0.05). (5) As compared with sham-operated group, the TBI group and TBI+Spautin-1 group had significantly higher protein expressions of NOD-like receptor family protein 3 (NLRP3), activated cysteine aspartate protease-1 (Caspase-1), pore-forming protein D-N terminal fragment (GSDMD-N), ubiquitin specific peptidase (USP) 13 and B-lymphocytoma-2 interacting protein (Beclin1), and statistically higher ratio of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain (LC)3 II/LC3 I ( P<0.05); as compared with TBI group, the TBI+Spautin-1 group had significantly decreased protein expressions of NLRP3, activated Caspase-1, GSDMD-N, USP13 and Beclin1 in the amygdala, and statistically lower ratio of LC3 II/LC3 I ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Spautin-1 improves the anxiety-like behaviors in mice after TBI, whose mechanism may be associated with the inhibition of astrocytic pyroptosis in the amygdala.

Objective:To study the genotyping and regional distribution characteristics of Yersinia pestis by single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in Gansu Province. Methods:A total of 52 strains of Yersinia pestis isolated from Himalaya Marmot plague foci and Spermophilus alaschanicus plague foci in Gansu Province from 1962 to 2017 were selected for culture and extraction of DNA. The genomic DNA of Yersinia pestis was sequenced by the second generation of Illumina PE150 to identify the SNP sites. The species characteristics of Yersinia pestis in Gansu Province was determined by the Kimura-2-parameter model of neighbor joining of Mega 10.0 software based on the SNP sites. The molecular evolutionary tree of the groups was determined by Hasegawa-Kishino-Yano model of maximum likelihood method according to the SNP sites. Results:A total of 103 SNP sites were identified in 52 strains of Yersinia pestis in Gansu Province, including 28 intergenic loci, 43 non-synonymous mutations, 31 synonymous mutations and 1 nonsense mutation. The 52 strains of Yersinia pestis were divided into 2 biotypes and 3 groups, which were ancient type (1.IN2, 3.ANT) and medieval type (2.MED). Among them, 35 strains belonged to 1.IN2 group, 13 strains belonged to 3.ANT group, and 4 strains belonged to 2.MED group. The 1.IN2 group was further divided into 5 subgroups: the groups of Yuerhong Town and Dangchengwan Town in Subei County, the groups of Mati Town and Dahe Town in Sunan County, and the group of Xiahe County. The 3.ANT group was further divided into 2 subgroups: the groups of Hongliuwan Town in Aksay County and Machang in Dangchengwan Town of Subei County. Conclusion:The SNP method can be used to genotype Yersinia pestis from different plague foci in Gansu Province, which has certain regional characteristics.

【Objective】 To investigate the distribution of Hepatitis B virus(HBV)genotypes and the genetic characteristics of genotype B HBV populations among voluntary blood donors in five regions of China. 【Methods】 A total number of 630 plasma samples from blood donors with positive HBV HBsAg neutralization test from 2014 to 2016 in Guangxi Blood Center, Chongqing Blood Center, Urumqi Blood Center, Mianyang Central Blood Station and Luoyang Central Blood Station were collected. The S-region sequence of the HBV genome was amplified by semi-nested PCR and followed with Sanger sequencing in order to investigate the HBV genotype distribution and population genetics. 【Results】 Among the voluntary blood donors in five regions, 55 cases of HBV S gene fragments were successfully amplified. Three genotypes were found in HBV typing, including 46 cases of type B(83.64%), 7 cases of type C(12.73%) and 2 cases of type D(3.63%). There were 15 cases of type B and 3 cases of type C in Guangxi; 10 cases of type B and 1 case of type C in Chongqing; 3 cases of type B, 1 case of type C and 1 case of type D in Luoyang; 15 cases of type B in Mianyang; 3 cases of type B, 2 cases of type C and 1 case of type D in Urumqi. The mismatch distribution of the HBVB type population with the largest population number showed a unimodal distribution, and the results of Tajima′s D test and Fu′s Fs test were both negative, indicating that the HBV population in these five regions was expanding. 【Conclusion】 The prevalent genotype of HBV in voluntary blood donors is type B, and the type B HBV population is experiencing a slow expansion, which should attract our attention. In the future, a thorough molecular epidemiological investigation of HBV should be carried out to ensure blood safety.

Objective:To investigate the effect of activation of microglia in prefrontal cortex on long-term spatial memory in post-stroke depression mice.Methods:Forty-eight male C57BL/6 mice were divided into sham operation group, stroke group, post-stroke depression group and depression group according to the random number table method with 12 in each group, and 36 mice were divided into solvent group, enrofloxacin group and minocycline group according to the random number table method with 12 in each group.Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was use to establish the stroke model, and forced swimming was used to establish the depression model.The post-stroke depression model mice were received MCAO first and then received forced swimming on the 4th day after stroke to establish the model.Mice in enrofloxacin group and minocycline group were treated with enrofloxacin and minocycline injection once a clay for 14 days from the 5th day after stroke, respectively.Forced swimming test and sugar water preference test were used to evaluate the depression of mice in each group, Morris water maze test was used to detect the spatial memory function of mice in each group, and Nissl staining and immunofluorescence staining were used to detect the neuronal function and the number and type of microglia activation.The expression of inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-1β were detected by Western blot.GraphPad Prism 8.0.1 statistical software was used for statistical analysis.The single factor variance analysis was used to compare the difference among multiple groups, and pairwise comparison was performed with SNK- q test. Results:(1) There were statistically significant differences in depression, learning and memory, neuron damage, activation of microglia, inflammatory factors and other indicators in sham operation group, stroke group, post-stroke depression group and depression group ( F=43.58-255.70, all P<0.05). Compared with stroke group, post-stroke depression group had longer floating immobility time ((222.70±29.12) s, (79.25±46.78) s, P<0.05), the preference rate of sugar water was significantly lower ( (49.44±6.19) %, (84.49±4.73) %, P<0.05), and the average value of platform approach after correction was higher((125.00±9.95) mm, (96.79±12.57) mm, P<0.05), Nissl bodies expression was lower ((53.50±15.78) cells /mm 2, (85.67±17.52) cells /mm 2, P<0.05), NeuN positive expression rate was lower ((29.78±3.70) %, (45.73±4.51) %, P<0.05), the percent of M1 microglia expression was significantly higher ((75.55±8.84) %, (58.19±5.69) %, P<0.05), the percent of M2 microglia expression was lower ((43.46±5.11)%, (57.14±5.40)%, P<0.05), and the expression levels of IL-6 ((1.14±0.03), (0.94±0.05), P<0.05) and IL-1β((1.17±0.03), (0.56±0.04), P<0.05) were significantly higher.(2) Depression, learning and memory, neuron injury, activation of microglia, inflammatory factors and other indicators of mice in solvent group, enrofloxacin group and minocycline group were significantly different ( F=7.13-94.35, all P<0.05). Compared with enrofloxacin group, mice in minocycline group had shorter floating immobility time ((169.30±13.04) s, (224.30±22.60) s, P<0.05) and higher sugar water preference rate ((62.81±7.75) %, (47.71±8.11) %, P<0.05), the mean value of platform approach estimation after water maze correction was lower ((97.66±14.56) mm, (120.20±12.08) mm, P<0.05), and the expression level of Nissl bodies was higher ((80.17±10.55) cells /mm 2, (52.00±8.94) cells /mm 2, P<0.05), NeuN expression rate was high ((45.04±3.62) %, (28.88±4.50) %, P<0.05), Iba-1 expression was lower ((97.33±10.67) cells/mm 2, (112.50±6.54)cells/mm 2, P<0.05), the percent of M1 microglia expression was lower ((54.43±5.22) %, (73.82±6.88) %, P<0.05), and the percent of M2 microglia expression was significantly higher ((51.86±6.22) %, (36.30±5.72) %, P<0.05). The expression levels of IL-6 ((0.75±0.06), (1.21±0.07), P<0.05) and IL-1β ((0.61±0.06) (1.09±0.09), P<0.05) were lower. Conclusion:The long-term spatial memory impairment of post-stroke depression mice is aggravated, which is related to the neuron damage caused by increased activation of M1 microglia in PFC area.Inhibition of M1 microglia by minocycline can effectively improve the spatial memory ability of mice.

Objective:To understand the plague epidemic characteristics in the natural foci of the Qilian Mountains-A-erh-chin Mountains Himalayan marmot plague in Gansu Province, and to provide scientific basis for innovative prevention and control of the plague in combination with local conditions. Methods:A retrospective study was used to collect the monitoring data of the natural foci of plague in Gansu Province from 2011 to 2018 (from the epidemic surveillance files of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Gansu Province and direct network reporting information). Descriptive epidemiological method was used to analyze the plague epidemic characteristics of natural foci of the Qilian Mountains-A-erh-chin Mountains Himalayan marmot plague in Gansu Province from 2011 to 2018, including the distribution of host animals, pathogenic and serological testing of the plague bacteria, and the epidemic characteristics of human plague. Results:From 2011 to 2018, the total average marmot density in the natural foci of the Qilian Mountains-A-erh-chin Mountains Himalayan marmot plague in Gansu Province was 0.21/hm 2, of which Tianzhu County had the highest average marmot density of 0.58/hm 2, and Jiayuguan City had the lowest average marmot density of 0.01/hm 2. A total of 381 strains of Yersinia pestis were isolated in the foci, of which 4 were isolated from human corpses, 298 were host animals, and 79 were infectious vectors. Among them, the top 3 counties (cities) of isolated strains were Aksai County (38.85%, 148 strains), Subei County (31.50%, 120 strains) and Yumen City (16.27%, 62 strains). A total of 6 860 marmot serum, 1 769 dog serum were tested, the F1 antibody positive rates were 2.70% (185/6 860), 8.42% (149/1 769); and the F1 antigen positive rate of 814 animal materials was 4.30% (35/814), respectively. There were 4 times of human plague, 4 cases occurred and 4 cases died; 3 times occurred in Subei County and 1 time in Yumen City. The onset months were July, September, November and December. Active contact with infected animals such as shepherd dogs was the main route of infection, and migrant herders were the key occupation population. Conclusions:The animal epidemic situation in the natural foci of the Qilian Mountains-A-erh-chin Mountains Himalayan marmot plague in Gansu Province is active, and the plague presents different epidemic states in different regions. The prevention and control measures should be taken according to local conditions and guided by classification to strictly prevent the occurrence and transmission of the plague.

【Objective】 To analyze the metagenomics and microbiology of voluntary blood donors in China, so as to assess the potential threats of emerging infectious diseases to the safety of blood transfusion. 【Methods】 12 300 plasma samples (10 mL each) collected by central blood stations in Chongqing, Liuzhou, Urumqi, Mianyang, Wuhan, Nanjing, Mudanjiang, and Dehong Prefecture area from 2012 to 2018 were subjected to total DNA extraction after ultracentrifugation (32 000 rpm/min, centrifugal radius 91.9 mm) in minipools of 160 donations. The metagenomic library was constructed, and deep sequencing was conducted by Illumina Hiseq 4 500. By comparing with reference sequences of bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses, metagenomic data were analyzed, classification of microbes were identified, and potentially harmful pathogens were evaluated. 【Results】 A total of 632 GB clean data were obtained by deep sequencing, and the top three pathogens were Pseudomonas(0.561 1%), Burkholderia(0.468 7%) and Serratia(4.242 0%). Pathogens with potential threat which could be transmitted by blood transfusion or blood products were found, such as human parvovirus B19(0.126 6%), Leishmania spp(1.348 5%) and Toxoplasma gondii(0.615 8%). 【Conclusion】 Our study analyzed metagenomics of voluntary blood donors in parts of China and revealed pathogens that may cause potential harm to blood safety, which were helpful for targeted prevention and control of emerging infectious diseases.

Objective:To study the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) loci polymorphism of Yersinia pestis and its area distribution in Gansu province. Methods:A total of 203 strains of Yersinia pestis isolated from 1962 to 2014 were selected for the culture and extraction of DNA. Three pairs of CRISPR primers were used to amplify the strain DNA by PCR, and the PCR products were sequenced. The groups and genotypes of strains were determined according to the spacer and spacer arrangement of CRISPR loci in the strain. Cluster analysis was done by using the software BioNumerics 5.10. Results:A total of 16 spacers, including 9 species of YPa loci, 4 species of YPb loci and 3 species of YPc loci, were found in the 203 strains of Yersinia pestis. A new spacer of a1′ was found. The 203 strains were divided into 5 CRISPR genotypes and classified into 5 CRISPR clusters (Cb2, Ca7, Ca7′, CaΔ5′ and Ca35′). Each cluster showed significant area-specific characteristics, Cb2 was mainly distributed in Huining country and Pingchuan district, Ca7 was mainly found in Aksai Kazak autonomous country, Ca7′ was mainly found in Xiahe country, Ca35′ was mainly found in Subei Mongolia autonomous county and Yumen city and CaΔ5′ was mainly distributed in Sunan Yugur autonomous county. Conclusions:The strains from different plague foci in Gansu were distinguished by CRISPR, all kinds of clusters showed the obvious area specific characteristics. It is important to study the evolution of Yersinia pestis in Gansu and trace the molecular biology origin of human plague.