Objective To investigate the changes of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the anterior cingulate cortex of perimenopausal women with depression.Methods Forty perimenopausal women as the experimental group and ten healthy women as the control group were recruited and followed up for 18 to 24 months.The proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) was used to acquire the concentrations of GABA in the anterior cingulate cortex.The experimental group was examined before and after menopause.The control group was examined before into the group and after out of the group.The experimental group after menopause was further divided into the anxiety group and the depression group according to the Classification and Diagnostic Criteria of Mental Disorders in China-Third Edition (CCMD-3), 14-item Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA-14) and 17-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17).The data of three groups were compared respectively.Results The results showed that the concentrations of GABA after menopause in both of the anxiety group and depression group were significantly lower (P<0.05) than those before menopause, and were also significantly lower (P<0.05) than those in the control group.The concentrations of GABA after menopause in the depression group were significantly lower(P<0.05) than those in the anxiety group.Conclusion The changes of GABA in the anterior cingulate cortex are related with the pathophysiology mechanism of perimenopausal depression and the symptoms of perimenopausal depression.

Objective To study the possible molecular mechanism of IL-10 in promoting Chlamydia muridarum infection in mice. Methods C57BL/6 wild-type and IL-10 gene knockout ( IL-10-/-) mice were infected with Chlamydia muridarum. Indirect immunofluorescence assay was used to detect the growth of Chlamydia muridarum in the intestinal and genital tracts. The severity of genital diseases was assessed by hydrosalpinx scoring. Expression of IFN-γand IL-2 in blood was measured by ELISA. Re-sults Compared with the wild-type group, Chlamydia clearance in the intestinal and genital tracts of IL-10-/- mice was significantly faster, and the expression of IFN-γ and IL-2 increased significantly. In addi-tion, wild-type mice showed more serious hydrosalpinx. Conclusions IL-10 delays Chlamydia trachomatis clearance and promotes Chlamydia infection through inhibiting the expression of IFN-γ and IL-2, which ag-gravates hydrosalpinx.

Objective:To apply CBL combined with PBL based on SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-based) principle in nursing practice teaching in radiotherapy.Methods:A total of 100 nurses who performed nursing practice in the Department of Radiotherapy in Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from May 2016 to May 2020 were selected as the research objects. They were divided into a control group and a study group according to their admissions, with 50 people in each group. The study group used CBL combined with PBL teaching based on SMART principle, and the control group used traditional practice teaching. After the clinical practice, the two groups were assessed on theoretical and clinical practice skills, and the two groups' teaching satisfaction and teaching effects were evaluated through seminars and questionnaire surveys. SPSS 22.0 was used for t test and chi-square test. Results:The theoretical and clinical practice performance assessment scores of the practical nurses in the study group were higher than those in the control group, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.001). The teaching satisfaction rate of the practice nurses in the control group was 62.00% (31/50), and that of the practice nurses in the study group was 96.00% (48/50), with significant differences ( P<0.001). In terms of improving independent learning ability, information acquisition and problem analysis ability, improving clinical thinking ability, mobilizing learning enthusiasm, enhancing teamwork ability, nurse-patient communication ability, and recognition of innovation ability, the teaching satisfaction of the research group was higher than that of the control group. Conclusion:The application of SMART principle in teaching has the advantages of clear goals and quantifiable evaluation. The combination of CBL and PBL based on SMART principle can help to improve the mastery of theoretical and practical skills of radiotherapy practice nurses, and achieve satisfactory teaching results.

Rubi fructus mainly contains contents of flavonoids,coumarins,phenolic acids,polysaccharides,alkaloids and trace elements.Meanwhile,it has activity effects of anti-tumor,anti-oxidation,anti-aging and anti-inflammation,and is widely used in medicine,food,health food and other fields.Research progress on chemical constituents,pharmacological action and clinical application of Rubi fructus were summarized in this paper,in order to provide the theoretical guidance for the rational use of Rubi fructus and the sustainable development of the resources.

Objective:To explore the association of human betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase ( BHMT) and BHMT2 gene polymorphisms with non-syndromic congenital heart disease (CHD). Methods:A hospital-based case-control study was conducted, in which children with CHD who attended Hunan Children′s Hospital from January 2018 to May 2019 were enrolled as the case group, and children without any congenital deformity who attended the hospital during the same period were enrolled as the control group on a 1∶1 basis. A self-administered questionnaire survey was performed to collect information about the study subjects and their mothers, and then venous blood samples were collected from the subjects to detect BHMT and BHMT2 gene polymorphisms. Logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the association of BHMT and BHMT2 gene polymorphisms and their haplotypes with CHD. Crossover analyses and logistic regression were used to explore the gene-gene and gene-environment interactions. Results:The case and control group both enrolled 620 children. The multivariate logistic regression showed that BHMT gene polymorphisms at rs3733890 (AA vs. GG: OR=3.476, Q FDR<0.001; GA vs. GG: OR=1.525, Q FDR=0.036), at rs1915706 (CC vs. TT: OR=3.464, Q FDR<0.001) and at rs1316753 (GG vs. CC: OR=1.875, Q FDR=0.020) increased the risk of CHD. Children with haplotype of A-G-A had an increased risk of CHD ( OR=1.468, 95% CI: 1.222-1.762). Interaction analysis showed that a statistically significant positive interaction between rs3733890 and rs1915706 on both additive ( RERI=0.628, 95% CI: 0.298-0.958) and multiplicative ( OR=3.754, 95% CI: 1.875-7.519) scales. Gene-environment interactions were found between the BHMT gene with secondhand smoke exposure before pregnancy and in early pregnancy, tea consumption before pregnancy and in early pregnancy, alcohol consumption before pregnancy, and folic acid supplementation before or during pregnancy. Conclusion:BHMT gene rs3733890, rs1915706 and rs1316753 polymorphisms may be associated with the risk of CHD. In addition, there is an association of cooperative interaction between rs3733890 and rs1915706 on both additive and multiplicative scales with the risk of CHD, and the BHMT gene interacts with multiple environmental factors.

Objective:To explore the association of human betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase ( BHMT) and BHMT2 gene polymorphisms with non-syndromic congenital heart disease (CHD). Methods:A hospital-based case-control study was conducted, in which children with CHD who attended Hunan Children′s Hospital from January 2018 to May 2019 were enrolled as the case group, and children without any congenital deformity who attended the hospital during the same period were enrolled as the control group on a 1∶1 basis. A self-administered questionnaire survey was performed to collect information about the study subjects and their mothers, and then venous blood samples were collected from the subjects to detect BHMT and BHMT2 gene polymorphisms. Logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the association of BHMT and BHMT2 gene polymorphisms and their haplotypes with CHD. Crossover analyses and logistic regression were used to explore the gene-gene and gene-environment interactions. Results:The case and control group both enrolled 620 children. The multivariate logistic regression showed that BHMT gene polymorphisms at rs3733890 (AA vs. GG: OR=3.476, Q FDR<0.001; GA vs. GG: OR=1.525, Q FDR=0.036), at rs1915706 (CC vs. TT: OR=3.464, Q FDR<0.001) and at rs1316753 (GG vs. CC: OR=1.875, Q FDR=0.020) increased the risk of CHD. Children with haplotype of A-G-A had an increased risk of CHD ( OR=1.468, 95% CI: 1.222-1.762). Interaction analysis showed that a statistically significant positive interaction between rs3733890 and rs1915706 on both additive ( RERI=0.628, 95% CI: 0.298-0.958) and multiplicative ( OR=3.754, 95% CI: 1.875-7.519) scales. Gene-environment interactions were found between the BHMT gene with secondhand smoke exposure before pregnancy and in early pregnancy, tea consumption before pregnancy and in early pregnancy, alcohol consumption before pregnancy, and folic acid supplementation before or during pregnancy. Conclusion:BHMT gene rs3733890, rs1915706 and rs1316753 polymorphisms may be associated with the risk of CHD. In addition, there is an association of cooperative interaction between rs3733890 and rs1915706 on both additive and multiplicative scales with the risk of CHD, and the BHMT gene interacts with multiple environmental factors.

ObjectiveTo investigate the regulatory effect and molecular mechanism of berberine （BBR） on lipophagy in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic （AS） lesions in mice. MethodFifty apolipoprotein E-knockout （ApoE^-/-） mice were randomly divided into an AS model group， an atorvastatin group （5 mg·kg^-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose BBR groups （2.5， 5， 10 mg·kg^-1）. Ten C57BL/6J mice were assigned to the control group. After 12 weeks， hematoxylin-eosin （HE） and oil red O staining were performed to assess the histopathological changes of AS plaques in the aorta. Biochemical analysis was used to measure serum lipid levels， and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to measure the levels of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 （IL-6） and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， oxidative stress marker reactive oxygen species （ROS）， and serum lipophagy marker Beclin1 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 Ⅱ （LC3Ⅱ）. The xanthine oxidase method was used to measure serum superoxide dismutase （SOD） activity. Immunohistochemistry （IHC） was used to detect the distribution of wingless-type MMTV integration site family member 5a （Wnt5a） and Nieman Pick type C1 （NPC1） in the aorta， and Western blot was used to determine the protein expression of Wnt5a and NPC1 in the aorta. ResultCompared with the control group， the AS model group showed significant AS plaque formation， significantly elevated levels of serum total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， IL-6， TNF-α， and ROS， aortic Wnt5a distribution and protein expression （P<0.01）， and significantly reduced levels of serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， SOD， Beclin1， LC3Ⅱ， and aortic NPC1 distribution and protein expression （P<0.01）. Compared with the AS model group， the atorvastatin group， and high- and medium-dose BBR groups showed a significant reduction in AS plaque area （P<0.05， P<0.01）， significantly decreased levels of serum TC， TG， LDL-C， IL-6， TNF-α， ROS， and aortic Wnt5a distribution and protein expression （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and significantly increased levels of serum HDL-C， SOD， Beclin1， LC3Ⅱ， and aortic NPC1 distribution and protein expression （P<0.05， P<0.01）. There was no statistically significant difference in the above indicators between the atorvastatin group and the medium-dose BBR group. ConclusionBBR can competitively bind to Wnt5a to activate NPC1 expression， upregulate lipophagy levels， reduce blood lipids， and inhibit the release of inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress damage， thereby exerting a preventive and therapeutic effect on AS.

Objective To investigate the effect of palmitoleic acid(POA)on pyroptosis of cardiomyocytes after hy-poxia/reoxygenation-induced injury in the human myocardium.Methods The experiment comprised a control group(Control,normal culture),a hypoxia/reoxygenation group(HR),a palmitoleic acid-treated group(HR+POA),and an anhydrous ethanol control group(HR+ET).Cardiomyocytes viability was assessed using CCK-8 assay,and the level of pyroptosis of cardiomyocytes was measured through the double staining with Hoechst33342/PI and LDH assay.ELISA was employed to detect the release of inflammatory factors IL-1 β and IL-18 in the cell culture supernatant.qRT-PCR and Western blot were utilized to determine the relative expression levels of mRNA and protein of pyroptosis-related genes,namely NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1,GSDMD,IL-1 β and IL-18,respective-ly.Results CCK-8 assay showed that the survival of hypoxic/reoxygenated cardiomyocytes increased with the ad-dition of POA at concentrations ranging from 25 to 100 μmol/L,as compared to the HR group;a hypoxia/reoxy-genation model of cardiomyocyte was established.The expression of protein and mRNA increased in NLRP3,ASC,Cleaved caspase-1,GSDMD-N,IL-Iβ and IL-18 vs the control group(P＜0.05),the positive percentage of Ho-echst33342/PI staining in cardiomyocytes increased significantly(P＜0.05),the release of LDH,IL-Iβ,and IL-18 increased(P＜0.05).After intervention with 100 μmol/L POA,the protein and mRNA expression levels of NLRP3,ASC,Cleaved caspase-1,GSDMD-N,IL-Iβ,and IL-18 were significantly reduced in the HR+POA group vs HR+ET group(P＜0.05).The positive percentage of Hoechst33342/PI staining in cardiomyocytes de-creased significantly,and the levels of LDH,IL-Iβ and IL-18 significantly decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusion Palmitoleic acid may alleviate hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced injury of cardiomyocytes by inhibiting pyroptosis and inflammatory response after hypoxia/reoxygenation in human myocardium.

Neurons in the primary auditory area (AUDp) innervate multiple brain regions with long-range projections while receiving informative inputs for diverse functions. However, the brain-wide connections of these neurons have not been comprehensively investigated. Here, we simultaneously applied virus-based anterograde and retrograde tracing, labeled the connections of excitatory and inhibitory neurons in the mouse AUDp, and acquired whole-brain information using a dual-channel fluorescence micro-optical sectioning tomography system. Quantified results showed that the two types of neurons received inputs with similar patterns but sent heterogeneous projections to downstream regions. In the isocortex, functionally different areas consistently sent feedback-dominated projections to these neurons, with concomitant laterally-dominated projections from the sensory and limbic cortices to inhibitory neurons. In subcortical regions, the dorsal and medial parts of the non-lemniscal auditory thalamus (AT) were reciprocally connected to the AUDp, while the ventral part contained the most fibers of passage from the excitatory neurons and barely sent projections back, indicating the regional heterogeneity of the AUDp-AT circuit. Our results reveal details of the whole-brain network and provide new insights for further physiological and functional studies of the AUDp.