The analysis of nano-micro nuclear particles has attracted significant attention due to the crucial role of their elemental and isotopic characteristics in tracing the origins of particulate matter and assessing its potential risks to human health and the environment.However,challenges persist in obtaining accurate and consistent element profiles and ratios for small-sized nanoparticles due to their low level and the transient nature.In this study,a high-speed digital oscilloscope was integrated with multiple collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(MC-ICP-MS)to develop a high time-resolution"Event-triggered signal capture"(ETSC)system for single particle analysis.This innovative approach enabled the analysis of element/isotope within rare earth nanoparticles at ag-fg level.The ETSC accurately recorded the complete profile of single particle,event captured by the electron multiplier with nanosecond time resolution,allowing for high-sensitivity element analysis and high-precision isotope analysis of single particles.The results demonstrated that the ETSC system could achieve quantitative analysis of ag levels of ytterbium(Yb)in 50-nm rare earth-doped particles,with a detection limit as low as 38 ag for Yb.Moreover,the isotopic precision of single particle analysis for 173/171Yb could reach 0.047(standard deviation),and the standard error for isotopic analysis of multiple particles could achieve a level of 2‰-3‰(permil)for 173/171Yb.Finally,the capability of ETSC system to analyze environmental samples was demonstrated through the analysis of doped ytterbium oxide nanoparticles.All these findings demonstrated that the ETSC provided a unique method for elemental and isotopic analysis of single nuclear particles.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the imaging effect of a near-infrared fluorescent targeted probe ICG-NP41 on the neurovascular bundles (NVB) around the prostate in rats. METHODS: A near-infrared fluorescent targeted probe ICG-NP41 was synthesized. An animal model for NVB imaging was established using Sprague-Dawley rats (250-400 g). Experiments were conducted using a custom-built near-infrared windowⅡ(NIR-Ⅱ) small animal in vivo imaging system, and images collected were processed using ImageJ and Origin. The fluorescence signal data were statistically analyzed using GraphPad Prism. The signal-to-background ratio (SBR) for NVB was quantitatively calculated to explore the effective dosage and imaging time points. Finally, paraffin pathology sections and HE staining were performed on the imaging structures. RESULTS: Except for rats in the control group (n=2), right-sided NVB of the rats injected with ICG-NP41 (n=2 per group) were all observed in NIR-Ⅱ fluorescence mode 2 h and 4 h after administration. At 2 h and 4 h, average SBR of cavernous nerve in 2 mg/kg group in fluorescence mode was 1.651±0.142 and 1.619±0.110, respectively, both higher than that in white light mode (1.111±0.036), with no significant difference (P>0.05); average SBR of 4 mg/kg group in fluorescence mode were 1.168±0.066 and 1.219±0.118, respectively, both higher than that in white light mode (1.081±0.040), with no significant difference (P>0.05). At 2 h and 4 h, the average SBR of 2 mg/kg and 4 mg/kg groups in fluorescence mode were higher than that of the control group (SBR=1), the average SBR of the 2 mg/kg group was higher than that of the 4 mg/kg group, and all the above with no significant difference (P>0.05). The average diameter of the nerve measured by full width at half maxima method was about (178±15) μm. HE staining of paraffin sections showed the right major pelvic ganglion. CONCLUSION The near-infrared fluorescent targeted probe ICG-NP41 can be used for real-time imaging of the NVB around the prostate in rats, providing a potential feasible solution for localizing NVB in real time during nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy.
Male ; Rats ; Animals ; Prostate/diagnostic imaging* ; Paraffin ; Indocyanine Green ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Fluorescent Dyes

Objective: This cross-sectional investigation aimed to determine the incidence, clinical characteristics, prognosis, and related risk factors of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain in mainland China. Methods: Data of patients with SARS-CoV-2 from December 28, 2022, to February 21, 2023, were collected through online and offline questionnaires from 45 tertiary hospitals and one center for disease control and prevention in mainland China. The questionnaire included demographic information, previous health history, smoking and alcohol drinking, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, olfactory and gustatory function before and after infection, other symptoms after infection, as well as the duration and improvement of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. The self-reported olfactory and gustatory functions of patients were evaluated using the Olfactory VAS scale and Gustatory VAS scale. Results: A total of 35 566 valid questionnaires were obtained, revealing a high incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain (67.75%). Females(χ2=367.013, P<0.001) and young people(χ2=120.210, P<0.001) were more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Gender(OR=1.564, 95%CI: 1.487-1.645), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), oral health status (OR=0.881, 95%CI: 0.839-0.926), smoking history (OR=1.152, 95%CI=1.080-1.229), and drinking history (OR=0.854, 95%CI: 0.785-0.928) were correlated with the occurrence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2(above P<0.001). 44.62% (4 391/9 840) of the patients who had not recovered their sense of smell and taste also suffered from nasal congestion, runny nose, and 32.62% (3 210/9 840) suffered from dry mouth and sore throat. The improvement of olfactory and taste functions was correlated with the persistence of accompanying symptoms(χ2=10.873, P=0.001). The average score of olfactory and taste VAS scale was 8.41 and 8.51 respectively before SARS-CoV-2 infection, but decreased to3.69 and 4.29 respectively after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and recovered to 5.83and 6.55 respectively at the time of the survey. The median duration of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions was 15 days and 12 days, respectively, with 0.5% (121/24 096) of patients experiencing these dysfunctions for more than 28 days. The overall self-reported improvement rate of smell and taste dysfunctions was 59.16% (14 256/24 096). Gender(OR=0.893, 95%CI: 0.839-0.951), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), history of head and facial trauma(OR=1.180, 95%CI: 1.036-1.344, P=0.013), nose (OR=1.104, 95%CI: 1.042-1.171, P=0.001) and oral (OR=1.162, 95%CI: 1.096-1.233) health status, smoking history(OR=0.765, 95%CI: 0.709-0.825), and the persistence of accompanying symptoms (OR=0.359, 95%CI: 0.332-0.388) were correlated with the recovery of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2 (above P<0.001 except for the indicated values). Conclusion: The incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain is high in mainland China, with females and young people more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Active and effective intervention measures may be required for cases that persist for a long time. The recovery of olfactory and taste functions is influenced by several factors, including gender, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status, history of head and facial trauma, nasal and oral health status, smoking history, and persistence of accompanying symptoms.
Female ; Humans ; Adolescent ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Smell ; COVID-19/complications* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Incidence ; Olfaction Disorders/etiology* ; Taste Disorders/etiology* ; Prognosis

Aim To explore the roles of miRNA-132 and its related proteins(Mecp2, CREB)in the mechanism of methamphetamine(MA)-induced neurotoxicity and dependence.Methods The rats were intraperitioneally injected(ip)with MA(10 mg·kg-1·d-1)to establish methamphetamine dependence model with different dependent time courses of 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks respectively.The miRNA-132 and Mecp2 mRNA were detected by RT-qPCR, and the Mecp2, p-Mecp2, CREB and p-CREB proteins were detected by Western blot in the tissues of frontal cortex and hippocampus.Results In the frontal cortex, the miRNA-132 and Mecp2 mRNA were up-regulated in MA-dependent groups(P<0.05 and P<0.01), while the Mecp2 protein were down-regulated(P<0.01).MA could promote the phosphorylation of Mecp2 protein in the frontal cortex(P<0.01).In hippocampus, the miRNA-132 was down-regulated in the MA-dependent groups, but Mecp2 mRNA was up-regulated(P<0.05).Mecp2 protein increased in MA-dependent 1 week group(P<0.05), and then recovered with the prolonged time of MA dependence, then decreased in MA-dependent 4 weeks groups(P<0.05)in hippocampus.The phosphorylation level of Mecp2 was significantly decreased in the 1 week group(P<0.01), and then increased in the 2 weeks group(P<0.01)in hippocampus.Conclusions MA could induce an abnormal expression of miRNA-132 in the frontal cortex and hippocampus, and miRNA-132 might inhibit the translation of Mecp2 mRNA and induce the decrease expression of Mecp2 protein in the frontal cortex.But in hippocampus, miRNA-132 does not show the correlation with the Mecp2 expression trend of the frontal cortex.And miRNA-132 regulation does not depend on the expression of Mecp2 in hippocampus.

Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides (MOO) are an oral drug approved in China for the treatment of depression in China. However, MOO is hardly absorbed so that their anti-depressant mechanism has not been elucidated. Here, we show that oral MOO acted on tryptophan → 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) → serotonin (5-HT) metabolic pathway in the gut microbiota. MOO could increase tryptophan hydroxylase levels in the gut microbiota which accelerated 5-HTP production from tryptophan; meanwhile, MOO inhibited 5-hydroxytryptophan decarboxylase activity, thus reduced 5-HT generation, and accumulated 5-HTP. The raised 5-HTP from the gut microbiota was absorbed to the blood, and then passed across the blood-brain barrier to improve 5-HT levels in the brain. Additionally, pentasaccharide, as one of the main components in MOO, exerted the significant anti-depressant effect through a mechanism identical to that of MOO. This study reveals for the first time that MOO can alleviate depression via increasing 5-HTP in the gut microbiota.

BACKGROUND: There were few studies on real-world data about autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) or allogeneic HSCT (allo-HSCT) in peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL). This study aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of patients who received auto-HSCT or allo-HSCT in China. METHODS: From July 2007 to June 2017, a total of 128 patients who received auto-HSCT (n  = 72) or allo-HSCT (n  = 56) at eight medical centers across China were included in this study. We retrospectively collected their demographic and clinical data and compared the clinical outcomes between groups. RESULTS: Patients receiving allo-HSCT were more likely to be diagnosed with stage III or IV disease (95% vs. 82%, P = 0.027), bone marrow involvement (42% vs. 15%, P = 0.001), chemotherapy-resistant disease (41% vs. 8%, P = 0.001), and progression disease (32% vs. 4%, P < 0.001) at transplantation than those receiving auto-HSCT. With a median follow-up of 30 (2-143) months, 3-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in the auto-HSCT group were 70%(48/63) and 59%(42/63), respectively. Three-year OS and PFS for allo-HSCT recipients were 46%(27/54) and 44%(29/54), respectively. There was no difference in relapse rate (34%[17/63] in auto-HSCT vs. 29%[15/54] in allo-HSCT, P = 0.840). Three-year non-relapse mortality rate in auto-HSCT recipients was 6%(4/63) compared with 27%(14/54) for allo-HSCT recipients (P = 0.004). Subanalyses showed that patients with lower prognostic index scores for PTCL (PIT) who received auto-HSCT in an upfront setting had a better outcome than patients with higher PIT scores (3-year OS: 85% vs. 40%, P = 0.003). Patients with complete remission (CR) undergoing auto-HSCT had better survival (3-year OS: 88% vs. 48% in allo-HSCT, P = 0.008). For patients beyond CR, the outcome of patients who received allo-HSCT was similar to that in the atuo-HSCT group (3-year OS: 51% vs. 46%, P = 0.300). CONCLUSIONS Our study provided real-world data about auto-HSCT and allo-HSCT in China. Auto-HSCT seemed to be associated with better survival for patients in good condition (lower PIT score and/or better disease control). For patients possessing unfavorable characteristics, the survival of patients receiving allo-HSCT group was similar to that in the auto-HSCT group.
China ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral/therapy* ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Retrospective Studies ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Treatment Outcome

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which first affected humans in China on December 31, 2019 (Shi et al., 2020). Coronaviruses generally cause mild, self-limiting upper respiratory tract infections in humans, such as the common cold, pneumonia, and gastroenteritis (To et al., 2013; Berry et al., 2015; Chan et al., 2015). According to the Report of the World Health Organization (WHO)-China Joint Mission on COVID-19 (WHO, 2020), the case fatality rate of COVID-19 increases with age, while the rate among males is higher than that among females (4.7% and 2.8%, respectively). Since an effective vaccine and specific anti-viral drugs are still under development, passive immunization using the convalescent plasma (CP) of recovered COVID-19 donors may offer a suitable therapeutic strategy for severely ill patients in the meantime. So far, several studies have shown therapeutic efficacy of CP transfusion in treating COVID-19 cases. A pilot study first reported that transfusion of CP with neutralizing antibody titers above 1:640 was well tolerated and could potentially improve clinical outcomes through neutralizing viremia in severe COVID-19 cases (Chen et al., 2020). Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM are the most abundant and important antibodies in protecting the human body from viral attack (Arabi et al., 2015; Marano et al., 2016). Our study aimed to understand the aspects of plasma antibody titer levels in convalescent patients, as well as assessing the clinical characteristics of normal, severely ill, and critically ill patients, and thus provide a basis for guiding CP therapy. We also hoped to find indicators which could serve as a reference in predicting the progression of the disease.
Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Neutralizing/blood* ; Antibodies, Viral/blood* ; COVID-19/therapy* ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Immunization, Passive ; Immunoglobulin G/blood* ; Immunoglobulin M/blood* ; Male ; Middle Aged

Objective: To investigate the sex- and age-specific association between resting heart rate and hypertension in rural adult residents of Henan province. Methods: At baseline, a total of 20 194 participants were randomly selected from Xin'an County of Henan province between July 2007 and August 2008. After excluding participants with hypertension or without resting heart rate data at baseline, and participants died or without hypertension outcome or diagnosed as gestational hypertension during follow-up between July 2013 and October 2014, 10 212 participants were finally included in this study. Multiple linear regression model was used to examine the association between resting heart rate and change of blood pressure. Logistic regression model was used to estimate the association between resting heart rate and risk of hypertension. Results: There were 2 059 new hypertensive cases (839 male) during the 6 years follow-up. After controlling for potential confounders, per 5 beats/minutes increases in resting heart rate was associated with 0.18 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) (95%CI 0.01-0.36 mmHg, P=0.046) absolute increase in systolic blood pressure and 7% higher risk of developing hypertension in women (95%CI 1.03-1.11, P<0.05). Compared with resting heart rate<70 beats/minutes, the adjusted RRs for 76-82 and>82 beats/minutes groups were 1.39 (95%CI 1.18-1.63, P<0.05) and 1.22 (95%CI 1.02-1.45, P<0.05), respectively. For both age groups, increased resting heart rate was positively associated with risk of hypertension in women(RR=1.05(95% CI 1.01-1.10), P<0.05 (the women those <60 years); RR=1.14(95% CI 1.04-1.25), P<0.05 (the women those≥60 years). However, no significant association was found between resting heart rate and hypertension in male residents. Conclusions: Increased resting heart rate is associated with high risk of hypertension in women who live in rural area, especially in elder women of this cohort.
Adult ; Blood Pressure ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Rural Population

Objective To compare epidemiology characteristics and control measures of dengue fever (DF) outbreaks in public places in Shenzhen and Hong Kong and integrate the advantages for better response to DF outbreaks. Methods Data of DF cases and mosquito vector surveillance in Shenzhen and Hong Kong were collected for descriptive epidemiological analysis and measures of mosquito control were compared. Results A total of 19DF cases were recorded in 13 d among six districts of Hong Kong, the male: female ratio was 1 ∶〗0.9. In Shenzhen, 20 cases were recorded in 33 d, the cases were distributed in three sub-districts, the Male: female ratio was 1 ∶〗0.82; Age difference between Shenzhen and Hong Kong was statistically significant (Z=-2.855, P=0.004). The time interval between date of onset and laboratory confirmation ranging from 5.5 to 8.5 d (median:7d) in Hong Kong, and ranged from 1.5 to 5.4 d (median:2 d) in Shenzhen, the difference was statistically significant (Z=-3.818, P<0.001). On the 4th day of the outbreak, Hong Kong declared 30 d closure for anti-mosquito operations with a range of 500 m, and monthly area ovitrap index (AOI) was used to monitor the territory-wide situation of Aedes albopictus. On the 2nd day of the outbreak, Shenzhen declared source closure for mosquito control with a range of 400 m and emergency vector surveillance was conducted, using Breteau Index (BI) and Human-baited double net trap(HDN) every 3 d. Conclusions The nature, scale, time and place of the two local DF outbreaks in Shenzhen and Hong Kong are similar. The prevention and control system is more sensitive and prompt, the ability of early detection is stronger, mosquito vector surveillance program is more comprehensive and the frequency is higher in Shenzhen. The epidemic information dissemination and risk communication with media is more active, mosquito management and control is more professional in Hong Kong.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the method and effect of ultrasound-guided suprascapular nerve block combined with acupuncture in the treatment of calcified tendinitis of rotator cuff. METHODS: From January 2015 to December 2017, total 30 patients with calcified tendinitis, including 23 cases of supraspinatus tendon, 5 cases of infraspinatus tendon and 2 cases of subscapular tendon, were treated with ultrasound-guided suprascapular nerve block combined with acupuncture. There were 7 males and 23 females, ranging in age from 36 to 71 years old, with an average of 51.6 years old. There were 17 cases on the right and 13 cases on the left. VAS pain score, Constant-murley score, UCLA score and X-ray examination were used to evaluate the clinical results before and after surgery. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 14.3 months (6 to 30 months). The preoperative VAS score was 3.82±1.13, Constant-Murley score was 36.91±7.95 and UCLA score was 11.35±2.17. The final follow-up scores were 1.32±1.06, 90.61±2.89 and 33.22±1.51, respectively. The final follow-up scores were improved significantly(<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Conservative treatment of calcified rotator cuff tendinitis is ineffective. Suprascapular nerve block guided by ultrasound combined with acupuncture has a good therapeutic effect. It is a minimally invasive, economic, safe and effective method, which is worth promoting.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Arthroscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nerve Block ; Rotator Cuff ; Rotator Cuff Injuries ; Tendinopathy ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome