The oxytocin receptor (OXTR) has garnered increasing attention for its role in regulating both mature behaviors and brain development. It has been established that OXTR mediates a range of effects that are region-specific or period-specific. However, the current studies of OXTR expression patterns in mice only provide limited help due to limitations in resolution. Therefore, our objective was to generate a comprehensive, high-resolution spatiotemporal expression map of Oxtr mRNA across the entire developing mouse brain. We applied RNAscope in situ hybridization to investigate the spatiotemporal expression pattern of Oxtr in the brains of male mice at six distinct postnatal developmental stages (P7, P14, P21, P28, P42, P56). We provide detailed descriptions of Oxtr expression patterns in key brain regions, including the cortex, basal forebrain, hippocampus, and amygdaloid complex, with a focus on the precise localization of Oxtr⁺ cells and the variance of expression between different neurons. Furthermore, we identified some neuronal populations with high Oxtr expression levels that have been little studied, including glutamatergic neurons in the ventral dentate gyrus, Vgat⁺Oxtr⁺ cells in the basal forebrain, and GABAergic neurons in layers 4/5 of the cortex. Our study provides a novel perspective for understanding the distribution of Oxtr and encourages further investigations into its functions.
Animals ; Receptors, Oxytocin/metabolism* ; Male ; Brain/growth & development* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Neurons/metabolism* ; Single-Cell Analysis ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism* ; Animals, Newborn

Objectives:To explore whether short-course radiotherapy (SCRT)-based total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) combined with PD-1 inhibitors could further promote tumor regression and improve the prognosis.Methods:This is a prospective, multicenter, two-arm randomized controlled, seamless phase Ⅱ/Ⅲ trial for proficient mismatch repair or microsatellite stable (pMMR/MSS) locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Eligible patients were randomly assigned to the iTNT (TNT+PD-1) group or the TNT group. Patients in the TNT group received SCRT (5 Gy×5) followed by 4 cycles of CAPOX or 6 cycles of mFOLFOX chemotherapy, with the iTNT group receiving SCRT followed by the same regime in combination with 4 cycles of Sintilimab. Total mesorectal excision (TME) surgery or watch and wait (W&W) was performed after neoadjuvant therapy and then 2 cycles of same regimen as before were recommended. The primary endpoints are the complete response (CR) rate for phase Ⅱ trial and 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) for phase Ⅲ trial. A total of 588 patients will be enrolled for the phase Ⅱ/Ⅲ trial. Short-term efficacy and safety data from the initial 100 treated patients were analyzed as planned.Results:From 2022-8-31 to 2023-5-24 the initial 100 patients were enrolled from 10 hospitals in China, 76.0%(76/100) patients were male, and the median age was 61 years (21-74 years). More patients had tumors located in the lower rectum (78.0%, 78/100), staged T3-4 (97.0%, 97/100) and N1-2 (93.0%, 93/100), and about half of the tumors invaded the mesorectal fascia (52.0%, 52/100) and with extramural vascular invasion (51.0%, 51/100). Analyses were performed according to the per-protocal (PP) set. All patients in the iTNT group ( n=52) and the TNT group ( n=48) completed SCRT; The 4-cycle chemotherapy±Sintilimab completion rates were 86.5% and 100.0% in the iTNT and TNT groups, respectively. In the iTNT group, 82.7% (43/52), 11.5% (6/52), and 5.8% (3/52) of the patients received 4, 3, and 2 cycles of PD-1 inhibitor. After TNT, 68 patients underwent radical surgery and 15 patients achieved cCR and adopted W&W. The pathological complete response (pCR) rates were 48.5% (16/33) and 17.1% (6/35) in the iTNT and TNT groups, with CR rates of 50.0% (25/50) and 26.1% (12/46), respectively. The incidence of treatment-related grade 3-4 adverse events was 26.9% (14/52, iTNT group) and 18.8% (9/48, TNT group), with thrombocytopenia and leukopenia being the most common. Among patients receiving immunotherapy, grade 3 immunotherapy-related adverse events occurred in 2 (3.8%, 2/52) patients: one case was pancreatitis, another case was hepatitis combined with myositis and myocarditis. Conclusion:The preliminary results show that SCRT-based TNT combined with PD-1 inhibitors could further improve the CR rate for LARC without unexpected serious adverse events.

Objective To investigate programmed death including necroptosis,apoptosis,autophagy,ferroptosis,and pyroptosis in bone marrow megakaryocytes of mice during sepsis and its impact on platelet production capacity and coagulation function in mice.Methods C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a sham operation group(sham group)and a sepsis model group(CLP group).Peripheral blood platelets and coagulation function were measured by abdominal aortic blood sampling at 24 h postoperatively in both sham and CLP groups.After the mice were sacrificed,long bones of both lower limbs were taken,and bone marrow megakaryocytes were extracted using megakaryocyte separation solution and immunomagnetic bead separation.Laser confocal microscopy was used to observe the activation of programmed death-related marker molecules in mouse bone marrow megakaryocytes.Flow cytometry was used to detect programmed death rate,platelet production phenotype,and platelet surface markers(CD41,CD42b,CD61)of megakaryocytes.Western blotting was used to detect the expression of programmed death-related proteins in megakaryocytes.Results Compared with the sham group,the CLP group showed significant decreases in the number of platelets during acute sepsis(24 h)(P<0.000 1),significant increases in platelet distri-bution width(PDW)and mean platelet volume(MPV)(P<0.01),significant prolonging of thrombin time(TT),prothrombin time(PT),and activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT)(P<0.000 1,P<0.001,P<0.01),and significant reduction in fibrinogen(Fib)(P<0.000 1).Compared with the Con/sham group,the LPS/CLP group exhibited significant increases in the platelet production phenotype of megakaryocyte,the number of PLP in the supernatant,and the expression levels of platelet surface markers(CD41,CD42b,CD61).The rates of megakaryocyte necroptosis/apoptosis,pyroptosis,and ferroptosis were significantly elevated at 24 h post-CLP surgery.Laser confo-cal microscopy showed significant activation of LC3,P-MLKL,Caspase-1,and Fe2+in megakaryocytes of mice after CLP surgery.Western blotting results revealed that the CLP group exhibited a significant increase in the activa-tion rate of necroptosis-related protein P-MLKL(P<0.001),a significant increase in the cleavage of pyroptosis-related proteins GSDMD and GSDMD-N(P<0.01,P<0.001,respectively),a significant increase in the expres-sion of ferroptosis-related protein ACSL4(P<0.01),and a significant decrease in the expression of GPX4(P<0.01)compared to the sham group.Additionally,the CLP group demonstrated significant increases in the expression of apoptosis-related protein Bax,the cleavage of autophagy-related protein LC3B-Ⅱ,and the expression of P62(P<0.05,P<0.001,P<0.001,respectively).Inhibition of apoptosis with programmed cell death inhibitors decreased platelet production function of megakaryocyte,while inhibition of necroptosis and pyroptosis had limited effects on platelet production function of megakaryocyte.Inhibition of ferroptosis and autophagy enhanced platelet production function of megakaryocyte.Conclusion Significant programmed death of megakaryocytes was observed during the acute phase of sepsis(24 h).Among those megakaryocytes,apoptosis is an important mechanism for the differentia-tion of platelet production phenotype and increased platelet production capacity of megakaryocyte.Overactive autophagy and ferroptosis in megakaryocytes lead to megakaryocyte dysfunction,which is an important mechanism for coagulation abnormalities in sepsis.

Objective To investigate programmed death including necroptosis,apoptosis,autophagy,ferroptosis,and pyroptosis in bone marrow megakaryocytes of mice during sepsis and its impact on platelet production capacity and coagulation function in mice.Methods C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a sham operation group(sham group)and a sepsis model group(CLP group).Peripheral blood platelets and coagulation function were measured by abdominal aortic blood sampling at 24 h postoperatively in both sham and CLP groups.After the mice were sacrificed,long bones of both lower limbs were taken,and bone marrow megakaryocytes were extracted using megakaryocyte separation solution and immunomagnetic bead separation.Laser confocal microscopy was used to observe the activation of programmed death-related marker molecules in mouse bone marrow megakaryocytes.Flow cytometry was used to detect programmed death rate,platelet production phenotype,and platelet surface markers(CD41,CD42b,CD61)of megakaryocytes.Western blotting was used to detect the expression of programmed death-related proteins in megakaryocytes.Results Compared with the sham group,the CLP group showed significant decreases in the number of platelets during acute sepsis(24 h)(P<0.000 1),significant increases in platelet distri-bution width(PDW)and mean platelet volume(MPV)(P<0.01),significant prolonging of thrombin time(TT),prothrombin time(PT),and activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT)(P<0.000 1,P<0.001,P<0.01),and significant reduction in fibrinogen(Fib)(P<0.000 1).Compared with the Con/sham group,the LPS/CLP group exhibited significant increases in the platelet production phenotype of megakaryocyte,the number of PLP in the supernatant,and the expression levels of platelet surface markers(CD41,CD42b,CD61).The rates of megakaryocyte necroptosis/apoptosis,pyroptosis,and ferroptosis were significantly elevated at 24 h post-CLP surgery.Laser confo-cal microscopy showed significant activation of LC3,P-MLKL,Caspase-1,and Fe2+in megakaryocytes of mice after CLP surgery.Western blotting results revealed that the CLP group exhibited a significant increase in the activa-tion rate of necroptosis-related protein P-MLKL(P<0.001),a significant increase in the cleavage of pyroptosis-related proteins GSDMD and GSDMD-N(P<0.01,P<0.001,respectively),a significant increase in the expres-sion of ferroptosis-related protein ACSL4(P<0.01),and a significant decrease in the expression of GPX4(P<0.01)compared to the sham group.Additionally,the CLP group demonstrated significant increases in the expression of apoptosis-related protein Bax,the cleavage of autophagy-related protein LC3B-Ⅱ,and the expression of P62(P<0.05,P<0.001,P<0.001,respectively).Inhibition of apoptosis with programmed cell death inhibitors decreased platelet production function of megakaryocyte,while inhibition of necroptosis and pyroptosis had limited effects on platelet production function of megakaryocyte.Inhibition of ferroptosis and autophagy enhanced platelet production function of megakaryocyte.Conclusion Significant programmed death of megakaryocytes was observed during the acute phase of sepsis(24 h).Among those megakaryocytes,apoptosis is an important mechanism for the differentia-tion of platelet production phenotype and increased platelet production capacity of megakaryocyte.Overactive autophagy and ferroptosis in megakaryocytes lead to megakaryocyte dysfunction,which is an important mechanism for coagulation abnormalities in sepsis.

Objectives:To explore whether short-course radiotherapy (SCRT)-based total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) combined with PD-1 inhibitors could further promote tumor regression and improve the prognosis.Methods:This is a prospective, multicenter, two-arm randomized controlled, seamless phase Ⅱ/Ⅲ trial for proficient mismatch repair or microsatellite stable (pMMR/MSS) locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Eligible patients were randomly assigned to the iTNT (TNT+PD-1) group or the TNT group. Patients in the TNT group received SCRT (5 Gy×5) followed by 4 cycles of CAPOX or 6 cycles of mFOLFOX chemotherapy, with the iTNT group receiving SCRT followed by the same regime in combination with 4 cycles of Sintilimab. Total mesorectal excision (TME) surgery or watch and wait (W&W) was performed after neoadjuvant therapy and then 2 cycles of same regimen as before were recommended. The primary endpoints are the complete response (CR) rate for phase Ⅱ trial and 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) for phase Ⅲ trial. A total of 588 patients will be enrolled for the phase Ⅱ/Ⅲ trial. Short-term efficacy and safety data from the initial 100 treated patients were analyzed as planned.Results:From 2022-8-31 to 2023-5-24 the initial 100 patients were enrolled from 10 hospitals in China, 76.0%(76/100) patients were male, and the median age was 61 years (21-74 years). More patients had tumors located in the lower rectum (78.0%, 78/100), staged T3-4 (97.0%, 97/100) and N1-2 (93.0%, 93/100), and about half of the tumors invaded the mesorectal fascia (52.0%, 52/100) and with extramural vascular invasion (51.0%, 51/100). Analyses were performed according to the per-protocal (PP) set. All patients in the iTNT group ( n=52) and the TNT group ( n=48) completed SCRT; The 4-cycle chemotherapy±Sintilimab completion rates were 86.5% and 100.0% in the iTNT and TNT groups, respectively. In the iTNT group, 82.7% (43/52), 11.5% (6/52), and 5.8% (3/52) of the patients received 4, 3, and 2 cycles of PD-1 inhibitor. After TNT, 68 patients underwent radical surgery and 15 patients achieved cCR and adopted W&W. The pathological complete response (pCR) rates were 48.5% (16/33) and 17.1% (6/35) in the iTNT and TNT groups, with CR rates of 50.0% (25/50) and 26.1% (12/46), respectively. The incidence of treatment-related grade 3-4 adverse events was 26.9% (14/52, iTNT group) and 18.8% (9/48, TNT group), with thrombocytopenia and leukopenia being the most common. Among patients receiving immunotherapy, grade 3 immunotherapy-related adverse events occurred in 2 (3.8%, 2/52) patients: one case was pancreatitis, another case was hepatitis combined with myositis and myocarditis. Conclusion:The preliminary results show that SCRT-based TNT combined with PD-1 inhibitors could further improve the CR rate for LARC without unexpected serious adverse events.

Objective To investigate the effectiveness and safety of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) hypofractionated radiotherapy and intensity modulated conformal radiotherapy technique (IMRT) conventional fractionated radiotherapy after breast cancer radical operation.Methods Eighty-five patients with breast cancer modified radical operation admitted and treated in this hospital from March 1,2021 to De-cember 30,2021 were selected as the research subjects and divided into the VMAT group (n=41) and the IM-RT group (n=42) according to the random number table method.The VMAT group adopted the hypofrac-tionated radiotherapy,with the single fractionated dose of 2.9 Gy/frequency and radiotherapeutic total dose of 43.5 Gy/15 frequencies;the IMRT group adopted the IMRT conventional fractionated radiotherapy,with the single fractionated dose of 2.0 Gy/frequency and radiotherapeutic total dose of 50.0 Gy/25 frequencies.The planning target region V95,V110,conformity index,homogeneity index,treatment time,V5,V20,V30,average dose (Dmean) in the affected side lung,humeral head Dmean and heart V30,Dmean were compared between the two groups.Meanwhile,local recurrence,distant metastasis,disease-free survival and acute and chronic radiation injury were compared between the two groups.Results Compared with the IMRT group,V95 in the VMAT was higher,V110 and homogeneity index were lower,the treatment time was shorter,V5 in the affected lung,Dmean and Dmean in the affected humeral head were lower,V30 in the affected lung was higher,heart V30 in the left side breast cancer was lower,heart Dmean in the right side breast cancer was lower,and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05).All patients survived without local relapse.The distant metastasis rate and disease free survival rate had no statistical difference between the two groups (P>0.05).Follow up lasted for 12 months,the incidence rates of grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ acute radiodermatitis,radiation esophagitis,chronic radioder-matitis and radiation pneumonia had no statistical differences between the two groups (P>0.05).The inci-dence rate of grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ shoulder dysfunction in the VMAT group was lower than that in the IMRT group with statistical difference (P<0.05).No grade Ⅱ and above acute and chronic radiation injury in the two groups occurred.Conclusion VMAT hypofractionated radiotherapy after breast cancer radical operation is safe and effective.

Objectives:To assess the prognostic impact of the neoadjuvant rectal (NAR) score following neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy and consolidation chemotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC), as well as its value in guiding decisions for adjuvant chemotherapy.Methods:Between August 2015 and August 2018, patients were eligible from the STELLAR phase III trial (NCT02533271) who received short-course radiotherapy plus consolidation chemotherapy and for whom the NAR score could be calculated. Based on the NAR score, patients were categorized into low (＜8), intermediate (8-16), and high (＞16) groups. The Kaplan-Meier method, log rank tests, and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to evaluate the impact of the NAR score on disease-free survival (DFS).Results:Out of the 232 patients, 24.1%, 48.7%, and 27.2% had low (56 cases), intermediate (113 cases), and high NAR scores (63 cases), respectively. The median follow-up period was 37 months, with 3-year DFS rates of 87.3%, 68.3%, and 53.4% ( P＜0.001) for the low, intermediate, and high NAR score groups. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the NAR score (intermediate NAR score: HR, 3.10, 95% CI, 1.30-7.37, P=0.011; high NAR scores: HR=5.44, 95% CI, 2.26-13.09, P＜0.001), resection status ( HR, 3.00, 95% CI, 1.64-5.52, P＜0.001), and adjuvant chemotherapy ( HR, 3.25, 95% CI, 2.01-5.27, P＜0.001) were independent prognostic factors for DFS. In patients with R0 resection, the 3-year DFS rates were 97.8% and 78.0% for those with low and intermediate NAR scores who received adjuvant chemotherapy, significantly higher than the 43.2% and 50.6% for those who did not ( P＜0.001, P=0.002). There was no significant difference in the 3-year DFS rate (54.2% vs 53.3%, P=0.214) among high NAR score patients, regardless of adjuvant chemotherapy. Conclusions:The NAR score is a robust prognostic indicator in LARC following neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy and consolidation chemotherapy, with potential implications for subsequent decisions regarding adjuvant chemotherapy. These findings warrant further validation in studies with larger sample sizes.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) diseases are common clinical conditions. The number of patients with TMJ diseases is large, and the etiology, epidemiology, disease spectrum, and treatment of the disease remain controversial and unknown. To understand and master the current situation of the occurrence, development and prevention of TMJ diseases, as well as to identify the patterns in etiology, incidence, drug sensitivity, and prognosis is crucial for alleviating patients′suffering.This will facilitate in-depth medical research, effective disease prevention measures, and the formulation of corresponding health policies. Cohort construction and research has an irreplaceable role in precise disease prevention and significant improvement in diagnosis and treatment levels. Large-scale cohort studies are needed to explore the relationship between potential risk factors and outcomes of TMJ diseases, and to observe disease prognoses through long-term follw-ups. The consensus aims to establish a standard conceptual frame work for a cohort study on patients with TMJ disease while providing ideas for cohort data standards to this condition. TMJ disease cohort data consists of both common data standards applicable to all specific disease cohorts as well as disease-specific data standards. Common data were available for each specific disease cohort. By integrating different cohort research resources, standard problems or study variables can be unified. Long-term follow-up can be performed using consistent definitions and criteria across different projects for better core data collection. It is hoped that this consensus will be facilitate the development cohort studies of TMJ diseases.

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective mechanism of Qianyang Yuyin granules （QYYY） on aldosterone-induced podocyte injury. MethodA total of 30 C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into five groups： control group， model group， QYYY low dose （QYYY-L） group， QYYY high dose （QYYY-H） group， and spironolactone （SPL） group， with six mice in each group. Except for the control group， mice were implanted with osmotic minipumps and injected continuously with aldosterone （300 μg·kg^-1·d^-1） to induce renal injury. The drug administration group was given low and high doses （2.6， 5.2 g·kg^-1·d^-1） of QYYY and SPL （18 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） for 28 days. The renal pathological changes of mice were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and Masson staining. The expression levels of Nephrin， Desmin， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2-associated X （Bax）， cleaved Caspase-3， nuclear receptor subfamily 3 group C member 2 （NR3C2）， extracellular regulated protein kinases （ERK）， and phospho-ERK （p-ERK） in kidney tissue were detected by Western blot. The apoptosis levels of kidney tissue were detected by TdT-mediated dUTP nick and labeling （TUNEL） staining， and the superoxide dismutase （SOD） levels were detected. In vitro， the mice were divided into five groups： Control group， model group （aldosterone concentration of 200 nmol·L^-1）， QYYY-L group， QYYY medium dose （QYYY-M） group， and QYYY-H group （25， 50， and 100 mg·L^-1）. The effect of different concentrations of QYYY on the relative viability of aldosterone-induced podocytes was detected by cell proliferation and viability assay （CCK-8）. The expressions of Nephrin， Desmin， Bax， Bcl-2， cleaved Caspase-3， NR3C2， and p-ERK/ERK were detected by Western blot. AnnexinV-FITC/PI flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis levels of podocytes. Reactive oxygen species （ROS） in podocytes were observed by DCFH-DA. ResultCompared with the control group， the model group showed structural pathological changes and fibrotic conditions in the kidney， increased apoptosis levels （P<0.01）， and decreased SOD levels （P<0.01）. Aldosterone concentration at 200 nmol·L^-1 showed a significant decrease in podocyte activity （P<0.05）. Podocytes in the model group showed structural pathological changes， disordered arrangement of intercellular microfilaments， increased apoptosis levels （P<0.01）， and increased intracellular ROS levels （P<0.01）. The protein expressions of Nephrin， Bcl-2， and p-ERK/ERK in kidney tissue and podocytes were decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The protein expressions of Desmin， Bax， cleaved Caspase-3， and NR3C2 were increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， QYYY alleviated the structural damage and fibrosis of the kidney， decreased the apoptosis levels （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and enhanced the SOD content of the kidney （P<0.05， P<0.01）. QYYY improved the activity of podocytes （P<0.05， P<0.01）， restored the foot process structure of podocytes， and decreased apoptosis levels （P<0.01） and ROS levels of podocytes （P<0.01）. The protein expressions of Nephrin， Bcl-2， and p-ERK/ERK in kidney tissue and podocytes were increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the protein expressions of Desmin， Bax， cleaved Caspase-3， and NR3C2 were down-regulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionQYYY improves aldosterone-induced podocyte injury by regulating the NR3C2/ROS/ERK pathway.

Objectives:To assess the prognostic impact of the neoadjuvant rectal (NAR) score following neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy and consolidation chemotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC), as well as its value in guiding decisions for adjuvant chemotherapy.Methods:Between August 2015 and August 2018, patients were eligible from the STELLAR phase III trial (NCT02533271) who received short-course radiotherapy plus consolidation chemotherapy and for whom the NAR score could be calculated. Based on the NAR score, patients were categorized into low (＜8), intermediate (8-16), and high (＞16) groups. The Kaplan-Meier method, log rank tests, and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to evaluate the impact of the NAR score on disease-free survival (DFS).Results:Out of the 232 patients, 24.1%, 48.7%, and 27.2% had low (56 cases), intermediate (113 cases), and high NAR scores (63 cases), respectively. The median follow-up period was 37 months, with 3-year DFS rates of 87.3%, 68.3%, and 53.4% ( P＜0.001) for the low, intermediate, and high NAR score groups. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the NAR score (intermediate NAR score: HR, 3.10, 95% CI, 1.30-7.37, P=0.011; high NAR scores: HR=5.44, 95% CI, 2.26-13.09, P＜0.001), resection status ( HR, 3.00, 95% CI, 1.64-5.52, P＜0.001), and adjuvant chemotherapy ( HR, 3.25, 95% CI, 2.01-5.27, P＜0.001) were independent prognostic factors for DFS. In patients with R0 resection, the 3-year DFS rates were 97.8% and 78.0% for those with low and intermediate NAR scores who received adjuvant chemotherapy, significantly higher than the 43.2% and 50.6% for those who did not ( P＜0.001, P=0.002). There was no significant difference in the 3-year DFS rate (54.2% vs 53.3%, P=0.214) among high NAR score patients, regardless of adjuvant chemotherapy. Conclusions:The NAR score is a robust prognostic indicator in LARC following neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy and consolidation chemotherapy, with potential implications for subsequent decisions regarding adjuvant chemotherapy. These findings warrant further validation in studies with larger sample sizes.