Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease with clinical hallmarks of progressive cognitive impairment. Synergistic effects of the Aβ-Tau cascade reaction are tightly implicated in AD pathology, and microglial NLRP3 inflammasome activation drives neuronal tauopathy. However, the underlying mechanism of how Aβ mediates NLRP3 inflammasome remains unclear. Herein, we determined that oligomeric Aβ (o-Aβ) bound to microglial Kv2.1 and promoted Kv2.1-dependent potassium efflux to activate NLRP3 inflammasome resulting in neuronal tauopathy by using Kv2.1 inhibitor drofenine (Dfe) as a probe. The underlying mechanism has been intensively investigated by assays with Kv2.1 knockdown in vitro (si-Kv2.1) and in vivo (AAV-ePHP-si-Kv2.1). Dfe deprived o-Aβ of its capability to promote microglial NLRP3 inflammasome activation and neuronal Tau hyperphosphorylation by inhibiting the Kv2.1/JNK/NF-κB pathway while improving the cognitive impairment of 5×FAD-AD model mice. Our results have highly addressed that the Kv2.1 channel is required for o-Aβ-driven microglial NLRP3 inflammasome activation and neuronal tauopathy in AD model mice and highlighted that Dfe as a Kv2.1 inhibitor shows potential in the treatment of AD.

Dendritic cells (DCs) serve as the primary antigen-presenting cells in autoimmune diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and exhibit distinct signaling profiles due to antigenic diversity. Type II collagen (CII) has been recognized as an RA-specific antigen; however, little is known about CII-stimulated DCs, limiting the development of RA-specific therapeutic interventions. In this study, we show that CII-stimulated DCs display a preferential gene expression profile associated with migration, offering a new perspective for targeting DC migration in RA treatment. Then, saikosaponin D (SSD) was identified as a compound capable of blocking CII-induced DC migration and effectively ameliorating arthritis. Optineurin (OPTN) is further revealed as a potential SSD target, with Optn deletion impairing CII-pulsed DC migration without affecting maturation. Function analyses uncover that OPTN prevents the proteasomal transport and ubiquitin-dependent degradation of C-C chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7), a pivotal chemokine receptor in DC migration. Optn-deficient DCs exhibit reduced CCR7 expression, leading to slower migration in CII-surrounded environment, thus alleviating arthritis progression. Our findings underscore the significance of antigen-specific DC activation in RA and suggest OPTN is a crucial regulator of CII-specific DC migration. OPTN emerges as a promising drug target for RA, potentially offering significant value for the therapeutic management of RA.

Vascular damage plays a significant role in the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying the induction of neuronal injury by vascular damage remain unclear. The present study aimed to examine the impact of fibrinogen (Fg) on tau pathology. The results showed that Fg deposits in the brains of tau P301S transgenic mice interact with tau, enhancing the cytotoxicity of pathological tau aggregates and promoting tau phosphorylation and aggregation. Notably, Fg-modified tau fibrils caused enhanced neuronal apoptosis and synaptic damage compared to unmodified fibrils. Furthermore, intrahippocampal injection of Fg-modified tau fibrils worsened the tau pathology, neuroinflammation, synaptic damage, neuronal apoptosis, and cognitive dysfunction in tau P301S mice compared to controls. The present study provides compelling evidence linking Fg and tau, thereby connecting cerebrovascular damage to tau pathology in AD. Consequently, inhibiting Fg-mediated tau pathology could potentially impede the progression of AD.
Animals ; tau Proteins/metabolism* ; Alzheimer Disease/metabolism* ; Fibrinogen/metabolism* ; Mice, Transgenic ; Mice ; Disease Models, Animal ; Memory Disorders/metabolism* ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Brain/metabolism* ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Protein Aggregation, Pathological/metabolism* ; Apoptosis ; Phosphorylation

An analysis was conducted on the clinical manifestations, auxiliary examinations, diagnosis and treatment process, treatment, and prognosis of a child with neurobrucellosis. 408 relevant literature on neurobrucellosis from January 2012 to December 2022 were searched through Chinese and English databases such as CNKI, Wanfang Data, and Biomedical Literature Database (PubMed). Literature was screened based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, A total of 14 children with neurobrucellosis were selected for analysis, with an average age of onset of 10 years old. Among the patients, there were 3 cases of middle cranial nerve injury, 2 cases of ataxia, 1 case of myelitis, 2 cases of mental symptoms, 1 case of optic disc edema, 1 case of sagittal sinus thrombosis, and the rest were manifested as meningitis and encephalitis. The imaging results suggested that there was often no specific area of invasion, with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) commonly involving the cortex, central half oval, and basal ganglia. Extensive white matter changes were also frequently observed, which is consistent with the findings of this case report. Neurobrucellosis has diverse clinical manifestations and lacks specificity. It is mainly diagnosed based on comprehensive analysis of neuropsychiatric symptoms, cerebrospinal fluid and serological results, imaging characteristics, etc. Early diagnosis and treatment are of great significance in preventing complications of neurobrucellosis.

BACKGROUND:The content of serum thrombin in patients with osteoarthritis is significantly higher than that in normal individuals,and thrombin can induce inflammatory degeneration of rat chondrocytes,suggesting that inhibiting the function of thrombin may become a method for treating osteoarthritis.Celecoxib is a common therapeutic drug for the clinical treatment of osteoarthritis.It is not yet known whether it improves chondrocyte degeneration by inhibiting the activity of thrombin. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of celecoxib on thrombin-induced degeneration of rat chondrocytes. METHODS:Thrombin levels in the serum of osteoarthritis patients and normal individuals were detected by an ELISA kit.Primary chondrocytes of neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats were isolated,and all experiments were performed with cells from passage one.Chondrocytes were randomly divided into three groups:control group,thrombin group,and celecoxib group.The cell morphology of the three groups was observed under an inverted microscope,and an Edu kit was used to detect the cell proliferation.qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of extracellular matrix components(aggrecan,elastin,cartilage oligomeric matrix proteins),inflammatory factors(interleukin-1,interleukin-6,and tumor necrosis factor-α),and chemokines(monocyte chemotactic protein 2,monocyte chemotactic protein 7,granulocyte chemotactic protein 6).The expression of type 2 collagen α1 was detected by immunofluorescence.Western blot method was used to detect the expression of catabolic metabolism genes,such as matrix metalloproteinase 9,matrix metalloproteinase 13,and cyclooxygenase 2. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Patients with osteoarthritis had higher levels of thrombin in the serum compared with normal individuals.Under the microscope,celecoxib was found to significantly inhibit fibroid changes in chondrocytes.Compared with the thrombin group,celecoxib inhibited the proliferation of chondrocytes.The downregulation of extracellular matrix gene expression,such as type II collagen α1,in the thrombin group was inhibited by celecoxib(P<0.05).Thrombin promoted the expression of inflammatory factors(interleukin-1,interleukin-6,and tumor necrosis factor-α),chemokines(monocyte chemotactic protein 2,monocyte chemotactic protein 7,granulocyte chemotactic protein 6),as well as catabolic genes(matrix metalloproteinase 9,matrix metalloproteinase 13,and cyclooxygenase 2),and under the intervention of celecoxib,the expression of these genes could be downregulated(P<0.05).Overall,these findings indicate that celecoxib inhibits the pro-inflammatory effects of thrombin and thereby ameliorates chondrocyte degeneration in rats.

Objective:To perform harmonization based on the ComBat method for PET brain imaging scanned by different types of scanners from the same manufacturer and explored its effect on center effect.Methods:The three-dimensional (3D) Hoffman brain model was scanned by two different PET/CT instruments (Siemens Biograph64 TruePoint and Biograph128 mCT). Fourteen healthy subjects (8 males, 6 females, age: (57.7±9.5) years) underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT on Siemens Biograph64 TruePoint and 12 healthy subjects (9 males, 3 females, age: (55.8±10.5) years) underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT on Siemens Biograph128 mCT (all from Huashan Hospital, Fudan University; from November 2020 to March 2023). The whole brain was divided into 116 brain regions based on the anatomical automatic labeling (AAL) brain template. The ComBat method was applied to harmonized the PET data from brain model and healthy subjects. Mann-Whitney U test was performed on the radioactive counts and SUV ratios (SUVR) before and after homogenization acquired by both PET/CT instruments. Voxel-based statistical parametric mapping (SPM) independent-sample t test was also performed on data of healthy subjects. Results:In 3D Hoffman brain model, radioactivity counts (5 590.33(4 961.67, 6 102.95) vs 6 116.03(5 420.97, 6 660.66); z=-9.35, P<0.001) and SUVR (1.35(1.19, 1.47) vs 1.37(1.21, 1.49); z=-3.63, P<0.001) were significantly different between the two PET/CT scanners before harmonization and not after harmonization (radioactivity counts: 5 845.95(5 192.68, 6 378.63) vs 5 859.17(5 193.84, 6 380.52); SUVR: 1.35(1.20, 1.48) vs 1.36(1.20, 1.49); both z=-0.68, both P=0.498). In the healthy subjects, radioactive counts in 19 brain regions (12 422.78(11 181.60, 13 424.28)-18 166.40(15 882.80, 18 666.27); z values: from -3.24 to -2.06, all P<0.05) and SUVR in 40 brain regions (1.46(1.41, 1.52)-2.28(2.16, 2.36); z values: from -3.65 to -1.70, all P<0.05) were significantly different between the two scanners before harmonization, while after homogenization there were no statistical differences for all 116 brain regions (radioactivity counts: 9 243.55(8 502.38, 9 854.87)-20 419.60(19 931.51, 21 179.43); z values: from -0.72 to 0, all P>0.05; SUVR: 1.04(1.01, 1.09)-2.32(2.24, 2.40); z values: from -0.82 to 0, all P>0.05). SPM showed that significant differences of glucose metabolism in the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, midbrain and cerebellum were found in healthy subjects between the two PET/CT scanners before homogenization, and brain regions with obvious differences reduced after homogenization. Conclusion:ComBat harmonization method is efficient at removing the center effect among different types of PET/CT scanners from the same manufacturer and may provide a simple and easy-to-implement homogenization for multicenter brain imaging studies.

Objective:To investigate the association of total sleep time (TST) and oxygen desaturation index (ODI) with hypertension in patients with obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSA).Methods:A total of 440 OSA patients admitted to Yixing Hospital from January 2017 to December 2022 were consecutively enrolled, including 236 patients with hypertension (OSA+hypertension group) and 204 patients without hypertension (OSA group). The clinical data and polysomnograpic parameters were collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the related factors of OSA complicated with hypertension. The multiplicative interaction between TST and ODI on OSA with hypertension was analyzed. A two-factor cross-over analysis of TST and ODI was performed and the additive interaction model was used to analyze the additive interaction between TST and ODI on OSA with hypertension.Results:Univariate logistic regression showed that male sex, smoking, diabetes, coronary heart disease, TST <7 h, age, body mass index, neck circumference, waist circumference, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score, TST, AHI, ODI>16 times/h, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and fasting blood glucose were positively correlated with hypertension in OSA patients (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that smoking ( OR=4.327, 95% CI: 2.499-2.499, P<0.001), TST<7 h ( OR=1.748, 95% CI: 1.079-2.832, P=0.023) and ODI>16 times/h ( OR=3.482, 95% CI: 2.016-6.014, P<0.001) were independently associated with hypertension in OSA patients. After introducing a multiplicative term and adjusting for confounding factors, there was a positive multiplication interaction between TST <7 h and ODI>16 times/h ( OR=2.958, 95% CI: 1.079-8.113, P<0.050). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of hypertension in OSA patients with TST<7 h and ODI>16 times/h was 7.196 times (95% CI: 3.421-15.137) higher than that in patients with TST≥7 h and ODI≤16 times/h. The additive interaction model showed a synergistic effect between TST<7 h and ODI>16 times/h, with S value of 4.302 (95% CI: 1.566-11.815), RERI value of 4.756 (95% CI: 0.642-8.869) and API value of 66.10% (95% CI: 43.10%-89.10%). Conclusion:Shortened sleep duration and increased ODI are independent risk factors for hypertension in OSA patients, and when they coexist, the risk of hypertension in OSA patients is further increased.

ObjectiveTo compare the annual and age trends of the age-standard incidence rate （ASIR） and the age-standard mortality rate （ASMR） of lung cancer in countries with different human development index （HDI） from 1990 to 2019. MethodsThe data were collected from the global burden of disease study and GLOBOCAN 2020. The average annual percentage change （AAPC） and age trends of ASIR and ASMR in lung cancer were analyzed by the Joinpoint regression model， and the comparison between the four groups was analyzed by Kruskale-Wallis analysis. ResultsIn 2020， the incidence and mortality of lung cancer gradually increased with age and HDI grade. From 1990 to 2019， the global ASIR and ASMR of lung cancer decreased， and the ASIR of lung cancer among male decreased， while the ASIR of lung cancer among female increased. The results showed that ASIR of lung cancer in female residents in countries with very high HDI increased significantly from 1996 to 2011， resulting in an overall upward trend in female ASIR， while the other groups showed a downward trend. It was found that ASIR and ASMR of lung cancer in China and India were on the rise， while ASIR and ASMR of lung cancer in Russia and the United States were on the decline. ConclusionAlthough very high/high HDI countries face a higher burden of lung cancer occurrence and death， the accumulation of lung cancer burden is completed in the transitioning period. Therefore， lung cancer prevention measures in countries in transition are critical for global lung cancer control.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and diabetes within a social-ecological framework, incorporating personal and environmental unfavorable conditions during childhood from family, school, and community contexts. METHODS: Data were obtained from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (2014 life history survey and 2015 survey), including 9,179 participants aged ≥45 years. ACEs were collected through self-report questionnaires, and participants were categorized based on the number of distinct ACEs experienced (0, 1, 2, 3, or ≥4 ACEs). Diabetes was defined by biomarkers, self-reported diagnosis, and treatment status. Logistic regression was conducted to explore the associations between ACEs and diabetes. Subgroup analyses were conducted by gender, age, and obesity status. RESULTS: Compared with participants without ACEs, those exposed to any ACE (odds ratio [OR], 1.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01 to 1.40), 3 ACEs (OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.62) and ≥4 ACEs (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.56) had an increased risk of diabetes. For each additional ACE, the risk of diabetes increased by about 5%. Regarding the source of ACEs, those originating from the family (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.08 to 1.41) were associated with diabetes. In terms of specific ACE types, family members with substance abuse (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.52), emotional abuse (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.12 to 1.46), and poor parental relationship (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.43) were associated with diabetes. CONCLUSIONS ACEs, particularly those originating from the family, were associated with diabetes. Interventions aimed at preventing and mitigating ACEs are essential for the early prevention of diabetes.

Objective:To provide scientific basis for prevention and control measures of island regions through analyzing the characteristics of malignant tumor incidence and mortality in eastern island areas of China and comparing the data with the national cancer mortality data in the same period. Methods:Using the incidence and mortality data of malignant tumor in Daishan county,Zhoushan collected by the Daishan Center for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC)from 2014 to 2019,which was stratified by gender,the crude incidence rates(CIR)and crude mortality rates(CMR)were calculated,and the top 10 malignant tumors with the highest incidence or mortality rates were then ranked.The Segi's world standard population was used to calculate the age-standardized incidence(ASIR)and age-standardized mortality rate(ASMR).The local data were compared with the national cancer mortality data from 2014 to 2019,and Chi-square test was used to analyze the differences between these two sets of data using the SPSS software.The difference was considered statistically significant when P<0.05. Results:There was a total of 7 305 incidence cases of malignant tumors in Daishan county,Zhoushan from 2014 to 2019.The CIR was 662.39/105 and the ASIR was 306.81/105.Notably,the CIR was the highest in the age group of 75-79 years old.The top 5 malignant tumors with the highest incidence rates were lung cancer(27.15％),gastric cancer(12.76％),liver cancer(10.95％),colorectal cancer(6.92％)and breast cancer(5.42％),whose ASIR were 75.09/105,32.06/105,31.01/105,17.81/105 and 18.36/105,respectively.There was a total of 3 412 mortality cases of malignant tumors in Daishan county,Zhoushan from 2014 to 2019.The CMR was 309.39/105 and the ASMR was 122.73/105.Notably,the CMR was the highest in the age group of 80-85 years old.The top 5 malignant tumors with the highest mortality rates were lung cancer(24.94％),liver cancer(18.64％),gastric cancer(17.00％),colorectal cancer(7.56％)and esophageal cancer(5.72％),whose ASMR were 29.65/105,24.97/105,19.01/105,8.75/105 and 6.60/105,respectively.The total ASMR of malignant tumors in Daishan county,Zhoushan was higher than national total ASMR from 2014 to 2019(100.34/105)(P<0.001).Specifically,the ASMR of gastric cancer,lung cancer and colorectal cancer in Daishan county were significantly higher than national levels(gastric cancer:12.46/105;liver cancer:16.45/105;colorectal cancer:6.63/105)(P<0.01),whereas no significant difference in the ASMR of lung cancer and esophageal cancer between Daishan county and the whole nation(lung cancer:28.06/105;esophageal cancer:7.61/105)was observed. Conclusion:Lung cancer,gastric cancer,liver cancer and colorectal cancer were malignant tumors with higher incidence and mortality rates in Daishan county,Zhoushan from 2014 to 2019.Particularly,the ASMR of gastric cancer,liver cancer and colorectal cancer were significantly higher than the national levels,and these malignant tumors should be considered as the major focus of cancer prevention and control.