OBJECTIVES: To investigate the impact of prenatal fear stress on placental amino acid transport and emotion and cognition development in offspring rats. METHODS: Thirty pregnant Wistar rats were randomized equally into control and fear stress (induced using an observational foot shock model) groups. In each group, placental and serum samples were collected from 6 dams on gestational day 20, and the remaining rats delivered naturally and the offspring rats were raised under the same conditions until 8 weeks of age. Emotional and cognitive outcomes of the offspring rats were assessed with behavioral tests, and placental structure was examined using HE staining. Bioinformatics analysis was used to identify differentially expressed placental transporter genes under fear stress. The expressions of system A and system L amino acid transporters, along with other specialized transporters, were detected using qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Fetal serum amino acid concentrations were determined by HPLC. The correlations between fetal amino acid levels and behavioral outcomes of the offspring rats were analyzed. RESULTS: The dams with fear stress showed reduced open-field activity and increased freezing behavior with significantly decreased placental weight, fetal weight, and fetal-to-placental ratio. Bioinformatics analysis revealed 28 differentially expressed transporter genes involved mainly in amino acid transport. In the fear stress group, fetal serum amino acid levels were significantly lowered and Slc38a1, Slc43a1, Slc43a2, Slc7a8, Slc6a6, Slc1a1 and Slc6a9 mRNA and protein expressions were all downregulated. The offspring rats in fear stress group exhibited decreased novel object preference and spontaneous alternation with reduced open arm exploration and increased immobility in emotional tests. Lower early-life amino acid levels was found to correlate with impaired adult cognition. CONCLUSIONS Prenatal fear stress in rats impairs placental amino acid transporter expression and reduces fetal serum amino acid levels, potentially contributing to long-term cognitive deficits in the offspring rats.
Animals ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Placenta/metabolism* ; Fear ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Cognition ; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects ; Stress, Psychological ; Amino Acids/blood* ; Amino Acid Transport Systems/metabolism*

Elemene is widely recognized as an effective anti-cancer compound and is routinely administered in Chinese clinical settings for the management of several solid tumors, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, its detailed molecular mechanism has not been adequately demonstrated. In this research, it was demonstrated that elemene effectively curtailed NSCLC growth in the patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model. Mechanistically, employing high-throughput screening techniques and subsequent biochemical validations such as microscale thermophoresis (MST), microRNA-145-5p (miR-145-5p) was pinpointed as a critical target through which elemene exerts its anti-tumor effects. Interestingly, elemene serves as a binding stabilizer for miR-145-5p, demonstrating a strong binding affinity (dissociation constant (K _D) = 0.39 ± 0.17 μg/mL) and preventing its degradation both in vitro and in vivo, while not interfering with the synthesis of the primary microRNA transcripts (pri-miRNAs) and precursor miRNAs (pre-miRNAs). The stabilization of miR-145-5p by elemene resulted in an increased level of this miRNA, subsequently suppressing NSCLC progression through the miR-145-5p/mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 3 (MAP3K3)/nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) pathway. Our findings provide a new perspective on revealing the interaction patterns between clinical anti-tumor drugs and miRNAs.

Objective To design a mobile personnel radiation protection equipment for operation in environments with high radiation such as spent fuel reprocessing plants, to achieve simultaneous protection against γ radiation, neutron radiation, and radioactive aerosol, to reduce the internal and external exposure dose of radioactive workers, and to meet the requirement of operation for two hours. Methods The core parts of the mobile personnel radiation protection equipment included a shielding chamber and a respiratory maintenance system. An automated chassis was used for the movement and lifting of the shielding chamber. MCNP software was used to simulate and calculate the protective effects of shielding chamber made of different materials and material thicknesses. Experimental verification of the shielding chamber design was conducted. Mathematical models were established to describe the variations in the content of various gases in the chamber with personnel operation time. A respiratory maintenance system, a harmful gas absorption device, and an automated mobile chassis were designed. Results The shielding chamber made of polyethylene with a thickness of 80 mm achieved an 80% neutron shielding rate. The respiratory maintenance system could support workers for 2 hours of operation inside the equipment. The mobile chassis allowed operation of the equipment with one person. Conclusion This mobile personnel radiation protection equipment can solve the problem in simultaneous protection against γ radiation, neutron radiation, and radioactive aerosol. The equipment can provide radiation protection for radioactive workers, reduce exposure dose, and reduce personnel burden. This system provides technical means for the operation and maintenance of equipment in high-radiation sites such as spent fuel reprocessing plants.

Objective To investigate the feasibility of low-voltage,automatic tube current adjustment(ATCM)and low contrast agent concentration,dose and injection rate combined with full-model iterative re-construction(IMR)in vertebral artery V3-segment three-dimensional CT angiography(3DCTA).Methods A total of 60 patients with suspected upper cervical spine,craniocervical junction lesions undergoing cervical vertebral artery V3 segment 3DCTA in this hospital from November 2019 to May 2020 were selected and divided into the group A and B by adopting the random number table method,30 cases in each group.The group A adopted the ATCM technology of 80 kV,average tube current of 50 mAs,25 mL of contrast agent io-hexol(iodine content 300 mg/mL)combined IMR technology with an injection rate of 3 mL/s,while the group B adopted 120 kV,150 mAs fixed tube current,50 mL injection rate of 5 mL/s contrast agent iopamidol(iodine content 370 mg/mL)combined filter back projection(FBP)reconstruction technology.CT value,noise,signal-to-noise ratio(SNR),contrast noise ratio(CNR)and image sensitivity(FOM)were measured and compared between the two groups and the quality of the resulting images was evaluated.The CT volumet-ric dose index(CTDIvol)and dose-length product(DLP)were recorded,and the effective dose(ED)was cal-culated.Results There was no statistically significant difference in the vertebral arterial CT value between the two groups(P＞0.05),but the noise of the group A was lower than that of the group B(P＜0.05),SNR,CNR and FOM of the group A were greater than those of the group B(P＜0.05).The image quality of the two groups met the requirements of clinical diagnosis[(4.78±0.41)points vs.(4.85±0.35)points],and there was no statistically significant difference in the subjective evaluation of image quality(P＞0.05).The CTDIvol,DLP and ED levels in the group A were lower than those in the group B(P＜0.05).The iodine in-takes of contrast medium in the group A and group B were 7.5 g and 18.5 g,respectively,and the iodine flow rates of contrast agent were 0.9 and 1.85 mg/s,respectively,and compared with group B,the iodine intake and iodine flow rate of the group A were decreased by 59.5％and 51.4％,respectively.Conclusion Low tube voltage ATCM and low contrast concentration,dose and injection rate combined with IMR technology can not only ensure the 3DCTA image quality of vertebral artery V3 segment,but also reduce the radiation dose re-ceived by the patients,and reduce the iodine intake and iodine flow rate of contrast agent.

Objective To assess the feasibility of employing chip resistors for retrospective dose reconstruction following nuclear accidents, to examine the effects of storage temperature and storage time on the optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) characteristics of the chip resistors, and to explore measures to mitigate these effects. Methods Chip resistors were analyzed using automated instruments for measuring thermoluminescence and OSL manufactured by Risø in Denmark with various parameters to understand the impact of storage temperature and storage time on OSL signals. Results The OSL signals of chip resistors exhibited exponential attenuation within 10 min after irradiation, and then stabilized (count change < 10%) within 2-7 days of storage. The chip resistors exhibited linear dose responses within 1-3 days of storage after 0.1-2 Gy irradiation. OSL signals diminished as the storage temperature increased. However, preheating at 130 ℃ for 1 min effectively eliminated the differences caused by temperatures between 25 ℃ and 45 ℃. Conclusion The OSL signals of chip resistors are influenced by storage temperature and storage time. When preheated at 130 ℃ for 1 min, chip resistors stored for 1-7 days and at 25-45 ℃ exhibited OSL signal errors of 10% or less. This result emphasizes the importance of preheating for measurements in practical applications, thus providing a scientific approach and a solid foundation for the use of chip resistors in retrospective dose reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE To explore the effect mechanism of Eucommia ulmoides on improving postpartum depression in rats. METHODS Pregnant rats were randomly divided into normal group， postpartum depression group， and low-dose and high-dose groups of E. ulmoides （1.34， 2.68 g/kg， calculated by crude drug）， with 10 rats in each group. Except for the normal group， the rats in other groups suffered from fear stress to induce postpartum depression model during pregnancy； at the same time of modeling， the administration groups were given relevant medicine intragastrically， while the normal group and postpartum depression group were given physiological saline intragastrically for 21 days. Postpartum behaviors of rats during the experiment were assessed using the open field test， Morris water maze test and sucrose preference test. Additionally， the levels of corticosterone （CORT） in serum， corticotropin releasing factor （CRF） and urocortin （UCN） in hypothalamus， and adrenocorticotropic hormone （ACTH） in hypophysis were detected； meanwhile， the protein expressions of CRF receptor 1 （CRFR1）， CRFR2， and voltage-dependent anion channel 1 （VDAC1） in hippocampal tissue were measured； the proportions of apoptotic cells and JC-1 high potential cells in hippocampal tissue were determined， and the morphology of hippocampal tissue was observed. RESULTS Compared with postpartum depression group， the high-dose group of E. ulmoides showed improvements in appetite， mental state， and hair color in rats； their body weight had increased； the scores of vertical movement， horizontal movement and self-sorting significantly increased； from the 2ed to 4th day avoidance latency significantly shortened， and the times of crossing the platform and the time of crossing the platform Δ 基金项目国家自然科学基金青年基金项目（No.82204789） significantly increased/prolonged （P＜0.05）； the ratio of glucose and water consumption significantly increased at 20 days of pregnancy and 30 days postpartum （P＜0.05）； the levels of CRF， UCN， ACTH and CORT， phagocytic rate， protein expressions of CRFR2 and VDAC1， and the proportion of apoptosis cells in hippocampal tissue were decreased significantly （P＜0.05）； the proportion of JC-1 high potential cells significantly increased （P＜0.05）， and the phenomenon of edema around neuronal cells was significantly improved. CONCLUSIONS E. ulmoides can improve postpartum depression by inhibiting excessive activation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis， decreasing the expression of CRFR2， thereby inhibiting the expression of VDAC1， and decreasing the apoptosis of neuronal cells.

OBJECTIVE To explore the effect mechanism of Eucommia ulmoides on improving postpartum depression in rats. METHODS Pregnant rats were randomly divided into normal group， postpartum depression group， and low-dose and high-dose groups of E. ulmoides （1.34， 2.68 g/kg， calculated by crude drug）， with 10 rats in each group. Except for the normal group， the rats in other groups suffered from fear stress to induce postpartum depression model during pregnancy； at the same time of modeling， the administration groups were given relevant medicine intragastrically， while the normal group and postpartum depression group were given physiological saline intragastrically for 21 days. Postpartum behaviors of rats during the experiment were assessed using the open field test， Morris water maze test and sucrose preference test. Additionally， the levels of corticosterone （CORT） in serum， corticotropin releasing factor （CRF） and urocortin （UCN） in hypothalamus， and adrenocorticotropic hormone （ACTH） in hypophysis were detected； meanwhile， the protein expressions of CRF receptor 1 （CRFR1）， CRFR2， and voltage-dependent anion channel 1 （VDAC1） in hippocampal tissue were measured； the proportions of apoptotic cells and JC-1 high potential cells in hippocampal tissue were determined， and the morphology of hippocampal tissue was observed. RESULTS Compared with postpartum depression group， the high-dose group of E. ulmoides showed improvements in appetite， mental state， and hair color in rats； their body weight had increased； the scores of vertical movement， horizontal movement and self-sorting significantly increased； from the 2ed to 4th day avoidance latency significantly shortened， and the times of crossing the platform and the time of crossing the platform Δ 基金项目国家自然科学基金青年基金项目（No.82204789） significantly increased/prolonged （P＜0.05）； the ratio of glucose and water consumption significantly increased at 20 days of pregnancy and 30 days postpartum （P＜0.05）； the levels of CRF， UCN， ACTH and CORT， phagocytic rate， protein expressions of CRFR2 and VDAC1， and the proportion of apoptosis cells in hippocampal tissue were decreased significantly （P＜0.05）； the proportion of JC-1 high potential cells significantly increased （P＜0.05）， and the phenomenon of edema around neuronal cells was significantly improved. CONCLUSIONS E. ulmoides can improve postpartum depression by inhibiting excessive activation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis， decreasing the expression of CRFR2， thereby inhibiting the expression of VDAC1， and decreasing the apoptosis of neuronal cells.

Objective:To explore a solution for the construction of the CCI index with an example of cerebral infarction to provide a guide for adjusting the policy of Diagnosis-Intervention Packet.Methods:Lasso regression was used to screen for comorbidities to construct the model,K-means clustering was used for case severity categorization.CCI indices were calculated as one plus the sum of standardized regression coefficients.Results:According to the analysis,five key variables were found,including other disorders of the lungs,non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus with ketoacidosis,systemic inflammatory response syndrome of non-infectious etiology with organ failure,acute duodenal ulcer with bleeding,and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with acute lower respiratory tract in-fection,with CCI indices of 1,1,1.026,1.034,and 1.101.Simulated calculation's result showed a decrease in medical insurance pay-ment losses after applying CCI indices.Conclusion:The CCI index construction scheme based on Lasso regression and K-means clus-tering is reasonable and effective.

Objective:To compare the effects of glenosphere offset positions on the impingement-free range of motion (ROM) in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA).Methods:Shoulder joint models were reconstructed using shoulder CT scans of 6 patients with primary osteoarthritis. RTSA was performed virtually according to standard surgical procedures, and shoulder movements were simulated. Reverse shoulder models were constructed with 2 lateral offsets (0 and 4 mm) and 6 positional offsets (center, inferior, posterior, anterior, anterior-inferior, and posterior-inferior). The impingement-free ROM and impingement sites for abduction-adduction, flexion-extension, total rotation (sum of internal and external rotation), and total ROM (sum of ROM in all movement modes) were evaluated.Results:All the 12 combinations of different glenosphere offsets achieved 50% of the original shoulder ROM in all movements. In the abduction-adduction motion with 0 and 4 mm lateral offsets, the anterior-inferior offset provided the largest ROM (94.4°±8.7° and 105.3°±6.9°, respectively), but there was no significant difference between the positions ( P>0.05). In the flexion-extension motion with 0 and 4 mm lateral offsets, the posterior-inferior offset showed the largest ROM (194.1°±6.9° and 196.9°±9.7°, respectively), but there was no significant difference between the positions ( P>0.05). In the total rotation motion with 0 and 4 mm lateral offsets, the anterior-inferior offset had the largest ROM (141.5°±5.9° and 160.6°±8.5°, respectively), showing significant advantages over the center, anterior, and posterior offsets ( P<0.05), but insignificant advantages over the inferior and posterior-inferior offsets ( P>0.05). In total ROM, the anterior-inferior offset provided the largest ROM. When the lateral offset was 0 mm, the anterior-inferior offset provided a ROM of 421.8°±16.4°, showing significant advantages over the center and posterior offsets ( P<0.05). Compared with the lateral glenosphere offset of 0 mm, the lateral glenosphere offset of 4 mm significantly improved total shoulder ROM (122.8°±10.6° versus 145.8°±4.8°) and total ROM (390.9°±11.6° versus 428.4°±19.8°) ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The anterior-inferior, inferior, and posterior-inferior glenosphere offsets can improve ROM in all movement patterns. The position and lateral offset of the glenosphere significantly affect the total rotation and total ROM of the shoulder joint. Specifically, the anterior-inferior and inferior offsets show significant advantages over the center position in total rotation and total ROM of the shoulder joint.

Objective To investigate the effect of fear-induced stress during pregnancy on the expression of glucose transporters(GLUT)in the placenta,providing evidence for the theory of fetal damage caused by fear-induced stress during pregnancy.Methods Twenty pregnant Wistar rats were randomly divided into a control group and a model group of 10 rats each.In the model group,a fear-induced stress model was established using the modified bystander electroshock method for 20 days.After the experiment,the number of offspring and the weights of the placenta and fetal rats were measured,and the placental efficiency was calculated.Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the morphological changes of placental cells.Bioinformatics analysis was performed to screen for differential genes in placentas affected by pregnancy stress-phobia,and gene set enrichment analysis was performed.Protein immunoblotting(Western Blot),Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR),and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression levels of GLUT1,GLUT3,GLUT6,and GLUT7 proteins and genes.Results The placental efficiency was significantly reduced in the model group compared with that in the control group.The result of transmission electron microscopy in the model group showed that the placental microvilli were sparse and short and that the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum were swollen.Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that placental genes were significantly enriched in cellular glucose homeostasis in the model group compared with those in the control group.The result of Western Blot,Real-time PCR,and immunohistochemistry indicated a decrease in both the protein and gene expression levels of GLUT1,GLUT6,and GLUT7 in the placenta of pregnant rats.Conclusions Prenatal exposure to fear-induced stress may lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes.These adverse outcomes are potentially associated with reduced levels of three key GLUTs in the placenta:GLUT1,GLUT6,and GLUT7.