ObjectiveTo explore the effects of astragalin （AST） on autophagy and apoptosis of astrocytes in the L_4-5 dorsal horn of the spinal cord in mice with inflammatory pain induced by complete Freund's adjuvant （CFA）. MethodsTwenty-four male C57BL/6 mice， aged six months， were randomly assigned to four groups： control group， saline group， CFA model group， and CFA+AST group， six mice in each group. The inflammatory pain model was established by injection of 10 µL CFA into the right lateral malleolus fossa. The saline group were injected with an equal amount of normal saline at the same site. The inflammatory pain mice in CFA+AST group were further treated with AST （60 mg/kg） intraperitoneally once a day for 21 consecutive days. Multiplex immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the coexpression of autophagy-related factors including ATG 12 and Beclin-1， apoptosis-related factors including Cleaved-Caspase3 and Caspase9， and the astrocyte marker such as GFAP in the L_4-5 spinal dorsal horn of the mice in each group. Western blot was used to examine the protein expression levels of autophagy-related proteins（ATG12， Beclin-1） and apoptosis-related proteins（Caspase 3， Caspase 9） in the L_4-5 spinal dorsal horn of mice. ResultsImmunofluorescent staining showed that in the L_4-5 dorsal horn of the spinal cord， the fluorescence intensity of ATG12 （P<0.000 1） and Beclin-1 （P<0.000 1） was significantly increased， while that of Cleaved-Caspase 3 （P<0.001） and Caspase 9 （P<0.000 1） was decreased in the CFA+AST group when compared to the CFA model group. Furthermore， AST could inhibit the activation of astrocytes. Western blot further confirmed that AST significantly upregulated the expression of ATG12 （P<0.000 1） and Beclin-1 （P<0.000 1） in the L_4-5 spinal cord of CFA mice， and downregulated the expression of Caspase 3 （P<0.01） and Caspase 9 （P<0.001）. ConclusionsAST promotes autophagy of astrocytes and inhibits their apoptosis in the L_4-5 spinal dorsal horn of CFA mice.

AIM:To investigate the effect of 3% diquafosol sodium eye drops on tear film homeostasis in patients wearing overnight orthokeratology lenses.METHODS:Retrospective study. A total of 340 patients(564 eyes)fitted with night-worn orthokeratology lenses from June to December 2022 were respectively divided into a diquafosol sodium group(200 cases, 323 eyes, treated with 3% diquafosol sodium eye drops)and a sodium hyaluronate group(140 cases, 241 eyes, treated with sodium hyaluronate eye drops). The uncorrected visual acuity(LogMAR), ocular surface disease index(OSDI), non-invasive tear film break-up time(NIBUT), meibomian gland infrared imaging score, and corneal epithelial fluorescein staining were analyzed and compared between the two groups.RESULTS:Compared to baseline, both groups showed significant improvements in uncorrected visual acuity(LogMAR)at 1 wk, 1, and 3 mo after lens wear(all P<0.01). However, no statistically significant difference in uncorrected visual acuity(LogMAR)was observed between the two groups at any time point(all P>0.05). No significant differences in NIBUT or OSDI scores were found between the groups before and at 1 wk after lens wear(all P>0.05). At the 1- and 3 mo follow-ups, the 3% diquafosol sodium group demonstrated significantly longer NIBUT(all P<0.001)and lower OSDI scores(all P<0.001)compared to the sodium hyaluronate group. After wearing lens for 3 mo, the meibomian gland infrared imaging scores were significantly better in the diquafosol sodium group(P<0.001), whereas no significant intergroup difference was observed in corneal fluorescein staining(P>0.05). Furthermore, the incidence of adverse events during the study period did not differ significantly between the two groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION:Compared with sodium hyaluronate, 3% diquafosol sodium eye drops were more effective in maintaining tear film homeostasis in patients wearing overnight orthokeratology lenses.

ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological trends and characteristics of brucellosis in humans (hereinafter referred to as brucellosis) in Tangshan City, Hebei Province from 2016 to 2023, and to provide a scientific basis for formulating brucellosis prevention and control strategies in the region. MethodsThe incidence data of human brucellosis in Tangshan City from 2016 to 2023 were collected from the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System. The diagnosis time, infection route, and clinical characteristics of the cases were obtained from the case investigation reports. Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the temporal, spatial, demographic distributions, and clinical characteristics of human brucellosis. Brucella species were identified using agglutination tests with bacterial suspension and A/M antigen-positive serum. ResultsA total of 2 193 cases of human brucellosis were confirmed and clinically diagnosed in Tangshan City from 2016 to 2023, with the peak incidence occured from March to August, and which exhibited distinct geographic distribution patterns. The highest incidence rate was found in people aged 60‒<70 years. The occupation of cases were primarily farmers. The incidence rate in males (528/100 000) was higher than that in females (184/100 000). All cases had confirmed exposure to infected animals or contaminated animal products. ConclusionThe epidemic of human brucellosis in Tangshan exhibited an overall steady downward trend from 2016 to 2023, except for a slight increase in 2016 and 2021, with the incidence rate controlled at 289/100 000‒335/100 000. The prevention and control situation of human brucellosis still remains severe, with the highest incidence rate in the eastern region of Tangshan, which are characterized by the breeding, slaughtering, and processing of cattle and sheep. Therefore, it it is necessary to enhance the prevention and control of human brucellosis among the personnel engaged in these industries in the eastern areas.

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CIPN) is a severe dose-limiting adverse event of chemotherapy. Presently, the mechanism underlying the induction of CIPN remains unclear, and no effective treatment is available. In this study, through metabolomics analyses, we found that nab-paclitaxel therapy markedly increased serum serotonin [5-hydroxtryptamine (5-HT)] levels in both cancer patients and mice compared to the respective controls. Furthermore, nab-paclitaxel-treated enterochromaffin (EC) cells showed increased 5-HT synthesis, and serotonin-treated Schwann cells showed damage, as indicated by the activation of CREB3L3/MMP3/FAS signaling. Venlafaxine, an inhibitor of serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake, was found to protect against nerve injury by suppressing the activation of CREB3L3/MMP3/FAS signaling in Schwann cells. Remarkably, venlafaxine was found to significantly alleviate nab-paclitaxel-induced CIPN in patients without affecting the clinical efficacy of chemotherapy. In summary, our study reveals that EC cell-derived 5-HT plays a critical role in nab-paclitaxel-related neurotoxic lesions, and venlafaxine co-administration represents a novel approach to treating chronic cumulative neurotoxicity commonly reported in nab-paclitaxel-based chemotherapy.
Paclitaxel/toxicity* ; Animals ; Albumins/adverse effects* ; Serotonin/metabolism* ; Mice ; Humans ; Male ; Female ; Venlafaxine Hydrochloride/therapeutic use* ; Neurotoxicity Syndromes/metabolism* ; Middle Aged ; Schwann Cells/metabolism* ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/drug therapy* ; Antineoplastic Agents

Objective To investigate the role of mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein(MAVS)in viral infection-triggered generalized pustular psoriasis(GPP)in children.Methods This retrospective case-control study enrolled 80 GPP patients aged 0～18 years from Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University(from October 2013 to April 2019).Whole-exome sequencing identified rare MAVS variants associated with GPP.Pathogenicity of variants was predicted using Mutation Taster,Disease Association,SIFT,and CADD bioinformatics tools.Sanger sequencing validated variants,followed by construction of wild-type(WT)and mutant MAVS expression plasmids transfected into HEK 293 cells.Protein expression was assessed by Western blot.Dual-luciferase reporter gene assays measured IFNB1 and NF-κB transcriptional activity.Genotype distribution of the MAVS c.171dupT/p.H57fs variant was analyzed using Fisher's exact test.Results This study enrolled 80 pediatric GPP patients(aged 0～18 years).Whole-exome sequencing identified five rare MAVS variants,with bioinformatics analyses predicting deleterious effects on protein stability and function.Western blot demonstrated that the c.171dupT mutation in GPP patients significantly reduced full-length MAVS expression(P<0.001);dual-luciferase assays further revealed this variant impaired MAVS-mediated IFNB1 transcriptional activation by 85%(P<0.001),abrogated NF-κB signaling pathway activation(P<0.001),but exhibited no dominant-negative effect on wild-type MAVS function(P>0.05).Conclusion The MAVS c.171dupT frameshift variant may contribute to infection-triggered GPP in children,suggesting its potential as a genetic biomarker for GPP susceptibility.

Objective To explore the effects of sigma-1 receptor(Sig-1R)on brain function in rats after cardiopulmo-nary resuscitation and its protective role in brain injury.Methods Rats were randomly assigned to four groups with 20 in each:sham-operated control(sham group),6-hour post-resuscitation(PR 6 h group),12-hour post-resuscitation(PR 12 h group)and 24-hour post-resuscitation(PR 24 h group).In the latter three groups,cardiac arrest was induced by as-phyxiation,and cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed 6 minutes after cardiac arrest.The rats were scored for neu-rological deficits at 6,12 and 24 hrs after resuscitation,respectively;after that,the rats were executed,and the expres-sion of Sig-1R protein,mitochondrial function index,and endoplasmic reticulum stress index apoptosis index were detec-ted by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.The correlation between Sig-1R and mitochondrial,endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis indexes was evaluated.Results Compared with the sham-operated group,the rats in test group showed a gradual decrease in neurological deficit scores,Sig-1R protein expression,brain tissue adenosine triphos-phate(ATP)concentration and mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP)levels at 6,12,and 24 hrs of PR(P＜0.05);CHOP protein,activated cleaved caspase-12 and cleaved caspase-3 protein expression were consistently elevated(P＜0.05).In addition,Sig-1R was negatively correlated with brain tissue endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis(P＜0.05)but positively correlated with mitochondrial membrane potential level(P＜0.05).Conclusions Sig-1R ex-pression in rat brain tissue correlates with brain injury after cardiopulmonary resuscitation and potential mechanism seems to be neuronal protection through modulating mitochondrial function and endoplasmic reticulum stress.

ObjectiveTo describe the epidemic characteristics of COVID-19 after policy adjustment from “Category B notifiable disease with category A management” to “Category B notifiable disease with category B management”， and to explore the protective effect of previous infection with SARS-CoV-2 on common symptoms of reinfection. MethodsHealthcare workers infected with SARS-CoV-2 in a grade A tertiary hospital in Shanghai were included in the study from December 4， 2022 to January 11， 2023. Data on demographic characteristics， clinical symptoms， medical history， and COVID-19 vaccination history were collected. We determined the epidemiological curve and characteristics， and then compared the difference in the severity of clinical symptoms between primary and reinfection subjects. ResultsA total of 2 704 cases were included in the study， of which 45 had reinfection， 605 （22.4%）were males， 608 （22.5%）were doctors， 1 275 （47.2%） were nurses， and 2 351 （86.9%） received ≥3 doses of COVID-19 vaccination. The average age of these healthcare workers was （34.9±9.1） years old. The number of cases with mild/moderate illness， asymptomatic infection， fever， headache， dry cough， expectoration， and chest tightness were 2 704 （100.0%）， 92 （3.4%）， 2 385 （88.2%）， 2 066 （76.4%）， 1 642 （60.7%）， 1 807 （66.8%）， and 439 （16.2%）， respectively. Reinfection was a protective factor for fever （OR=0.161， P<0.001）， headache （OR=0.320， P<0.001）， and peak body temperature （β=-0.446， P<0.001）. ConclusionFollowing the COVID-19 policy adjustment as a category B notifiable disease， healthcare workers at a grade A tertiary hospital in Shanghai predominantly experiences mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms. Reinfection results in milder clinical manifestations， with a lower proportion of being asymptomatic.

Objective To investigate the distribution of abnormal karyotypes and their associations with clinical manifestations of the infertile patients in southern Sichuan Province.Methods A total of 4 157 infertile patients who attended the Reproductive Medicine Center of our hospital from July 2018 to June 2021 were included.The chromosome karyotype in peripheral blood was detected by G-banding,and their semen analysis results,uterine development and other clinical data were collected.Results Among the 4 157 patients,chromosomal polymorphisms were found in 239 cases(5.75％),and abnormal karyotypes wee found 137 cases(3.30％).The abnormal karyotypes included 57 cases(41.61％)of sex chromosome aneuploidy,6 cases(4.38％)of Robertsonian transloca-tions,32 cases(23.36％)of balanced translocations,21 cases(15.33％)of chromosomal inversions,9 cases(6.57％)of mosai-cism,8 cases(5.84％)of marker chromosomes,3 cases(2.19％)of sex reversal and 1 case(0.73％)of sex chromosome deletion.In male patients with abnormal karyotypes,91.58％showed abnormal semen parameters,while in those with polymorphic karyotypes,55％had abnormal semen parameters.The patients with Turner syndrome had significantly smaller uterine dimensions(longitudinal,transverse,and anteroposterior)compared to the normal control group(P＜0.01).Conclusion Chromosomal abnormalities should be the important cause of infertility.Conducting karyotype analysis combining with clinical manifestations is crucial examination for the di-agnosis and reproductive guidance of infertile patients.

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of HIV-1 molecular transmission network among HIV/AIDS patients in parts of Jiangxi Province, so as to provide insights into guiding AIDS prevention and intervention. Methods: The HIV/AIDS patients newly reported from January to June 2018 in Shangrao City, Yichun City and Ganzhou City were recruited, and demographic information and infection routes were collected. Blood samples were obtained to extract HIV RNA, and HIV-1 pol gene was amplified and sequenced using reverse transcription PCR and nested PCR assays. Gene subtypes were analyzed by constructing a phylogenetic tree. Molecular transmission network was constructed using gene-set distance, and the clustering patterns and the characteristics of HIV/AIDS patients within the clusters were analyzed. Results: A total of 305 pol gene sequences were obtained successfully, including 231 males (75.74%), 184 patients aged 50 years and above (60.33%), and 288 patients with heterosexual contact (94.43%). The main subtypes were CRF07_BC and CRF01_AE, accounting for 51.48% and 29.18%, respectively. Ganzhou City had the most genetic subtypes, with 8 types. Under the 1.0% gene distance threshold, 27 molecular clusters were established, with 107 nodes and 150 edges, and the molecular clustering rate was 35.08%. The largest molecular cluster involved 30 patients from 7 counties (districts) of Shangrao City. All of them were CRF07_BC subtypes, had an average age of (63.03±9.46) years, and were infected through heterosexual contact. Among the 17 patients with high transmission risk (degree value≥4), 10 patients came from Yushan County. Conclusions The main subtypes of HIV-1 are CRF07_BC and CRF01_AE in parts of Jiangxi Province, and the subtypes in Ganzhou City are diversified. There may be potential transmission risk points in Yushan County.