ObjectiveMitochondria are not only the central organelles responsible for cellular energy metabolism but also play essential roles in regulating cell cycle progression and cytoskeletal dynamics. In recent years, accumulating evidence has demonstrated that mitochondrial homeostasis is closely associated with mitotic progression and cytokinesis. Schizosaccharomyces pombe serves as a classical and well-established model organism. Because its cell cycle regulatory mechanisms are highly conserved throughout evolution, its genetic background is clearly defined, and experimental manipulation is efficient and convenient, it has been extensively applied in studies of cell growth, division, and reproductive mechanisms. The SPBC1604.04 gene encodes a previously uncharacterized mitochondrial carrier protein in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. This gene is located on chromosome II and spans 1 018 base pairs in length. It encodes a protein consisting of 238 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of approximately 31.03 ku. Bioinformatic analysis predicts that this protein is responsible for the transport of thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) into mitochondria. However, the effects of SPBC1604.04 gene deletion on mitotic cell dynamics under different temperature conditions have not been fully elucidated. MethodsThe SPBC1604.04 deletion strain of Schizosaccharomyces pombe was used as the experimental model. Fluorescent protein markers were constructed in the deletion background to label mitochondria, microtubules, actin, myosin, the nuclear envelope, and chromosomes. Live-cell imaging was performed using a TCS-SP8 laser scanning confocal microscope under normal temperature conditions (25℃) and heat stress conditions (37℃). Time-lapse microscopy was applied to dynamically monitor mitochondrial morphology and distribution, spindle assembly and elongation, chromosome segregation, as well as the formation and constriction of the actomyosin ring during cytokinesis. ImageJ software was used for quantitative measurements, including microtubule length during mitosis, spindle length at different mitotic stages, mitochondrial fluorescence intensity as an indicator of mitochondrial content, actomyosin ring length, nuclear envelope area, and chromosome segregation timing. Statistical analyses were conducted to compare phenotypic differences between the wild-type and SPBC1604.04 deletion strains at both temperature conditions. Through these analyses, we systematically investigated the impact of SPBC1604.04 deletion on mitotic cell dynamics in fission yeast under both normal physiological conditions and temperature stress. ResultsAt 25℃, compared with wild-type cells, the SPBC1604.04Δ strain exhibited a pronounced tendency toward mitochondrial fragmentation, accompanied by abnormal mitochondrial content and a significant reduction in mitochondrial fluorescence intensity. These observations suggest impaired mitochondrial homeostasis under normal growth conditions. In addition, the constriction time of actomyosin ring during cytokinesis was markedly prolonged, indicating that deletion of SPBC1604.04 affects the dynamics of the contractile machinery. However, no obvious defects were observed in spindle assembly, spindle elongation, or chromosome segregation. Under heat stress at 37℃, mitochondrial morphology in the SPBC1604.04Δ strain showed a tendency to recover toward a continuous tubular network structure. Mitochondrial content was restored, fluorescence intensity increased, and the constriction time of the actomyosin ring returned to levels comparable to those of wild-type cells. These results indicate that the mitotic defects observed at normal temperature are partially or fully alleviated under heat stress conditions. ConclusionThis study demonstrates that deletion of the SPBC1604.04 gene leads to abnormal mitochondrial content in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The mitochondrial carrier protein SPBC1604.04 participates in regulating actomyosin ring constriction during mitosis but does not appear to be directly involved in the regulation of spindle dynamics or chromosome segregation. Our findings provide key experimental evidence for understanding the functional link between the SPBC1604.04 gene, mitochondrial homeostasis, and mitotic regulation.

ObjectiveMitochondria are not only the central organelles responsible for cellular energy metabolism but also play essential roles in regulating cell cycle progression and cytoskeletal dynamics. In recent years, accumulating evidence has demonstrated that mitochondrial homeostasis is closely associated with mitotic progression and cytokinesis. Schizosaccharomyces pombe serves as a classical and well-established model organism. Because its cell cycle regulatory mechanisms are highly conserved throughout evolution, its genetic background is clearly defined, and experimental manipulation is efficient and convenient, it has been extensively applied in studies of cell growth, division, and reproductive mechanisms. The SPBC1604.04 gene encodes a previously uncharacterized mitochondrial carrier protein in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. This gene is located on chromosome II and spans 1 018 base pairs in length. It encodes a protein consisting of 238 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of approximately 31.03 ku. Bioinformatic analysis predicts that this protein is responsible for the transport of thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) into mitochondria. However, the effects of SPBC1604.04 gene deletion on mitotic cell dynamics under different temperature conditions have not been fully elucidated. MethodsThe SPBC1604.04 deletion strain of Schizosaccharomyces pombe was used as the experimental model. Fluorescent protein markers were constructed in the deletion background to label mitochondria, microtubules, actin, myosin, the nuclear envelope, and chromosomes. Live-cell imaging was performed using a TCS-SP8 laser scanning confocal microscope under normal temperature conditions (25℃) and heat stress conditions (37℃). Time-lapse microscopy was applied to dynamically monitor mitochondrial morphology and distribution, spindle assembly and elongation, chromosome segregation, as well as the formation and constriction of the actomyosin ring during cytokinesis. ImageJ software was used for quantitative measurements, including microtubule length during mitosis, spindle length at different mitotic stages, mitochondrial fluorescence intensity as an indicator of mitochondrial content, actomyosin ring length, nuclear envelope area, and chromosome segregation timing. Statistical analyses were conducted to compare phenotypic differences between the wild-type and SPBC1604.04 deletion strains at both temperature conditions. Through these analyses, we systematically investigated the impact of SPBC1604.04 deletion on mitotic cell dynamics in fission yeast under both normal physiological conditions and temperature stress. ResultsAt 25℃, compared with wild-type cells, the SPBC1604.04Δ strain exhibited a pronounced tendency toward mitochondrial fragmentation, accompanied by abnormal mitochondrial content and a significant reduction in mitochondrial fluorescence intensity. These observations suggest impaired mitochondrial homeostasis under normal growth conditions. In addition, the constriction time of actomyosin ring during cytokinesis was markedly prolonged, indicating that deletion of SPBC1604.04 affects the dynamics of the contractile machinery. However, no obvious defects were observed in spindle assembly, spindle elongation, or chromosome segregation. Under heat stress at 37℃, mitochondrial morphology in the SPBC1604.04Δ strain showed a tendency to recover toward a continuous tubular network structure. Mitochondrial content was restored, fluorescence intensity increased, and the constriction time of the actomyosin ring returned to levels comparable to those of wild-type cells. These results indicate that the mitotic defects observed at normal temperature are partially or fully alleviated under heat stress conditions. ConclusionThis study demonstrates that deletion of the SPBC1604.04 gene leads to abnormal mitochondrial content in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The mitochondrial carrier protein SPBC1604.04 participates in regulating actomyosin ring constriction during mitosis but does not appear to be directly involved in the regulation of spindle dynamics or chromosome segregation. Our findings provide key experimental evidence for understanding the functional link between the SPBC1604.04 gene, mitochondrial homeostasis, and mitotic regulation.

Background: This study quantifies the global burden of alopecia areata (AA) in young adults (15–49 years) from 1990 to 2021 using data from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study. Objective: To analyze trends in AA incidence and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) across demographic and geographic strata. Methods: We evaluated age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) and age-standardized DALYs rates, stratified by sex, age, and Socio-demographic Index (SDI). Estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) were calculated to assess trends. Results: Global ASIR (EAPC, −0.20) and DALY rates (EAPC, −0.19) for AA declined 1990–2021, with larger declines in women, peak rates in 30–34-year-olds, and most prominent declines in high-SDI regions. High-SDI regions accounted for 42% of global DALYs (18% of the population). East Asia (ASIR EAPC, 0.02) and Oman (ASIR EAPC, 0.46) had rising incidence; East Asia (DALY EAPC, 0.04) and Guatemala (DALY EAPC, 0.48) had rising burden. SDI correlated positively with AA burden (ASIR: r=0.68, p<0.01; DALYs: r=0.72, p<0.001). Conclusion Significant disparities exist in AA burden, with higher rates in females and a peak in young adulthood. The strong positive correlation with SDI highlights the disproportionate impact of AA on high-income nations.

Objective To compare the benefits and drawbacks of primary patch expansion versus pericardial tube right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection in patients diagnosed with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (PA/VSD). Methods A retrospective study was conducted on patients diagnosed with PA/VSD who underwent primary right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection surgery at our center between 2010 and 2020. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the type of right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection: a pericardial tube group and a patch expansion group. Clinical data and imaging findings were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 51 patients were included in the study, comprising 31 males and 20 females, with a median age of 12.57 (4.57, 49.67) months. The pericardial tube group included 19 patients with a median age of 17.17 (7.33, 49.67) months, while the patch expansion group consisted of 32 patients with a median age of 8.58 (3.57, 52.72) months. In both groups, the diameter of pulmonary artery, McGoon index, and Nakata index significantly increased after treatment (P<0.001). However, the pericardial tube group exhibited a longer extracorporeal circulation time (P<0.001). The reoperation rate was notably high, with 74.51% of patients requiring further surgical intervention, including 26 (81.25%) patients in the patch expansion group and 12 (63.16%) patients in the pericardial tube group. No statistical differences were observed in long-term cure rates or mortality between the two groups (P＞0.005). Conclusion In patients with PA/VSD, both patch expansion and pericardial tube right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection serve as effective initial palliative treatment strategies that promote pulmonary vessel development and provide a favorable foundation for subsequent radical operations. However, compared to the pericardial tube approach, the patch expansion technique is simpler to perform and preserves some intrinsic potential for pulmonary artery development, making it the preferred procedure.

This study aims to understand the biological characteristics of Streptococcus dysgalacti-ae of yak origin.Bacterial isolation and identification,drug susceptibility test,virulence gene test and pathogenicity test were carried out on milk samples of yaks from Naqu City to evaluate the bi-ological characteristics of the isolated strains.Meanwhile,molecular biological information such as virulence factors and drug resistance genes were analyzed by whole genome sequencing,and viru-lence genes were verified by PCR.The results showed that a strain of Streptococcus dysgalactiae was isolated from the milk of yak,and its colony morphology was pinpoint size,smooth edge and milky white.This strain is sensitive to many antibiotics(penicillin G,cephalosporin,ciprofloxacin,tetracycline,erythromycin,etc.).Virulence gene test results showed that the strain carries six key virulence genes(cyl,eno,scpB,bca,bac and napr),which may be closely related to its pathoge-nicity.In the pathogenicity test,the mice were listless and less active after infection,but no death occurred during the observation period.The pathological changes of spleen,kidney,liver and lung tissue were found,suggesting that the strain had certain pathogenic potential but not high lethali-ty.Whole genome sequencing data showed that the gene length of this strain was 4 079 280 bp,the GC content was 39.41％,3 964 coding genes were predicted,604 of which were annotated as viru-lence factors,and another 28 gene mutations may enhance its pathogenic ability.Through annota-tion of CARD database,two Pat A resistance genes and two lmrp resistance genes were found,re-vealing their potential resistance mechanism.Through whole genome sequencing technology and bioinformatics analysis method,this study revealed the genomic characteristics,drug resistance and pathogenicity mechanism of Streptococcus dysgalactiae of yak origin.The findings provide impor-tant scientific evidence for further exploration of the pathogenicity,drug resistance mechanisms,and molecular evolution of yak-derived Streptococcus agalactiae.

Objective To investigate the association between baseline depression and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)in middle-aged and elderly people in Chengguan District of Lanzhou.Methods A total of 4471 residents who were followed up in Chengguan District,Lanzhou City from August 2014 to July 2016 in the 2011 REACTION study were selected as the research subjects.According to the 9-item patient health questionnaire(PHQ-9),they were divided into the non-depression group with a score of 0～4 points(ND,n=3827),the mild depression group with a score of 5～10 points(MD,n=546)and the moderate to severe depression group with a score of≥10 points(MSD,n=98).The general data and biochemical indicators of the three groups were compared.The correlation between depression status and glycolipid metabolism indicators was analyzed.The follow-up results of the three groups with different baseline glucose metabolism status populations were compared.Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of progression in different glucose metabolism populations.Results The married rate in the ND,MD and MSD groups decreased sequentially(P<0.05),while the rate of living alone and the PHQ-9 score increased(P<0.05).The female population,family history of DM,coronary heart disease,LDL-C and TC in the MD group were higher than those in the ND group(P<0.05),while the age,BMI,WHR,FPG and 2 hPG in the MD group were lower than those in the ND group(P<0.05).The family history of DM in the MSD group was higher than those in the ND group(P<0.05),drinking and LDL-C in the MSD group were higher than those in the MD group(P<0.05),the BMI was lower than that in the ND group(P<0.05).Spearman correlation analysis showed that the baseline PHQ-9 score was negatively correlated with FPG level(r=-0.039,P<0.05),and positively correlated with HDL-C and TC(r=0.049,0.031,P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of pre-DM and T2DM at the end of follow-up among the three groups with different baseline glucose metabolism(P>0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for confounding factors,the risk of pre-DM and T2DM in normal glucose tolerance people with different depression status and the risk of T2DM in pre-DM patients were not increased.Conclusions Depressive state may not be the main factor affecting the occurrence of T2DM in middle-aged and elderly people in Chengguan District of Lanzhou.

Chronic pancreatitis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by progre-ssive fibrosis of pancreatic tissue. Its pathological features primarily include parenchymal fibrosis, intraductal stone formation or calcification deposits, as well as segmental stenosis and dilation of the pancreatic duct. Prolonged chronic inflammatory stimulation not only leads to progressive pancreatic dysfunction but may also trigger the formation of pancreatic pseudocysts and even malignant transformation. In the comprehensive treatment of chronic pancreatitis, the core clinical goals are the removal of pancreatic duct stones, restoration of unobstructed pancreatic duct drainage, and preservation of residual pancreatic function. Traditional treatment strategies have been based on the principle of progressive intervention and early surgical management. In recent years, with advancements in extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, the application of new techniques such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography combined with laser lithotripsy under direct cholan-gioscopic visualization, and improvements in pancreas-preserving surgical approaches, the debate over the superiority of progressive intervention versus early surgical treatment has intensified. Against this backdrop, the treatment mode of Xi′an Jiaotong University Pancreatic Disease Center (hereinafter referred to as "Western Pancreas") has emerged, emphasizing a personalized, multimodal treatment strategy based on different types of pancreatic duct stones. The treatment mode of "Western Pancreas" integrates lithotripsy, endoscopic treatment, and surgical interventions to optimize patient outcomes. By conducting a comprehensive analysis of domestic and international pancreatic duct stone classi-fication systems and drawing from our team′s clinical experience in managing over a thousand cases of chronic pancreatitis, the authors have further refined and proposed a classification system for pancreatic duct stones under the treatment mode of "Western Pancreas". This refinement aims to enhance the overall diagnostic and therapeutic standards for chronic pancreatitis.

Objective To explore the effect of evening primrose oil(EPO)on aortic endothelial damage in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS),using network pharmacology and in vivo experiments.Methods The potential targets of EPO for improving aortic endothelial injury in PCOS rats were predicted by network pharmacology,and the selected core targets and renin-angiotensin signaling(RAS)pathway were verified by experiments.Fifty-eight female SD rats were divided randomly into a blank group(n=10)and a modeling group(n=48).Rats in the blank group were fed a normal diet and rats in the modeling group received a high-fat diet for 8 weeks.The PCOS model was prepared at week 6 by administration of letrozole(1 mg/(kg·d))for 21 days.Blood was taken from the tail vein after modeling and serum was collected to detect hormone levels.The model rats were then divided randomly into four groups and treated with the corresponding drugs for 6 weeks.Blood,blood vessels,and ovaries were then collected.Tissue morphology was examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining and serum levels of luteinizing hormone(LH),testosterone(T),follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),endothelin(ET-1),and tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Serum levels of nitric oxide(NO)were determined by spectrophotometry.Protein expression levels of core targets and RAS pathway-related factors were assessed by western blotting and immunohistochemistry.Results Twenty-five intersection targets of EPO and PCOS were identified by network pharmacological analysis.Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes analysis showed that EPO improved vascular injury in PCOS rats via multiple pathways,including RAS.Serum levels of ET-1,FSH,LH,and T measured by ELISA were significantly decreased after EPO treatment,compared with the model group(P＜0.01).EPO significantly decreased the expression levels of Ang Ⅰ,VEGF-B,AT2R,ET-1,and TNF-α proteins in the aorta(P＜0.01)and significantly increased expression levels of Ang Ⅱ,CD31,and endothelial NO synthase proteins(P＜0.01).Conclusions EPO may ameliorate vascular endothelial injury in PCOS model rats by inhibiting the RAS signaling pathway and by overactivation of the ACE/Ang Ⅱ/AT1 axis.

The pathological mechanisms and related physiological indicators of acute mountain sickness(AMS)were introduced,and the present situation of wearable devices applied in AMS auxiliary detection and diagnosis were reviewed.The challenges and future development directions of wearable devices applied in auxiliary detection and diagnosis were pointed out.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(9):100-107]

Objective To investigate the value of prone-position MRI of lumbar spine for diagnosing pediatric occult tethered cord syndrome(OTCS).Methods A total of 67 children with suspected tethered cord syndrome(TCS)and confirmed OTCS by surgery were prospectively enrolled as OTCS group,while 73 healthy subjects were recruited as control group.Supine-and prone-position lumbar MR examinations were performed in both groups.The position of filum terminale on prone axial T2WI and the presence or absence of"sunset sign"(i.e.filum terminale located within the dorsal 1/2 of spinal canal on prone axial T2WI)were observed,spinal cord conus mobility was calculated.The efficacy of"sunset sign"for diagnosing OTCS in children was calculated through comparison between groups.Receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn,the area under the curve(AUC)was calculated to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of spinal cord conus mobility.Results On prone-position axial T2WI,"sunset sign"was found in 58 cases(58/67,86.57％)but not in 9 cases(9/67,13.43％)in OTCS group,which was not even observed in control group.The sensitivity of"sunset sign"for diagnosing pediatric OTCS was 86.57％(58/67),with specificity of 100％(73/73),positive predictive value of 100％(58/58)and negative predictive value of 89.02％(73/82).The spinal cord conus mobility was(19.30±5.89)％in OTCS group and(31.71±6.58)％in control group,being statistically different between groups(t=-11.722,P＜0.001).The sensitivity,specificity and AUC of spinal cord conus mobility for diagnosing pediatric OTCS was 80.60％,90.41％and 0.920,respectively.Conclusion Prone-position MRI of lumbar spine could be used in diagnosing pediatric OTCS.