ObjectiveTo elucidate the mechanism by which total flavonoids of Abelmoschi Corolla （TFA） treat immunoglobulin A （IgA） nephropathy （IgAN） through serum metabolomics analysis. MethodsSPF-grade male SD rats were randomly assigned into six groups （n=10）： blank， model， low-dose TFA （TFA-L， 27 mg·kg^-1）， medium-dose TFA （TFA-M， 54 mg·kg^-1）， high-dose TFA （TFA-H， 108 mg·kg^-1）， and losartan potassium （LST， 4.5 mg·kg^-1） groups. The remaining five groups， excluding the blank group， were modeled with bovine serum albumin （BSA）， lipopolysaccharide （LPS）， and carbon tetrachloride （CCl₄）. Specifically， from weeks 1 to 10， BSA was administered via gavage every other day， and a mixture of castor oil and CCl₄ was injected subcutaneously once a week， with LPS injected into the tail vein at weeks 6 and 8. After successful modeling， each intervention group was administrated with the medication prepared with distilled water once daily by gavage for a continuous period of 4 weeks. The levels of 24-hour urinary total protein （24 h UP） and serum creatinine （SCr） were quantified by kits， and the serum IgA level was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Renal pathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and periodic acid-Schiff （PAS） staining. Renal IgA deposition was assessed by immunofluorescence （IF）. Endoplasmic reticulum （ER） stress was observed by transmission electron microscopy. Western blot and immunohistochemistry （IHC） were employed to detect the expression of ER stress-related factors. Non-targeted metabolomics was used to screen differential metabolites for analysis， and key metabolites arachidonic acid （AA）， prostaglandin E₂ （PGE₂）， and cyclooxygenase-2 （COX-2） were validated. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group showed increased 24-hour urine protein （24 h UP） and serum creatinine （SCr） levels （P<0.01）， obvious renal pathological damage， elevated serum IgA level （P<0.01）， increased renal AA and PGE₂ levels （P<0.01）， and up-regulated protein levels of COX-2， glucose-regulated protein 78 （GRP78）， phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor 2α （P-EIF2α）， activating transcription factor 4 （ATF4）， inositol-requiring enzyme 1α （IRE1α）， and spliced X-box binding protein 1 （XBP1s） in the renal tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the intervention groups showed reductions in 24 h UP and SCr levels （P<0.05， P<0.01）， alleviated renal pathological injury， decreased serum IgA level （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and reduced renal AA and PGE₂ levels （P<0.01）. Western blot and IHC results showed that TFA reduced the levels of COX-2， GRP78， P-EIF2α， ATF4， IRE1α， and XBP1s in the renal tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Metabolomics results indicated that 51 commonly differential metabolites were found among the normal， model， and TFA-M groups. TFA ameliorated IgAN by affecting metabolic pathways related to the biosynthesis of arachidonic acid and arginine through L-aspartic acid， prostaglandin 2α， leukotriene B₄， leukotriene D₄， among others. ConclusionTFA can regulate the arachidonic acid metabolism pathway， thereby modulating ER stress， reducing renal damage， and ameliorating IgA nephropathy.

Objective: This prospective study evaluated the feasibility of chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI for assessing disease activity in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO). Materials and Methods: A total of 88 patients with active TAO, 76 with inactive TAO, and 30 healthy controls were enrolled. CEST MRI-derived magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) and MTR asymmetry (MTRasym) at 1 ppm, 2 ppm, and 3.5 ppm were calculated. Clinical data, MTR, and MTRasym values for the extraocular muscles (one representative muscle per eye, yielding two measurements per participant) were compared among the groups. Spearman’s correlation was used to examine associations between imaging parameters and the clinical activity score (CAS) in patients with TAO. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent associations between imaging parameters and disease activity in patients with TAO (active vs. inactive). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted to evaluate the diagnostic performance for discriminating active from inactive TAO. Results: Patients with active TAO showed lower MTR values (P < 0.001) and higher MTRasym (1 ppm), MTRasym (2 ppm), and MTRasym (3.5 ppm) (all P < 0.001) compared with those with inactive TAO. MTR was negatively correlated with CAS (r = -0.402; P < 0.001), while MTRasym (1 ppm), MTRasym (2 ppm), and MTRasym (3.5 ppm) were positively correlated with CAS (r = 0.369, 0.350, and 0.349, respectively;all P < 0.001). MTR and MTRasym (1 ppm) were independently associated with TAO activity. The areas under the ROC curve (AUCs) for MTR and MTRasym (1 ppm) in discriminating active from inactive TAO were 0.772 and 0.730, respectively. Combining MTR with MTRasym (1 ppm) significantly improved diagnostic performance compared with either parameter alone, achieving an AUC of 0.805 (P = 0.029 and 0.001). Conclusion MTR and MTRasym (1 ppm) were independently associated with TAO activity. Their combination further enhanced diagnostic performance in distinguishing active from inactive TAO, suggesting their potential as quantitative imaging biomarkers to guide treatment in patients with TAO.

Background and aims Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is a leading cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality worldwide, with no currently effective treatment. ALD is caused by excessive lipid buildup, which eventually triggers inflammation and fibrosis in the liver. Activation of hepatic Kupffer cells (KCs) and macrophages drives liver inflammation, which can worsen alcohol-induced liver injury. The autophagy-lysosome system is crucial for macrophages to support their innate immune functions. Transcription factor EB (TFEB) is a key regulator of autophagy and lysosomal biogenesis, but the role of macrophage TFEB in ALD development is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Gao-binge alcohol consumption on myeloid cell TFEB and elucidate the role of myeloid TFEB in ALD. Methods Two-to-three-month-old male and female LysM Cre− (WT) and LysM Cre+ Tfeb Flox/Flox (f/f) (myeloid-Tfeb KO) mice were subjected to chronic alcohol feeding plus an acute binge following the Gao-binge model. Serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, triglycerides, and cholesterol content were determined using biochemical assays. Total hepatic protein content and messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of autophagy-related proteins and inflammatory markers were determined using immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Isolated hepatic infiltrating macrophages and KCs from mice given intragastric ethanol infusions were analyzed by Western blot for TFEB and autophagy-related protein content. Raw 264.7 macrophages were treated with ethanol, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and LPS plus ethanol to examine nuclear TFEB translocation using immunofluorescence. Results We found that TFEB levels were higher in macrophage/KC cells than in hepatocytes and cholangiocytes. While ethanol feeding increased serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels, as well as hepatic triglyceride levels, no significant differences were observed between WT and myeloid-Tfeb KO mice. The number of F4/80-positive KCs/macrophages was similar in all four experimental groups, but hepatic neutrophil infiltration increased in alcohol-fed myeloid-Tfeb KO mice. LPS or ethanol alone induced nuclear TFEB translocation only moderately in Raw 264.7 macrophages. Conclusions Our findings suggest that myeloid TFEB is dispensable for alcohol-induced liver injury in mice.

Objective To understand and grasp the status quo of resistance of Culex pipiens pallens to four commonly used insecticides in Hefei City, and to provide a scientific basis for the chemical control of mosquito larvae. Methods From June to July 2023, Cx. pipiens pallens larvae were collected from 9 counties (cities and districts) in Hefei City. The LC50 of late third-instar to early fourth-instar larvae of Cx. pipiens pallens to commonly used insecticides was determined by larval immersion method (sensitive baseline method). Results Cx.pipiens pallens larvae in Hefei City exhibited different degrees of resistance to four insecticides: permethrin, beta-cypermethrin, temephos, and propoxur. The relative resistance coefficients to permethrin and beta-cypermethrin were 26.96 and 21.17, respectively, indicating the moderate resistance level. The relative resistance coefficients to propoxur were 6.70, indicating a low resistance level. The relative resistance coefficient to temephos was 2.43, indicating a sensitivity level. Culex pipiens pallens against pyrethroids such as 0.25% permethrin, 0.025% deltamethrin and 0.025% cypermethrin in 1 h knockout rate and 24 h mortality rates were 3.25% (4/123) and 46.34% (57/123), 3.60% (5/139) and 35.97% (50/139), 3.85% (6/156) and 40.38% (63/156), respectively. For 5% malathion and 0.1% propoxur, the 1 h knockdown rate and 24 h mortality rate were 97.69% (127/130) and 99.23% (129/130), 94.48% (137/145) and 100.00% (145/145), respectively. It showed resistance to 0.25% permethrin, 0.025% deltamethrin and 0.025% cypermethrin, and sensitivity to 5% malathion and 0.1% propoxur. Conclusions Culex pipiens pallens in Hefei City have developed varying degrees of resistance to parathyroid and carbamate insecticides. In the control of mosquito vectors, it is essential to strengthen the scientific and rational use of chemical control in combination with environmental and physical control measures to form an integrated control strategy. This approach will improve the control efficiency while delaying the occurrence and development of insecticide resistance.

Objective To explore the relationship between osteoporosis and carotid atherosclerosis in patients with coronary heart disease aged≥60 years and analyze prevention suggestions. Methods The clinical data of 380 patients with coronary heart disease aged≥60 years who underwent various examinations in the hospital between April 2024 and April 2025 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the bone mineral density (BMD) classification criteria, the patients were divided into osteoporosis group and non-osteoporosis group. The differences in general data and carotid atherosclerosis-related indicators were compared between osteoporosis group and non-osteoporosis group. Pearson method was used to analyze the correlation between carotid atherosclerosis indicators and clinical indicators in patients with coronary heart disease aged≥60 years. According to the IMT detection thickness in patients with coronary heart disease and osteoporosis aged≥60 years were divided into IMT thickening group and IMT non-thickening group and between plaque group and non-plaque group, and the differences in BMD and bone metabolism indicators were compared. Binary logistics analysis was adopted to analyze the risk factors of IMT thickening and carotid plaque formation in patients with coronary heart disease≥60 years old. Results Age and duration of osteoporosis group TC、LDL-C、CTX、 Carotid artery IMT and carotid atherosclerosis degree were higher than those in the non osteoporosis group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). BMI, OPG, OCN, 25 (OH) D, BMD, carotid artery elasticity coefficient were lower than those in the non osteoporosis group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Carotid IMT, carotid atherosclerosis degree, and carotid elasticity coefficient were significantly correlated with age, course of disease, TC, LDL-C, CTX, BMI, OPG, OCN, BMD, and 25 (OH) D of coronary heart disease patients ≥60 years old (P<0.05). OPG, OCN, BMD and 25(OH)D in IMT thickening group and plaque group were lower compared to IMT non-thickening group and non-plaque group (P<0.05) while CTX was significantly higher than that in IMT non-thickening group and non-plaque group (P<0.05). Binary logistics regression analysis showed that OPG, OCN, BMD, 25(OH)D and CTX were associated with IMT thickening in patients with coronary heart disease and osteoporosis aged≥60 years (P<0.05). OPG, OCN and BMD were associated with carotid plaque formation in patients with coronary heart disease complicated with osteoporosis aged≥60 years (P<0.05). Conclusion There is a significant correlation between osteoporosis and arteriosclerosis in patients with coronary heart disease aged≥60 years. As the bone mass decreases, the manifestations of arteriosclerosis become become more and more obvious, which needs attention and prevention.

The establishment and development of neonatal intensive care unit(NICU)have significantly increased the survival rate of premature infants.However,the diagnosis,treatment,and surgeries performed in NICU may expose neonates to more noxious stimuli.As the neonatal period is crucial for brain development,these noxious stimuli may cause irreversible damage to the neonatal nervous system.Existing clinical studies have shown that repetitive noxious stimuli during the neonatal period can lead to poor brain development,persistent hyperalgesia,and various sequelae.However,the underlying mechanisms remain unclear,and effective treatment methods are lacking.This article summarizes the effects of repetitive noxious stimuli during the neonatal period on neural development and the complications,aiming to provide a basis for the neonatal analgesia management and the prevention and treatment of related sequelae.
Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Brain/growth & development* ; Infant, Premature ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Hyperalgesia ; Pain

Forensic medicine has been designated as a first-level discipline,presenting new opportunities and challenges for the development of forensic medicine.Since the 1980s,the establishment of foren-sic medicine discipline and the cultivation of high-level forensic talents have become hot topics in the development of forensic medicine in China.Since the 13th Five-Year Plan,the forensic team of Shanxi Medical University has been aiming at the forefront,proposing the development goals of"Five First-class"and the discipline development path"Six Major Achievements".It has selected benchmark disci-plines,identified gaps in disciplinary development,unified thoughts,formulated completion timelines,concentrated superior resources,assigned tasks to individuals,and created an"Organized Fill-in-the-Blank Format"forensic medicine discipline construction model with the characteristics of the new era.The construction model of forensic medicine has achieved good results in the goals,discipline frame-work,scientific research,talent cultivation,discipline team and platform construction,forming a rela-tively complete discipline construction and management system,and accumulating valuable experience for the construction of first-level discipline and high-level talent cultivation of forensic medicine.

Objective To explore whether ferroptosis is involved in α-amanitin-induced hepatocyte in-jury by detecting iron deposition in mice liver tissues,oxidative stress indicators in hepatocytes and L-02 cells,and expressions of ferroptosis-related proteins after α-amanitin exposure.Methods The poi-soning models of α-amanitin C57BL/6J mice and L-02 cell were established.The Lillie ferrous iron staining and Prussian blue staining were used to detect iron deposition;the kits were applied to detect the levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT),malondialdehyde(MDA),and glutathione(GSH).Western blotting was performed to analyze expressions of p53,solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11),and glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4).Results Compared with the control group,after α-amanitin exposure,positive cell rates of Fe2+and Fe3+in mice liver tissues increased significantly.In the liver tissues of medium(0.35 mg/kg)and high(0.45 mg/kg)dose groups and L-02 cells treated with 1 μmol/L α-amanitin,the level of GSH decreased,the level of MDA increased,and the activities of SOD and CAT decreased significantly.In addition,α-amanitin upregulated the expression of p53 in a concentration-and time-dependent manner and inhibited the expressions of SLC7A11 and GPX4.Con-clusion Ferroptosis plays an important role in α-amanitin-induced hepatocyte injury.Abnormalities of ferroptosis-related indicators can provide references for the forensic identification of α-amanitin poisoning.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of autophagy induced by House dust mites(HDM)on airway epithelial tight junction through β-catenin-Snail signaling pathway.Methods Human bronchial epithelial cells(16HBE)were stimulated with HDM at different time points(0,3,6,12,24,48 h)and different concen-trations(0,40,100,200 μg/mL)to screen the appropriate stimulation concentration and stimulation time.16HBE cells were treated with oxidative stress inhibitor N-acetylcysteine(NAC),autophagy inhibitor 3-methylad-enine(3-MA),HDM,and their combinations.Cells were transfected with mCherry-EGFP-LC3B,Beclin-1-siRNA,and ATG14-siRNA lentivirus and then stimulated with NAC and HDM.Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression levels of autophagy-related protein LC3B,tight junction-related proteins Occludin,and ZO-1 in airway epithelial cells.The level of reactive oxygen species(ROS)was detected by using DCFH-DA in each group.The protein expression levels of Occludin,ZO-1,LC3B,Beclin-1,ATG5,ATG14,P62,Snail,β-catenin and p-β-catenin were detected by Western blot method.Results Immunofluorescence results showed that compared with the control group,200 μg/mL HDM stimulation induced cellular autophagy,increased the expression level of LC3B protein,and promoted the level of ROS,all with statistical significances(all P<0.05).Compared with the HDM group,the HDM+3-MA,HDM+ATG14-si,and HDM+Beclin-1-si groupsall showed significantincreases in the expression levels of tight junction-related proteins Occludin and ZO-1(P<0.05).The HDM+NAC group demonstrated significant decreases both in the level of ROS andin the expression level of LC3B protein.Western blot results revealed that compared with HDM,3-MA and autophagy protein low-expression beads(Beclin-1-si,ATG14-si)attenuated HDM-induced cellular autophagy(P<0.05),inhibited HDM-induced upregulation of Snail and p-β-catenin expression,and improved HDM-induced decreases in Occludin and ZO-1(P<0.05).Moreover,compared with the HDM group,the NAC+HDM group exhibited significant decreases both in the conversion of LC3BⅠ to LC3BⅡ(P<0.001)in the protein levels of Snail,p-β-catenin,Beclin-1 and ATG14(P<0.01),but significant increases in the protein levels of Occludin and ZO-1(P<0.05).Conclusion HDM affects the tight connections between airway epithelial cells by inducing autophagy,which may be attributed to the β-catenin-Snail signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the brain voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity(VMHC)alterations in patients with ves-tibular migraine(VM)by using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging(rs-fMRI).Methods The rs-fMRI data of 30 VM patients(VM group)and 30 healthy volunteers(control group)were prospectively collected.The brain VMHC values in all subjects were calculated and the differences between the two groups were compared.The correlations between VMHC values of significant brain regions and clinical scale scores were analyzed in the VM group.Results Compared with the control group,the VMHC values of the cerebellum region 6,orbital inferior frontal gyrus,insula,superior temporal gyrus and postcentral gyrus in the VM group were all decreased[cluster-level family wise error(FWE)corrected,Pvoxel-level<0.001,Pcluster-level<0.05].In the VM group,the VMHC values of the postcentral gyrus were negatively correlated with dizziness handicap inventory(DHI)score(r=-0.383,P=0.037).Additionally,the VMHC values of the insula were negatively correlated with headache impact test-6(HIT-6)score(r=-0.430,P=0.018).Conclusion VM patients have altered VMHC in certain brain regions,indicating related dysfunctions in vestibule,pain,hearing and emotion.