BACKGROUND:Currently,different methods of model establishment have been derived from different injury modes of spinal cord injury.Traditional physical injury modeling methods have their own advantages and disadvantages,and there is a lack of more effective and stable animal models of spinal cord injury. OBJECTIVE:To establish a reproducible,controllable,trauma-free,low-mortality,more stable,widely applicable,and short-term postoperative care rat model of spinal cord injury. METHODS:Forty Sprague-Dawley rats with similar body mass and ages were randomly divided into a control group and an improved group,with 20 rats in each group.Animal models of spinal cord injury in the control group were constructed using a clip model method,while the improved group used a modified ligation method based on the compression method to make the spinal cord injury models using suture ligation based on fenestration.Postoperative comparisons were made between the two groups,assessing urination behavior,hematuria,pyuria(infection rate),mortality,scoliosis rate and Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan locomotor rating scale scores at 1,3,5,and 7 days after modeling. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the conventional modeling method,the modified ligation method based on the compression method resulted in faster recovery of urination behavior,lower hematuria rate,lower infection rate,lower mortality rate,lower scoliosis rate,and more concentrated and stable Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan scores(all below 2 points within 1 week).This proves that the modified ligation method based on compression is more suitable for the establishment of spinal cord injury models in rats.

Objective To investigate the common molecular features of immunothrombosis, thus enhancing the comprehension of thrombosis triggered by immune and inflammatory responses and offering crucial insights for identifying potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Methods Differential gene expression analysis and functional enrichment analysis were conducted on datasets of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and venous thromboembolism (VTE). The intersection of differentially expressed genes in SLE and VTE with those of neutrophil extracellular traps (NET) yielded cross-talk genes (CG) for SLE-NET and VTE-NET interaction. Further analysis included functional enrichment and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network assessments of these CG to identify hub genes. Venn diagrams and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were employed to pinpoint the most effective shared diagnostic CG, which were validated using a graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) dataset. Results Differential expression genes in SLE and VTE were associated with distinct biological processes, whereas SLE-NET-CG and VTE-NET-CG were implicated in pathways related to leukocyte migration, inflammatory response, and immune response. Through PPI network analysis, several hub genes were identified, with matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and S100 calcium-binding protein A12 (S100A12) emerging as the best shared diagnostic CG for SLE (AUC: 0.936 and 0.832) and VTE (AUC: 0.719 and 0.759). Notably, MMP9 exhibited good diagnostic performance in the GVHD dataset (AUC: 0.696). Conclusion This study unveils the common molecular features of SLE, VTE, and NET, emphasizing MMP9 and S100A12 as the optimal shared diagnostic CG, thus providing valuable evidence for the diagnosis and therapeutic strategies related to immunothrombosis. Additionally, the expression of MMP9 in GVHD highlights its critical role in the risk of VTE associated with immune system disorders.
Humans ; Computational Biology/methods* ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/immunology* ; Protein Interaction Maps/genetics* ; Venous Thromboembolism/therapy* ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/genetics* ; Extracellular Traps/metabolism* ; Gene Regulatory Networks ; Thrombosis/immunology* ; Graft vs Host Disease/genetics* ; Gene Expression Profiling

Objective : To explore the central role of interleukin(IL)-25 in allergy of eosinophil asthma. Methods : Forty 4-5 week-old C57BL/6 mice were used in this study(n=10). Mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: WT+shRNA NT group, WT+HDM group, IL-25 shRNA+IL-25 group, and IL-25 shRNA+IL-25+HDM group. According to each group′s treatment requirement, mice were treated with house dust mite and/or IL-25 by intranasal infusion. HE staining and PAS staining were used for lung tissue section staining and pathological analysis. The levels of type 2 cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) were determined by ELISA. Flow cytometry(FCM) was used to determine the number of type 2 helper T(Th2) cells, the group 2 innate lymphoid cells(ILC2) and eosinophils in lung tissues. Mice were treated with FITC-labeled DQ-ovalbumin(DQ-OVA) by intranasal infusion to determine the antigen presentation ability of eosinophils infiltrated in the lungs. Results : HE staining and PAS staining results showed that, compared with WT+shRNA NT group, a large amount of mucus and a large number of eosinophil infiltration were found in the lungs, and subcutaneous thickening of inflammatory airway were observed in the pulmonary vessels, alveolar ducts and the whole alveoli in IL-25 shRNA+IL-25+HDM group. In the IL-25 shRNA+IL-25 group, only a small amount of mucus and a small amount of eosinophil infiltration were found in the lungs, and a small amount of subcutaneous thickening of inflammatory airway were observed in pulmonary vessels, alveolar ducts and the whole alveoli. There was no significant difference in WT+HDM group. Compared with WT+shRNA NT group, the levels of IL-25, IL-4,IL-5,IL-13, IL-33 and interferon-γ(IFN-γ) in BALF significantly increased; the levels of infiltrated Th2, ILC2 and eosinophils in the lung significantly increased; the fluorescence levels of FITC-labeled DQ-OVA in eosinophils infiltrated in lungs significantly increased in IL-25 shRNA+IL-25+HDM group(P<0.05). IL-25 shRNA+IL-25 group mice also showed an increase in the above measurements, but the amplitude were limited(P<0.05). WT+HDM group had no significant difference. Conclusion IL-25 plays an essential role in the allergy and eosinophil antigen presentation processes in eosinophil asthma mice.

Objective:To investigate the synergistic activity and mechanism of vinegar baked radix bupleurum polysaccharides(VBCP)in combination with oxaliplatin(OXA),and to provide new ideas for the clinical treatment of primary hepatocellular carci-noma.Methods:MTT assay was used to detect the cytotoxic effect of VBCP 3-4 and VBCP 3-3 in combination with OXA on Huh7 cells;ICP-MS was used to measure the uptake rate of OXA by Huh7 cells and evaluate the in vitro synergistic pathway of VBCP 3-4 in combination with OXA;Western blotting was used to measure the expression levels of related transporter proteins in Huh7 cells and explore the synergistic mechanism of VBCP 3-4 in combination and MRP1 in Huh7 cells,and the protein expression level of multidrug resistance-associated protein(MRP)2 was upregulated to 18.11%and 25.00%,respectively(P=0.008,P=0.001),while that of MRP1 was upregulated to 28.51%(P>0.05)and 39.70%(P=0.015),respectively.After the combination of VBCP 3-4 and OXA,the protein expression of MRP2,MRP1,and breast cancer resis-tance protein(BCRP)was inhibited;MRP2 was reduced by 47.38%in the high-dose combination group(P=0.000)and 15.18%in the low-dose combination group(P=0.049);MRP1 was reduced by 64.96%in the high-dose combination group(P=0.000)and 34.63%in the low-dose combination group(P=0.000);BCRP was reduced by 29.00%(P=0.020)in the high-dose combination group.Acting on Huh7 cells alone,VBCP 3-4 significantly reduced the protein expression levels of MRP2,MRP1,and BCRP,and in the high-dose VBCP 3-4 group,MRP2 and MRP1 were reduced by 24.91%and 20.79%,respectively(P=0.004,P=0.005).VBCP 3-4 downregu-lated the protein expression level of BCRP by 15.02%in the high-dose group(P=0.003)and 13.92%in the middle-dose group(P=0.030).Conclusion:VBCP 3-4 exerts a synergistic effect by inhibiting the expression of the efflux transporter proteins MRP1,MRP2,and BCRP,promoting the intake of OXA by Huh7 cells,and increasing the intracellular effective concentration.

Objective: To construct a deep learning model based on convolutional neural network(CNN)-long short term memory network(LSTM)-Attention to explore the correlation between meteorological and clinical factors and the incidence of ischemic stroke. Methods: A fusion model CNN-LSTM-Attention based on CNN, LSTM, and Attention was constructed by incorporating clinical data and meteorological data of ischemic stroke inpatients. The predictive performance of the model was evaluated by maximum prediction error and root mean square error(RMSE). The impact of different lag days on prediction performance was investigated by selecting lag periods ranging from 1 to 7 days. Results: In both short-term and long-term predictions, the CNN-LSTM-Attention fusion model(short-term: 1.5 and 0.6; long-term: 8.3 and 2.5) showed superior maximum prediction bias and RMSE compared to the LSTM model(short-term: 2.8 and 1.2; long-term: 19.5 and 5.5) and the CNN-LSTM model(short-term: 2.0 and 0.8; long-term: 11.2 and 3.3). After incorporating lag days, the maximum prediction deviation and RMSE for lags of 3 days(short-term: 0.7 and 0.4; long-term: 5.5 and 1.9) and 5 days(short-term: 0.8 and 0.3; long-term: 6.5 and 2.0) in both short-term and long-term forecasts were smaller than lags of 0 days(short-term: 1.5 and 0.6; long-term: 8.3 and 2.5). The maximum prediction deviation and RMSE in the short-term forecast were greater than lag 0 days for both lag 1 days(1.5 and 0.8) and lag 7 days(1.9 and 0.9). In the long-term forecast, the two indicators for lag 1 days(6.8 and 2.4) were lower than those for lag 0 days but higher than those for lag 3 days and 5 days. The maximum prediction deviation for lag 7 days(7.5) was lower than that for lag 0 days, but the RMSE(2.7) is higher than that for lag 0 days. Conclusion The established CNN-LSTM-Attention model demonstrates significant predictive value for the onset of ischemic stroke and can provide reference for the rational allocation of medical resources.

OBJECTIVE To screen the prescription and preparation method of Bupleurum nanoemulsion, and evaluate its quality, study the antipyretic effect. METHODS The emulsifier and co-emulsifier of the nanoemulsion were preliminarily screened, and then the prescription was screened by pseudo-ternary phase diagram. The quality evaluation of the appearance, particle size distribution, structure type, stability and content of the prepared Bupleurum nanoemulsion was performed. Wistar rats were further randomly divided into blank control group, model control group, positive control group(aspirin group), Bupleurum nanoemulsion high-dose, medium-dose and low-dose groups(18.00, 9.00, 3.00 g·kg−1). Except for the blank control group, the pathological model of fever rats was prepared in the other groups. According to the scheduled experimental requirements, rats in each group were given the corresponding drugs. And the temperature changes of rats in each group were recorded at 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3 h to observe the antipyretic effect of Bupleurum nanoemulsion. RESULTS The best prescription of Bupleurum nanoemulsion: Tween-80 6 g and n-butanol 3 g, Bupleurum extract dissolved in pure water as water phase 20 mL, Bupleurum oil as oil phase 2 g. At room temperature, the Bupleurum nanoemulsion was a yellow-brown clear and transparent liquid, O/W nanoemulsion, with an average particle size of (77.21±3.66)nm, polydispersity index of 0.28±0.04, Zeta potential of (–18.81±1.42)mV, and saikosaponin content of 3.071 mg·mL−1, with good stability. In animal experiments, compared with the model control group, the rectal temperature of aspirin group and Bupleurum nanoemulsion high-dose group was significantly lower after the first administration(P<0.01), the rectal temperature of Bupleurum nanoemulsion middle-dose group was significantly lower after the first administration 2, 3 h(P<0.01). CONCLUSION The Bupleurum nanoemulsion is transparent and stable, and it has good antipyretic effect on fever rat model.

Objective: To analyze the current status of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among freshmen in boarding middle schools in Longgang District, Shenzhen, so as to provide reference for formulating tuberculosis prevention and control strategies in the next stage. Methods: Data for tuberculosis health examination conducted among primary and secondary school students in Longgang District of Shenzhen in September 2022 to May 2023 were utilized to analyze the latent tuberculosis infection rate, and to explore the differences in latent tuberculosis infection rate among different grades, school nature, school categories and school levels. Results: The latent tuberculosis infection rate among freshmen in boarding secondary schools in Longgang District, Shenzhen in 2022 was 2.45%. The infection rate among full middle school (6.45%) and high school (3.37%) were higher than that in boarding junior high school (0.28%), nine year education school (0) and twelve year education school (1.00%) ( P <0.01). Moreover, the infection rate of high school freshmen (2.68%) was higher than that of bording junior high school (0.33%), and the rate of public schools (2.87%) and municipal schools (3.24%) were higher than those of private schools (1.78%) and distric-level schools (2.13%) respectively, with statistical significance observed for all differences( χ 2=43.58, 25.15, 22.69, P <0.01). Conclusions The latent tuberculosis infection rate among new boarding secondary students is relatively low in Longgang District of Shenzhen. However, the infection rate is higher in high school, public and municipal school. School should fully guarantee sports participation of students, enhance students awareness of tuberculosis through health knowledge lectures, and reduce the incidence of tuberculosis among students.

Objective To study the influence of the radius of the active zone of the plane source and the horizontal distance between the source center and the center of the detection window on the detection efficiency of low-background α/β measuring instruments. Methods The geometric factor was calculated under different conditions in MATLAB, and a traceable plane source was used to test and analyze two commonly used measuring instruments. Results With the other parameters unchanged, when the radius of the active zone R₁ = 9 mm, the G value was greatest; and when the horizontal distance a = 0 mm, the G value was greatest. According to the calculation formula of the verification regulation, for the ⁹⁰Sr-⁹⁰Y planar source, at the maximum value of a, the detection efficiency of FYFS-400X was 1.2% lower, and that of MPC-9604 was 3.2% lower; for the ²⁴¹Am planar source, the detection efficiency of MPC-9604 was 1.9% lower at the maximum value of a. Conclusion The geometric factor decreases with the increase in the radius of the active zone and the horizontal distance between the source center and the center of the detection window. At the central position, the geometric factor has less influence on the relative standard uncertainty of detection efficiency. When using a standard plane source for counting, measures should be taken to ensure that the plane source is always centrally located in the sample tray.

Objective:To investigate the association of serum uric acid (SUA) with the outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) at one year after onset.Methods:Patients with AIS admitted to the Department of Neurology, Dagang Hospital, Tianjin Binhai New Area were included retrospectively. According to the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 1 year after onset, patients were divided into a good outcome group (0-2) and a poor outcome group (>2). They were also divided into a survival group and a death group based on their survival status at 1 year after onset. The clinical baseline data and laboratory tests were compared. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the associations of SUA with poor outcome and death in patients with AIS. Results:A total of 651 patients were enrolled, including 430 males (66.1%) aged 67.5±11.7 years. Four hundred and fourteen patients (63.6%) were in the good outcome group, and 237 (36.4%) were in the poor outcome group. There were 568 patients (87.3%) in the survival group and 43 (16.7%) in the death group. Univariate analysis showed that there were differences in age, atrial fibrillation, history of stroke or transient ischemic attack, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, and pre-admission mRS score between the poor outcome group and the good outcome group. The homocysteine, SUA, white blood cell count, and creatinine in the poor outcome group were higher than those in the good outcome group, while the red blood cell count and hemoglobin were lower than those in the good outcome group (all P<0.05). There were differences in age, history of ischemic heart disease, atrial fibrillation, history of stroke or transient ischemic attack, baseline NIHSS score, pre-admission mRS score, and stroke etiology classification between the survival group and the death group. Hemoglobin and triglycerides in the survival group were higher than those in the death group, while the white blood cell count and creatinine were lower than those in the death group (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that SUA was an independent risk factor for poor outcome in patients with AIS (odds ratio 1.004, 95% confidence interval 1.001-1.006; P<0.01), but there was no independent correlation with death. Conclusion:Higher SUA is an independent risk factor for poor outcome at one year after onset in patients with AIS.

BACKGROUND:Acupotomy is an effective method for the clinical treatment of osteoarthritis,with affirmed clinical outcomes,but the specific mechanisms remain unclear OBJECTIVE:To investigate the role of acupotomy in modulating chondrocyte autophagy to promote chondrocyte homeostasis in osteoarthritis. METHODS:Twenty-eight New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into control group,osteoarthritis group,acupotomy group,and hyaluronic acid group,with seven rabbits in each group.The knee osteoarthritis rabbit model was prepared using the Videman method in the latter three groups.After modeling,the control group and osteoarthritis group received no interventions.The acupotomy group received acupotomy treatment 15 minutes per time,once a week,while the hyaluronic acid group received intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid once a week,with a continuous treatment duration of 5 weeks.The day after the final intervention,knee joint macrostructure was observed using DR imaging,chondrocyte ultrastructure was examined through transmission electron microscopy,apoptosis of chondrocytes was assessed using Tunel staining,and western blot analysis was used to detect the expression of proteins related to the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The DR imaging results revealed that the osteoarthritis group exhibited narrowed knee joint spaces and the formation of periarticular osteophytes,while the hyaluronic acid group and acupotomy group showed widened knee joint spaces with a reduction in periarticular osteophytes.Transmission electron microscopy results demonstrated a decreased number of autophagosomes in chondrocytes in the osteoarthritis group,along with nuclear shrinkage,nuclear membrane rupture,incomplete organelle morphology,and a clear tendency towards cell death.In contrast,both the hyaluronic acid group and acupotomy group exhibited a significant increase in autophagosomes,intact nuclear membranes,and a well-preserved cellular state.Tunel staining results indicated a considerable decrease in the number of apoptotic cells in the hyaluronic acid group and acupotomy group compared with the osteoarthritis group.Western blot results revealed that,compared with the control group,the expression levels of Beclin1,Cath D,and LC3II/LC3I were significantly decreased in the osteoarthritis group(P<0.05),while the expression levels of p-Akt/Akt and p-mTOR/mTOR were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with the osteoarthritis group,the expression levels of Beclin1,Cath D,and LC3II/LC3I were significantly increased in both the hyaluronic acid group and acupotomy group(P<0.05),while the expression levels of p-Akt/Akt and p-mTOR/mTOR were significantly decreased(P<0.05).To conclude,acupotomy intervention can modulate the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway to enhance the autophagic level in chondrocytes,thereby maintaining chondrocyte homeostasis.This ultimately leads to a slowdown in cartilage degeneration.