Cats, owing to their physiological and immunological similarities with humans, have become increasingly valuable as model animals in virology research, drug development, and vaccine evaluation. They are irreplaceable in studies of feline immunodeficiency virus, feline coronavirus, and other related pathogens. However, cats are temperamentally sensitive, exhibit strong stress responses, and possess well-developed nervous systems as well as sharp claws and teeth. Consequently, the biosafety risks associated with infectious experiments using cats in animal biosafety level 2 laboratory (ABSL-2) are significantly higher than those encountered with conventional rodents. Drawing on long-term ABSL-2 operational experience, this article systematically reviews the entire workflow of infectious experiments in laboratory cats — from animal selection, pre-entry preparation, reception and quarantine, housing management, to infectious experimental procedures and incident response — identifying and addressing critical risk points at each stage. For strain selection, SPF-grade shorthair cats with defined genetic backgrounds and docile temperaments are recommended; sex and age should be scientifically matched to experimental objectives. During pre-entry preparation, emphasis is placed on dual-credential personnel management, health surveillance, standardized disinfection of environments and cages, feed and water standards, and robust record-keeping. During reception and quarantine, standardized protocols are established for transport control, appearance inspection, isolation quarantine, pathogen exclusion, and positive-reinforcement training. During infectious experimentation, a "three-fixed" husbandry principle is clearly implemented: dedicated caretakers, fixed feeding/cleaning times, and fixed cage positions. Disinfectant selection, autoclaving of waste, and daily veterinary rounds are rigorously enforced. Operational risk control includes detailed measures for graded personal protection, animal anesthesia and restraint, zoned operation within biosafety cabinets, and disposal of experimental waste. Contingency plans are formulated to address animal death, escape, personnel exposure, and spills of infectious materials. This study provides a reproducible and scalable technical pathway and operational standard for conducting infectious experiments in laboratory cats in ABSL-2 laboratories, offering a reference for other facilities undertaking similar work.

ObjectiveTo prepare rabbit anti-porcine inhibin polypeptide-keyhole limpet hemocyanin(KLH) conjugated polyclonal antibody and evaluate its effect on superovulation in C57BL/6J mice. MethodsNew Zealand white rabbits were immunized with a synthesized porcine inhibin polypeptide conjugated with KLH to produce anti-inhibin serum (AIS, i.e., inhibin polyclonal antibody). Female C57BL/6J mice received intraperitoneal injections of purified AIS in combination with pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG), followed by human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) after 48 hours to induce superovulation. Oocytes obtained from superovulation were collected and counted 15 hours post-hCG administration, and the number of 2-cell embryos was assessed 24 hours after in vitro fertilization. ResultsAIS prepared by immunizing New Zealand White rabbits with KLH-conjugated porcine inhibin polypeptide was subjected to titer determination by indirect ELISA, showing titers reaching 1∶ 512 000. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of ammonium sulfate-purified AIS revealed distinct 50 kDa and 25 kDa bands corresponding to the theoretical molecular weights of IgG antibody heavy and light chains, confirming successful production of porcine inhibin polyclonal antibody. Compared with conventional superovulation methods, AIS diluted 10-fold combined with PMSG significantly increased the number of oocytes obtained from superovulation in mice (P<0.05) by approximately 1.5-fold. ConclusionPorcine inhibin polyclonal antibody, as an improved superovulation reagent, can improve superovulation efficiency in C57BL/6J mice, and shows promising prospects for future applications.

Acute-on-chronic liver failure （ACLF） refers to severe liver dysfunction that occurs on the basis of chronic liver diseases， and it is characterized by rapid disease progression， poor prognosis， and high mortality rate. In recent years， inflammatory markers have become a research hotspot due to their significant role in assessing the prognosis of ACLF. This article reviews the advances in the application of inflammatory markers in assessing the prognosis of ACLF， such as systemic immune inflammatory index， lymphocyte-white blood cell ratio， neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio， and C-reactive protein， and discusses their clinical value and future research directions， in order to provide a theoretical basis for the early intervention and prognosis management of ACLF patients.

Objective:To analyze the effects of fertilization methods, quality of inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm (TE) on the sex ratio at birth (SRB) during single blastocyst transfer cycles.Methods:5 367 single blastocyst transfer cycles in in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection and embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI-ET) of patients with successful pregnancy and delivery in Reproductive Medical Center of Zhanjiang Jiuhe Hospital from January 2010 to December 2022 were included in this retrospective cohort study. According to different types of embryos, the cycles were divided into fresh embryo group ( n=1 487, total population; n=1 258, ≤35 years old) and frozen-thawed embryo group ( n=3 880, total population; n=3 199, ≤35 years old). According to different fertilization methods, the cycles were divided into IVF group ( n=4 424, total population; n=3 667, ≤35 years old) and ICSI group ( n=943, total population; n=780, ≤35 years old). Chi-square test was used to analyze the differences of SRB among all the patients and the patients aged ≤35 years who underwent different embryo types and fertilization methods, and logistic regression was used to analyze the effects of ICM and TE ratings on SRB in each group of blastocysts. Results:There were 917 male infants (61.7%, 917/1 487) in the fresh embryo transfer group and 2 317 male infants (59.7%, 2 317/3 880) in frozen-thawed embryo transfer group. The SRB of the fresh embryo transfer group (160.9∶100) was slightly higher than that in frozen-thawed embryo transfer group (148.2∶100), but the difference was not statistically significant ( P=0.201). There were 2 732 male infants (61.8%, 2 732/4 424) in IVF group and 502 male infants (53.2%, 502/943) in ICSI group. The SRB of IVF group (161.5∶100) was significantly higher than that of ICSI group (113.8∶100), and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.001). In female patients aged ≤35 years, the effects of different embryo transfer methods and different fertilization methods on SRB were consistent with the results of total population. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that the SRB of patients with ICSI was lower than that of patients with IVF, except for 3-6AA. There were significant differences in SRB between ICSI cycles patients (88.8∶100; 72.8∶100; 156.1∶100) and IVF cycles patients (130.7∶100; 124.8∶100; 206.3∶100) when the blastocyst grade was 3-6BB ( OR=0.679, 95% CI: 0.516-0.896, P=0.006), 3-6AB( OR=0.583, 95% CI: 0.421-0.809, P=0.001) and 3-6BA OR=0.757, 95% CI: 0.585-0.979, P=0.034). Taking 3-6BB blastocysts as reference, the SRB of 3-6AA and 3-6BA blastocysts were higher (IVF: OR=1.527, 95% CI: 1.258-1.854, P<0.001; OR=1.579,95% CI: 1.341-1.859, P<0.001; ICSI: OR=2.566, 95% CI: 1.661-3.966, P<0.001; OR=1.758, 95% CI: 1.250-2.472, P=0.001). Compared with 3-6BA, the SRB of 3-6BC blastocysts was lower (IVF: OR=0.621, 95% CI: 0.447-0.862, P=0.004; ICSI: OR=0.442, 95% CI: 0.238-0.818, P=0.009). Taking 3-6AB as reference, the SRB of 3-6AA blastocysts was higher (IVF: OR=1.600, 95% CI: 1.307-1.958, P<0.001; ICSI: OR=3.130, 95% CI: 1.964-4.987, P<0.001). Conclusion:The SRB of fresh embryo group is slightly higher than that of frozen-thawed group in single blastocyst transfer cycles. Different fertilization methods can affect SRB, and the SRB in IVF is significantly higher than that in ICSI group. The quality of blastocysts can affect SRB, and blastocysts with higher quality TE have significantly increased SRB, while ICM quality have no significant effect on SRB.

Objective:To investigate the effects of smoking cessation on lung function improvement in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the related mechanisms.Methods:A case-control study was conducted involving 184 patients with COPD admitted to the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine at Lishui Central Hospital from January 2022 to May 2023. Based on smoking behavior following 6-month smoking cessation intervention, the patients were categorized into three groups: 56 patients who continued to smoke (control group), 63 patients who completely quit smoking (observation group), and the remaining 65 patients who were partial quitters. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1), and peak expiratory flow rate were monitored before and after the intervention in both the control and observation groups. Additionally, serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor alpha, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase were measured. Western blotting was performed to detect the protein levels of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), serine/threonine kinase (Akt), Forkhead box protein O1 (FoxO1), IL-6, IL-1β, NF-κB, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, and heme oxygenase-1 in peripheral blood cells. FoxO1 chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing was performed to analyze FoxO1-bound chromatin. Results:After smoking cessation intervention, the FEV 1, FVC, FEV 1/FVC ratio, and peak expiratory flow rate in the observation group were (1.29 ± 0.32) L, (1.96 ± 0.36) L, (71.81 ± 8.57)%, and (2.58 ± 0.72) L/s, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the control group [(1.10 ± 0.37) L, (1.72 ± 0.34) L, (63.17 ± 8.82)%, (2.20 ± 0.71) L/s, t = -3.00, -3.73, -5.42, -2.89, all P < 0.01]. The serum levels of IL-6, NF-κB, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor alpha in the observation group were (21.67 ± 3.25) ng/L, (19.58 ± 4.02) ng/L, (24.30 ± 4.03) ng/L, and (270.14 ± 32.49) ng/L, respectively, which were significantly lower than those in the control group [(39.18 ± 4.34) ng/L, (35.48 ± 4.17) ng/L, (34.42 ± 4.05) ng/L, (445.04 ± 39.12) ng/L, t = 25.08, 21.16, 13.64, 26.63, all P < 0.001]. Additionally, the serum malondialdehyde level in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group ( t = 29.08, P < 0.001). In contrast, the levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group ( t = -9.21, -9.59, both P < 0.001). The phosphorylation levels of PI3K, Akt, and FoxO1 in peripheral blood cells were significantly lower in the observation group compared with the control group ( t = 6.64, 9.35, 7.12, all P < 0.001). FoxO1 bound to genes involved in inflammation and oxidative stress signaling pathways. The levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and heme oxygenase-1 in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group ( t = -4.97, -10.49, both P < 0.05). Conclusions:Smoking cessation intervention can inhibit PI3K/Akt phosphorylation in patients with COPD, and then activate FoxO1, exert anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and inhibit the deterioration of lung function in patients with COPD who smoke.

Panic disorder has the characteristics of early onset, late detection, high comorbidity rate and low treatment rate, which have a lasting impact on the physical and mental health of children and adolescents. Early intervention can reduce the risk of various mental disorders in adulthood. Cognitive-behavioral therapy(CBT), as a routine social psychological treatment, is also recommended as a first-line intervention for the treatment of panic disorder in children and adolescents. However, due to diagnostic and application difficulties, CBT has not received sufficient attention in the field of panic disorder in children and adolescents. Through a systematic review of the application of CBT in children and adolescents with panic disorder, it found that panic control therapy(PCT)and intensified CBT(iCBT) therapy are the main methods for treating panic disorder in children and adolescents, both of which can effectively alleviate the symptoms of panic disorder in children and adolescents.Cognitive restructuring, exposure, respiratory training and parental involvement are effective components of CBT treatment for panic disorder.In the future, it is necessary to increase attention to underage panic disorder, improve CBT cultural adaptation, use diverse treatment methods, objectively evaluate standards, and optimize research design, to promote the improvement of treatment effectiveness and the development of clinical research.

Objective:To explore and compare the clinical application value of 8-channel head phased-array coil, an 8-channel temporomandibular joint (TMJ)-specific surface coil, and a single-channel surface coil in TMJ MRI examinations.Methods:A total of 600 temporomandibular disorders (TMD) patients (1 200 joints) who underwent TMJ MRI examination in the First People′s Hospital of Jinzhong from June 2020 to January 2025 were retrospectively screened. Based on inclusion/exclusion criteria, 120 TMD patients (240 joints) with closed-mouth oblique sagittal proton density weighted imaging (OSag PDWI), coronal T2 fat-suppression weighted imaging (OCor fs T2WI) and open-mouth oblique sagittal proton density weighted imaging (OSag PDWI) were included. Patients were divided into groups A, B, and C, with 40 cases in each group. Group A (31female, 9male, median age 24 years old), underwent 8-channel head phased-array coil imaging. Group B (29 female, 11male, median age 23.5 years old) underwent TMJ imaging with an 8-channel surface coil. Group C (29 female, 11male, median age 22.5 years old) underwent single-channel surface coil imaging. There were no significant differences in age, gender, type or disease types among groups ( P>0.05). Six healthy volunteers without TMD (4 female, 2 male, range 19 to 45 years old) underwent imaging with all three coils as self-control. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and image quality were compared for five regions of interest (ROI) in both patients and volunteers. Results:Under the same sequence and the same parameters, SNR and CNR in group B were higher than those in group A, and SNR and CNR in group C were also higher than those in group A, the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). However, there were significant differences in SNR and CNR between group B and group C in the closed and open positions of ROI1, the open positions of ROI3 and the open positions of ROI5 ( P<0.05), and there were no significant differences in other positions ( P>0.05). Group B had the best image quality, followed by group C and group A had the worst image quality. There were significant differences in the visualization of OSag PDWI in the closed mouth position, OCor T2WI in the coronal position, and OSag PDWI in the open mouth position, such as condyle, anterior attachment, joint disc, double lamina area, joint cavity and lateral pterygoid muscle ( P<0.05). There were significant differences between group B and group C in showing the joint cavity in the closed mouth position and showing the structure of the bilaminar area in the open mouth position ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in other regions of interest ( P>0.05). The subjective scores of condyle, anterior attachment, articular disc, bilaminar area, articular cavity, lateral pterygos muscle and other structures were medium to high in group A, high in group B, and high or high in group C by two radiologists independently. In the five rois, the 8-channel TMJ surface coil showed more details, especially in the articular disc, condyle and lateral pterygoid muscle regions, and had more advantages in both volunteers and patients. Conclusions:The 8-channel TMJ-specific surface coil provides significantly clearer visualization of critical anatomical details within the ROIs, demonstrating the highest clinical application value and is recommended as the preferred choice.

Objective:To translate the Vascular Quality of Life Questionnaire-6 (VQ6) into a Chinese version and to test its reliability and validity in patients with peripheral arterial disease.Methods:The English version of VQ6 scale was sinicized following the Brislin translation guidelines, and the Delphi consultation was used for cultural debugging to form the Chinese version of the VQ6. Convenience sampling was used to select 146 patients with peripheral arterial disease who attended the Department of Interventional and Vascular Surgery and the Department of Endocrinology of Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from May to June 2024 for the survey. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 and Amos 26.0. Correlation analysis and critical ratio method were used for item analysis and content validity index was used to evaluate content validity. The Chinese version of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System 29 Profile V2.1 (PROMIS-29 Profile v2.1) was selected as a validity scale to evaluate the criterion-related validity. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were used to evaluate the structural validity of the scale, and transgender test was used for measurement equivalence. Reliability of the scale was evaluated with the Cronbach's α coefficient and retest reliability index.Results:The Chinese version of the VQ6 scale had six items. The scale-level content validity index was 0.972, and the item-level content validity index ranged from 0.833 to 1.000. One common factor was extracted with a cumulative variance contribution of 83.526%. Criterion-related validity showed that the correlation coefficient between the Chinese version of the VQ6 and the PROMIS-29 Profile v2.1 was 0.688 ( P<0.01) . The scale essentially satisfied Δ RMSEA < 0.015 and Δ CFI < 0.01 in the transgender equivalence test. The Cronbach's α coefficient for the scale was 0.968 and the retest reliability was 0.978. Conclusions:The Chinese version of the VQ6 has good reliability and validity and is suitable as an assessment tool for quality of life in patients with peripheral arterial disease in our cultural context.

Objective:To evaluate the accuracy of p53 immunohistochemistry for predicting the mutational status of TP53 in gliomas.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 242 diffuse gliomas diagnosed at the Department of Pathology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China from June 2022 to March 2023. All cases underwent next-generation sequencing (NGS) and p53 immunohistochemical staining. The best threshold in the percentage of p53 immunohistochemical expression was assessed as an alternative to testing for TP53 mutation.Results:Among the 242 diffuse gliomas (WHO grade 2-4), 94 cases had a TP53 mutation. The p53 immunohistochemistry results revealed a significantly increased probability of TP53 mutation when the p53 immunohistochemical positivity rate (based on strongly positive cell count) was ≥20% ( P<0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of p53 immunohistochemistry for predicting TP53 gene mutations were 75.6% and 90.4%, respectively. When p53 immunohistochemical stain was totally negative, the probability of TP53 mutation increased significantly, and the mutation ratio of TP53 gene was 6/17 in all negative cases. Conclusions:When the percentage of p53 positive cells (based on strongly positive cell count) in glioma is ≥20%, p53 immunohistochemistry can be used as a reliable alternative method for TP53 mutation detection. When p53 immunohistochemistry is completely negative, the mutation rate of TP53 gene is higher, and further gene sequencing is recommended to determine the mutation status.

Objective:To observe the therapeutic effect of combining low-frequency pulsed electrical stimulation with Beckman oral muscle exercise training in relieving drooling among persons with Parkinson′s disease (PD).Methods:A random number table was used to divide 120 PD patients with drooling into a mouth muscle training group, an electrical stimulation group, and an observation group, with 40 patients in each group. In addition to routine medication, the oral muscle training group was given Beckman oral muscle exercise training, the electrical stimulation group underwent low-frequency pulsed electrical stimulation treatment, while the observation group was provided with both. Before and after 4 weeks of treatment, the severity of salivation, the frequency of repeated empty swallowing, oral motor function, saliva secretion, and life quality of the three groups were evaluated using the Saliva Rating Scale (DRS), the Repeated Saliva Swallowing Test (RSST), oral motor function grading, the Parkinson′s Disease Saliva Clinical Scale (SCS-PD), saliva weighing, and the PD Quality of Life Scale (PDQ-39).Results:After the treatment the average DRS, SCS-PD, saliva weighing and PDQ-39 results of the observation group were significantly better than those before treatment and better than the other 2 groups′ averages. That group′s average RSST and oral motor function scores had increased significantly compared to before treatment, and compared with the other 2 groups′ averages at the same time point.Conclusions:Combining low-frequency pulsed electrical stimulation with Beckman oral muscle exercise can improve oral motor function, swallowing, and the life quality of PD patients who drool. It is more effective than electrical stimulation or oral muscle exercise training alone. Such combination therapy is worthy of clinical promotion and application.