Objective:To investigate the effects of baicalein on the protein kinase B(AKT)/glycogen synthase kinase 3β(GSK3β)pathway and the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-1 β(IL-1 β)in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-activated BV2 microglial cells.Methods:BV2 microglial cells were cultured and divided into control group,LPS-induced group,and LPS+Baicalein group.Molecular docking was conducted to verify the bind-ing affinity of baicalein to AKT.Western blot and immunofluorescence staining were used to assess the expression and phosphorylation levels of AKT,GSK3β,TNF-α,and IL-1β in activated BV2 cells.Results:Baicalein exhibited a strong binding affinity for AKT.Western blot results showed that LPS stimulation led to increased TNF-α and IL-1 βexpression and decreased phosphorylation of AKT and GSK3β in BV2 cells(P＜0.05).After Baicalein treatment,TNF-α and IL-1 β expression significantly decreased,while AKT and GSK3β phosphorylation levels increased compared to the LPS group(P＜0.05).Immunofluorescence staining results were consistent with those of Western blot.Conclusion:Baicalein inhibits the expression of TNF-α and IL-1 β in activated microglia,potentially through activation of the AKT/GSK3β pathway.

Objective: To explore the bidirectional causal relationship between 731 immune cell phenotypes and recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAU) using Mendelian randomization (MR). Methods: A two-sample bidirectional MR study was conducted using publicly available genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics for 731 immune cell phenotypes and the RAU GWAS summary data from the FinnGen consortium. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method was used as the primary analysis tool, with supplementary analyses including the weighted median (WM) method, MR-Egger regression, weighted mode, and simple mode. Sensitivity analyses were conducted using Cochran’s Q test, the mendelian randomization pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (MR-PRESSO) method for detecting pleiotropy and outliers, and leave-one-out cross-validation. Furthermore, differential analysis was performed using a clinical cohort dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) to further validate the MR results. Results: In the forward MR analysis, 731 immune cell phenotypes were considered as exposures and RAU as the outcome. Among them, 52 immune cell phenotypes showed a significant causal effect on RAU (P<0.05). After false discovery rate (FDR) correction, two immune phenotypes remained significantly associated with RAU risk: with increased monocyte-derived myeloid suppressor cells (M-MDSC) (OR = 1.06; 95% CI: 1.03-1.09) and CD33 on granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (G-MDSC) (OR = 1.06; 95% CI: 1.03-1.09), the risk of RAU also increased. In reverse MR, RAU was found to have a significant causal effect on two immune cell phenotypes (P<0.05), but no significant effects were found after FDR correction. Sensitivity analysis showed no significant heterogeneity between SNPs (P>0.05). Differential analysis of the GEO dataset revealed that the characteristic genes of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) (CTBS, IPMK, and UBA3) were significantly upregulated in RAU (P<0.05). Conclusion The MR results of 731 immune cell phenotypes suggest that M-MDSC and CD33 molecules on G-MDSC may be risk factors for RAU development. The clinical GEO dataset further validated that MDSC may play a role in RAU, while RAU did not show a significant causal association with the 731 immune cell phenotypes.

Objective: To investigate the iodine nutrition status of children in water borne iodine excess areas in Hebei Province, so as to provide references for scientific prevention and control of water borne iodine excess hazards. Methods: From March to September each year during 2018 to 2023, a cross sectional survey was conducted in 39 water borne iodine excess counties (measured in 2017) from 5 cities (Cangzhou, Hengshui, Xingtai, Handan and Langfang) in Hebei Province. The survey included the detection of iodine content in residents drinking water, the measurement of thyroid volume in children aged 6-12, the detection of salt iodine and urinary iodine. The iodine nutrition status and water iodine distribution of 6-12 year-old children were evaluated from different perspectives such as years, gender, and age. Kruskal-Wallis H- test, Mann-Whitney U test and Chi square test were used for group comparison. Results: A total of 38 755 children were surveyed from 2018 to 2023, and 1 270 drinking water samples were tested across the province. The mass volume concentration of iodine in water showed a decreasing trend over the years ( Z= -30.87, P <0.01). Among 38 470 salt samples monitored from children s home, 24 790 were not non iodized salt, with a non iodized salt rate of 64.44%. A total of 31 989 urine samples were collected from children aged 8-10 years, with the median urine iodine was 245.94 μg/L. Comparing the results of urinary iodine in children from different years, the median urinary iodine from 2018 to 2023 were 328.0, 339.3, 267.8, 279.1, 291.3, 186.5 μg/L, respectively, with statistically significant differences ( H= 4 138.40 , P <0.01). Further pairwise comparisons showed that the median urinary iodine of children in 2023 was lower than in all other years ( Z =-51.59 to -11.41, all P <0.01). Among children aged 6-12 years, 1 150 cases of goiter were detected and the rate of goiter was 3.0%; and the goiter rates in boys and girls were 2.8% and 3.1%, with no significant difference between the sexes ( χ 2= 2.76, P >0.05). There were significant differences in the rate of goiter among different years and ages ( χ 2=324.02, 191.61, both P <0.05). Conclusions With the progress of water reform in water borne iodine excess areas of Hebei Province, children s iodine nutrition has reduced from excessive state to suitable state. It is necessary to continue to expand the coverage of water based iodine reduction projects, and strengthen the monitoring of iodine nutrition status of key populations in water borne iodine excess areas.

This study investigated the incidence,prevention and control measures,diagnostic and treatment methods,and treatment costs of hoof diseases in dairy cows across 87 large-scale farms,aiming to provide a scientific basis and new insights for the treatment and prevention of hoof disea-ses in dairy herds.The results showed that the incidence rate of lameness in most farms was con-trolled between 3％and 7％,with a cure rate above 85％.The importance ranking of prevention and control measures was as follows:hoof trimming＞leveling the ground＞disinfection＞regular foot baths＞manure removal＞locomotion(lameness)scoring.The importance ranking of treat-ment measures was:hoof trimming＞disinfection and astringents＞anti-inflammatory treatment＞antibiotics＞block application＞traditional Chinese medicine(fire therapy).Economic analysis showed that the treatment cost of lameness was closely related to the incidence rate,with higher treatment expenses observed in farms with higher incidence rates.Farms with higher individual milk yields typically had more efficient disease management strategies,leading to lower treatment costs.Large-scale farms should continuously optimize management practices to reduce the occur-rence of lameness and improve overall farm efficiency by using effective treatment strategies.

Objective:To investigate the effects of baicalein on the protein kinase B(AKT)/glycogen synthase kinase 3β(GSK3β)pathway and the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-1 β(IL-1 β)in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-activated BV2 microglial cells.Methods:BV2 microglial cells were cultured and divided into control group,LPS-induced group,and LPS+Baicalein group.Molecular docking was conducted to verify the bind-ing affinity of baicalein to AKT.Western blot and immunofluorescence staining were used to assess the expression and phosphorylation levels of AKT,GSK3β,TNF-α,and IL-1β in activated BV2 cells.Results:Baicalein exhibited a strong binding affinity for AKT.Western blot results showed that LPS stimulation led to increased TNF-α and IL-1 βexpression and decreased phosphorylation of AKT and GSK3β in BV2 cells(P＜0.05).After Baicalein treatment,TNF-α and IL-1 β expression significantly decreased,while AKT and GSK3β phosphorylation levels increased compared to the LPS group(P＜0.05).Immunofluorescence staining results were consistent with those of Western blot.Conclusion:Baicalein inhibits the expression of TNF-α and IL-1 β in activated microglia,potentially through activation of the AKT/GSK3β pathway.

This study investigated the incidence,prevention and control measures,diagnostic and treatment methods,and treatment costs of hoof diseases in dairy cows across 87 large-scale farms,aiming to provide a scientific basis and new insights for the treatment and prevention of hoof disea-ses in dairy herds.The results showed that the incidence rate of lameness in most farms was con-trolled between 3％and 7％,with a cure rate above 85％.The importance ranking of prevention and control measures was as follows:hoof trimming＞leveling the ground＞disinfection＞regular foot baths＞manure removal＞locomotion(lameness)scoring.The importance ranking of treat-ment measures was:hoof trimming＞disinfection and astringents＞anti-inflammatory treatment＞antibiotics＞block application＞traditional Chinese medicine(fire therapy).Economic analysis showed that the treatment cost of lameness was closely related to the incidence rate,with higher treatment expenses observed in farms with higher incidence rates.Farms with higher individual milk yields typically had more efficient disease management strategies,leading to lower treatment costs.Large-scale farms should continuously optimize management practices to reduce the occur-rence of lameness and improve overall farm efficiency by using effective treatment strategies.

Objective To observe the effects of different frequencies of electroacupuncture on the degree of atrophy of quadriceps femoris in rabbits with anterior cruciate ligament(ACL)injury model;To explore the possible mechanisms of electroacupuncture in treating ACL injury.Methods Totally 24 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into blank group,model group,low-frequency electroacupuncture group and high-frequency electroacupuncture group,with 6 rabbits in each group.Except for the blank group,ACL injury models were established in the other groups.On the 7th day after modeling,the low-frequency electroacupuncture group and the high-frequency electroacupuncture group performed electroacupuncture treatment(continuous wave,frequency of 2 Hz and 100 Hz respectively,and left the needle in place for 20 min)at"Xuehai"and"Liangqiu"of the operation side,and the remaining groups were only grasped and immobilized,for 21 days.The mass ratio of the quadriceps femoris was calculated,the histopathological morphology of the quadriceps femoris tissue of the rabbits in each group was observed by HE staining,the expressions of NO,iNOS in quadriceps femoris tissue were detected by ELISA,the content of ROS in quadriceps femoris tissue was detected by fluorescent probe,the protein expressions of PERK,ATF6,IRE1,MuRF1,MAFbx in quadriceps femoris tissue were detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the blank group,the quadriceps femoris muscle mass ratio of the model group rabbits was significantly reduced(P<0.01),with irregular arrangement of muscle cells,accompanied by swelling and atrophy,significant interstitial edema,and extensive inflammatory infiltration,the contents of NO,iNOS and ROS in quadriceps femoris tissue significantly increased(P<0.01),while the expressions of PERK,ATF6,IRE1,MuRF1 and MAFbx proteins significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the quadriceps femoris muscle mass ratio in the low-frequency and high-frequency electroacupuncture groups significantly increased(P<0.01),with regular arrangement of muscle cells,improved swelling and atrophy of cells,and reduced interstitial edema and inflammation,the contents of NO,iNOS and ROS in quadriceps femoris tissue were significantly reduced(P<0.01),and the expressions of PERK,ATF6,IRE1,MuRF1 and MAFbx proteins significantly decreased(P<0.01).Moreover,the low-frequency electroacupuncture group had better effects than the high-frequency electroacupuncture group(P<0.05).Conclusion Different frequencies of electroacupuncture intervention in ACL injury rabbits can better delay the degree of quadriceps femoris atrophy,and its mechanism may be related to reducing the expressions of oxidative metabolites NO,iNOS,ROS,and reducing the expressions of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins PERK,ATF6,IRE1 in quadriceps fermoris,which in turn inhibit the expressions of quadriceps atrophy factors MuRF1,MAFbx,and delaying the degradation of quadriceps muscle proteins.The effect of low-frequency electroacupuncture is superior to the high-frequency electroacupuncture.

Objective: To develop the matrix-matched calibration curve correction-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for the determination of lead in blood. Methods: Whole blood samples and blank whole blood were pretreated by direct dilution with a solution of 0.5% nitric acid and 0.01% TritonX-100 to obtain whole blood sample solutions and matrix-matched solvents at a 10-fold dilution. The mass concentration of lead was determined by using an ICP-MS instrument in He mode. 175Lu was added online as an internal standard. The standard working curve was calibrated with the matrix-matched solvent, and the mass concentration of lead in the whole blood samples was calculated based on the standard working curve. Recovery tests were performed on whole blood blind samples by spiking, and the relative standard deviation and average recovery rate were calculated. The accuracy and precision of this method were assessed by comparing it with the method recommended in the national standard in detection of lead in three types of bovine blood lead standard materials. Results: Good linearity was shown for lead at 0.5 to 100.0 μg/L, with a correlation coefficient of 1.000. The detection limit of lead was 0.4 μg/L, and the quantitation limit was 1.3 μg/L. The relative standard deviations were 0.65% and 1.10%. The average recovery ranged from 96.89% to 99.73%. The lead determination results were all within the normal reference ranges specified by the three certified reference materials for bovine blood samples. Conclusion The matrix-matched calibration curve correction-ICP-MS is suitable for high-throughput determination of blood lead.

Objective: To investigate whether melatonin (MT) secretion in different parts of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) exhibits seasonal variations and its correlation with immune regulation. Methods: Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control and model groups, and the pineal gland was removed in the model group. Stomach, jejunum, ileum, and colon tissues were obtained during the spring equinox, summer solstice, beginning of autumn, autumn equinox, and winter solstice. The levels of MT, MT receptors (MR), arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT), hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase (HIOMT), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the GIT were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Except for the stomach, the jejunum, ileum, and the colon showed seasonal tendencies in MT secretion. In the control group, MT secretion in the jejunum and ileum was the highest in the long summer, and colonic MT secretion was the highest in winter. In the model group, MT levels in the colon were highest in the summer. The seasonal rhythms of the MR, AANAT, HIOMT, IL-2, and IL-10 in the colon were roughly similar to those of MT, and changed accordingly after pinealectomy. Conclusions Gastrointestinal MT secretion is related to seasonal changes, and MT secretion in each intestinal segment is influenced by different seasons. The biological effects of MT in the gut are inextricably linked to the mediation of MR, and a hormone-receptor linkage exists between MT and MR. The effect of seasonal changes on the gastrointestinal immune system may be mediated through the regulation of seasonal secretion of MT.

Adult ; Humans ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; East Asian People ; Hypertension ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Ethnicity