Neuropsychiatric disorders arise from complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors. DNA methylation, a reversible and environmentally responsive epigenetic regulatory mechanism, serves as a crucial bridge linking environmental exposure, gene expression regulation, and neurobehavioral outcomes. During long-duration deep-space missions, astronauts face multiple stressors-including microgravity, cosmic radiation, circadian rhythm disruption, and social isolation, which can induce alterations in DNA methylation and increase the risk of neuropsychiatric disorders. Genome-wide DNA methylation research can be divided into 3 major methodological stages: Study design, sample preparation and detection, and data analysis, each of which can be applied to astronaut neuropsychiatric health monitoring. Systematic comparison of the Illumina MethylationEPIC array and whole-genome bisulfite sequencing reveals their complementary strengths in terms of genomic coverage, resolution, cost, and application scenarios: the array method is cost-effective and suitable for large-scale population studies and longitudinal monitoring, whereas sequencing provides higher resolution and coverage and is more suitable for constructing detailed methylation maps and characterizing individual variation. Furthermore, emerging technologies such as single-cell methylation sequencing, nanopore long-read sequencing, and machine-learning-based multi-omics integration are expected to greatly enhance the precision and interpretability of epigenetic studies. These methodological advances provide key support for establishing DNA-methylation-based monitoring systems for neuropsychiatric risk in astronauts and lay an epigenetic foundation for safeguarding neuropsychiatric health during future long-term deep-space missions.
DNA Methylation ; Humans ; Space Flight ; Mental Disorders/genetics* ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Astronauts/psychology* ; Weightlessness/adverse effects* ; Epigenomics

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of Suanzaoren Tang on the rat model of depression established by solitary culture combined with chronic unpredictable mild stress by reshaping the inflammatory microenvironment and mediating changes in hippocampal synaptic plasticity. MethodsSeventy-two male SD rats were randomized by a random number table into six groups： control group， model group， fluoxetine group （0.003 6 g·kg^-1）， and high-（10 g·kg^-1）， medium-（5 g·kg^-1）， low-dose （2.5 g·kg^-1）Suanzaoren Tang groups， with 12 rats per group. The sucrose preference rate and open field test scores of rats in each group were observed. Western blot was employed to determine the expression levels of the key proteins in the specificity protein 1 （SP1）/sphingosine kinase 1 （SK1）/sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 （S1PR1） signaling pathway， as well as hippocampal proteins synaptophysin Ⅰ （SYNⅠ）， postsynaptic density protein-95 （PSD-95）， and family with sequence similarity 19， member A5 （FAM19A5）. Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the positive expression of SP1， PSD-95， SYNⅠ， interleukin （IL）-10， and IL-6. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was employed to determine the mRNA levels of SP1 and S1PR1. Finally， transmission electron microscopy was employed to observe the ultrastructural changes of hippocampal synapses. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group exhibited a decrease in sucrose preference index （P<0.01） and reduced total scores for horizontal and vertical movements in the open field test （P<0.01）， which indicated the successful modeling of depression. Moreover， the model group showed reduced synaptic vesicles in the hippocampus （P<0.01）， up-regulated expression of SP1， SK1， S1PR1， and IL-6 （P<0.01）， and down-regulated expression of SYNⅠ， PSD-95， FAM19A5， and IL-10 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， high- and medium-dose Suanzaoren Tang and fluoxetine increased the sucrose preference index and the total scores for horizontal and vertical movements in the open field test （P<0.01）. All Suanzaoren Tang groups and the fluoxetine group demonstrated reductions in SP1， SK1， S1PR1， and IL-6 expression （P<0.05， P<0.01）， alongside restored synaptic vesicles in the hippocampus （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionSuanzaoren Tang modulates hippocampal expression of FAM19A5， SYNⅠ， PSD-95， IL-10， IL-6， and the SP1/SK1/S1PR1 pathway in the rat model of depression. The antidepressant effects may be related to the ability of reducing neuroinflammation and enhancing synaptic plasticity.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of Suanzaoren Tang on the rat model of depression established by solitary culture combined with chronic unpredictable mild stress by reshaping the inflammatory microenvironment and mediating changes in hippocampal synaptic plasticity. MethodsSeventy-two male SD rats were randomized by a random number table into six groups： control group， model group， fluoxetine group （0.003 6 g·kg^-1）， and high-（10 g·kg^-1）， medium-（5 g·kg^-1）， low-dose （2.5 g·kg^-1）Suanzaoren Tang groups， with 12 rats per group. The sucrose preference rate and open field test scores of rats in each group were observed. Western blot was employed to determine the expression levels of the key proteins in the specificity protein 1 （SP1）/sphingosine kinase 1 （SK1）/sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 （S1PR1） signaling pathway， as well as hippocampal proteins synaptophysin Ⅰ （SYNⅠ）， postsynaptic density protein-95 （PSD-95）， and family with sequence similarity 19， member A5 （FAM19A5）. Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the positive expression of SP1， PSD-95， SYNⅠ， interleukin （IL）-10， and IL-6. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was employed to determine the mRNA levels of SP1 and S1PR1. Finally， transmission electron microscopy was employed to observe the ultrastructural changes of hippocampal synapses. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group exhibited a decrease in sucrose preference index （P<0.01） and reduced total scores for horizontal and vertical movements in the open field test （P<0.01）， which indicated the successful modeling of depression. Moreover， the model group showed reduced synaptic vesicles in the hippocampus （P<0.01）， up-regulated expression of SP1， SK1， S1PR1， and IL-6 （P<0.01）， and down-regulated expression of SYNⅠ， PSD-95， FAM19A5， and IL-10 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， high- and medium-dose Suanzaoren Tang and fluoxetine increased the sucrose preference index and the total scores for horizontal and vertical movements in the open field test （P<0.01）. All Suanzaoren Tang groups and the fluoxetine group demonstrated reductions in SP1， SK1， S1PR1， and IL-6 expression （P<0.05， P<0.01）， alongside restored synaptic vesicles in the hippocampus （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionSuanzaoren Tang modulates hippocampal expression of FAM19A5， SYNⅠ， PSD-95， IL-10， IL-6， and the SP1/SK1/S1PR1 pathway in the rat model of depression. The antidepressant effects may be related to the ability of reducing neuroinflammation and enhancing synaptic plasticity.

Objective:To evaluate serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 [25(OH)D 3] as a potential biomarker for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) severity and to identify risk factors influencing ALS prognosis. Methods:This study included 217 ALS patients hospitalized at the Department of Neurology, First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, between October 2018 and October 2021, who met the revised El Escorial diagnostic criteria. A cross-sectional analysis assessed differences in clinical indicators-including the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) and forced vital capacity percentage (FVC%)-across different serum 25(OH)D 3 levels. The correlation between 25(OH)D 3 levels and individual ALSFRS-R components was also examined. Conduct a prospective cohort study to identify independent risk factors affecting the survival time of ALS patients. Results:Among three groups categorized by serum 25(OH)D 3 levels, there were significant differences in the proportion of males ( χ2=10.51, P<0.05). Serum 25(OH)D 3 levels correlated positively with lower limb function scores in the ALSFRS-R ( r=0.05, P<0.05), but they were not identified as an independent risk factor for survival ( HR=0.98, 95% CI 0.93-1.04, P>0.05). In contrast, delayed diagnosis( HR=0.94, 95% CI 0.89-0.99, P<0.05) and reduced FVC%( HR=0.94, 95% CI 0.97-0.99, P<0.05) were independent predictors of shorter survival. Conclusion:Serum 25(OH)D 3 levels differ by gender distribution and may be linked to better lower limb function in ALS patients. However, their role in prolonging survival remains uncertain.

Objective:To investigate multi-system involvement in Kennedy′s disease and its association with disease progression.Methods:We retrospectively reviewed the clinical, laboratory, and electrophysiological data from 48 genetically confirmed patients with Kennedy′s disease at the Department of Neurology, First Medical Center of the Chinese PLA General Hospital, between February 2016 and February 2024. The disease progression rate was calculated based on the functional scores at baseline and follow-up. Correlation analyses and multiple linear regression models were employed to assess the relationships among clinical variables and to identify potential predictors of disease progression.Results:The age of muscle weakness onset ranged from 16 to 66 years (mean 42±11 years), with a diagnostic delay of 5.0 (3.0, 9.8) years. Lower limb weakness was the most common initial symptom in 72.9% (35/48) of patients, and 37.5% (18/48) exhibited non-motor manifestations prior to the onset of weakness. Core motor manifestations included bulbar weakness (89.6%, 43/48) and symmetric proximal limb weakness (83.3%, 40/48), frequently accompanied by gynecomastia (74.2%, 23/31) and sexual dysfunction (64.6%, 31/48). The median CAG repeat length was 43 (42, 46), which showed a significant negative correlation with the age at onset ( r=-0.406, P=0.004). Patients with CAG repeats > 43 had a higher prevalence of sexual dysfunction. Elevated serum muscle enzymes were observed in 97.9% (47/48), and abnormal sex hormone levels were detected in 81.2% (39/48). Sensory neuropathy was present in 68.1% (32/47), with CAG repeat length inversely correlating with compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitudes in the median ( β=-0.29; t=-2.27, P=0.029) and ulnar ( β=-0.22; t=-2.23, P=0.031) nerves. Low-frequency repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) revealed a decrement in 43.3% (13/30) of patients, most commonly affecting the axillary and spinal accessory nerves. The disease progression rate was 1.3±0.3 (range: 0.5-2.0). Furthermore, serum creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) levels were negatively correlated with disease progression rate ( r=-0.303, P=0.036). Conclusions:Kennedy′s disease presents with diverse initial manifestations and frequent multi-system involvement. Non-motor manifestations may precede muscle weakness, serving as valuable clues for early diagnosis. Widespread sex hormone abnormalities (particularly testosterone/luteinizing hormone dysregulation) support the role of androgen insensitivity in disease pathogenesis. Sensory neuropathies are frequent and not length-dependent. The presence of decremental responses on low-frequency RNS suggests neuromuscular junction dysfunction, which may underlie motor impairment in patients with Kennedy′s disease. Finally, serum CK-MB may serve as a potential biomarker for disease progression.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) have been widely used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the acceleration of heart rate caused by GLP-1RA should not be ignored. In the general population and patients with diabetes, increased heart rate has an independent correlation with the incidence and mortality of cardiovascular diseases. In general, the long-acting GLP-1RA seem to exert a greater effect in increasing heart rate, and the effect is dose-dependent and negatively correlated with baseline heart rate. The increase in heart rate caused by GLP-1RA may be related to enhanced sympathetic nervous activity, reflex tachycardia as a response to vasodilation, etc. It is advisable to closely monitor the increased heart rate induced by GLP-1RA in clinical practice, especially in patients with high-risk factors for cardiovascular disease. In case of elevated heart rate, the management begins with immediate discontinuation of the GLP-1RA and symptomatic intervention should be given if necessary.

Objective:To explore the clinical features of nivolumab-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN).Methods:Relevant databases at home and abroad (as of December 31, 2023) were searched to collect case reports of nivolumab-induced SJS/TEN, and the demographic characteristics, nivolumab application, combination drugs, clinical manifestations, intervention measures, and outcomes were extracted and analyzed descriptively and statistically.Results:A total of 27 case reports were included and 29 patients were enrolled in the study, including 18 males and 11 females. The age ranged from 45 to 86 years, with an average age of 67 years. The primary diseases were mainly melanoma, stomach cancer, and lung cancer. Twelve patients had records of nivolumab administration, and the dosage was within the recommended range in the labels; 13 patients had records of combination drugs, mainly other antineoplastic drugs, hypoglycemic drugs, antihypertensive drugs, lipid-regulating drugs, etc. The time from using nivolumab to the diagnosis of SJS/TEN was 7 d to 3 years, and 20 patients were <8 weeks. The clinical manifestations were mainly diffuse erythema, flaky skin peeling and erosion, mucosal involvement, etc. Sixteen patients had skin biopsy records, all of which met the histopathological characteristics of SJS/TEN. After the diagnosis of SJS/TEN, 17 patients discontinued nivolumab and received symptomatic treatments, of which 15 patients had improved skin symptoms, one patient had worsened skin symptoms, and one patient had no record of skin outcome; 12 patients had no record of whether or not discontinuing nivolumab, of which 8 patients had improved skin symptoms, 2 patients had worsened skin symptoms, one patient had no record of skin outcome, and one had no record of prognosis. One patient rechallenged nivolumab, severe SJS/TEN recurred. Thirteen of 29 patients died. Of them, 1 died due to cardiac arrest, 4 due to worsened skin rash, and 8 due to primary disease progression.Conclusions:SJS/TEN caused by nivolumab mostly occurs within 8 weeks of treatment, and the clinical manifestations were similar to those caused by other drugs. The mortality rate of nivolumab-induced SJS/TEN is high, and skin rash could be improved after withdrawal of nivolumab and symptomatic treatments.

The clinical diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infection has long faced the challenges of insufficient standardization of diagnosis and treatment pathways,irrational use of antimicrobial drugs and high recurrence rate.How to optimize the hierarchical diagnosis and treatment pathway of urinary tract infection,standardize the use of antimicrobial drugs,and reduce the recurrence rate have always been the focus of clinical attention.There is significant heterogeneity in the existing diagnostic criteria for urinary tract infection,which seriously affects the comparability and evidence integration of clinical and research studies.In order to solve the above problems,a consensus on global multidisciplinary diagnostic criteria for urinary tract infection has been formed by international multidisciplinary experts after three rounds of Delphi method.Breaking through the traditional classification framework,the consensus innovatively established a four-dimensional quantitative scoring system including local symptoms and signs,systemic inflammatory response,quantitative analysis of pyuria and urine culture results,and established a hierarchical standard for stepwise urinary tract diagnosis according to the scoring threshold.Based on the key citations related to the consensus,this paper interprets in detail the basis for the selection of core indicators and the establishment of thresholds for the diagnosis of urinary tract infection in the consensus,and focuses on the key issues and implementation paths of the consensus in localization practice.This consensus provides a unified standard for standardizing the clinical diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infection,improving the homogeneity of clinical research through standardized diagnostic processes,and promoting the standardization of UTI drug research and development and the rational use of antibiotics and precision.

The clinical diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infection has long faced the challenges of insufficient standardization of diagnosis and treatment pathways,irrational use of antimicrobial drugs and high recurrence rate.How to optimize the hierarchical diagnosis and treatment pathway of urinary tract infection,standardize the use of antimicrobial drugs,and reduce the recurrence rate have always been the focus of clinical attention.There is significant heterogeneity in the existing diagnostic criteria for urinary tract infection,which seriously affects the comparability and evidence integration of clinical and research studies.In order to solve the above problems,a consensus on global multidisciplinary diagnostic criteria for urinary tract infection has been formed by international multidisciplinary experts after three rounds of Delphi method.Breaking through the traditional classification framework,the consensus innovatively established a four-dimensional quantitative scoring system including local symptoms and signs,systemic inflammatory response,quantitative analysis of pyuria and urine culture results,and established a hierarchical standard for stepwise urinary tract diagnosis according to the scoring threshold.Based on the key citations related to the consensus,this paper interprets in detail the basis for the selection of core indicators and the establishment of thresholds for the diagnosis of urinary tract infection in the consensus,and focuses on the key issues and implementation paths of the consensus in localization practice.This consensus provides a unified standard for standardizing the clinical diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infection,improving the homogeneity of clinical research through standardized diagnostic processes,and promoting the standardization of UTI drug research and development and the rational use of antibiotics and precision.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) have been widely used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the acceleration of heart rate caused by GLP-1RA should not be ignored. In the general population and patients with diabetes, increased heart rate has an independent correlation with the incidence and mortality of cardiovascular diseases. In general, the long-acting GLP-1RA seem to exert a greater effect in increasing heart rate, and the effect is dose-dependent and negatively correlated with baseline heart rate. The increase in heart rate caused by GLP-1RA may be related to enhanced sympathetic nervous activity, reflex tachycardia as a response to vasodilation, etc. It is advisable to closely monitor the increased heart rate induced by GLP-1RA in clinical practice, especially in patients with high-risk factors for cardiovascular disease. In case of elevated heart rate, the management begins with immediate discontinuation of the GLP-1RA and symptomatic intervention should be given if necessary.