Brain science is the frontier of modern science, and new advances have been made in brain-like designs and brain-computer interfaces to simulate or develop brain functions. However, given that the brain is hermetically sealed within the skull, exploration and deciphering of the brain structure and functions are limited. Growing evidence suggests that the gut is not just a digestive organ. It not only provides essential nutrients and electrolytes for brain neurodevelopment and the maintenance of brain function, but it also transmits external environmental and intestinal wall signals from the intestinal lumen to the central nervous system through multiple pathways to regulate brain activity, function, and structure. A variety of gut-brain interaction pathways have been identified, including neural pathways, neuroimmune signaling, endocrine pathways, and biochemical messengers produced by gut microbes. Gut microbes interact with food and the gut to modulate gut-brain communication. The gut's important role and potential in neurodevelopment, maintenance of normal function, and disease development make it an increasingly important area of research in brain science and neuropsychiatric disorders. The gut's unique role in brain functions and its accessibility for research (compared to direct brain studies) establish it as a critical gate to understanding the mysteries of brain science. Crucially, intestinal nutrients and microbes provide two unique keys to unlock this gate-enabling neural regulation and novel treatments for neuropsychiatric diseases.
Humans ; Brain/physiology* ; Animals ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology* ; Gastrointestinal Tract/microbiology*

Cornelia de Lange syndrome is a rare congenital malformation disease,and its typical features include growth restriction,mental retardation,craniofacial abnormality and hirsutism.This study reported 2 cases of CdLS patients,summarized their clinical manifestations and gene mutation characteristics,and the relevant literatures were reviewed.Patient 1,a 5-year-old girl,was admitted to the hospital due to growth retardation.Physical examination revealed hirsutism,monobrow,small and sparse teeth,hemangiomas(approximately 2 cm×2 cm)on the chest and back,delayed language development,and intellectual disability.The height was 98 cm[≤-2 standard deviation(SD)],the weight was 15 kg(-2SD--1SD),the head circumference was 46 cm(-3SD--2SD).Brain magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)plain scan showed slightly enlarged left lateral ventricle and bilateral lateral ventricle triangles,slightly thickened bilateral maxillary sinus and ethmoid sinus mucosa.Echocardiography revealed mild regurgitation of the mitral and tricuspid valves.Patient 2,a 1-month-old girl,was admitted to the hospital due to postpartum shortness of breath.The physical examination highlighted hirsutism,short nose,soft cleft palate,dysphagia,positive three-concave sign,audible throat sound,small hands,palm penetration in the left hand,short fifth finger of the right hand,limited right hip abduction,foot varus,and a white spot at the bottom of the right eye.Ultrasonography at 1 month showed mild regurgitation of the tricuspid valve and an open foramen ovale.Brain MRI at 2 d showed a few patchy low-signal shadows in the longitudinal fissure cistern and tentorium,a small amount of subarachnoid hemorrhage,and a small amount of fluid in the bilateral maxillary sinus,ethmoid sinus,and middle ear mastoid.No obvious structural or numerical abnormalities were observed in the chromosome karyotypes.Whole-exome sequencing detected a heterozygous variation of c.6653_6655del in the NIPBL gene in patient 1 and a heterozygous variation of c.337C＞T in the NIPBL gene in patient 2.These variations were not found in their parents.The study revealed that NIPBL gene variation could be the genetic cause of the two patients with CdLS.The identification of the variation c.337C＞T may expand the variation spectrum of the NIPBL gene,providing valuable insights into the pathogenic genetic basis of CdLS.

As activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) play a central role in fibrogenesis, they have become key target cells for anti-fibrotic treatment. Nevertheless, the therapeutic efficiency is constrained by the exosomes they secrete, which are linked to energy metabolism and continuously stimulate the activation of neighboring quiescent hepatic stellate cells (qHSCs). Herein, an intercellular communication interference strategy is designed utilizing paeoniflorin (PF) loaded and hyaluronic acid (HA) coated copper-doped ZIF-8 (PF@HA-Cu/ZIF-8, PF@HCZ) to reduce energy-related exosome secretion from aHSCs, thus preserving neighboring qHSCs in a quiescent state. Simultaneously, the released copper and zinc ions disrupt key enzymes involved in glycolysis to reduce bioenergy synthesis in aHSCs, thereby promoting the reversion of aHSCs to a quiescent state and further decreasing exosome secretion. Therefore, PF@HCZ can effectively sustain both aHSCs and qHSCs in a metabolically dormant state to ultimately alleviate liver fibrosis. The study provides an enlightening strategy for interrupting exosome-mediated intercellular communication and remodeling the energy metabolic status of HSCs with boosted antifibrogenic activity.

Objective:To investigate a surgical method and clinical effect on reconstruction of infective ulcer and soft tissue defects in dorsal fingers of the elderly patients with free perforator flap of peroneal artery.Methods:From March 2016 to June 2022, 13 elderly patients with infective ulcer and soft tissue defects in dorsal fingers were reconstructed with free perforator flaps of peroneal artery. The patients were 65-70 years with an average age of 66.5 years. Cause of infection: 10 ulceration and soft tissue defects were caused by diabetes and 3 by injury. Seven infective ulceration and soft tissue defects were in dorsal index fingers, 3 in dorsal middle fingers and 3 in dorsal ring fingers with the size of soft tissue defects at 2.0 cm×4.5 cm-2.0 cm×5.5 cm with an exposure of tendon and phalange. The donor site of the flaps was of contralateral calf and the flaps were 2.5 cm×5.0 cm-2.5 cm×6.0 cm in size. All donor sites were sutured directly. All patients were included in the postoperative follow-up at outpatient clinic to observe the appearance and sensation of the flap as well as finger movement.Results:All flaps survived and all wounds achieved stage I healing, without recurrence of infection. Twelve patients had the postoperative follow-up for 12 to 27 months, with an average of 21.6 months. There were satisfactory appearance of flaps and the function of fingers. Sensation of flaps recovered to S 2 in 5 patients and S 3 in 7 patients. The recovery of hand function was evaluated according to the Evaluation Trial Standards of Upper Limb Partial Functional of Hand Surgery of Chinese Medical Association, with 8 hands in excellent and 4 in good. Conclusion:The free perforator flap of peroneal artery has advantages of constant vascular anatomy, reliable blood supply, moderate thickness and direct closure of donor site. It is a useful clinical method in reconstruction of infective ulcer and soft tissue defects in dorsal fingers of the elderly patients.

Objective:To explore the screening value of platelet parameters from blood cell analysis for MYH9-related disorders(MYH9-RD).Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted with 38 patients diagnosed with MYH9-RD at Shenzhen Children's Hospital from May 1, 2016, to August 31, 2024, including 24 males and 14 females; the median age was 11.5 (3.8, 35) years; categorized by gene mutation location into "head region" ( n=8 ) and "tail region" ( n=30); and by clinical manifestations into " isolated hematological manifestations" ( n=16) and "hematological manifestations with extra-hematological involvement"( n=22). The control groups included 39 cases of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), 38 cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and 40 healthy individuals. Platelet-related parameters were detected by hematology analyzer, and platelet counts and sizes were confirmed by manually counting and microscopic observation. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare platelet parameters between MYH9-RD and control groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess the diagnostic efficacy of platelet parameters for MYH9-RD. Results:In MYH9-RD patients the median value of mean platelet volume (MPV) was 13.4 (11.2, 14.7) fl, immature platelet fraction (IPF) was 52.7% (43.5%, 58.0%), platelet large cell ratio(PLCR) was 57.6 %(45.0%, 62.9%), and microscopic large platelet ratio (PLCR-M) was 30.0% (25.0%, 30.0%).And those values weresignificantly higher than in ITP, ALL, and healthy controls (all P<0.05). Patients with MYH9 gene "head region" mutations had a lower platelet count [24.5 (15.0, 47.5)×10 9/L]than those with "tail region" mutations [69.0 (49.5, 86.3) ×10 9/L]( Z=-3.493, P<0.001), but a higher IPF ( t=2.024, P=0.044).Patients with "extra-hematological involvement had a lower platelet count than those with "isolated hematological manifestations" ( t=-2.015, P=0.043). The optimal cutoff value for diagnosing MYH9-RD with IPF was 26.7%, with a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 98.7%; the area under the curve was 0.999 (95% CI 0.995-1.000), which was superior toMPV, PLCR and PLCR-M parameters. Conclusion:IPF is superior to other platelet parameters sush as MPV,showing high diagnostic efficacy in distinguishing MYH9-RD from ITP and ALL. It can be used as a simple and effective indicator for early screening of MYH9-RD.

Objective To explore the clinical application value of non-inflatable mediastinoscopy combined with laparoscopic radical resection for esophageal cancer patients complicated with cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases.Methods A retrospective analysis was made on clinical data of 20 patients with esophageal cancer complicated with cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases treated with non-inflatable mediastinoscopy combined with laparoscopic radical resection in our hospital from January 2021 to October 2024.The cervical and abdominal surgical teams worked simultaneously.During the operation,a left neck incision was made to free the cervical esophagus.After inserting a mediastinoscope,an ultrasonic knife was used to free the thoracic esophagus from top to bottom and clean the lymph nodes adjacent to the esophagus.The laparoscopic procedure(freeing the stomach and esophagus from bottom to top)was connected in the mediastinum to complete the esophageal freedom,and a tubular stomach was made and anastomosed at the neck.Results All the 20 operations were successfully completed without conversion to thoracotomy.The operation time was(130.5±25.5)min,the intraoperative blood loss was(60.5±32.5)ml,a total of 3-11 mediastinal lymph nodes and1-5 abdominal lymph nodeswerecleared,andthe postoperative hospital stay was(20.0±6.0)d.There were 2 cases of anastomotic leakage,2 cases of anastomotic stenosis,2 cases of pleural effusion,2 cases of pulmonary infection,1 case of chylothorax,and 1 case of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury.After conservative treatment,all of which were cured.Postoperative pathology showed 18 cases of squamous cell carcinoma and 2 cases of adenocarcinoma.Postoperative TNM staging was 6 cases in stage Ⅰ,10 cases in stage Ⅱ,and 4 cases in stage Ⅲ,consistent with preoperative evaluation.All the20 cases were followed up for1-24 months,with a median follow-up time of 12 months.CT re-examinations showed no recurrence,and no death case was recorded.Conclusion Non-inflatable mediastinoscopy combined with laparoscopic radical resection is safe and feasible for esophageal cancer patients complicated with cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases.

Background::The increasing incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) presents significant medical and societal challenges. A well-designed IBD database is crucial for both epidemiological studies and clinical management. However, inconsistencies between regional databases hinder cross-institutional and international research, especially between Eastern and Western societies.Methods::We developed a new IBD database, the 301 IBD database, integrating the IBD clinical characteristics from the Penn IBD database (USA) and the latest IBD guidelines and consensus and clinical practices of the Chinese PLA General Hospital (PLAGH). We applied this database to analyze clinical data of IBD inpatients at PLAGH from 2008 to 2023.Results::The 301 IBD database contains 490 items in 6 sections including demographic characteristics, personal history, clinical phenotype, disease activity, laboratory tests and examinations, and treatment. Features of the 301 IBD database include inpatient focus, biochemical indicators and opportunistic infection focus, and more about ulcerative colitis (UC)-associated complications. Single-center analysis revealed an increasing hospitalization trend, from 2.35% in 2008 to 3.94% in 2023. We found that the clinical characteristics of our UC inpatients are predominantly male (62.5%), extensive lesions (55.1%), low usage of biologics (4.1%), and a high incidence of UC-CRC (3.0%). The clinical characteristics of CD inpatients included male predominance (68.39%), early onset age (35.43 ± 14.75-year-old), and high rate of surgery (25.81%).Conclusion::The 301 IBD database, integrating Eastern and Western clinical data, provides a valuable tool for IBD clinical research. Future international, multicenter collaborations are expected to further enhance its utility.