ObjectiveTo analyze the potential risk of infection sources during the consolidation phase of schistosomiasis elimination in Lushan County (a mountainous region) of Sichuan Province, and to provide prevention and control strategies for the consolidation of schistosomiasis elimination achievements in mountainous areas. MethodsIn 2024, one to two villages with historically severe epidemics were selected in the heavily endemic townships of Lushan County as monitoring sites to carry out monitoring for wild animal feces, domestic animals, wild rats, free-roaming dogs, local residents, and mobile populations. Follow-up monitoring for previously infected individuals was carried out in Caoping Village of Siyan Town. Statistical analyses were performed to assess the risks associated with infection sources. ResultsA total of 115 fecal samples from 13 species of wildlife were incubated, with all negative. Blood tests were conducted on 492 cattle, 34 sheep, and 261 dogs, with all negative. A total of 2 520 rodent traps were set, capturing 67 wild rats with a capture rate of 2.66%, and no positive wild rats were found upon dissection. The activity track of 25 loose dogs was 2 212 meters at the farthest, 236 meters at the nearest, and 744 meters on average. a total of 68 wild droppings (all dog feces) were picked up along the way, with all negative. Blood tests were performed on 3 540 local population, yielding 39 blood-positive cases with a blood positive rate of 1.1%. Fecal examinations were conducted on 193 individuals, with all negative. A total of 315 blood tests were performed on the mobile population, identifying 1 positive case with a blood-positive rate of 0.32%. One person received a fecal examination, with zero positive. A follow-up survey of 505 previously infected individuals revealed 5 blood-positive cases, with a positive rate of 0.99%. Fecal examinations were conducted on 15 individuals, with all negative. ConclusionIn this investigation, no local or imported sources of schistosomiasis transmission were found. However, there was a wide variety and a large number of potential sources of infection in the local area. It is necessary to actively explore regional monitoring models for schistosomiasis elimination flexibly adjust prevention and control strategies according to local conditions, achieve precise prevention and control, and consolidate the achievements of elimination.

Synthetic biology is a crucial tool for the development of the bio-industry and bio-economy, representing a significant aspect of new quality productive forces. As a core course for graduate students in bioengineering, Synthetic Biology plays a vital role in ensuring the supply of essential talents for the development of the bio-industry in the new era. To better serve regional economic development and provide high-level talents for China's progress in the bio-industry, we analyzed typical issues encountered in the past teaching activities, set up a multi-disciplinary teaching team, optimized the course contents, adjusted the teaching mode, and mobilized students' learning interest. With the application of scientific research project as the starting point, we guided students to think and discuss deeply through the simulation of application writing and project defense, which improved students' critical thinking and innovative thinking. With industrialization as a focus, we explored a new training model combining production, education, and research through the joint practice base of the university and enterprises introduced typical cases of biomanufacturing to encourage students to engage in scientific research. The teaching reform significantly enhances the comprehensive abilities and national sentiments of graduate students. This paper hopes to serve as a reference for colleagues engaged in teaching in this field.
Synthetic Biology/education* ; Teaching ; China ; Humans

Objective To investigate the changes of anti-Müllerian hormone(AMH),inhibin-B(INHB)and inhibin-A(INHA)levels in boys with cryptorchidism,analyze their clinical application value,and provide labo-ratory data for the diagnosis and treatment of cryptorchidism.Methods A total of 1 310 boys with cryp-torchidism who were hospitalized or visited the outpatient department in the hospital from July 2020 to July 2023 were included in the case group.Another 50 boys who underwent physical examination at the hospital and had no abnormalities in reproductive system development such as testicles were selected as the control group.Venous blood was collected from all the research subjects in a fasting state and placed into biochemical tubes.After centrifuging the serum,the changes in the levels of anti-Müllerian hormone(AMH),Inhibin B(INHB),and Inhibin A(INHA)in the two groups were detected by the chemiluminescence method.The differences between the two groups were analyzed,and the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of AMH,INHB,and INHA for cryptorchidism.Results The AMH lev-els in boys with cryptorchidism were significantly higher than those in the control group(P＜0.01),while the INHB and INHA levels were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.01).ROC curve analy-sis showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of AMH was 0.65(95％CI:0.56-0.74,P＜0.01).When the Youden index was 26.85％and the cut off value was 37.19 ng/mL,it had relatively good sensitivity(88.85％)but relatively low specificity(38.00％).The AUC of INHB was 0.63(95％CI:0.57-0.70,P＜0.01).When the Youden index was 24.17％and the cut off value was 77.17 pg/mL,it had relatively poor sensitivity(38.17％)but relatively good specificity(86.00％).Both AMH and INHB have certain clinical val-ue in the differential diagnosis of boys with cryptorchidism.The AUC of INHA was 0.81(95％CI:0.79-0.84,P＜0.01).When the Youden index was 75.86％and the cut off value was 5.165 pg/mL,it had a rela-tively good sensitivity(77.86％)and specificity(98.00％).Conclusion The changes in the levels of serum AMH and INHB have certain diagnostic value for boys with cryptorchidism,while INHA has a good diagnos-tic value and can be used as an auxiliary diagnostic indicator for boys with cryptorchidism.

Objective:To investigate the role and molecular mechanism of dual-specificity phosphatase 26(DUSP26)in the proliferation,migration and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma(LUAD)A549 cells.Methods:The expression profile of DUSP26 was retrieved from the GEPIA2 tumor database,and its differential expression in LUAD tissues and normal human lung tissues were analyzed.Twelve pairs of LUAD tissue and paracancerous tissue surgically resected at Pingxiang People's Hospital between October 2022 and October 2023 were collected.The difference in DUSP26 expression between LUAD tissues and paracancerous tissues was analyzed using immunohistochemical(IHC)staining and Western blotting(WB).Additionally,the expression of DUSP26 in four LUAD cells(A549,SK-LU-1,Calu-3,H1299)and two normal bronchial epithelial cells(BEAS-2B,HBEC)was detected using WB method.A549 cells stably overexpressing DUSP26(DUSP26-OE)or corresponding negative control(DUSP26-OENC)were constructed via lentiviral transfection.The effects of DUSP26 overexpression on cell proliferation,migration and invasion were detected using colony formation,scratch assay,and Transwell chamber assay,respectively.The expression levels of TGF-β1/SMAD2/3 pathway-and epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)-related proteins were detected using WB method,and the expression levels of Ki-67 and cyclin D1 in cells were detected by immunofluorescence staining.Rescue experiments were conducted by adding 5 ng/mL recombinant TGF-β1.A nude mouse xenograft model was established using A549 cells to observe the effect of DUSP26 overexpression on the in vivo growth of transplanted tumors.The expression levels of TGF-β1/SMAD2/3 pathway-and EMT-related proteins in transplanted tumor tissues were assessed using WB method,and the expression levels of Ki-67 and cyclin D1 in transplanted tumor tissues were detected using immunofluorescence staining.Results:DUSP26 expression was downregulated in both LUAD tissues and cells(P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.001 or P<0.000 1).Compared with the DUSP26-OENC group,the DUSP26-OE group showed significantly reduced proliferation,migration and invasion of A549 cells(P<0.01 or P<0.001).Furthermore,the protein levels of TGF-β1,p-SMAD2/3,vimentin,N-cadherin,snail,Ki-67,and cyclin D1 were significantly reduced(P<0.01,P<0.001 or P<0.000 1),while E-cadherin level was increased in the DUSP26-OE group(P<0.000 1).The addition of 5 ng/mL TGF-β1 recombinant protein partially reversed the effects of DUSP26 overexpression in vitro experiments.The nude mice A549 cell xenograft model was successfully constructed.The growth rate of transplanted tumors was significantly slower in the DUSP26-OE group,with reduced volume and mass(all P<0.001).The protein levels of TGF-β1,p-SMAD2/3,vimentin,N-cadherin,snail,Ki-67,and cyclin D1 in the transplanted tumor tissues were all reduced(P<0.01 or P<0.001),while E-cadherin level was increased(P<0.000 1).Conclusion:DUSP26 is downregulated in both LUAD tissues and cells.Upregulation of DUSP26 suppresses the proliferation,migration and invasion of A549 cells by inhibiting the TGF-β1/SMAD2/3 signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the clinical value of mini-incision combined with balloon dilatation under the guidance of miniprobe echoendoscope in the treatment of refractory benign esophageal stenosis.Methods From October 2019 to October 2023,30 cases of esophageal early cancer with esophageal scar stenosis after endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD)were selected and randomly divided into study group(miniprobe echoendoscope guided small incision+balloon dilatation,15 cases)and control group[esophageal radial incision(ERI),15 cases],EUS in the study group judged the hierarchical structure of esophageal wall before operation,and excluded those with esophageal cancer recurrence and submucosal invasive growth.According to miniprobe echoendoscope,the length of scar segment and the scope of scar ring lumen were defined,and the location and length of pre-incision were defined,and then balloon was used to expand step by step.The short-term postoperative complications,Stooler dysphagia scale score and restenosis rate of the two groups were observed,and the feasibility,safety and efficacy were evaluated.Results The incidence of short-term postoperative complications 6.7％in the study group was significantly lower than that 46.7％in the control group,the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05),and the Stooler dysphagia scale score were(1.133±0.990)and(1.600±0.737)in the study group at 1 and 2 months after operation with significantly lower than those(2.067±1.033)and(2.467±0.915)in the control group,the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).Two months after operation,the restenosis rate was 13.3％,which was significantly lower than that 46.7％of the control group,the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05),and the scar thickness under miniprobe echoendoscope(2.113±0.887)mm was significantly thinner than that(3.353±1.468)mm of the control group,the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion Preoperative miniprobe echoendoscope evaluation,can accurately locate lesions,endoscopic mini-incision combined with balloon mechanical expansion are safe and effective,with less pain and fewer postoperative complication.

BACKGROUND:Steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head is a key risk factor for non-traumatic femoral head necrosis,and the incidence of it has gradually increased in recent years,but its specific pathogenesis is still unclear,and finding a reasonable animal model is essential for disease research and treatment.OBJECTIVE:To review the commonly used animal models of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head in recent years,and to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of different modeling methods and evaluation criteria,so as to provide a reference for follow-up research. METHODS:The articles published from 2013 to 2023 were searched in CNKI,WanFang Data,and PubMed with the keywords "femoral head necrosis,osteonecrosis of the femoral head,steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head,animal model." Finally,61 articles were involved for comprehensive analysis according to the inclusion criteria,including 38 English articles and 23 Chinese articles.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Rabbits,rats,and chickens are the animals that are widely used in the study of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head models. (2) Hormone combined with lipopolysaccharide or horse serum modeling has low mortality,high success rate,and strong stability. (3) Histopathology is the gold standard for the evaluation model,but the experiment needs to be terminated,which is not conducive to subsequent experimental research,so finding a non-invasive alternative method is still the direction of future efforts. (4) An ideal model of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head has not yet been explored,and future researchers need to continue to strive to achieve breakthroughs in this field as soon as possible.

Metformin has been demonstrated to attenuate hyperglycaemia by modulating the gut microbiota. However, the mechanisms through which the microbiome mediates metformin monotherapy failure (MMF) are unclear. Herein, in a prospective clinical cohort study of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients treated with metformin monotherapy, metagenomic sequencing of faecal samples revealed that Phocaeicola vulgatus abundance was approximately 12 times higher in nonresponders than in responders. P. vulgatus rapidly hydrolysed taurine-conjugated bile acids, leading to ceramide accumulation and reversing the improvements in glucose intolerance conferred by metformin in high-fat diet-fed mice. Interestingly, C22:0 ceramide bound to mitochondrial fission factor to induce mitochondrial fragmentation and impair hepatic oxidative phosphorylation in P. vulgatus-colonized hyperglycaemic mice, which could be exacerbated by metformin. This work suggests that metformin may be unsuitable for P. vulgatus-rich T2DM patients and that clinicians should be aware of metformin toxicity to mitochondria. Suppressing P. vulgatus growth with cefaclor or improving mitochondrial function using adenosylcobalamin may represent simple, safe, effective therapeutic strategies for addressing MMF.

Although a single nucleotide polymorphism for N-acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10) has been identified in patients with early-onset stroke, the role of NAT10 in ischemic injury and the related underlying mechanisms remains elusive. Here, we provide evidence that NAT10, the only known RNA N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C) modification "writer", is increased in the damaged cortex of patients with acute ischemic stroke and the peri-infarct cortex of mice subjected to photothrombotic (PT) stroke. Pharmacological inhibition of NAT10 with remodelin on Days 3-7 post-stroke or astrocytic depletion of NAT10 via targeted virus attenuates ischemia-induced infarction and improves functional recovery in PT mice. Mechanistically, NAT10 enhances ac4C acetylation of the inflammatory cytokine tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (Timp1) mRNA transcript, which increases TIMP1 expression and results in the accumulation of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) and progression of astrocyte autophagy. These findings demonstrate that NAT10 regulates astrocyte autophagy by targeting Timp1 ac4C after stroke. This study highlights the critical role of ac4C in the regulation of astrocyte autophagy and proposes a promising strategy to improve post-stroke outcomes via NAT10 inhibition.

Objective This study aims to elucidate the functional mechanism through which seminal plasma exosomal miR-26a-5p and its target genes contribute to idiopathic teratozoospermia,with emphasis on their regulatory pathways in sperm morphogenesis defects,thereby establishing a theoretical foundation for novel diagnostic markers and targeted therapies.Methods A case-control study design was adopted,enrolling 154 male subjects(84 in the teratozoospermia group[TZS]and 70 in the normal control group[NC]).Seminal plasma exosomes were isolated to screen differentially expressed miRNAs,followed by prediction and analysis of target genes and signaling pathways.Dual-luciferase reporter gene assays were employed to validate the direct binding of miR-26a-5p to PTEN.Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot were used to measure miRNA and protein expression levels.Spearman correlation analysis evaluated relationships between miR-26a-5p,PTEN,and sperm morphological parameters,while ROC curve analysis assessed diagnostic efficacy.Results Seminal plasma exosomal miRNA sequencing identified 11 differentially expressed miRNAs,with miR-26a-5p significantly upregulated in the TZS group(P<0.05)and negatively correlated with the percentage of normal sperm morphology in TZS(r=-0.762,P<0.05).PTEN was confirmed as a direct target of miR-26a-5p,with its expression significantly reduced in the TZS group(P<0.05)and positively correlated with normal sperm morphology(r=0.821,P<0.05).A negative correlation was observed between miR-26a-5p and PTEN(r=-0.878,P<0.05).Dual-luciferase assays demonstrated that miR-26a-5p specifically inhibited PTEN 3'UTR activity(45%reduction in luciferase activity,P<0.05).Functional enrichment analysis revealed that the miR-26a-5p-PTEN axis exacerbates oxidative stress,DNA damage,and abnormal spermatocyte division by regulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR,p53,Wnt/β-catenin,and NF-κB pathways.ROC analysis showed diagnostic efficacy for teratozoospermia with AUCROC values of 0.785(sensitivity 78.9%,specificity 71.3%)for miR-26a-5p and 0.754(sensitivity 73.3%,specificity 75.1%)for PTEN.Conclusions miR-26a-5p suppresses PTEN through targeted inhibition,activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways while impairing DNA repair functions.This cascade leads to accumulated oxidative stress and sperm morphological abnormalities.The combined pattern of elevated seminal plasma exosomal miR-26a-5p expression and reduced PTEN levels demonstrates diagnostic potential for idiopathic teratozoospermia,with its molecular mechanism providing a theoretical foundation for biomarker development.Targeted silencing of miR-26a-5p,either alone or in combination with AKT/mTOR inhibitors and antioxidant therapy,may represent a novel strategy for improving sperm morphology.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of Linaclotide combined with Simethicone oil and compound polyethylene glycol electrolyte(PEG)for cleansing effect of bowel in patients with constipation.Methods A prospective randomized controlled trial was designed and implemented by single blind method.383 patients with constipation who underwent colonoscopy from April 2023 to August 2024 were enrolled and randomly divided into routine group(128 cases),experimental group A(128 cases)and experimental group B(127 cases).Routine group treated with 3 L PEG,experimental group A treated with 290 μg Linaclotide+2 L PEG and experimental group B treated with 290 μg Linaclotide+30 mL Simethicone+2 L PEG.Bowel preparation effect[Boston bowel preparation scale(BBPS)scores and foaming removal effect],lesion detection rate,first defecation interval,frequency of defecation,the success rate of cecal intubation,the insertion time of colonoscopy,the withdrawal time of colonoscopy,incidence of adverse reactions and willingness to repeat examination of the three groups were compared.Results No statistically significant differences were observed in the BBPS scores among the three groups(P>0.05);The foaming removal effect score in experimental group B was significantly lower than that in routine group and experimental group A,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05);The total lesion detection rate and polyps detection rate of experimental group B were significantly higher than those of routine group and experimental group A,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The first defecation interval of the routine group was significantly longer than that of experimental group A and experimental group B,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05);The frequency of defecation was compared among the three groups,and the difference was no statistically significant(P>0.05).The success rate of cecal intubation in the three groups was 100.0%,and the insertion time of colonoscopy was similar,the differences were not statistically significant(P>0.05);The withdrawal time of colonoscopy in experimental group B was significantly shorter than that in routine group and experimental group A,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The incidence of abdominal distension and total adverse reactions in the routine group were higher than those in experimental group A and experimental group B,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05);The willingness to repeat examination rate of the routine group was significantly lower than that of experimental group A and experimental group B,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion 290 μg Linaclotide combined with 30 mL Simethicone and 2 L PEG solution regimen has advantages in intestinal preparation for patients with constipation,and can achieve better intestinal cleaning effect than 3 L PEG solution and 290 μg linalopeptide+2 L PEG solution regimen,with higher safety and willingness to repeat examination.It can be recommended for bowel preparation for patients with constipation.