Neurosteroids play an important role as endogenous neuromodulators that are locally produced in the central nervous system and rapidly change the excitability of neurons and the activation of microglial cells and astrocytes. Here we review the mechanisms of synthesis, metabolism, and actions of neurosteroids in the central nervous system. Neurosteroids are able to play a variety of roles in the central nervous system under physiological conditions by binding to membrane ion channels and receptors such as gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptors, Nmethyl-D-aspartate receptors, L- and T-type calcium channels, and sigma-1 receptors. In addition, numerous neurological disorders, including persistent neuropathic pain, multiple sclerosis, and seizures, have altered the levels of neurosteroids in the central nervous system. Thus, we review how local synthesis and metabolism of neurosteroids are modulated in the central nervous system and describe the role of neurosteroids under pathological conditions. Furthermore, we discuss whether neurosteroids may play a role as a new therapeutic for the treatment of neurological disorders.

Neurosteroids play an important role as endogenous neuromodulators that are locally produced in the central nervous system and rapidly change the excitability of neurons and the activation of microglial cells and astrocytes. Here we review the mechanisms of synthesis, metabolism, and actions of neurosteroids in the central nervous system. Neurosteroids are able to play a variety of roles in the central nervous system under physiological conditions by binding to membrane ion channels and receptors such as gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptors, Nmethyl-D-aspartate receptors, L- and T-type calcium channels, and sigma-1 receptors. In addition, numerous neurological disorders, including persistent neuropathic pain, multiple sclerosis, and seizures, have altered the levels of neurosteroids in the central nervous system. Thus, we review how local synthesis and metabolism of neurosteroids are modulated in the central nervous system and describe the role of neurosteroids under pathological conditions. Furthermore, we discuss whether neurosteroids may play a role as a new therapeutic for the treatment of neurological disorders.

Neurosteroids play an important role as endogenous neuromodulators that are locally produced in the central nervous system and rapidly change the excitability of neurons and the activation of microglial cells and astrocytes. Here we review the mechanisms of synthesis, metabolism, and actions of neurosteroids in the central nervous system. Neurosteroids are able to play a variety of roles in the central nervous system under physiological conditions by binding to membrane ion channels and receptors such as gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptors, Nmethyl-D-aspartate receptors, L- and T-type calcium channels, and sigma-1 receptors. In addition, numerous neurological disorders, including persistent neuropathic pain, multiple sclerosis, and seizures, have altered the levels of neurosteroids in the central nervous system. Thus, we review how local synthesis and metabolism of neurosteroids are modulated in the central nervous system and describe the role of neurosteroids under pathological conditions. Furthermore, we discuss whether neurosteroids may play a role as a new therapeutic for the treatment of neurological disorders.

Neurosteroids play an important role as endogenous neuromodulators that are locally produced in the central nervous system and rapidly change the excitability of neurons and the activation of microglial cells and astrocytes. Here we review the mechanisms of synthesis, metabolism, and actions of neurosteroids in the central nervous system. Neurosteroids are able to play a variety of roles in the central nervous system under physiological conditions by binding to membrane ion channels and receptors such as gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptors, Nmethyl-D-aspartate receptors, L- and T-type calcium channels, and sigma-1 receptors. In addition, numerous neurological disorders, including persistent neuropathic pain, multiple sclerosis, and seizures, have altered the levels of neurosteroids in the central nervous system. Thus, we review how local synthesis and metabolism of neurosteroids are modulated in the central nervous system and describe the role of neurosteroids under pathological conditions. Furthermore, we discuss whether neurosteroids may play a role as a new therapeutic for the treatment of neurological disorders.

Neurosteroids play an important role as endogenous neuromodulators that are locally produced in the central nervous system and rapidly change the excitability of neurons and the activation of microglial cells and astrocytes. Here we review the mechanisms of synthesis, metabolism, and actions of neurosteroids in the central nervous system. Neurosteroids are able to play a variety of roles in the central nervous system under physiological conditions by binding to membrane ion channels and receptors such as gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptors, Nmethyl-D-aspartate receptors, L- and T-type calcium channels, and sigma-1 receptors. In addition, numerous neurological disorders, including persistent neuropathic pain, multiple sclerosis, and seizures, have altered the levels of neurosteroids in the central nervous system. Thus, we review how local synthesis and metabolism of neurosteroids are modulated in the central nervous system and describe the role of neurosteroids under pathological conditions. Furthermore, we discuss whether neurosteroids may play a role as a new therapeutic for the treatment of neurological disorders.

Objective To investigate and analyze epidemiological characteristics of patients with mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) from 2020 to 2023, and the risk factors for plastic bronchitis (PB), To provide data support for developing preventive measures. Methods The medical records of 2 257 patients with respiratory tract infection treated at Huai'an Hospital Affiliated to Xuzhou Medical University from 2020 to 2023 were collected. Count the number of MPP patients and analyze the MP detection rate. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and ROC curve was used to screen the risk factors for PB. Results A total of 858 cases were positive for MP antibodies, and the detection rate was 38.02%. There are statistically significant differences in MP detection rates among different genders, age groups, and years (P<0.05). Among the 286 patients diagnosed with MPP and undergoing bronchoscopy, 68 (23.78%) patients had PB. According to univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis, small age, higher N%, D-D, LDH and AST levels were independent risk factors for PB (P<0.05). ROC curve analysis shows that age and combined detection are the most effective indicators for PB prediction, with areas under the curve of 0.998 and 0.961, respectively. Conclusion MP is the main pathogen of respiratory tract infections in the area from 2020 to 2023. Women and children are more susceptible to MP infection. Small age, high N%, DD, LDH and AST levels are independent risk factors for PB in patients with MPP. Targeted preventive measures should be taken for MP susceptible population, and close attention should be paid to PB related risk factors to prevent disease progression and the occurrence of PB.

Protein phosphorylation modification is one of the key regulatory mechanisms in cellular signaling transduction and metabolic processes. The phosphorylation state of target proteins is regulated by specific protein kinases and phosphatases, which add or remove phosphate groups. Histidine phosphorylation (pHis) plays a crucial role in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes life activities and is linked to various pathological processes. Unlike the stable phosphorylation of proteins via phosphate ester bonds, histidine phosphorylation is linked through phosphoramide bonds, making it highly sensitive to high temperatures and low pH. This sensitivity has historically impeded progress in identifying and studying histidine phosphorylation. In recent years, the development of new techniques in phosphoproteomics and the emergence of pHis-specific antibodies have promoted the identification and functional research of pHis-modified substrates. For the first time, more than 700 pHis-modified proteins have been identified in mammalian cells, and pHis-modified substrates such as focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and phosphoglycerate mutase 1 (PGAM1) have been found to promote tumor development. This article mainly reviewed the key mechanisms and functions of histidine kinases and histidine phosphatases in regulating the histidine phosphorylation of specific substrates, and highlights their significant roles in human physiological and pathological processes, aiming to provide guidance for further research into the biological functions of histidine phosphorylation.

Objective To clone the full-length sequence,subcellular localization,and analyze the expression patterns of the β-caryophyllene synthase gene(AaCPS)of Artemisia argyi,in order to lay a foundation for the gene function analysis of sesquiterpene biosynthesis pathway in A.argyi.Methods The genes annotated as CPS were selected from the transcriptome data of A.argyi.The full-length cDNA sequence of the target gene was obtained by PCR,and the coding region was analyzed using bioinformatics.A prokaryotic expression vector was constructed and transformed into Escherichia coli competent cells to express recombinant protein.A green fluorescent protein(GFP)fused expression vector was constructed,and the subcellular localization of AaCPS was observed using Agrobacterium tumefaciens transient expression method in tobacco.Real-time quantitative PCR(qRT-PCR)was used to analyze the expression patterns of the AaCPS at different harvest times(April,May,June,July).Determination of β-caryophyllene by HS-SPME-GC-MS and correlation analysis.Results The AaCPS gene was cloned from A.argyi.The full-length open reading frame(ORF)was 1647 bp,encoding 548 amino acids.The molecular weight was 63 667 Da with a theoretical pI of 5.94.AaCPS contained conserved Terpen_synth and Terpen_synth_C domains.Phylogenetic analysis indicated that AaCPS was closely related to the CPS protein of Artemisia annua.SDS-PAGE showed the presence of target protein bands between 75 000-120 000 Da(containing 28 132 Da of the labeled protein),indicating successful expression of the AaCPS protein.The protein was found to be localized in the cytoplasm.As shown by qRT-PCR,the expression of AaCPS gene showed an upward trend,reaching the highest in July.The results of HS-SPME-GC-MS showed that the content of β-caryophyllene increased gradually from April to the highest in June.It is consistent with the trend of AaCPS gene expression from April to June.Conclusion Through the cloning and analysis of AaCPS gene,a foundation has been laid for further study of the functional identification of the AaCPS gene in the sesquiterpenes biosynthesis pathway in A.argyi.

Objective:To investigate the prospective association of sleep duration with the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults in Suzhou.Methods:The study used the data of 53 269 participants aged 30-79 years recruited in the baseline survey from 2004 to 2008 and the follow-up until December 31, 2017 of China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) conducted in Wuzhong District, Suzhou. After excluding participants with airflow limitation, self-reported chronic bronchitis/emphysema/coronary heart disease history at the baseline survey and abnormal or incomplete data, a total of 45 336 participants were included in the final analysis. The association between daily sleep duration and the risk for developing COPD was analyzed by using a Cox proportional hazard regression model, and the hazard ratio ( HR) values and their 95% CI were calculated. The analysis was stratified by age, gender and lifestyle factors, and cross-analysis was conducted according to smoking status and daily sleep duration. Results:The median follow-up time was 11.12 years, with a total of 515 COPD diagnoses in the follow-up. After adjusting for potential confounders, multifactorial Cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed that daily sleep duration ≥10 hours was associated with higher risk for developing COPD ( HR=1.42, 95% CI: 1.03-1.97). The cross analysis showed that excessive daily sleep duration increased the risk for COPD in smokers ( HR=2.49, 95% CI: 1.35-4.59, interaction P<0.001). Conclusion:Longer daily sleep duration (≥10 hours) might increase the risk for COPD in adults in Suzhou, especially in smokers.

Objective:To report the clinical efficacy of adjuvant therapy based on pathological results following immunotherapy combined with targeted therapy and sequential curative surgical procedures in patients with initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods:This is a retrospective case series study. Data from 100 patients who underwent adjuvant therapy based on pathological results following immunotherapy combined with targeted therapy and sequential curative surgical procedures with long-term survival were collected from December 2018 to December 2022 at the Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, First Medical Center, Chinese People′s Liberation Army General Hospital. According to inclusion and exclusion criteria, 47 cases were included, among which patients who met the discontinuation criteria and maintained a drug-free tumor-free status. Thirty-nine male and eight female patients were included, with an age of (54.2±18.8)years(range:38 to 73 years) at initial diagnosis. At the time of initial diagnosis, 43 cases (91.5%) were classified as Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage C. Survival curves were made using Kaplan Meier method.Results:Forty-seven patients underwent R0 resection, all achieved a drug-free tumor-free state through postoperative adjuvant therapy based on pathological examination results. Thirty-six patients(76.6%) maintained a drug-free tumor-free survival status for more than 6 months,28 patients(59.6%) for more than 12 months,and 8 patients(17.0%) for more than 24 months. The longest drug-free tumor-free survival in this cohort reached 48 months. The median follow-up time in this study was 32 months. After diagnosis, the overall survival rates at 1- and 3- years were 97.7%(95% CI:93.4% to 100%) and 90.7%(95% CI:82.5% to 99.8%). The postoperative recurrence-free survival rates at 1- and 3- years were 91.0%(95% CI:83.0% to 99.8%) and 71.3%(95% CI:58.7% to 86.5%). Conclusions:The adjuvant therapy based on pathological results following immunotherapy combined with targeted therapy and sequential curative surgical approach provides long-term survival benefits for patients with initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. Standardized adjuvant therapy maybe sustain long-term tumor-free status,and achieve drug-free tumor-free survival.