The central amygdala (CeA) is a crucial modulator of emotional, behavioral, and autonomic functions, including cardiovascular responses. Despite its importance, the specific circuit by which the CeA modulates blood pressure remains insufficiently explored. Our investigations demonstrate that photostimulation of GABAergic neurons in the centromedial amygdala (CeM^GABA), as opposed to those in the centrolateral amygdala (CeL), produces a depressor response in both anesthetized and freely-moving mice. In addition, activation of CeM^GABA axonal terminals projecting to the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) significantly reduces blood pressure. These CeM^GABA neurons form synaptic connections with NTS neurons, allowing for the modulation of cardiovascular responses by influencing the caudal or rostral ventrolateral medulla. Furthermore, CeM^GABA neurons targeting the NTS receive dense inputs from the CeL. Consequently, stimulation of CeM^GABA neurons elicits hypotension through the CeM-NTS circuit, offering deeper insights into the cardiovascular responses associated with emotions and behaviors.
Animals ; GABAergic Neurons/physiology* ; Male ; Central Amygdaloid Nucleus/physiopathology* ; Hypotension/physiopathology* ; Mice ; Blood Pressure/physiology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Solitary Nucleus/physiology* ; Photic Stimulation ; Neural Pathways/physiology*

Objective To study the effects of antibiotics and high-fat diet on energy metabolism and the browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT) in mice, so as to provide new ideas for the possible mechanism of adipose tissue in the prevention and treatment of obesity. Methods A total of 80 10-week-old C57BL/6 male mice were fed with normal diet in the early stage, and the antibiotic gavage group (AG) and antibiotic high-fat group (AFG) were given mixed antibiotics by gavage. The blank group (BG) and the high-fat diet group (FG) were given normal saline intragastric solution for 2 weeks, and after the gavage operation, the FG group and the AFG group were given high-fat diet for obesity modeling, and the BG group and AG group continued to be fed with normal diet for 8 weeks (N=20). After the experiment, each group was injected with β3-adrenergic receptor agonists for 5 days, and the high-fat/ordinary diet remained unchanged. At the end of the experiment, basal metabolic rate (BMR), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and rectal temperature were measured, and feces, blood, subcutaneous white fat, epididymis and brown adipose tissue in the scapular area of mice were collected. The automatic biochemical analyzer was used to determine the blood biochemical indexes; reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to measure the expression of genes related to browning of WAT and BAT adipose tissue, respectively. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to determine the expression of WAT mitochondrial DNA (mt DNA). Results From the 4th week to the end of the experiment, the weight of the AFG group was significantly higher than that of the AG group and significantly lower than that of the FG group (P<0.05). The body weight, organ coefficient, serum TC level, rectal temperature and WAT cell diameter in the AFG group were significantly higher than those in the AG group. The serum levels of FBG, TC and LDL in the AFG group were significantly lower than those in the FG group (P<0.05). The overall BMR(mlO2/h) FG group was significantly higher than that of BG group, and the AFG group was significantly higher than that of AG. BMR per unit body weight (mlO2/h/g) AFG was significantly higher than that of FG group (P<0.05). The expressions of RIP140, PPAR-γ and UCP-1 in BAT in the AFG group were significantly higher than those in the FG group, and the mt DNA copy number of WAT in the AFG group was significantly higher than that in the FG group (P<0.05). Conclusion Antibiotic intervention can up-regulate the expression of brown fat-related genes in high-fat diet mice, increase brown fat activity, increase the relative mitochondrial number of white fat, increase the level of browning of white fat, promote thermogenesis, increase the BMR per unit body weight of adult obese mice, and then improve the overall energy metabolism of the body, and slow down the weight gain induced by high-fat diet to a certain extent.

This study was aimed at understanding the detection rate,drug resistance characteristics,virulence characteris-tics,multi-locus sequence typing,and other molecular epidemic and pathogenic characteristics of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in children in Guangdong Province from 2020 to 2022.Anal swabs or stool samples of suspected infection cases in children from 2020 to 2022 were collected from two hospitals in Guangzhou,Guangdong Province.Campylobacter was isolated and cultured through the filtration method,and identified with a microbial mass spectrometry system;antibiotic resist-ance was analyzed with the agar dilution method;bacterial genome nucleic acids were extracted,and whole-genome sequencing was conducted;and drug resistance genes,virulence genes,multi-locus sequence typing,and phylogenetic analysis based on whole-genome single nucleotide polymorphisms were analyzed from whole-genome sequencing results.First,53 strains of Campy-lobacter were detected through continuous routine monitoring in this study,with a positive detection rate of 2.94％.Among them,Campylobacter jejuni accounted for 81.13％(43/53)and Campylobacter coli accounted for 18.87％(10/53).In addition,16 strains of Campylobacter were screened through multi-pathogen surveillance,including 11 strains of Campylobacter jejuni and 5 strains of Campylobacter coli.Drug resistance ex-periments and whole genome sequencing were conducted on 46 Campylobacter isolates,including 33 isolates of Campylobacter jejuni and 13 isolates of Campylobacter coli.The resistance rate of Campylobacter to erythromycin,a widely used clinical treatment,was21.73％(10/46);that to tetracycline was 80.43％(37/46);those to the quinolone antibiotics nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin were 76.08％(35/46)and 71.73％(33/46)respectively;and that to chloramphenicol was lowest,at 2.17％(1/46).The drug resistance rate was generally higher for Campylobacter coli than Campylobacter jejuni,and the differences in the indicators of erythromycin,gentamicin,streptomycin,telithromycin,and clindamycin were statistically significant.A total of 30 isolates of multidrug-resistant Campylobacter were detected,including nine multidrug-resistant phenotypes.Whole-ge-nome sequence analysis indicated that 46 Campylobacter isolates carried antibiotic resistance genes for antibiotics such as quino-lones,tetracyclines,β-lactams,and aminoglycosides,and carried 128 virulence factor genes in five categories.All 46 isolates of Campylobacter were identified as 35 ST type through MLST typing,and phylogenetic analysis indicated no obvious dominant ST type.Campylobacter coli had more SNPs than Campylobacter jejuni.In conclusion,the positive detection rate of Campy-lobacter in Guangzhou City,Guangdong Province stabilized from 2020 to 2022,and the detection rate of Campylobacter jejuni was higher than that of Campylobacter coli.Campylobacter isolates were resistant to tetracyclines and quinolone,and showed a wide spectrum of multi-drug resistance,which was relatively severe among Campylobacter coli.Resistance genes and drug-resistant phenotypes were correlated and had predictive significance.The virulence genes of Campylobacter jejuni were more a-bundant than those of Campylobacter coli,possibly because of the higher detection rate and pathogenicity of Campylobacter jejuni.The phylogenetic tree showed clear branches with high genetic diversity and no clearly dominant clonal group.

Objective To explore the effect of mixed antibiotics on the intestinal flora of mice to affect the immune regulation of the body,explore the role of intestinal flora in the development of obesity,and provide new ideas and ways for the prevention and treatment of obesity.Methods Seventy-two 10-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into blank control(Ctrl)group,high-fat diet(HF)group,antibiotic(ABX)group,and combined(COMB)group(n=18).At the first 2 weeks(lavage intervention weeks),Ctrl and HF group were given normal saline gavage;ABX and COMB group were given mixed antibiotics gavage,and the gavage volume was 0.2 mL/animal/day.For the following 8 weeks(feeding weeks),Ctrl and ABX group were fed with ordinary diet,HF and COMB group were fed with high-fat diet.Body weight was measured weekly,and fasting blood glucose was measured before and after gavage,and at the 4th and 8th week of feeding.Oral glucose tolerance test was performed at the end of the experiment.The organ coefficient was measured and the cell morphology of white and brown adipose tissue was observed.Serum was collected for the determination of free fatty acid,high-density lipoprotein,low-density lipoprotein,triglyceride,and total cholesterol.Serum TNF-α,IL-10,IL-4,IL-13,IL-33 and MCP-1 was detected by ELISA.The stool of mice was collected for second generation sequencing.Results High-fat diet increased body weight,serum total cholesterol,low-density lipoprotein,IL-13,IL-33,TNF-α,MCP-1 content,and decreased glucose tolerance and organ coefficient in mice(P＜0.05).From the first feeding week to the end of the experiment,body weight in COMB group was significantly lower than that in HF group(P＜0.05).The level of glucose tolerance,serum total cholesterol,low density lipoprotein,IL-13,IL-33,TNF-α and MCP-1 in COMB group was lower than those in HF group(P＜0.05).The α diversity of intestinal flora in ABX group was lower than that in Ctrl group(P＜0.05).Congestion and bleeding in WAT were obvious in HF group,but not in COMB group.The microbial community composition of ABX and HF group was similar to that of Ctrl and COMB group,respectively.Conclusion High-fat diet induces obesity,disorder of glucose and lipid metabolism and inflammation in mice.Short-term mixed antibiotic use can regulate the intestinal flora of mice,mediate increased expression of related anti-inflammatory factors,up-regulate host immunity,and improve glucose and lipid metabolism in mice.

Further evidence is needed to explore the impact of high-altitude environments on the neurologic function of neonates.Non-invasive techniques such as cerebral near-infrared spectroscopy and amplitude-integrated electroencephalography can provide data on cerebral oxygenation and brain electrical activity.This study will conduct multiple cerebral near-infrared spectroscopy and amplitude-integrated electroencephalography monitoring sessions at various time points within the first 3 days postpartum for healthy full-term neonates at different altitudes.The obtained data on cerebral oxygenation and brain electrical activity will be compared between different altitudes,and corresponding reference ranges will be established.The study involves 6 participating centers in the Chinese High Altitude Neonatal Medicine Alliance,with altitude gradients divided into 4 categories:800 m,1 900 m,2 400 m,and 3 500 m,with an anticipated sample size of 170 neonates per altitude gradient.This multicenter prospective cohort study aims to provide evidence supporting the impact of high-altitude environments on early brain function and metabolism in neonates.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(4):403-409]

Objective:To investigate the genotype,mutation type,and ethnic distribution characteristics of thalassemia in the population of Hechi area,Guangxi,and to provide a reference basis for prevention and control of thalassemia and eugenic counseling in the region.Methods:Gap-polymerase chain reaction(gap-PCR)and reverse dot blot(RDB)were used for genetic testing on suspected thalassemia persons,and the results were analyzed.Results:Among 29 136 samples,a total of 17 016(58.40％)positive samples for thalassemia genes were detected,with a higher detection rate in males than in females(X2=49.917,P＜0.001).The detection rates of thalassemia genes were significant different among Zhuang,Han,Yao,Mulao,and Maonan ethnic groups(x2=546.121,P＜0.001).The α-thalassemia genotypes were mainly--SEA/αα(16.67％),-α3.7/αα(8.90％),αCSα/αα(6.00％).Additionally,four rare genotypes were detected,including--THAI/αα(47 cases),HKαα/αα(2 cases),--SEA/-α21.9(2 cases),and--THAI/αcsα(1 case).The β-thalassemia genotypes were mainly βCD17/βN(7.49％),βCD41-42/βN(6.70％),βCD71-72/βN(0.44％).108 cases of moderate and severeβ-thalassemia were detected,of which 81 cases had a history of blood transfusion,the transfusion frequency of 60 cases was more than 10 times/year,and 10 cases received bone marrow transplantation.Conclusion:Thalassemia in Hechi area is predominantly deletion type--SEA/αα,the detection rate of thalassemia in ethnic minorities is higher than that in Han population.In this area,moderate and severe β-thalassemia have certain incidence,these patients mostly need regular blood transfusion and iron removal treatment,and very few patients have received bone marrow transplantation.This study provides a certain reference basis for prevention and control of thalassemia and eugenic counseling in the region.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the gene mutation and genotype distribution of thalassemia in the population of childbearing age in Chongzuo area of Guangxi. METHODS: Six α-thalassemia and 17 β-thalassemia gene mutations common in Chinese were detected by gap-polymerase chain reaction (gap-PCR) combined with agarose gel eletrophoresis and reserve dot bolt hybridization in 29 266 cases of child-bearing age suspected of thalassemia. RESULTS: A total of 19 128 (65.36%) cases were identified with thalassemia. The detection rate of α-thalassemia, β-thalassemia and α-combining β-thalassemia was 45.25% (13 242/29 266), 15.47% (4 526/29 266) and 4.65% (1 360/29 266), respectively. A total carrying rate of 8 kinds of α-thalassemia gene mutations was 26.74% (15 649/58 532), including 12.51% for --^SEA, followed by 5.70% for -α^3.7, and 0.24% for --^Thai. Among 32 α-thalassemia genotypes, the most common five were --^SEA/αα, -α^3.7/αα, α^CSα/αα, -α^4.2/αα and α^WSα/αα, accounting for 47.27%, 18.31%, 8.56%, 8.52% and 7.91%, respectively, as well as 0.97% for --^Thai/αα. A total carrying rate of 13 kinds of β-thalassemia gene mutations was 10.07% (5 897/58 532), including 3.63% for CD41-42, followed by 2.55% for CD17, and 0.003% for -50 (G>A). Among 17 β-thalassemia genotypes, the most common six were CD41-42/N, CD17/N, CD71-72/N, CD26/N, 28/N and IVSI-1/N, accounting for 36.15%, 25.81%, 9.43%, 8.18%, 8.09% and 7.75%. The homozygous genotype CD26/CD26 [hemoglobin (Hb): 121 g/L] and -28/-28 (Hb: 56 g/L) were respectively detected in one case, and double heterozygous genotype were detected in 5 cases, including 3 cases of CD41-42/CD26 (Hb: 41 g/L, 51 g/L, 63 g/L, respectively), 1 case of -28/IVSI-1 (Hb: 53 g/L), and 1 case of CD71-72/CD26 (Hb: 89 g/L), in which patients with moderate or severe anemia had a history of blood transfusion. Among 104 α-combining β-thalassemia genotypes, the most common were --^SEA/αα, -α^3.7/αα combining CD41-42/N and --^SEA/αα combining CD17/N, accounting for 12.13%, 9.63% and 9.26%, respectively. In addition, 1 case of --^SEA/-α^3.7 combining -28/IVSI-1 (Hb: 83 g/L) and 1 case of -α^3.7/αα combining CD41-42/ CD41-42 (Hb: 110 g/L) were detected without history of blood transfusion, while 1 case of α^WSα/αα combining CD41-42/CD17 (Hb: 79 g/L) and 1 case of --^SEA/αα combining CD17/-28 (Hb: 46 g/L) were detected with history. CONCLUSIONS The detection rate of thalassemia genes is high and the mutations are diverse in the population of childbearing age in Chongzuo area of Guangxi. The common deletion genotype is --^SEA/αα in α-thalassemia and CD41-42/N in β-thalassemia, and deletion genotype --^Thai is not rare. There is a certain incidence of intermediate and severe β-thalassemia, and most patients require transfusion therapy. The results are beneficial for genetic consultation and intervention of thalassemia.
Humans ; beta-Thalassemia/genetics* ; alpha-Thalassemia/genetics* ; Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4/genetics* ; China/epidemiology* ; Genotype ; Mutation

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the detection rate and hematologic phenotype of HKαα thalassemia in south Guangxi, in order to provide reference for the prevention and control of thalassemia and prenatal and postnatal care consultation in this region. METHODS: Gene testing was performed on pre-marital medical examinations, pre-pregnancy eugenic health examinations, prenatal examinations and hospitalized thalassemia-positive persons in south of Guangxi, and the results were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 183 190 thalassemia patients were included in this study, the age was mainly concentrated in 26-35 years old (101 709 cases, accounting for 55.521%), and 40 HKαα mutations were detected, detection rate was 0.022%, including 5 cases in Nanning, 22 cases in Qinzhou, 2 cases in Fangchenggang, 11 cases in Beihai. A total of 29 ethnic groups were included in the survey, but HKαα gene was observed only in Han nationality (0.0380%) and Zhuang nationality (0.0068%). A total of 8 genotypes carrying HKαα mutations were detected in this study ( HKαα/--^SEA, β^N/ β^N, HKαα/αα, β^-28/ β^N, HKαα/αα, β^-50/ β^N, HKαα/αα, β^CD17/ β^N, HKαα/αα, β^CD27/28/β ^N, HKαα/αα, β^CD41-42/ β^N, HKαα/αα, β^CD71-72/ β^N, and HKαα/αα, β^N/ β^N). Except for most cases with HKαα/αα, β^N/ β^N genotypes with no significant changes in the hematological indexes, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) of other genotypes were decreased, showing microcytic hypochromic performance, mild anemia or no anemia. CONCLUSION HKαα carrier is often misdiagnosed as -α^3.7 carrier, which easily leads to missed diagnosis or misdiagnosis. Therefore, it is necessary to continuously improve the diagnostic level of laboratory testing personnels and genetic counselors to avoid unnecessary interventional puncture operations and birth of children with moderate and severe thalassemia.
Child ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Humans ; Adult ; beta-Thalassemia/genetics* ; alpha-Thalassemia/genetics* ; China ; Genotype ; Phenotype ; Mutation

Humans ; Computed Tomography Angiography ; Deep Learning ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Coronary Stenosis/diagnosis* ; Retrospective Studies ; Fractional Flow Reserve, Myocardial ; Predictive Value of Tests

Objective: To analyze the clinical epidemiological characteristics including composition of pathogens , clinical characteristics, and disease prognosis acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) in Chinese children. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical and laboratory data of 1 610 children <15 years of age with ABM in 33 tertiary hospitals in China from January 2019 to December 2020. Patients were divided into different groups according to age,<28 days group, 28 days to <3 months group, 3 months to <1 year group, 1-<5 years of age group, 5-<15 years of age group; etiology confirmed group and clinically diagnosed group according to etiology diagnosis. Non-numeric variables were analyzed with the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test, while non-normal distrituction numeric variables were compared with nonparametric test. Results: Among 1 610 children with ABM, 955 were male and 650 were female (5 cases were not provided with gender information), and the age of onset was 1.5 (0.5, 5.5) months. There were 588 cases age from <28 days, 462 cases age from 28 days to <3 months, 302 cases age from 3 months to <1 year of age group, 156 cases in the 1-<5 years of age and 101 cases in the 5-<15 years of age. The detection rates were 38.8% (95/245) and 31.5% (70/222) of Escherichia coli and 27.8% (68/245) and 35.1% (78/222) of Streptococcus agalactiae in infants younger than 28 days of age and 28 days to 3 months of age; the detection rates of Streptococcus pneumonia, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus agalactiae were 34.3% (61/178), 14.0% (25/178) and 13.5% (24/178) in the 3 months of age to <1 year of age group; the dominant pathogens were Streptococcus pneumoniae and the detection rate were 67.9% (74/109) and 44.4% (16/36) in the 1-<5 years of age and 5-<15 years of age . There were 9.7% (19/195) strains of Escherichia coli producing ultra-broad-spectrum β-lactamases. The positive rates of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture and blood culture were 32.2% (515/1 598) and 25.0% (400/1 598), while 38.2% (126/330)and 25.3% (21/83) in CSF metagenomics next generation sequencing and Streptococcus pneumoniae antigen detection. There were 4.3% (32/790) cases of which CSF white blood cell counts were normal in etiology confirmed group. Among 1 610 children with ABM, main intracranial imaging complications were subdural effusion and (or) empyema in 349 cases (21.7%), hydrocephalus in 233 cases (14.5%), brain abscess in 178 cases (11.1%), and other cerebrovascular diseases, including encephalomalacia, cerebral infarction, and encephalatrophy, in 174 cases (10.8%). Among the 166 cases (10.3%) with unfavorable outcome, 32 cases (2.0%) died among whom 24 cases died before 1 year of age, and 37 cases (2.3%) had recurrence among whom 25 cases had recurrence within 3 weeks. The incidences of subdural effusion and (or) empyema, brain abscess and ependymitis in the etiology confirmed group were significantly higher than those in the clinically diagnosed group (26.2% (207/790) vs. 17.3% (142/820), 13.0% (103/790) vs. 9.1% (75/820), 4.6% (36/790) vs. 2.7% (22/820), χ²=18.71, 6.20, 4.07, all P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the unfavorable outcomes, mortility, and recurrence between these 2 groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions: The onset age of ABM in children is usually within 1 year of age, especially <3 months. The common pathogens in infants <3 months of age are Escherichia coli and Streptococcus agalactiae, and the dominant pathogen in infant ≥3 months is Streptococcus pneumoniae. Subdural effusion and (or) empyema and hydrocephalus are common complications. ABM should not be excluded even if CSF white blood cell counts is within normal range. Standardized bacteriological examination should be paid more attention to increase the pathogenic detection rate. Non-culture CSF detection methods may facilitate the pathogenic diagnosis.
Adolescent ; Brain Abscess ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Escherichia coli ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Meningitis, Bacterial/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Streptococcus agalactiae ; Streptococcus pneumoniae ; Subdural Effusion ; beta-Lactamases