ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which the Shenfu Xiongze prescription regulates autophagy in rats with myocardial remodeling through the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase （AMPK）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） signaling pathway. MethodsA rat model of myocardial remodeling induced by isoprenaline （ISO） was established. Rats were divided into the blank group，the model group，the low-，medium-， and high-dose groups of Shenfu Xiongze prescription，and the captopril group， 6 rats in each group. Except for the blank group，the rat model of myocardial remodeling was established in the other groups by intraperitoneal injection of 2.5 mg·kg^-1 ISO for 3 consecutive weeks. At the same time of modeling， the low-，medium-， and high-dose groups of Shenfu Xiongze prescription were administered the corresponding doses of Shenfu Xiongze prescription solution （8.4，16.8，and 33.6 g·kg^-1），and the captopril group was administered captopril solution （25 mg·kg^-1）. As for the blank group and the model group， the same volume of normal saline was given. The treatment was continued for 3 weeks. Echocardiography was used to observe the cardiac structure and function，and the heart weight index was detected. Masson staining and hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining were used to observe the pathological morphology changes of myocardial tissue. The levels of interleukin-6 （IL-6） and B-type natriuretic peptide （BNP） in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The expression of type Ⅰ collagen （Collagen Ⅰ），type Ⅲ collagen （Collagen Ⅲ），and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 （LC3） proteins in myocardial tissue was determined by immunohistochemistry. Autophagy was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The mRNA expression of Collagen Ⅰ，Collagen Ⅲ，α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA），LC3，yeast Atg6 homolog protein （Beclin-1），AMPK，and mTOR in myocardial tissue was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction （real-time PCR）. The protein expression of Collagen Ⅰ，α-SMA，transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁），LC3，Beclin-1，p62， phosphorylation（p）-AMPK，p-mTOR，AMPK，and mTOR was detected by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the normal group，rats in the model group exhibited significantly decreased values of ejection fraction （EF） and left ventricular fractional shortening （FS） （P<0.01）， significantly increased values of left ventricular end-diastolic diameter （LVIDd） and left ventricular end-systolic diameter （LVIDs） （P<0.01）. Additionally， the model group also showed increased degrees of inflammatory infiltration and fibrosis of myocardial tissue， significantly elevated levels of serum IL-6 and BNP （P<0.01）， significantly increased mRNA and protein levels of Collagen Ⅰ，Collagen Ⅲ，α-SMA，and mTOR （P<0.01），and markedly decreased mRNA and protein levels of LC3，Beclin-1，and AMPK （P<0.05，P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the low-，medium-， and high-dose groups of Shenfu Xiongze prescription presented significantly elevated EF and FS values （P<0.01） and lowered LVIDd and LVIDs （P<0.05）. In these groups， the inflammation and fibrosis were alleviated significantly. They also exhibited decreased serum levels of IL-6 and BNP （P<0.01）， significantly reduced protein expression of Collagen Ⅰ， α-SMA， TGF-β₁， p62， and p-mTOR （P<0.01）， significantly decreased mRNA expression of Collagen Ⅰ， Collagen Ⅲ， α-SMA， and mTOR （P<0.01）， and significantly increased mRNA and protein levels of LC3， Beclin-1， and AMPK （P<0.05，P<0.01）. ConclusionThe Shenfu Xiongze prescription can improve the myocardial remodeling induced by ISO in rats by regulating the autophagy level，enhance cardiac function，and reduce inflammatory and fibrotic levels. This effect may be achieved through the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.

Gut microbial communities are likely remodeled in tandem with accumulated physiological decline during aging, yet there is limited understanding of gut microbiome variation in advanced age. Here, we performed a metagenomics-based enterotype analysis in a geographically homogeneous cohort of 367 enrolled Chinese individuals between the ages of 60 and 94 years, with the goal of characterizing the gut microbiome of elderly individuals and identifying factors linked to enterotype variations. In addition to two adult-like enterotypes dominated by Bacteroides (ET-Bacteroides) and Prevotella (ET-Prevotella), we identified a novel enterotype dominated by Escherichia (ET-Escherichia), whose prevalence increased in advanced age. Our data demonstrated that age explained more of the variance in the gut microbiome than previously identified factors such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or diet. We characterized the distinct taxonomic and functional profiles of ET-Escherichia, and found the strongest cohesion and highest robustness of the microbial co-occurrence network in this enterotype, as well as the lowest species diversity. In addition, we carried out a series of correlation analyses and co-abundance network analyses, which showed that several factors were likely linked to the overabundance of Escherichia members, including advanced age, vegetable intake, and fruit intake. Overall, our data revealed an enterotype variation characterized by Escherichia enrichment in the elderly population. Considering the different age distribution of each enterotype, these findings provide new insights into the changes that occur in the gut microbiome with age and highlight the importance of microbiome-based stratification of elderly individuals.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Bacteroides ; China ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/microbiology* ; Escherichia coli/classification* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/genetics* ; Metagenomics ; East Asian People

AIM: To observe the changes of corneal densitometry(CD)in patients with keratoconus after corneal cross-linking(CXL).METHODS: Retrospective study. A total of 32 patients(43 eyes)with keratoconus in Ningxia Eye Hospital from April 2020 to April 2022 were selected. Pentacam analysis system divided the cornea into three layers: anterior 120 μm, middle layer and posterior 60 μm, and divides it into five regions with diameters of 0-2, 2-6, 6-10, 10-12 mm and full diameter according to the diameter, and measures the CD in different ranges. The changes of CD were compared before operation and at 1, 3 and 6 mo after operation.RESULTS: There were differences in uncorrected visual acuity, best corrected visual acuity and intraocular pressure before and 6 mo after operation(all P<0.05), and there was no difference in corneal endothelial cells(P=0.477). CD reached its peak at 1 mo after operation, and decreased at 3 mo and 6 mo after operation, but it was still higher than that before operation. There is a significant positive correlation between CD and Kmax in the anterior layer and the whole layer(r=0.164, P=0.016; r=0.152, P=0.023).CONCLUSION: The values of CD peaked at 1 mo after CXL, then it gradually decreased, tending to become stable at 6 mo postoperatively.

【Objective】 To explore the relationship between the methylation level of CNR1 and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), in order to provide a theoretical basis for the etiology of ASD. 【Methods】 A case-control study was conducted, recruiting 30 children with ASD from the Child Development and Behavior Research Center of Harbin Medical University and a rehabilitation facility, and 30 matched typically developed children from June 2017 to December 2018. The methylation levels of CNR1 in peripheral blood were measured by the Agena MassArray^® Mass Spectrometry System. A univariate conditional Logistic regression model was used to analyze the potential association between the methylation level of CNR1 and the risk of ASD with adjustment for age, BMI, body fat percentage and body fat. The correlations between the methylation level of CNR1 and the score of Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) were evaluated by Pearson/Spearman correlation analysis. 【Results】 The methylation levels of the average methylation (t=2.224), CpG_3.4 (Z=2.187), CpG_9.10.11 (t=2.308), and CpG_28.29 (t=2.943) of the CNR1 promoter region in ASD children were significantly higher than controls (P<0.05). The methylation levels of the average methylation (OR=1.117, 95%CI: 1.003 - 1.245), CpG_9.10.11 (OR= 1.072, 95%CI:1.006 - 1.142), and CpG_28.29 (OR=1.078, 95%CI: 1.018 - 1.141) of the CNR1 promoter region were positively correlated with the risk of ASD (P<0.05). The methylation level of CpG_28.29 in ASD children was positively correlated with the scores of social motivation in SRS (r=0.421, P<0.05). 【Conclusions】 The methylation levels of CNR1 in peripheral blood are abnormal in ASD children and might be correlated with the risk of ASD and social function. The underlying mechanism needs to be further explored.

Objective To explore the mechanism of ginsenoside Rg1 in alleviating heat stress-induced testicular injury in mice.Methods A total of 20 C57BL/6 male mice(6～8 weeks old)were randomly divided into 4 groups(n=5).The mice from the control group and heat stress(HS)group were intraperitoneally injected with 10 mL/(kg·d)0.9％normal saline for 14 d,while those in the HS+Rg1 group and the Rg1 group were given an intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/(kg·d)for 14 d,and then on the 7th day after administration,the mice in the HS group and the HS+Rg1 group had the lower abdomen put into a 43 ℃ water bath for 30 min as a single heat stress after being anesthetized with 4％chloral hydrate.Mouse spermatocytes GC-2spd(ts)were divided into control group(routine culture for 48 h),HS group(placed in a 43 ℃ water bath for 30 min after 36 h of conventional culture,and cultured till the end of 48 h),HS+Rg1 group(50 μmol/L Rg1 treatment followed by heat stress injury),and Rg1 group(no heat stress injury).In 1 d after modeling,the eyeball blood samples were collected to detect serum testosterone with ELISA,and the testicles were extracted to observe the morphology and weighed to calculate the testicular index.HE staining was used to observe the histopathology of testis,and corresponding reagents and kits was employed to detect the content of malondialdehyde(MDA)and activities of catalase(CAT)and superoxide dismutase(SOD)in testis tissue.After the epididymal sperm were collected,the sperm concentration and motility were analyzed by computer-assisted sperm analysis(CASA)system.In in vitro experiments,cell apoptosis was detected with TUNEL staining,the protein levels of Nrf2,Keap1,HO-1,Bax,Bcl-2 and Caspase3 were detected with Western blotting,and the mRNA levels of GCLC,GCLM and NQO1 were detected by RT-qPCR.Results Rg1 prevented the decreases in testicular weight and testicular index caused by heat stress,reduced the damage of testicular tissue structure,prevented the decrease of sperm concentration and vitality,antagonized the decreasd number of Leydig cells and serum testosterone level,reduced the accumulation of MDA in testicular tissue,and enhanced the activities of CAT and SOD.Rg1 treatment alleviated the apoptosis of GC-2spd(ts)cells,down-regulated the expression of Bax,Caspase3 and Keap1 proteins,enhanced the expression of Bcl-2,Nrf2 and HO-1 proteins,and increased the transcriptional levels of Nrf2 target genes GCLC,GCLM and NQO1.Conclusion Rg1 has no significant effect on the structure and function of mouse testes,but it can effectively improve the ability of mouse testes to resist heat stress injury,which may be related to the activation of Nrf2 signaling pathway,the improvement of antioxidant enzyme activity,and the reduction of apoptosis of spermatogenic cells.

To describe and evaluate the clinical studies of postoperative pain sensitization caused by sleep deprivation through the evidence map system, understand the distribution of evidence in this field, and provide reference for subsequent evidence research.

Objective:To retrieve, evaluate and summarize relevant evidence on home-based exercise management in patients with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease, so as to provide reference and guidance for clinical healthcare professionals to construct and improve patient home-based exercise intervention plans.Methods:According to the top-down principle of the "6S" evidence model, UpToDate, BMJ, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, Guidelines International Network, National Guideline Clearinghouse, Medlive, Clinical Guidelines Network, Joanna Briggs Institute, Cochrane Library, PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, VIP and China Biology Medicine Disc were systematically searched for relevant literature on home-based exercise management in patients with Parkinson's disease, including guidelines, expert consensuses, systematic reviews, evidence summaries, clinical decisions, recommended practices and best practices. The search period was from the establishment of the databases to October 31, 2022. Two researchers independently evaluated the quality of the literature and extracted and integrated evidence.Results:A total of 27 articles were included, including three guidelines, five expert opinions and consensuses, three clinical practice suggestions, 15 systematic evaluations and one clinical decision. A total of 45 pieces of evidence were summarized from six aspects, such as organizational management, health education, exercise evaluation, exercise prescription, family and social support and monitoring guidance.Conclusions:This study summarized the best evidence of home-based exercise management for patients with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease, which can provide evidence-based basis for clinical staff to formulate home-based exercise management programs and standardize practice standards.

African swine fever virus(ASFV)I177L gene deletion vaccine is one of the key directions of African swine fever(ASF)live attenuated vaccine research and development.In order to effec-tively distinguish between the wild-type ASFV strain and the I177L gene-deleted strain,specific primers and probes were designed based on ASFV B646L and I177L genes,respectively.After screening and optimization,a duplex real-time PCR method was developed that can simultaneously detect these two genes.The results showed that ASFV B646L and I177L genes were detected spe-cifically and simultaneously by the method developed without cross-reactions with porcine circovir-us type 2,Seneca virus A,classical swine fever virus,foot-and-mouth disease virus,porcine respira-tory and reproductive syndrome virus.The detection limits of the duplex real-time PCR for recom-binant plasmids pUC57-B646L and pUC57-I177L were 1×103 copies/mL.The intra-and inter-as-say coefficients of variation were less than 4％,respectively.Detection of 122 pork and pork prod-ucts using the duplex real-time PCR developed and the real-time PCR recommended by WOAH showed that the coincidence rates of the two methods for B646L gene detection was 100％with two amplification curves appeared in the positive results of the established methods.The method established in this study can be used for the detection of ASFV I177L gene deletion strains,which provides technical support for ASF surveillance and epidemiological investigation.

Zi goose is a small local variety with high fecundity,good meat quality,roughage resist-ance,strong adaptability and excellent down quality.It is an excellent female parent for cross breeding among varieties.With the rapid development of goose industry,the variety of Zi goose has not been well protected,the variety is hybrid and degraded seriously,and the number of pure Zi goose is decreasing day by day.This paper reviewed the research progress on the breeding distribu-tion and preservation status of Zi goose and the variety characteristics of Zi goose,in order to pro-vide reference for the research,protection and utilization of germplasm resources of Zi goose and the stable development of goose industry.