ObjectiveObesity has been identified as one of the most important risk factors for cognitive dysfunction. Physical exercise can ameliorate learning and memory deficits by reversing synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus and cortex in diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. In this study, we aimed to determine whether 8 weeks of treadmill exercise could alleviate hippocampus-dependent memory impairment in high-fat diet-induced obese mice and investigate the potential mechanisms involved. MethodsA total of sixty 6-week-old male C57BL/6 mice, weighing between 20-30 g, were randomly assigned to 3 distinct groups, each consisting of 20 mice. The groups were designated as follows: control (CON), high-fat diet (HFD), and high-fat diet with exercise (HFD-Ex). Prior to the initiation of the treadmill exercise protocol, the HFD and HFD-Ex groups were fed a high-fat diet (60% fat by kcal) for 20 weeks. The mice in the HFD-Ex group underwent treadmill exercise at a speed of 8 m/min for the first 10 min, followed by 12 m/min for the subsequent 50 min, totally 60 min of exercise at a 0° slope, 5 d per week, for 8 weeks. We employed Y-maze and novel object recognition tests to assess hippocampus-dependent memory and utilized immunofluorescence, Western blot, Golgi staining, and ELISA to analyze axon length, dendritic complexity, number of spines, the expression of c-fos, doublecortin (DCX), postsynaptic density-95 (PSD95), synaptophysin (Syn), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and the number of major histocompatibility complex II (MHC-II) positive cells. ResultsMice with HFD-induced obesity exhibit hippocampus-dependent memory impairment, and treadmill exercise can prevent memory decline in these mice. The expression of DCX was significantly decreased in the HFD-induced obese mice compared to the control group (P<0.001). Treadmill exercise increased the expression of c-fos (P<0.001) and DCX (P=0.001) in the hippocampus of the HFD-induced obese mice. The axon length (P<0.001), dendritic complexity (P<0.001), the number of spines (P<0.001) and the expression of PSD95 (P<0.001) in the hippocampus were significantly decreased in the HFD-induced obese mice compared to the control group. Treadmill exercise increased the axon length (P=0.002), dendritic complexity(P<0.001), the number of spines (P<0.001) and the expression of PSD95 (P=0.001) of the hippocampus in the HFD-induced obese mice. Our study found a significant increase in MHC-II positive cells (P<0.001) and the concentration of IL-1β (P<0.001) in the hippocampus of HFD-induced obese mice compared to the control group. Treadmill exercise was found to reduce the number of MHC-II positive cells (P<0.001) and the concentration of IL-1β (P<0.001) in the hippocampus of obese mice induced by a HFD. ConclusionTreadmill exercise led to enhanced neurogenesis and neuroplasticity by increasing the axon length, dendritic complexity, dendritic spine numbers, and the expression of PSD95 and DCX, decreasing the number of MHC-II positive cells and neuroinflammation in HFD-induced obese mice. Therefore, we speculate that exercise may serve as a non-pharmacologic method that protects against HFD-induced hippocampus-dependent memory dysfunction by enhancing neuroplasticity and neurogenesis in the hippocampus of obese mice.

Panax species are mostly valuable medicinal plants. While some species' seeds are sensitive to dehydration, the dehydration tolerance of seeds from other Panax species remains unclear. The phospholipase D(PLD) gene plays an important role in plant responses to dehydration stress. However, the characteristics of the PLD gene family and their mechanisms of response to dehydration stress in seeds of Panax species with different dehydration tolerances are not well understood. This study used seeds from eight Panax species to measure the germination rates and PLD activity after dehydration and to analyze the correlation between dehydration tolerance and seed traits. Bioinformatics analysis was also conducted to characterize the PnPLD and PvPLD gene families and to evaluate their expression patterns under dehydration stress. The dehydration tolerance of Panax seeds was ranked from high to low as follows: P. ginseng, P. zingiberensis, P. quinquefolius, P. vietnamensis var. fuscidiscus, P. japonicus var. angustifolius, P. japonicus, P. notoginseng, and P. stipuleanatus. A significant negative correlation was found between dehydration tolerance and seed shape(three-dimensional variance), with flatter seeds exhibiting stronger dehydration tolerance(r=-0.792). Eighteen and nineteen PLD members were identified in P. notoginseng and P. vietnamensis var. fuscidiscus, respectively. These members were classified into five isoforms: α, β, γ, δ, and ζ. The gene structures, subcellular localization, physicochemical properties, and other characteristics of PnPLD and PvPLD were similar. Both promoters contained regulatory elements associated with plant growth and development, hormone responses, and both abiotic and biotic stress. During dehydration, the PLD enzyme activity in P. notoginseng seeds gradually increased as the water content decreased, whereas in P. vietnamensis var. fuscidiscus, PLD activity first decreased and then increased. The expression of PLDα and PLDδ in P. notoginseng seeds initially increased and then decreased, whereas in P. vietnamensis var. fuscidiscus, the expression of PLDα and PLDδ consistently decreased. In conclusion, the dehydration tolerance of Panax seeds showed a significant negative correlation with seed shape. The dehydration tolerance in P. vietnamensis var. fuscidiscus and dehydration sensitivity of P. notoginseng seeds may be related to differences in PLD enzyme activity and the expression of PLDα and PLDδ genes. This study provided the first systematic comparison of dehydration tolerance in Panax seeds and analyzed the causes of tolerance differences and the optimal water content for long-term storage at ultra-low temperatures, thus providing a theoretical basis for the short-term and ultra-low temperature long-term storage of medicinal plant seeds with varying dehydration tolerances.
Seeds/metabolism* ; Panax/physiology* ; Plant Proteins/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Phospholipase D/metabolism* ; Plants, Medicinal/enzymology* ; Germination ; Multigene Family ; Water/metabolism* ; Dehydration ; Phylogeny

OBJECTIVES: To summarize the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment outcomes of neonatal venous thrombosis. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 11 neonates with venous thrombosis admitted to the Department of Neonatology of Anhui Children's Hospital from January 2019 to September 2024. The clinical characteristics, diagnostic approaches, treatments, and outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 11 neonates diagnosed with venous thrombosis, 5 were male, and 6 were preterm infants, with a median gestational age of 35⁺⁶ weeks, birth weight of (2 322±1 069) g, and admission temperature of (36.6±0.4)°C. The median age at symptom onset was 6 days. Of the 11 cases, 8 limb venous thromboses and 1 portal vein thrombosis were confirmed by vascular ultrasound, and 2 cases of intracranial venous sinus thrombosis were confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. Ten cases received low molecular weight heparin for anticoagulation, with a treatment duration of (24±15) days; 2 cases were treated with urokinase thrombolysis, and 4 cases received fresh frozen plasma transfusion. Thrombosis resolved in 7 cases before discharge. Partial resolution occurred in 2 cases before discharge (1 continued outpatient treatment until resolution and 1 resolved during follow-up). One case was transferred to another hospital after 1 day of treatment and was discharged after thrombosis reduction. No adverse reactions such as bleeding were observed. One neonate with cerebral infarction at admission did not receive heparin anticoagulation and was followed up as an outpatient. CONCLUSIONS Vascular ultrasound is the most commonly used diagnostic method for neonatal venous thrombosis. Heparin anticoagulation is the recommended treatment. The overall prognosis of neonatal venous thrombosis is favorable.
Humans ; Male ; Venous Thrombosis/drug therapy* ; Infant, Newborn ; Female ; Retrospective Studies

Mycophenolic acid (MPA), the active moiety of both mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS), serves as a primary immunosuppressant for maintaining solid organ transplants. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) enhances treatment outcomes through tailored approaches. This study aimed to develop an evidence-based guideline for MPA TDM, facilitating its rational application in clinical settings. The guideline plan was drawn from the Institute of Medicine and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Using the Delphi method, clinical questions and outcome indicators were generated. Systematic reviews, Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) evidence quality evaluations, expert opinions, and patient values guided evidence-based suggestions for the guideline. External reviews further refined the recommendations. The guideline for the TDM of MPA (IPGRP-2020CN099) consists of four sections and 16 recommendations encompassing target populations, monitoring strategies, dosage regimens, and influencing factors. High-risk populations, timing of TDM, area under the curve (AUC) versus trough concentration (C₀), target concentration ranges, monitoring frequency, and analytical methods are addressed. Formulation-specific recommendations, initial dosage regimens, populations with unique considerations, pharmacokinetic-informed dosing, body weight factors, pharmacogenetics, and drug‍-‍drug interactions are covered. The evidence-based guideline offers a comprehensive recommendation for solid organ transplant recipients undergoing MPA therapy, promoting standardization of MPA TDM, and enhancing treatment efficacy and safety.
Mycophenolic Acid/administration & dosage* ; Drug Monitoring/methods* ; Humans ; Organ Transplantation ; Immunosuppressive Agents/administration & dosage* ; Delphi Technique

Chronic visceral pain is a persistent and debilitating condition arising from dysfunction or sensitization of the visceral organs and their associated nervous pathways. Increasing evidence suggests that imbalances in central nervous system function play an essential role in the progression of visceral pain, but the exact mechanisms underlying the neural circuitry and molecular targets remain largely unexplored. In the present study, the ventral tegmental area (VTA) was shown to mediate visceral pain in mice. Visceral pain stimulation increased c-Fos expression and Ca²⁺ activity of glutamatergic VTA neurons, and optogenetic modulation of glutamatergic VTA neurons altered visceral pain. In particular, the upregulation of NMDA receptor 2A (NR2A) subunits within the VTA resulted in visceral pain in mice. Administration of a selective NR2A inhibitor decreased the number of visceral pain-induced c-Fos positive neurons and attenuated visceral pain. Pharmacology combined with chemogenetics further demonstrated that glutamatergic VTA neurons regulated visceral pain behaviors based on NR2A. In summary, our findings demonstrated that the upregulation of NR2A in glutamatergic VTA neurons plays a critical role in visceral pain. These insights provide a foundation for further comprehension of the neural circuits and molecular targets involved in chronic visceral pain and may pave the way for targeted therapies in chronic visceral pain.
Animals ; Male ; Visceral Pain/metabolism* ; Up-Regulation/physiology* ; Ventral Tegmental Area/metabolism* ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate/antagonists & inhibitors* ; Neurons/drug effects* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos/metabolism* ; Chronic Pain/metabolism* ; Glutamic Acid/metabolism*

A nodule in the right middle lobe of the lung was treated by a combination of cone-beam CT,three-dimensional registration for fusion imaging,and electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy-guided thermal ablation.The procedure lasted for 90 min,with no significant bleeding observed under the bronchoscope.The total radiation dose during the operation was 384 mGy.The patient recovered well postoperatively,with only a small amount of blood in the sputum and no pneumothorax or other complications.A follow-up chest CT on the first day post operation showed that the ablation area completely covered the lesion,and the patient was discharged successfully.
Humans ; Bronchoscopy/methods* ; Catheter Ablation/methods* ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Electromagnetic Phenomena ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Lung Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective To analyze the relationship of the volume of 87 brain regions with postnatal age and neurobehavior in full-term neonates.Methods A total of 75 full-term newborns[gestational age(39.38±1.22)weeks;male/female(51/24);postnatal age(11.11±6.67)days]without abnormalities on brain MRI(three-dimensional T1-weighted imaging,3D T1WI)at our hospital between November 2010 and September 2017 were retrospectively included.Based on the template of 87 brain regions,the neonatal brains were divided into 87 brain regions and their volumes were calculated by using V-shape Bottleneck network(VB-Net)deep learning segmentation technique,Pearson partial correlation and regression analysis were used to explore the relationship of the volume of each brain region with postnatal age and neurobehavioral scores.Results After adjusting for gestational age,birth weight,head circumference,body length and sex,66.7％of the regional brain volumes(58/87 brain regions)significantly increased with the postnatal age(correlation coefficient r:0.2-0.7,P＜0.05).The volumes of gray matter in bilateral lentiform nucleus,left caudate nucleus,right occipital lobe,right inferior temporal lobe,and bilateral anterior temporal lobe strongly correlated with the postnatal age(r＞0.50,P＜0.05).The gray matter volume of the right occipital lobe linearly increased with age(slope:100.67),and was positively correlated with behavioral scores(r=0.324,P＜0.01).Conclusion Most of regional brain volumes increase with the postnatal age during the neonatal period,and the fastest growth occurs in primary sensorimotor-related brain regions,presenting the spatial heterogeneity.Partial brain region grows with the development of behavioral ability.

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of"ditching and ridge removal"with 450 nm semiconductor blue laser in the treatment of large volume benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH),in order to promote the clinical application of this method.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 30 patients with large volume BPH treated with"ditching and ridge removal"with 450 nm semiconductor blue laser in Yingsheng Branch of Tai'an Central Hospital during Sep.and Dec.2023.The laser operation time,level of hemoglobin before and after operation,bladder irrigation time after operation,urinary catheter indwelling time,postoperative hospital stay,and intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded.The changes of international prostate symptom score(IPSS),quality of life scale(QoL)score,maximum urinary flow rate(Qmax)and post-void residual volume(PVR)were compared before and 1 month after operation.Results The volume of prostate was(104.5±14.52)mL,the laser operation time was(20.13±2.98)min,and the bladder irrigation time was(20.27±2.56)h.The catheter was removed in all patients 2 days after operation,and all patients were discharged 3 days after operation.One month after operation,the IPSS,QoL,Qmax and PVR were significantly improved as compared with those before operation(P＜0.05).No complications occurred during the follow-up.Conclusion"Ditching and ridge removal"with 450 nm semiconductor blue laser is a new,safe and effective method in the treatment of large volume BPH.

Objective: To analyze the safety and effectiveness of different types of stents with the treatment of vertebraebasilar artery dissection aneurysms(VBADA). Methods : The clinical data of 80 patients with VBADA treated by intravascular intervention in the First Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China(Anhui Provincial Hospital) from February 2018 to November 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into laser engraved stent group(n=34) and braided stent group(n=46) based on the type of stent used. O′Kelly-Marotta(OKM) grade was used to evaluate the embolization effect of aneurysms in DSA images, and a modified Rankin Scale(mRS) score was used to evaluate the clinical prognosis of patients. The baseline data, aneurysm characteristics, intraoperative and perioperative treatment details and postoperative follow-up details between the two groups were compared. Results : There was no significant difference in baseline data, mRS score, ischemic and hemorrhage complications and mortality between the two groups(allP>0.05). Compared with the laser engraved stent group, the mean diameter of aneurysms was larger(P<0.000 1) and the proportion of ruptured aneurysm(P<0.01), parent artery stenosis and beaded vascular lesions(P<0.05) and branch artery dissecting aneurysm were higher(P<0.01) in the braided stent group. Conversely, the proportion of coil-assisted embolization(P<0.000 1) and the immediate aneurysm occlusion rate(OKM C and D)(P<0.000 1) were lower. Finally, 21 patients were obtained by controlling for maximum diameter of aneurysms and whether coil-assisted embolization, the aneurysm occlusion rate half a year later in the braided stent group was higher than that in the laser engraved stent group(P<0.05), but the recurrence rate of postoperative aneurysm was lower than that of laser engraved stent group(P<0.05). It was worth noting that the cure rate and vascular remodeling rate of middle-large size VBADA which the maximum diameter being over 15 mm in the braided stent group reached 72.2%, and the whole effect was ideal. Conclusion Braided stents are relatively safe and effective in the treatment of VBADA and are significantly better than laser engraved stents in reducing VBADA recurrence and remodeling lesion vessels without increasing postoperative complication.