ObjectiveTo clarify whether METTL14 mediates the core role of acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) in promoting myelination and improving behavior in young autistic rats through gene intervention technology. MethodsThe ASD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of valproic acid (VPA) in pregnant rats. Male offspring were intracerebroventricularly injected with adenovirus-packaged METTL14 shRNA (sh-METTL14) or its control (sh-NC) on postnatal day 1, with a model group set as well. Subsequently, the juvenile rats were divided into model group, acupuncture group, acupuncture+sh-NC group, and acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group. The acupuncture group received acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) from postnatal day 7, once daily for 21 consecutive days. Neurobehavioral changes were evaluated by behavioral tests; METTL14 knockdown efficiency and the expression of METTL14, METTL3, and PTEN were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot (WB); PTEN m⁶A levels were measured by RNA immunoprecipitation-qPCR (RIP-qPCR); myelin ultrastructure, expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) and neurofascin 155 (NF155), and dendritic spine density were observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and primary neuron culture. ResultsBehaviorally, knockdown of METTL14 significantly counteracted the beneficial effects of acupuncture in improving self-grooming, open field exploration, three-chamber social interaction, and Morris water maze learning and memory (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the acupuncture+sh-NC group, the acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group showed significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression of hippocampal METTL14 (P<0.01), and the upregulating effects of acupuncture on METTL3 and PTEN expression were reversed (P<0.01). Meanwhile, knockdown of METTL14 significantly inhibited the acupuncture-induced increase in PTEN m⁶A levels (P<0.01). Morphologically, knockdown of METTL14 attenuated the improvement of myelin structure by acupuncture, reversed the downregulation of MBP and upregulation of NF155 induced by acupuncture, and blocked the increase in dendritic spine density (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionMETTL14 is a key molecule mediating the therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Neiguan. Acupuncture at Neiguan upregulates METTL14, thereby enhancing m⁶A methylation modification of PTEN mRNA to stabilize its expression, ultimately promoting myelin development and improving behavioral symptoms in ASD juvenile rats. This preliminarily reveals the modern biological connotation of “opening Xuanfu and dredging myelin”.

ObjectiveTo clarify whether METTL14 mediates the core role of acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) in promoting myelination and improving behavior in young autistic rats through gene intervention technology. MethodsThe ASD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of valproic acid (VPA) in pregnant rats. Male offspring were intracerebroventricularly injected with adenovirus-packaged METTL14 shRNA (sh-METTL14) or its control (sh-NC) on postnatal day 1, with a model group set as well. Subsequently, the juvenile rats were divided into model group, acupuncture group, acupuncture+sh-NC group, and acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group. The acupuncture group received acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) from postnatal day 7, once daily for 21 consecutive days. Neurobehavioral changes were evaluated by behavioral tests; METTL14 knockdown efficiency and the expression of METTL14, METTL3, and PTEN were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot (WB); PTEN m⁶A levels were measured by RNA immunoprecipitation-qPCR (RIP-qPCR); myelin ultrastructure, expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) and neurofascin 155 (NF155), and dendritic spine density were observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and primary neuron culture. ResultsBehaviorally, knockdown of METTL14 significantly counteracted the beneficial effects of acupuncture in improving self-grooming, open field exploration, three-chamber social interaction, and Morris water maze learning and memory (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the acupuncture+sh-NC group, the acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group showed significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression of hippocampal METTL14 (P<0.01), and the upregulating effects of acupuncture on METTL3 and PTEN expression were reversed (P<0.01). Meanwhile, knockdown of METTL14 significantly inhibited the acupuncture-induced increase in PTEN m⁶A levels (P<0.01). Morphologically, knockdown of METTL14 attenuated the improvement of myelin structure by acupuncture, reversed the downregulation of MBP and upregulation of NF155 induced by acupuncture, and blocked the increase in dendritic spine density (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionMETTL14 is a key molecule mediating the therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Neiguan. Acupuncture at Neiguan upregulates METTL14, thereby enhancing m⁶A methylation modification of PTEN mRNA to stabilize its expression, ultimately promoting myelin development and improving behavioral symptoms in ASD juvenile rats. This preliminarily reveals the modern biological connotation of “opening Xuanfu and dredging myelin”.

OBJECTIVE To explore the risk factors for postoperative infectious endophthalmitis,distribution of pathogens and peripheral blood interleukin-17(IL-17),matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2)and insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1)in the patients with cataract and analyze the significance.METHODS A total of 60,000 patients with cataract who received surgical procedures in Daqing Eye Hospital from Jan.2018 to Jun.2024 were recruited as the research subjects.The aqueous humor and vitreous humor were collected from the patients with postoperative infectious endophthalmitis,and the isolated pathogens were identified.The baseline data were com-pared,the risk factors for the infectious endophthalmitis were analyzed.The levels of serum IL-17,MMP-2 and IGF-1 were compared,and the efficiencies of the indexes in prediction of infectious endophthalmitis were analyzed.RESULTS Totally 65,600 eyes involving 60,000 patients were enrolled in the study,21 of which(21 patients)were diagnosed with infectious endophthalmitis,with the incidence rate 0.032％.All of the 21 eyes were cultured positive for pathogens,among which gram-positive bacteria(73.08％)were dominant.Univariate analysis and multivariate analysis showed that complication with diabetes mellitus and vitreous overflow were the risk factors for the postoperative infectious endophthalmitis in the cataract patients.There were significant differences in the levels of serum IL-7,MMP-2 and IGF-1 between the infection group and the non-infection group after the surgery for 3 days(P＜0.05).Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis showed that the levels of serum IL-17,MMP-2 and IGF-1 after the surgery for 3 days could predict the occurrence of postoperative infectious endoph-thalmitis in the cataract patients,and the joint detection of the three indexes has highest predictive efficiency(P＜0.05),the area under the curve was 0.950,with the sensitivity 95.24％,the specificity 81.91％.CONCLUSIONS The incidence rate of postoperative endophthalmitis is 0.032％among the cataract patients.The complication with diabetes mellitus and vitreous outflow are the risk factors.The gram-positive bacteria are dominant among the pathogens.The changes of serum IL-17,MMP-2 and IGF-1 levels are closely associated with the occurrence of en-dophthalmitis,which has predictive value.

Objective To investigate the association of spleen volume with the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)as well as their causal relationship.Methods We included 90 NAFLD cases and 47 healthy controls who had received contrast-enhanced computed tomography(CT)scan of the abdomen at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from November 2022 to November 2023.We conducted three-dimensional reconstruction of the spleen through a deep learning network model using a two-stage coarse-to-fine segmentation approach.We compared the two groups using the two-sample t test or Mann-Whitney U test for continuous data and using the chi-square test for categorical data;evaluated the correlation between spleen volume and liver function indicators through Pearson correlation or Spearman rank correlation analyses;determined the factors influencing the development of NAFLD through multivariable Logistic regression analysis;and further assessed the casual relationship between spleen volume and NAFLD using the inverse variance-weighted two-sample Mendelian randomization(IVW-MR)method.Results Spleen volume was significantly larger in NAFLD cases than in controls(272.93±104.16 vs 204.37±81.20 cm3,P<0.001).The Spearman rank correlation analysis showed that spleen volume was positively correlated with the hepatic steatosis index(rs=0.422,P<0.001)and gamma-glutamyl transferase levels(rs=0.211,P=0.047)in patients with NAFLD.The multivariable Logistic regression analysis indicated that spleen volume was an independent risk factor for the development of NAFLD(odds ratio[OR]=1.01,95%confidence interval[CI]:1.00-1.02,P=0.049).The IVW-MR analysis detected a causal relationship between spleen volume and NAFLD(OR=1.16,95%CI:1.05-1.28,P=0.005).Conclusion Increased spleen volume may be a risk factor for the development and progression of NAFLD.Further studies are still needed to investigate the specific mechanism.

Objective:To explore the improvement effect of Tiaojing Zhuyun formula combined with Dai meridian moxibustion on endometrial fibrosis in rats with intrauterine adhesions(IUA)by regulating M2 type macrophage polarization.Methods:SD rats were selected to establish an IUA model using a dual injury method of mechanical curettage and lipopolysaccharide infection,which were randomly separated into model group,Tiaojing Zhuyun formula group,Dai meridian moxibustion group,Tiaojing Zhuyun formula+Dai meridian moxibustion group and Bujiale group,with 10 rats in each group,another 10 rats were regarded as a sham operation(control)group,after grouping and treatment,the number of embryo implantation of rats in each group after cage closure was detected;HE staining was applied to detect pathological morphology of uterine tissue in rats in different groups,and their endometrial thickness and glandular number were compared;Masson staining was applied to detect endometrial fibrosis in rats of each group,and the collagen volume fraction(CVF)was compared;ELISA was applied to detect serum levels of profibrotic factor TGF-β1,pro-inflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-6,and levels of procollagen type Ⅰ carboxy-terminal peptide(PⅠNP)and procollagen Ⅲ N-terminal peptide(PⅢNP)of rats in each group;immunofluorescence staining was applied to detect expressions of M2 type macrophage markers CD163 and CD68 in endometrium of rats in each group.Results:Compared with control group,model group showed obvious pathological damage to uterine tissue,thickness of endometrium was thinner,the number of glands and embryo implantation were obviously reduced(P<0.05),endometrial CVF,levels of serum PⅠNP,P Ⅲ NP,TGF-β1,IL-1β and IL-6,and the number of CD163 and CD68 positive cells in endometrium were increased(P<0.05);compared with model group,pathological damage to uterine tissue of rats in Tiaojing Zhuyun formula group,Dai meridian moxibustion group,Tiaojing Zhuyun formula+Dai meridian moxibustion group and Bujiale group was reduced,thickness of endometrium,the number of glands and embryo implantation,and the numbers of CD163 and CD68 positive cells in endometrium were increased(P<0.05),endometrial CVF and levels of serum PⅠNP,P Ⅲ NP,TGF-β1,IL-1β and IL-6 were reduced(P<0.05);compared with Tiaojing Zhuyun formula group and Dai meridian moxibustion group,pathological damage to uterine tissue of rats in Tiaojing Zhuyun formula+Dai meridian moxibustion group and Bujiale group was alleviated,thickness of endometrium,the number of glands and embryo implantation,and the number of CD163 and CD68 positive cells in endometrium were increased(P<0.05),endometrial CVF and levels of serum PⅠNP,P Ⅲ NP,TGF-β1,IL-1β and IL-6 were reduced(P<0.05);there was no obvious change in all indicators between Tiaojing Zhuyun formula+Dai meridian moxibustion group and Bujiale group(P>0.05).Conclusion:Combination of Tiaojing Zhuyun formula and Dai meridian moxibustion can promote the polarization of M2 type macrophages,thereby inhibiting inflammation and endometrial fibrosis in IUA rats,and improving their symptoms of uterine adhesions.

Objective:To select low-dose radiation-activated genes with intrinsic radiation protection by developing a model for adaptive responses to low-dose ionizing radiation, in order to explore the mechanisms behind the radiation resistance of the candidate genes.Methods:The cells were divided into adaptive response induction group and whole transcriptome sequencing group. The level of DNA damage was assessed using the γ-H2AX immunofluorescence assay. The low-dose radiation-activated candidate genes with radiation protection were selected through whole transcriptome sequencing and quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR)-based validation. The anti-radiation effect of candidate gene CCND1 was assessed based on CCK-8 cell proliferation and γ-H2AX immunofluorescence assay. After up- and down-regulation of CCND1 expression, the anti-radiation mechanism of CCND1 was preliminarily explored through transcriptome sequencing analysis.Results:A model for low-dose ionizing radiation-induced adaptive responses of lymphocytes was constructed. Using this model, six candidate genes with radiation protection, including CCND1, ZMAT3, MGAT3, DFFB, CYP4F2, ITGA6, were selected. Compared to the control group, overexpressed CCND1 led to significantly enhanced proliferation ability of AHH-1 cells ( t = 7.92-14.76, P < 0.05) and distinctly lowered level of DNA damage ( t = 2.79-9.68, P < 0.05) after 2 Gy of X-ray irradiation. Furthermore, compared to the control group, the CCND1 knockdown caused significantly decreased cell proliferation ability ( t = 13.58-26.25, P < 0.05) and notably elevated level of DNA damage of cells ( t = 2.87-7.61, P < 0.05). Transcriptome sequencing revealed that up- and down-regulation of CCND1 expression resulted in the activation of pathways related to cell growth, death, and damage repair. Conclusions:By selecting six low-dose-activated candidate genes with radiation protection and revealing the function of CCND1 in radiation protection, this study provides a new perspective for the development of radiation protection agents from the perspective of adaptive responses to low-dose radiation.

Objective:To explore the prevalence and risk factors of insomnia in Chinese Air Force servicemen deployed to highland areas.Methods:A total of 718 Air Force servicemen deployed to Qinghai-Tibetan plateau were recruited at May 2024.Sleep quality was assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.Social-demograph-ic,military service,and psychological characteristics were measured with a self-administered general question-naire.Bivariable and multivariable logistic regressions were performed to identify independent risk factors.Missing data were handled by the multiple imputation.Results:The average sleep duration was(6.9±1.2)h and the aver-age PSQI score was(5.9±4.1).Totally 53.8％of participants experienced clinically significant insomnia.The multivariable analysis revealed that age≥35(aOR=4.07,95％CI=1.11-17.76),stressful event(aOR=3.27,95％CI=2.00-5.49),dysfunctional sleep beliefs and attitudes(aOR=2.59,95％CI=1.75-3.85),and caffeine product usage(aOR=1.69,95％CI=1.17-2.43)were risk factors for insomnia,while Tibetan-indigenous ethnic(aOR=0.44,95％CI=0.20-0.91),higher perceived social support(aOR=0.96,95％CI=0.96-0.99),and positive coping style(aOR=0.96,95％CI=0.93-0.99)were protective factors.Conclusion:Air force service-men deployed to highland areas have sufficient sleep time,but reduced sleep quality.Age,exposed to stress event during deployment,dysfunctional sleep beliefs and attitudes,and caffeine product usage are risk factors for insomni-a,while Tibetan-indigenous ethnic,higher perceived social support and positive coping style act as protective fac-tors.

Objective:To explore the status quo of fertility information need of breast cancer patients at childbearing age, and analyze its influencing factors.Methods:From April to October 2023, 400 cases of breast cancer patients of childbearing age in two Class Ⅲ Grade A hospitals in Zhengzhou City were selected by convenience sampling. Patents were investigated with the General Information Questionnaire and the Fertility Information Needs Assessment Questionnaire for Breast Cancer Patients of Childbearing Age. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of fertility information need of breast cancer patients of childbearing age. A total of 400 questionnaires were distributed, and 385 valid questionnaires were collected, with an effective response rate of 96.25% (385/400) .Results:The 385 breast cancer patients of childbearing age had a high level of need for fertility information with an average score of items (3.17±0.73). The scores for each dimension in descending order of the mean score of items were disease impact information, treatment impact information, psychosocial information, fertility management information, sexual health information, and fertility protection information. Age, marital status, education level, per capita monthly family income and duration of illness were the factors influencing the fertility information need ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:Breast cancer patients of childbearing age have a high level of need for fertility information, and their need is influenced by a number of factors. Medical and nursing staff should improve the fertility information support program based on the real needs of breast cancer patients, and provide personalized fertility information support for breast cancer patients of childbearing age with different characteristics.

Objective:To understand the coverage and information consistency rate of National Immunization Program (NIP) vaccines among children born during 2020-2021 in Zhejiang Province, Chongqing City, and Shanxi Province (3 provinces) of China .Methods:A simple random sampling method was used to randomly select 3 counties (districts) from each of the 3 provinces, 5 townships from each county (district), and 5 villages from each township. Vaccination information for seven NIP vaccines was collected for children born between 2020 and 2021 in each village. The vaccination coverage, timely coverage, and consistency rates between the survey data and the Immunization Planning Information System data were analyzed.Results:A total of 1 117 children were investigated. The vaccination coverage for each dose of NIP vaccine ranged from 99.10% to 100.00%, with those in Zhejiang Province, Chongqing City, and Shanxi Province ranging from 99.19% to 100.00%, 98.92% to 100.00%, and 99.20% to 100.00%, respectively. The timely coverage of each dose of NIP vaccine ranged from 89.79% to 99.82%, with those in Zhejiang Province, Chongqing City, and Shanxi Province ranging from 94.09% to 99.73%, 89.52% to 99.73%, and 78.55% to 100.00%, respectively. The consistency rate of information on each dose of NIP vaccine ranged from 94.36% to 99.91%, with those in Zhejiang Province, Chongqing City, and Shanxi Province ranging from 97.85% to 99.73%, 98.92% to 100.00%, and 86.06% to 100.00%, respectively.Conclusions:Coverage of NIP vaccines was generally high among children born during 2020-2021 in the 3 provinces of China, but there were regional differences in the timely coverage of some vaccine doses and the vaccination information consistency rate. It is necessary to strengthen the timely vaccination of children's vaccine booster doses and optimize the management of vaccination services.

Objective:To explore the improvement effect of Tiaojing Zhuyun formula combined with Dai meridian moxibustion on endometrial fibrosis in rats with intrauterine adhesions(IUA)by regulating M2 type macrophage polarization.Methods:SD rats were selected to establish an IUA model using a dual injury method of mechanical curettage and lipopolysaccharide infection,which were randomly separated into model group,Tiaojing Zhuyun formula group,Dai meridian moxibustion group,Tiaojing Zhuyun formula+Dai meridian moxibustion group and Bujiale group,with 10 rats in each group,another 10 rats were regarded as a sham operation(control)group,after grouping and treatment,the number of embryo implantation of rats in each group after cage closure was detected;HE staining was applied to detect pathological morphology of uterine tissue in rats in different groups,and their endometrial thickness and glandular number were compared;Masson staining was applied to detect endometrial fibrosis in rats of each group,and the collagen volume fraction(CVF)was compared;ELISA was applied to detect serum levels of profibrotic factor TGF-β1,pro-inflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-6,and levels of procollagen type Ⅰ carboxy-terminal peptide(PⅠNP)and procollagen Ⅲ N-terminal peptide(PⅢNP)of rats in each group;immunofluorescence staining was applied to detect expressions of M2 type macrophage markers CD163 and CD68 in endometrium of rats in each group.Results:Compared with control group,model group showed obvious pathological damage to uterine tissue,thickness of endometrium was thinner,the number of glands and embryo implantation were obviously reduced(P<0.05),endometrial CVF,levels of serum PⅠNP,P Ⅲ NP,TGF-β1,IL-1β and IL-6,and the number of CD163 and CD68 positive cells in endometrium were increased(P<0.05);compared with model group,pathological damage to uterine tissue of rats in Tiaojing Zhuyun formula group,Dai meridian moxibustion group,Tiaojing Zhuyun formula+Dai meridian moxibustion group and Bujiale group was reduced,thickness of endometrium,the number of glands and embryo implantation,and the numbers of CD163 and CD68 positive cells in endometrium were increased(P<0.05),endometrial CVF and levels of serum PⅠNP,P Ⅲ NP,TGF-β1,IL-1β and IL-6 were reduced(P<0.05);compared with Tiaojing Zhuyun formula group and Dai meridian moxibustion group,pathological damage to uterine tissue of rats in Tiaojing Zhuyun formula+Dai meridian moxibustion group and Bujiale group was alleviated,thickness of endometrium,the number of glands and embryo implantation,and the number of CD163 and CD68 positive cells in endometrium were increased(P<0.05),endometrial CVF and levels of serum PⅠNP,P Ⅲ NP,TGF-β1,IL-1β and IL-6 were reduced(P<0.05);there was no obvious change in all indicators between Tiaojing Zhuyun formula+Dai meridian moxibustion group and Bujiale group(P>0.05).Conclusion:Combination of Tiaojing Zhuyun formula and Dai meridian moxibustion can promote the polarization of M2 type macrophages,thereby inhibiting inflammation and endometrial fibrosis in IUA rats,and improving their symptoms of uterine adhesions.