ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) on the occurrence, development of psoriasis-like inflammation in mice, and the relative immune mechanisms. MethodsHealthy C57BL/6 mice aged 6-8 weeks were selected and randomly divided into 3 groups: control group (Control), psoriasis model group (IMQ), and HDAC3 inhibitor RGFP966-treated psoriasis model group (IMQ+RGFP966). One day prior to the experiment, the back hair of the mice was shaved. After a one-day stabilization period, the mice in Control group was treated with an equal amount of vaseline, while the mice in IMQ group was treated with imiquimod (62.5 mg/d) applied topically on the back to establish a psoriasis-like inflammation model. The mice in IMQ+RGFP966 group received intervention with a high dose of the HDAC3-selective inhibitor RGFP966 (30 mg/kg) based on the psoriasis-like model. All groups were treated continuously for 5 d, during which psoriasis-like inflammation symptoms (scaling, erythema, skin thickness), body weight, and mental status were observed and recorded, with photographs taken for documentation. After euthanasia, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to assess the effect of RGFP966 on the skin tissue structure of the mice, and skin thickness was measured. The mRNA and protein expression levels of HDAC3 in skin tissues were detected using reverse transcription real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot (WB), respectively. Flow cytometry was employed to analyze neutrophils in peripheral blood and lymph nodes, CD4⁺ T lymphocytes, CD8⁺ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood, and IL-17A secretion by peripheral blood CD4⁺ T lymphocytes. Additionally, spleen CD4⁺ T lymphocyte expression of HDAC3, CCR6, CCR8, and IL-17A secretion levels were analyzed. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the localization and expression levels of HDAC3, IL-17A, and IL-10 in skin tissues. ResultsCompared with the Control group, the IMQ group exhibited significant psoriasis-like inflammation, characterized by erythema, scaling, and skin wrinkling. Compared with the IMQ group, RGFP966 exacerbated psoriasis-like inflammatory symptoms, leading to increased hyperkeratosis. The psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) skin symptom scores were higher in the IMQ group than those in the Control group, and the scores were further elevated in the IMQ+RGFP966 group compared to the IMQ group. Skin thickness measurements showed a trend of IMQ+RGFP966>IMQ>Control. The numbers of neutrophils in the blood and lymph nodes increased sequentially in the Control, IMQ, and IMQ+RGFP966 groups, with a similar trend observed for CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T lymphocytes in the blood. In skin tissues, compared with the Control group, the mRNA and protein levels of HDAC3 decreased in the IMQ group, but RGFP966 did not further reduce these expressions. HDAC3 was primarily located in the nucleus. Compared with the Control group, the nuclear HDAC3 content decreased in the skin tissues of the IMQ group, and RGFP966 further reduced nuclear HDAC3. Compared with the Control and IMQ groups, RGFP966 treatment decreased HDAC3 expression in splenic CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells. RGFP966 treatment increased the expression of CCR6 and CCR8 in splenic CD4⁺ T cells and enhanced IL-17A secretion by peripheral blood and splenic CD4⁺ T lymphocytes. Additionally, compared with the IMQ group, RGFP966 reduced IL-10 protein levels and upregulated IL-17A expression in skin tissues. ConclusionRGFP966 exacerbates psoriatic-like inflammatory responses by inhibiting HDAC3, increasing the secretion of the cytokine IL-17A, and upregulating the expression of chemokines CCR8 and CCR6.

The transcriptome sequencing based on Illumina Novaseq 6000 Platform was performed with the untreated seed embryo(DS), stratified seed embryo(SS), and germinated seed embryo(GS) of Zanthoxylum nitidum, aiming to explore the molecular mechanism regulating the seed dormancy and germination of Z. nitidum and uncover key differentially expressed genes(DEGs). A total of 61.41 Gb clean data was obtained, and 86 386 unigenes with an average length of 773.49 bp were assembled. A total of 29 290 DEGs were screened from three comparison groups(SS vs DS, GS vs SS, and GS vs DS), and these genes were annotated on 134 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathways. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that the plant hormone signal transduction pathway is the richest pathway, containing 226 DEGs. Among all DEGs, 894 transcription factors were identified, which were distributed across 34 transcription factor families. These transcription factors were also mainly concentrated in plant hormone signal transduction and mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) signaling pathways. Further real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR) validation of 12 DEGs showed that the transcriptome data is reliable. During the process of seed dormancy release and germination, a large number of DEGs involved in polysaccharide degradation, protein synthesis, lipid metabolism, and hormone signal transduction were expressed. These genes were involved in multiple metabolic pathways, forming a complex regulatory network for dormancy and germination. This study lays a solid foundation for analyzing the molecular mechanisms of seed dormancy and germination of Z. nitidum.
Zanthoxylum/metabolism* ; Plant Dormancy/genetics* ; Seeds/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Plant Proteins/metabolism* ; Transcriptome ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Germination ; Transcription Factors/metabolism* ; Plant Growth Regulators/genetics* ; Signal Transduction

OBJECTIVE: To preliminarily investigate the effect of buccal acupuncture therapy on ameliorating postoperative pain and enhancing recovery quality among patients undergoing radical resection of gastrointestinal cancers. METHODS: Fifty-two participants were randomized at a 1:1 ratio to either the buccal acupuncture or the control group. The acupuncture protocol entailed targeting 5 predetermined acupoints [CA-2 (Upper jiao), CA-3 (Middle jiao), CA-4 (Lower jiao), CA-6 (back), and CA-7 (waist) and two adjustable acupoints [CA-1 (head) and CA-8 (sacrum)] on each side of the face. The outcomes included the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) scores for each day within 7 days postoperatively, 15-Item Quality of Recovery Scale (QoR-15) scores, analgesics consumption during and after surgery, incidences of postoperative nausea and vomiting, and perioperative levels of interleukin-6 and glucose. Adverse events related to acupuncture were recorded. RESULTS: Of the initial 52 participants, 46 completed the study and were included in the analysis. Findings indicated that the buccal acupuncture group experienced significantly reduced resting NRS scores in post-anesthesia care unit and throughout the postoperative phase (P=0.001 and P=0.003, respectively), along with enhanced QoR-15 scores on the 3rd postoperative day (P=0.008), compared to the control group. No notable differences were identified in the remaining indicators (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Buccal acupuncture therapy demonstrated significant effectiveness in reducing postoperative pain and improving recovery quality for patients undergoing radical resection of gastrointestinal cancers, presenting a viable intervention without associated adverse outcomes. (Trial registration No. ChiCTR2200060441).
Humans ; Male ; Pilot Projects ; Female ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Pain, Postoperative/therapy* ; Middle Aged ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms/surgery* ; Aged ; Acupuncture Points ; Adult

Evading host immunity killing is a critical step for virus survival. Inhibiting viral immune escape is crucial for the treatment of viral diseases. Serine/threonine kinase 39 (STK39) was reported to play an essential role in ion homeostasis. However, its potential role and mechanism in viral infection remain unknown. In this study, we found that viral infection promoted STK39 expression. Consequently, overexpressed STK39 inhibited the phosphorylation of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) and the production of type I interferon, which led to viral replication and immune escape. Genetic ablation or pharmacological inhibition of STK39 significantly protected mice from viral infection. Mechanistically, mass spectrometry and immunoprecipitation assays identified that STK39 interacted with PPP2R1A (a scaffold subunit of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A)) in a kinase activity-dependent manner. This interaction inhibited DDB1 and CUL4 associated factor 1 (DCAF1)-mediated PPP2R1A degradation, maintained the stabilization and phosphatase activity of PP2A, which, in turn, suppressed the phosphorylation of IRF3, decreased the production of type I interferon, and then strengthened viral replication. Thus, our study provides a novel theoretical basis for viral immune escape, and STK39 may be a potential therapeutic target for viral infectious diseases.

Sexual dimorphism in the brain underlies behavioral differences between sexes. The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is a complex nucleus that differs between males and females, but the sexual dimorphism in cytoarchitecture and the connectome of its oval subdivision (ovBNST) remains largely unexplored. By combining snRNA-seq and transgenic labeling, we found a higher density of ovBNST proenkephalin (ovBNST^PENK) neurons in male than female mice. Anatomically, we virally mapped the efferents and afferents of ovBNST^PENK neurons, finding reciprocally dimorphic connections with the hypothalamus and striatum. Gene enrichment analysis suggests that ovBNST^PENK neurons are modulated by the upstream dopamine pathway. Functionally, by applying caspase-3-mediated depletion of ovBNST^PENK neurons, we found that loss of these neurons enhanced locomotor activity in male but not female mice, without altering the anxiety-like phenotypes in either sex. Our study may pave the way for a better understanding of the anatomical and functional profiles of ovBNST^PENK neurons from a sexually dimorphic perspective.
Animals ; Male ; Female ; Septal Nuclei/physiology* ; Sex Characteristics ; Neurons/physiology* ; Enkephalins/metabolism* ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Protein Precursors/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Neural Pathways/physiology*

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of video-based educational intervention combined with maternal presence on perioperative adverse outcomes in preschool children undergoing general anesthesia， including cooperation in anesthesia induction， perioperative anxiety， pain and agitation during recovery. MethodsA total of 300 preschool children scheduled for general anesthesia in our hospital from June to December 2023 were randomly assigned to control group （n=150） and intervention group （n=150）. The control group received routine recovery care. For the intervention group， in addition to routine recovery care， a preoperative visit was scheduled one day before surgery. During this visit， mothers were guided to watch anesthesia videos with their children. During the waiting period in the operating room and 30 minutes after awakening， the mothers were guided to accompany the children for more than 30 minutes. Recovery conditions were recorded using the surgical anesthesia information system， and the children’s anesthetic induction compliance， perioperative anxiety， pain， and agitation were evaluated and recorded using the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale （m-YPAS）， the Induction Compliance Scale （ICC）， the Children’s Pain Behavior Scale （FLACC）， and the Pediatric Agitation and Emergence Delirium Scale （PAED）. ResultsOn the preoperative visit day， there were no statistically significant differences in baseline data between the two groups （P > 0.05）. For perioperative anxiety， the m-YPAS scores of the intervention group were significantly lower than those of the control group， both when entering the operating room waiting area （35.27±6.48 vs. 41.79±6.68， P < 0.05） and 30 minutes after postoperative recovery （20.13±7.05 vs. 35.75±9.51， P < 0.05）. In terms of anesthesia induction cooperation， the ICC scores of the intervention group were significantly lower than those of the control group （1.84±0.95 vs. 3.17±0.62， P < 0.05）， and the proportion of good induction cooperation was significantly higher than that of the control group （24.00% vs. 12.67%， P < 0.05）. There was no significant difference in awakening duration between the two groups， but the intervention group had a significantly shorter length of stay in the post-anesthesia care unit than the control group （0.90±0.29 hours vs. 1.29±0.42 hours， P < 0.001）. For perioperative agitation， the PAED scores of the intervention group were significantly lower than those of the control group （entering in the operating room waiting area： 8.5 vs. 9.2， P < 0.05； 30 minutes after postoperative recovery： 4.2 vs. 7.8， P < 0.05）. In terms of pain scores， the FLACC scores of the intervention group were also significantly lower than those of the control group， both when entering the operating room waiting area （ 5.3 vs. 6.7， P < 0.05； 30 minutes after postoperative recovery： 2.1 vs. 4.9， P < 0.05）. ConclusionsVideo-based educational intervention combined with maternal presence reduces the perioperative anxiety， pain and agitation of preschool children undergoing general anesthesia， and improved the compliance of anesthesia induction. It is recommended to promote this intervention measure in clinical practice.

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

OBJECTIVE To explore the protective effect of Jianpi Shengqing Jiangzhuo Recipe on db/db mice with diabetic kid-ney disease(DKD)and its possible mechanism.METHODS Thirty-two 8-week-old male db/db mice were randomly divided into four groups(n=8),including the model group,the Western medicine group[Dapagliflozin(1.0 mg·kg-1·d-1)],low-dose Jianpi Shengqing Jiangzhuo group(19.63 g·kg-1·d-1),and high-dose Jianpi Shengqing Jiangzhuo group(58.89 g·kg-1·d-1).Addi-tionally,8 db/m mice were used as the normal group.The mice were orally administered once a day for 10 consecutive weeks.The general survival status of the mice was observed,and the body weight,fasting blood glucose(FBG),and urine volume of the mice were dynamically monitored;urine creatinine and urine microalbumin were detected,and urine microalbumin excretion(UAE)and protein-creatinine ratio(ACR)were calculated.After the last intervention,mice were fasted for 12 h,blood was collected under anesthesia,and kidney tissue was separated;blood creatinine(Scr),serum urea nitrogen(BUN),triglycerides(TG),total cholesterol(TC),low-density lipoprotein(LDL-C),and high-density lipoprotein(HDL-C)were tested;HE and Masson staining were used to observe pathological changes in renal tissue;Oil Red O staining was used to observe the deposition of lipid droplets in the kidneys,and Image J was used for quantitative analysis;ELISA was used to detect the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in renal tissue;Western blot was used to detect the expression of SIRT1,SREBP-1,and PPAR-α proteins in renal tissue.RESULTS Compared with the normal group mice,the body weight,FBG,Scr,TG,TC,HDL-C,LDL-C,urine volume,UAE,and ACR of the model group mice were signifi-cantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01);the glomerular volume was significantly increased,renal fibrosis was altered,and renal lipid droplet deposition increased(P<0.01);renal TNF-α,IL-1β,SREBP-1 expression increased(P<0.01),and SIRT1 and PPAR-α expression decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the FBG levels in the Western medicine group was significantly de-creased at the 5th and 10th weeks of intervention(P<0.05,P<0.01);after the intervention,the Scr,UAE and ACR in the Western medicine group and high-dose Jianpi Shengqing Jiangzhuo group were significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),and the serum TG level in the high-dose Jianpi Shengqing Jiangzhuo group was also significantly decreased(P<0.01);the Western medicine group and the high-dose group of Jianpi Shengqing Jiangzhuo group improved renal pathological changes and lipid deposition(P<0.05,P<0.01),with decreased levels of TNF-α and IL-1β and increased expression of SIRT1 and PPAR-α proteins(P<0.05,P<0.01);high-dose group of Jianpi Shengqing Jiangzhuo decreased the expression of SREBP-1(P<0.01).CONCLUSION Jianpi Shengqing Jiangzhuo Recipe can improve proteinuria,kidney injury,renal lipid deposition as well as inflammatory reaction in DKD,which may be related to the activation of the SIRT1/SREBP-1/PPAR-α pathway to regulate lipid homeostasis.

Objective:To explore the internal mechanism by which self-evaluation influences non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in adolescent patients with depressive disorder.Methods:Clinical data from 214 adolescent patients with depressive disorder hospitalized at Suzhou Guangji Hospital from March 2022 to January 2024 were prospectively collected. According to the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for NSSI, participants were divided into an NSSI group (158 cases [38 males, 120 females, age 12-17 (14.2±1.5) years]) and a non-NSSI group (56 cases [20 males, 36 females, age 12-18 (14.5±1.8) years]). A self-developed basic information questionnaire was used to collect demographic data. Standardized tools including the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (IPPA), Self-acceptance Questionnaire (SAQ), and Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10) were used to assess their depression level, parental attachment level, self-evaluation/acceptance level, perceived stress level, and other relevant psychological characteristics. Differences in psychological characteristics between the two groups were compared. Logistic regression, correlation analysis, and mediation effect models were used to explore the relationships between variables and NSSI and their mechanisms.Results:The NSSI group had significantly higher total scores on the SDS (41.3±7.7 vs. 34.4±9.3) and PSS-10 (25.5±6.1 vs. 21.3±6.5) than the non-NSSI group ( F=29.12, F=18.17, respectively; all P<0.001). Conversely, the NSSI group had significantly lower total scores on the SAQ (31.2±8.8 vs. 35.9±8.9) and IPPA (56.3±13.6 vs. 63.4±13.8) compared to the non-NSSI group ( F=11.24, F=10.84, respectively; all P<0.001). Stepwise logistic regression analysis identified depression level (SDS total score, OR=1.12, 95% CI: 1.05-1.19), self-evaluation (SAQ subscale score, OR=1.17, 95% CI: 1.04-1.31), and perceived stress (PSS-10 total score, OR=1.11, 95% CI: 1.01-1.22) as predictors of NSSI (all P<0.05). Chain mediation analysis showed that self-evaluation had a significant positive direct effect ( β=0.025, P<0.01) and a negative indirect effect ( β=-0.038, P<0.001) on NSSI, with a negative total effect ( β=-0.012, P<0.05). The indirect effect was realized through three pathways: a single mediation pathway of self-evaluation via perceived stress ( β=-0.016), a single mediation pathway of self-evaluation via depression ( β=-0.011), and a chain mediation pathway of self-evaluation via perceived stress and depression ( β=-0.011) (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Self-evaluation influences NSSI behavior through a dual mechanism involving both direct and indirect effects. The indirect protective effect is primarily achieved by reducing perceived stress and depression levels.

Objective To analyze the cerebral angiographic characteristics of patients with central retinal artery occlusion(CRAO)and to study their prognosis.Methods A retrospective study was conducted,with 182 CRAO patients enrolled,who were treated at Xuanwu Hospital,Capital Medical University,the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University,the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Anhui Medical University,and the People's Hospital of Shihezi City from January 1,2014,to June 1,2024.All patients underwent cerebral angiography within one month of onset.The baseline characteristics,treatment details,and follow-up data were collected.The Spearman rank correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation between the characteristics of the ophthalmic artery and the ipsilateral carotid artery angiography,and Logistic regression analysis was performed to explore factors related to patient prognosis.Results Cerebral angiography results showed that 81.3％of patients had ocular blood supply from the ipsilateral internal carotid artery,12.1％from the ipsilateral external carotid artery,and 6.6％from the ipsilateral middle cerebral artery.Among the patients,80(44.0％)had varying degrees of stenosis or occlusion of the affected ophthalmic artery,with 69 patients(86.3％)showing stenosis at the origin of the ophthalmic artery.Additionally,135 patients(74.2％)had varying degrees of stenosis or occlusion of the ipsilateral carotid artery,with 110 patients(60.4％)showing stenosis at the carotid bulb,88 patients(48.3％)having unilateral carotid lesions,and 41 patients(22.5％)having multiple lesions.Correlation analysis indicated a significant correlation between the degree of stenosis in the ophthalmic artery and the carotid artery(r=0.76,P=0.006).Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses revealed that the time from symptom onset to hospital admission(OR=0.93,95％CI:0.85-0.98,P=0.018),the grading of oxygenation-based hypoperfusion maculopathy(OHM)(OR=3.12,95％CI:1.09-6.34,P=0.005),intravenous thrombolysis(IVT)(OR=2.75,95％CI:1.08-5.35,P=0.031),and the absence of stenosis in the ophthalmic artery(OR=1.33,95％CI:1.02-3.41,P=0.026)were independent predictors of prognosis for CRAO patients.Conclusions The degree of stenosis in the ophthalmic artery is significantly correlated with the degree of stenosis in the carotid artery in CRAO patients.Time from symptom onset to hospital admission,OHM grading,IVT,and the absence of stenosis in the ophthalmic artery are independent factors influencing the prognosis of CRAO patients.