Objective To investigate the role and potential mechanism of secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1)⁺ macrophages in the formation of chronic renal allograft fibrosis. Methods The expression features of SPP1⁺ macrophages in renal allografts of chronic allograft dysfunction (CAD) patients were analyzed based on single-cell transcriptome data of renal tissues from patients with CAD. Transcription factor VIPER analysis and DoRothEA transcription factor activity analysis were performed on the single-cell transcriptome data. Renal tissue samples were collected from kidney transplant recipients, including the CAD group (n=5) and the non-renal allograft fibrosis group (CTL group, n=5). A mouse model of chronic allograft rejection was established and divided into the allogeneic kidney transplantation group (CAD group, n=3) and the syngeneic kidney transplantation group (SYN group, n=3). Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to detect renal tissue injury in mice, and Masson staining was used to detect renal tissue fibrosis. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to detect SPP1 expression in renal tissues of transplant recipients and mouse renal allografts. Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) were extracted from mice and subjected to hypoxia stimulation. The expression of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α and SPP1 was detected by Western blot, and SPP1 expression was detected by flow cytometry. BMDMs were transfected with HIF-1α overexpression plasmid and HIF-1α small interfering RNA (siRNA) followed by hypoxia intervention, and the expression of HIF-1α and SPP1 was detected by Western blot. Mouse aortic endothelial cells (MAECs) were co-cultured with the supernatant of BMDMs, and the expression of endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT)-related markers was detected by Western blot and immunofluorescence. Results Single-cell transcriptome analysis showed that the proportion of SPP1⁺ macrophages in renal allograft tissues was significantly higher in the CAD group than in the CTL group (P<0.05). The renal injury score and the percentage of interstitial fibrotic area in the CAD group were significantly higher than those in the SYN group (both P<0.05). Immunofluorescence staining showed that the proportion of SPP1⁺ macrophages was increased in the CAD group compared with the CTL group, and also increased in the CAD group compared with the SYN group (both P<0.05). VIPER analysis and DoRothEA transcription factor activity analysis revealed activation of the hypoxia pathway and upregulated expression of transcription factors such as HIF-1α in SPP1⁺ macrophages. SPP1 expression was elevated in BMDMs under hypoxic conditions. Knockdown of HIF-1α inhibited hypoxia-induced SPP1 protein expression, whereas overexpression of HIF-1α upregulated SPP1 protein levels. After co-culture of hypoxia-induced BMDMs with MAECs, the expression levels of EndMT-related markers were increased. Conclusions SPP1⁺ macrophages differentiated under hypoxia are significantly infiltrated in the formation of chronic renal allograft fibrosis, and may promote renal allograft fibrosis by inducing EndMT in renal vascular endothelial cells.

Objective To gain insights into the biological characteristics of different populations of Culex tritaeniorhynchus within and around the Yellow Sea wetland from the perspective of the occurrence of resistance, we investigated the levels of resistance to deltamethrin and kdr gene mutation in the wetland and its peripheral areas. Methods Specimens were collected from Cx. tritaeniorhynchus populations at two monitoring sites in the Rare Bird National Nature Reserve and Tiaozi Ni Wetland Scenic Area, and also from two populations in Yancheng City and the Liuhe District of Nanjing, and the resistance of these mosquitoes to deltamethrin was determined using the CDC biotest bottle method. For each concentration of deltamethrin assessed, a random subset of exposed specimens was selected for amplification of the kdr gene fragment, followed by Sanger sequencing to identify and analyze resistance-associated mutations. Results The LC50 levels of deltamethrin among mosquitoes from the four populations in Luhe, Yancheng, the Rare Bird National Nature Reserve and the Tiaozi Ni Wetland Scenic Area were 2.048 5, 7.798 2, 3.473 3, and 17.695 5 mg/mL, respectively, with corresponding concentrations of deltamethrin ranging from 0.005 to 5.000,0.050 to 50.000,0.050 to 25.000 and 0.050 to 50.000 mg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the ranges of the KT50 values were 11.76-107.43, 67.05-216.30,29.77-107.43 and 28.40-329.51 min; the 1-h knockdown rates were 34.58%-99.15%, 9.52%-43.80%, 55.09%-73.01%, and 10.09%-68.07%; and the 24-h mortality rates were 12.15%-67.52%,9.52%-79.56%,13.17%-82.21%, and 11.01%-78.99%, respectively. With respect to kdr gene mutation, we assayed a total of 63,70,59, and 57 mosquitoes for the four populations, for which we detected L1014F mutation frequencies of 14.29%, 35.00%, 20.34%, and 31.58%, respectively, with a majority of these mutations being heterozygous for resistance. In addition, five adult mosquitoes were identified has having synonymous mutations at site 1011[i. e. , AAT(asparagine)mutation to AAC(asparagine)]. Conclusions Our findings revealed the clear resistance of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus to deltamethrin in the Yancheng region of the Yellow Sea wetland, and the resistance phenotype and kdr frequency of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in the wetland environment were comparable to those of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in the wetland environment, thereby indicating that the resistance of different populations of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus was homogeneous under the pressure of different insecticide selection within and around the wetland. However, the underlying mechanisms need to be further studied.

Currently, the quality control of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) encounters substantial technical challenges, necessitating the urgent development of innovative evaluation methods for key quality attributes. This study proposes the construction of a quality assurance system centered on key quality attributes, with systems biology and chemical biology serving as its core components: utilizing multi-omics technologies to systematically analyze the core functional modules of TCM, integrating pharmacological approaches to precisely identify key bioactive components; applying chemical biology to elucidate the interaction mechanisms between components and their targets, while screening for quality markers associated with specific functions and clinical indications; establishing an integrated quality control system based on quality markers and biological potency to ensure comprehensive quality management from raw herb materials through to finished products. Additionally, it emphasizes the formulation of compatibility rules grounded in TCM theory, integrates clinical practice and multi-dimensional value assessments, and establishes a novel quality evaluation model with distinct TCM characteristics.This offers a comprehensive and systematic approach to ensuring the safety and efficacy of TCM while facilitating the high-quality development of the TCM industry.

Objective To observe the value of diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI)parameters for evaluating grade of gliomas.Methods Totally 116 patients with glioma were retrospectively enrolled and divided into low-grade group(Ⅰ—Ⅱ,n=66)and high-grade group(Ⅲ—Ⅳ,n=50)according to 2000 WHO tumor grading criteria.Clinical and DWI data,including Ki-67 labeling index(LI),apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC),exponential ADC(EADC)and relative ADC(rADC)were compared between groups.The correlations of ADC,EADC and rADC with Ki-67 LI were explored,and the efficacy of above indexes for evaluating grade of glioma was analyzed.Results Significant differences of Ki-67 LI,ADC,EADC and rADC were found between groups(all P＜0.05).ADC and rADC of glioma were negatively correlated(r=-0.565,-0.625,both P＜0.05),while EADC was positively correlated with Ki-67 LI(r=0.587,P＜0.05).ADC,EADC,rADC and Ki-67 LI were all impact factors of grade of glioma(all P＜0.05),with the area under the curve of 0.768,0.802,0.788 and 0.793,respectively,and AUC of the combination of the four was 0.874,significantly higher than each index alone(all P＜0.05).Conclusion ADC,EADC and rADC were helpful for evaluating grade of glioma.Combining with Ki-67 LI could further improve diagnostic efficacy.

Objective To systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy of thyroid surgery via the sternocleidomastoid muscle approach with lateral cervical incision.Methods A total of 286 patients undergoing thyroid surgery in Yuncheng Central Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University and the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from June 2022 to June 2023 were enrolled,and were divided into the lateral incision group(102 cases)and the median incision group(184 cases)according to the surgical approach.The clinical data including intraoperative bleeding volume,postoperative recovery time,intraoperative neuromonitoring signal changes,postoperative pain visual analogue scale(VAS)score,quality of life score,and postoperative complications of patients were compared between the two groups.Results The intraoperative bleeding volume of patients in the lateral incision group was significantly lower than that in the median incision group(P=0.03),and the postoperative recovery time was significantly shorter than that in the median incision group(P=0.01).Intraoperative monitoring of the recurrent laryngeal nerve showed that the residual amplitude of nerve signals in the lateral incision group was significantly greater than that in the median incision group(P<0.05),and the change in nerve signals latency was significantly smaller than that in the median incision group(P<0.05).The VAS scores of patients in the lateral incision group 3 days and 7 days after surgery were significantly lower than those in the median incision group(P<0.05).The quality of life scores of patients in the lateral incision group 3 months and 1 year after surgery were significantly higher than those in the median incision group(P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications of patients between the two groups(P=0.15).Conclusion Thyroid surgery via the sternocleidomastoid muscle approach with lateral cervical incision has definite therapeutic effects,which can reduce intraoperative bleeding,shorten the postoperative recovery time,alleviate postoperative pain,and improve the quality of life of patients.

OBJECTIVE To explore the efficacy of low temperature plasma(LTP)in treatment of the rats with Pseudomonas aeruginosa(PA)wound infection.METHODS Totally 20 SD rats were assigned to establish the PA wound infection models and were randomly divided into the LTP group with 10 rats and the air control group with 10 rats.The wound healing dynamics,bacterial loading capacity,histopathology,levels of cytokines and microen-vironment features were observed during the healing process.RESULTS LTP accelerates the healing of PA infec-tion wound,the wound area reduced after the treatment for 3 days,and the inflammatory reactions alleviated;the infection symptoms subsided after the treatment for 7 days,and the wounds became dry and scabbed;the wounds reduced in size by day 15,showing favorable healing trends.Repeated measurement analysis of variance(ANOVA)indicated that there was significant difference in the impact of LTP on the covering rate of wounds(Ftime=10.230,P＜0.001;Fbetween-group=11.340,P=0.001;Finteraction=2.890,P=0.042).The result of quantitative bacterial loads analysis showed that the bacterial loads of the LTP group were lower than those of the control group after the treatment for 3,7 and 15 days(P＜0.05).The result of histopathology indicated that the infiltra-ted wound inflammatory cells of the LTP group reduced,the collagen fibers were well-aligned,and the neovascu-larization and formation of granulation tissues were evident.In addition,the pH value of wound tissues and reac-tive oxygen species(ROS)level were improved after the treatment with LTP,which was matched with the process of wound healing.The result of cytokines test showed that LTP could upregulate the levels of VEGF and TGF-β1,downregulate the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α,and promote the wound healing,with statistically signifi-cant differences observed(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION LTP may facilitate the control of infections by reducing the bacterial colony counts,establish the effective microenvironment for tissue healing,and accelerate the healing of wounds with PA infection by regulating the release of healing-related cytokines.

Objective To detect the expression changes of citrullinated histone H3(CitH3)during the development of deep vein thrombosis(DVT)in mice,and to explore its value in estimating the time to thrombosis.Methods The inferior vena cava(IVC)of mice was ligated to establish a thrombosis model induced by congestion.Mice were sacrificed under excessive anesthesia at 0 h,1 d,3 d,5 d,7 d,10 d,14 d and 21 d after the modeling,respectively.The congested IVC segments(0 h after modeling)and the thrombosed IVC segments(1-21 days after modeling)were extracted.Immunohistochemistry and double immunofluorescence staining were used to observe the number of neutrophils and the ex-pression of CitH3 during thrombosis.Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression level of CitH3.Results During thrombosis,CitH3 was mainly expressed in neutrophils within the thrombus.A small number of neutrophils and a few CitH3-positive cells were observed at 0 h after modeling in the congested IVC.Between 1 d and 21 d after modeling,the number of neutrophils reached a peak at 1 d and gradually decreased.The number of CitH3-positive cells and their ratio to neutrophils began to increase at 1 d,reached a peak at 5 d after modeling,and then decreased.The expression level of CitH3 protein began to increase at 1 d and reached a peak at 5 d after modeling.Conclusion The expres-sion of CitH3 during DVI shows temporal changes,and is expected to become a biological marker for estimating the formation time of thrombosis.

Objective:To report a Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2 (CMT2) patient with SORD gene mutations, aiming to enhance the understanding of SORD gene-associated peripheral neuropathy. Methods:A CMT2 patient with SORD gene mutations was identified through whole exome sequencing in the Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology in January 2024, and the patients′ clinical features were elaborated in detail. 31-Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( 31P-MRS) was employed to assess the phosphorus profile of the limbs, and real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was utilized to detect peripheral blood SORD gene mRNA expression levels in the patient, the family members, and the normal control. Additionally, the genetic and clinical characteristics of SORD gene mutation-related CMT2 and distal hereditary motor neuropathy (dHMN) were reviewed by searching the CNKI and PubMed databases. Results:The male CMT2 patient was 15 years old, presented with early-onset lower limb muscle weakness and atrophy, hypoesthesia, reduced tendon reflexes, and flat feet. 31P-MRS examination indicated that the pH of the patient′s leg was lower than that of the upper limb. Whole exome sequencing showed the patient carrying complex heterozygous mutations c.757delG (p.Ala253GlnfsTer27) and c.218C>T (P.Ser73Leu) in the SORD gene. The mRNA expression of the SORD gene of the patient′s mother [0.623(0.614, 0.645)] was lower than that of the patient′s father [0.961(0.888,1.020), H=13.330, P=0.007] and normal people [1.001(0.917, 1.092), H=14.830, P=0.002]. Through literature review, it is found that 31 SORD gene mutations have been reported worldwide, among which c.757delG (p.Ala253GlnfsTer27) was found to be a hotspot mutation, and all patients exhibited an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern. Conclusions:A patient with CMT2 caused by a compound heterozygous mutation c.757delG/c.218C>T in the SORD gene, with the main clinical symptoms of bilateral lower limb weakness, atrophy, sensory disturbance and reduced tendon reflexes is reported. Furthermore, 31P-MRS of the extremities is anticipated to both early and sensitively detect muscle lesions in patients with hereditary peripheral neuropathy.

OBJECTIVE To explore the efficacy of low temperature plasma(LTP)in treatment of the rats with Pseudomonas aeruginosa(PA)wound infection.METHODS Totally 20 SD rats were assigned to establish the PA wound infection models and were randomly divided into the LTP group with 10 rats and the air control group with 10 rats.The wound healing dynamics,bacterial loading capacity,histopathology,levels of cytokines and microen-vironment features were observed during the healing process.RESULTS LTP accelerates the healing of PA infec-tion wound,the wound area reduced after the treatment for 3 days,and the inflammatory reactions alleviated;the infection symptoms subsided after the treatment for 7 days,and the wounds became dry and scabbed;the wounds reduced in size by day 15,showing favorable healing trends.Repeated measurement analysis of variance(ANOVA)indicated that there was significant difference in the impact of LTP on the covering rate of wounds(Ftime=10.230,P＜0.001;Fbetween-group=11.340,P=0.001;Finteraction=2.890,P=0.042).The result of quantitative bacterial loads analysis showed that the bacterial loads of the LTP group were lower than those of the control group after the treatment for 3,7 and 15 days(P＜0.05).The result of histopathology indicated that the infiltra-ted wound inflammatory cells of the LTP group reduced,the collagen fibers were well-aligned,and the neovascu-larization and formation of granulation tissues were evident.In addition,the pH value of wound tissues and reac-tive oxygen species(ROS)level were improved after the treatment with LTP,which was matched with the process of wound healing.The result of cytokines test showed that LTP could upregulate the levels of VEGF and TGF-β1,downregulate the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α,and promote the wound healing,with statistically signifi-cant differences observed(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION LTP may facilitate the control of infections by reducing the bacterial colony counts,establish the effective microenvironment for tissue healing,and accelerate the healing of wounds with PA infection by regulating the release of healing-related cytokines.

Hemorrhagic shock is a common clinical emergency that can aggravate cell injury after resuscitation. Astrocytes are crucial for the survival of neurons because they regulate the surrounding ionic microenvironment of neurons. Although hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation (HSR) injury can impair cognition, it remains unclear how this insult directly affects astrocytes. In this study, we established an HSR model by bleeding and re-transfusion in mice. The social interaction test and new object recognition test were applied to evaluate post-operative cognitive changes, and the results suggest that mice experience cognitive impairment following exposure to HSR. In the HSR group, the power spectral density of β and γ oscillations decreased, and the coupling of the θ oscillation phase and γ oscillation amplitude was abnormal, which indicated abnormal neuronal oscillation and cognitive impairment after HSR exposure. In brief, cognitive impairment in mice is strongly correlated with Ca²⁺ signal strength in lateral septum astrocytes following HSR.
Animals ; Astrocytes/metabolism* ; Shock, Hemorrhagic/metabolism* ; Resuscitation/adverse effects* ; Male ; Mice ; Calcium Signaling/physiology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Septal Nuclei/metabolism* ; Cognitive Dysfunction/etiology* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Cognition Disorders/etiology*