Background Regulatory interactions between microRNAs (miRNAs) and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) are involved in the progression of pulmonary fibrosis, which can either promote or inhibit the development of this disease. Objective To explore the miRNA-mRNA regulatory network during the progression of silica (SiO₂)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice using integrated mRNA-seq and miRNA-seq analysis. Methods A mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis was established by dynamic SiO₂ dust exposure. The experimental design included a blank control group and four SiO₂-exposed groups (7, 14, 28, and 56 d, n=10 per group). Successful model induction was confirmed by histopathological analysis (HE and Masson staining), hydroxyproline (HYP) quantification, and expression of key fibrosis-related cytokines [fibroblast growth factor (FGF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)]. Lung tissues from mice in each group were subjected to sequencing, and Mfuzz was used for time-series gene clustering to identify dynamic progression patterns. DESeq2 was utilized to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed miRNAs. Enrichment analysis of DEGs was performed to identify critical signaling pathways and biological processes underlying pulmonary fibrosis progression. Expression of four selected miRNAs was subsequently validated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The target mRNAs of key miRNAs were comprehensively predicted by integrating miRBase, starBase, and miRTarBase to construct the regulatory networks and investigate potential functions. Results SiO₂ exposure led to time-dependent aggravation of pulmonary fibrosis in mice, evidenced by increased fibrous deposition, elevated HYP levels (P < 0.01), and up-regulation of four kinds of pro-fibrotic cytokines (P < 0.01) compared with the NT group. Mfuzz clustering revealed the stage-specific characteristics. Compared to controls, 231, 662, 448, and 1020 DEGs were identified after SiO₂ exposure at 7, 14, 28, and 56 d, respectively, primarily enriched in immune responses and chemokine signaling. During critical fibrotic phases—7 d (acute inflammation and initiation) and 28 d (chronic inflammation and establishment)—18 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified; notably mmu-miR-135b-5p was significantly dysregulated at both time points. The expression trends of the four key miRNAs (mmu-miR-135b-5p, mmu-miR-708-5p, mmu-miR-21a-3p, and mmu-miR-205-5p) were consistent with the sequencing results. Furthermore, bioinformatics databases were used to predict the target mRNAs of key miRNAs. The constructed network highlighted critical miRNA-mRNA pairs—including mmu-miR-135b-5p and Meis1, mmu-miR-708-5p and Mmp25, mmu-miR-21a-3p and Cacna1d, mmu-miR-205-5p and Ereg which were closely associated with inflammatory response, extracellular matrix deposition, and fibroblast activation. Conclusion The progression of pulmonary fibrosis is accompanied by dynamic changes in miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks. The identified miRNA-target axes (e.g., miR-135b-5p and Meis1, mmu-miR-708-5p and Mmp25, mmu-miR-21a-3p and Cacna1d, and mmu-miR-205-5p and Ereg—) may play important roles in fibrogenesis and provide potential therapeutic targets for pulmonary fibrosis.

Background Regulatory interactions between microRNAs (miRNAs) and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) are involved in the progression of pulmonary fibrosis, which can either promote or inhibit the development of this disease. Objective To explore the miRNA-mRNA regulatory network during the progression of silica (SiO₂)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice using integrated mRNA-seq and miRNA-seq analysis. Methods A mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis was established by dynamic SiO₂ dust exposure. The experimental design included a blank control group and four SiO₂-exposed groups (7, 14, 28, and 56 d, n=10 per group). Successful model induction was confirmed by histopathological analysis (HE and Masson staining), hydroxyproline (HYP) quantification, and expression of key fibrosis-related cytokines [fibroblast growth factor (FGF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)]. Lung tissues from mice in each group were subjected to sequencing, and Mfuzz was used for time-series gene clustering to identify dynamic progression patterns. DESeq2 was utilized to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed miRNAs. Enrichment analysis of DEGs was performed to identify critical signaling pathways and biological processes underlying pulmonary fibrosis progression. Expression of four selected miRNAs was subsequently validated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The target mRNAs of key miRNAs were comprehensively predicted by integrating miRBase, starBase, and miRTarBase to construct the regulatory networks and investigate potential functions. Results SiO₂ exposure led to time-dependent aggravation of pulmonary fibrosis in mice, evidenced by increased fibrous deposition, elevated HYP levels (P < 0.01), and up-regulation of four kinds of pro-fibrotic cytokines (P < 0.01) compared with the NT group. Mfuzz clustering revealed the stage-specific characteristics. Compared to controls, 231, 662, 448, and 1020 DEGs were identified after SiO₂ exposure at 7, 14, 28, and 56 d, respectively, primarily enriched in immune responses and chemokine signaling. During critical fibrotic phases—7 d (acute inflammation and initiation) and 28 d (chronic inflammation and establishment)—18 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified; notably mmu-miR-135b-5p was significantly dysregulated at both time points. The expression trends of the four key miRNAs (mmu-miR-135b-5p, mmu-miR-708-5p, mmu-miR-21a-3p, and mmu-miR-205-5p) were consistent with the sequencing results. Furthermore, bioinformatics databases were used to predict the target mRNAs of key miRNAs. The constructed network highlighted critical miRNA-mRNA pairs—including mmu-miR-135b-5p and Meis1, mmu-miR-708-5p and Mmp25, mmu-miR-21a-3p and Cacna1d, mmu-miR-205-5p and Ereg which were closely associated with inflammatory response, extracellular matrix deposition, and fibroblast activation. Conclusion The progression of pulmonary fibrosis is accompanied by dynamic changes in miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks. The identified miRNA-target axes (e.g., miR-135b-5p and Meis1, mmu-miR-708-5p and Mmp25, mmu-miR-21a-3p and Cacna1d, and mmu-miR-205-5p and Ereg—) may play important roles in fibrogenesis and provide potential therapeutic targets for pulmonary fibrosis.

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of newly diagnosed occupational coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) in Gansu Province. Methods All newly diagnosed cases of CWP reported online in Gansu Province from 2005 to 2024 were collected as study subjects through the "Occupational Diseases and Health Hazard Factors Monitoring Information System". A descriptive epidemiological method was used to analyze the epidemiological characteristics. A total of 886 newly diagnosed CWP cases were reported in Gansu Province during 2005-2024. Results Among them, cases initially diagnosed as stageⅠ, stage Ⅱ, and stage Ⅲ accounted for 68.8%, 20.0%, and 11.2%, respectively. The cases were predominantly male, accounting for 99.0%. Age groups of 50-<60 years and ≥60 years accounted for 47.0% and 42.9%, respectively. In terms of regional distribution, Lanzhou City, Pingliang City, and Baiyin City were the main affected areas, accounting for 36.0%, 19.1%, and 16.4%, respectively. Regarding industry distribution, the coal mining and washing industry accounted for 91.3% of the cases. Enterprises of large and small sizes accounted for 46.0% and 29.7%, respectively. In terms of enterprise economic types, state-owned enterprises and private enterprises accounted for 54.2% and 21.6%, respectively. The median duration of dust exposure among newly diagnosed CWP cases was 18 years. As of 2024, 102 cases had progressed to a more advanced stage; among the progressed cases, stageⅠ, stage Ⅱ, and stage Ⅲ cases accounted for 58.1%, 28.3%, and 13.6%, respectively. Conclusion Cases of CWP in Gansu Province are mainly distributed in large state-owned coal mines in cities such as Lanzhou, Pingliang, and Baiyin, predominantly affecting older males with longer dust exposure durations. Therefore, occupational health supervision and management in coal dust-related enterprises in the province should be further strengthened, and the occupational health examination procedures for workers exposed to dust should be standardized.

Nocardia is a Gram-positive pathogen responsible for causing dairy mastitis,which leads to purulent granulomatous lesions in mammary tissue and can significantly impact the dairy indus-try,resulting in substantial economic losses.To develop a rapid and accurate diagnostic method for detecting Nocardia of bovine origin,a conserved sequence of the 16S rRNA gene from Nocardia was selected from the NCBI database.Based on this sequence,a pair of primers and a TaqMan fluo-rescent quantitative probe were designed.The validation of the TaqMan fluorescence quantitative PCR(qPCR)method found in this study showed that the Ctvalue had a good linear relationship with recombinant plasmid concentrations ranging from 1×1010 to 1×102 copies/μL,with a regres-sion equation of y=-3.536x+43.78,a correlation coefficient(R2)of 0.997 5,a slope of-3.536,and an amplification efficiency(E)of 91％(where 90％＜E＜110％).The specificity was strong,with no cross-reactions with other pathogens.The standard curve had a high sensitivity with a low-er detection limit of 1 × 102 copies/μL,it was 100-fold higher than conventional PCR.The repeatability of the standard curve was also good.Both intra-and inter-group coefficients of varia-tion were below 2％.Using this method,234 milk samples and 80 environmental samples were tested using this method,respectively,with a positive detection rate of 27.07％,whereas conven-tional PCR had a positive detection rate of 19.43％,indicating that this method was more sensitive compared to conventional PCR.The fluorescent quantitative PCR detection method established in this study provides an effective means for the clinical detection of Nocardia in dairy cows.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of a domestically developed robotic surgical system based on fiber-optic dedicated line communication in cross-regional urological telesurgery.Methods:This was multicenter，single-arm，retrospective case series study. The data of patients who underwent urological telesurgeries using the telesurgical system between January 2023 and December 2024 were analyzed. The cohort included 59 patients from seven hospitals across China. Among the patients，47 were male（79.7%）and 12 were female（20.3%），with a median age of 63.0（56.0，68.0）years and a body mass index of（24.7 ± 3.0）kg/m 2. Surgical procedures included 32 radical prostatectomies，24 partial nephrectomies，one radical nephrectomy，one adrenalectomy，and one ureteral reconstruction. The perioperative indicators，pathological results and postoperative complications were analyzed. The network monitoring data were collected，and the perioperative data of patients，remote system monitoring data and costs were compared between the two communication modes of optical transport network（OTN）and cloud-connect network（CCN）. Results:All 59 remote surgeries were successfully completed，with a mean operative time of（138.0 ± 54.0）minutes，median intraoperative blood loss of 50.0（30.0，100.0）ml and a postoperative hospital stay of 5.0（4.0，6.0）days. No cases required reoperation，Clavien-Dindo grade ≥3 complications，or readmission. The geographical distance between the primary and remote surgical sites ranged from 450 to 2 800 km. Network monitoring revealed increased bidirectional latency with distance increasing：the shortest latency time（Hefei-Hangzhou，450 km）was（16.59 ± 0.80）ms，while the longest（Harbin-Hangzhou，2 200 km）latency time was（53.31 ± 0.31）ms. Average frame loss per procedure was 0?1.27 frames. The results of subgroup analysis comparing OTN and CCN communication modes showed no significant differences in operative time［（130.7 ± 70.5）minutes vs.（142.1 ± 42.9）minutes， P = 0.442］，postoperative hospitalization［6.0（4.0，8.0）d vs. 5.0（4.0，6.0）d， P = 0.581］，or readmission rates（0 vs. 0）. However，CCN demonstrated significant cost advantages with 500 RMB per operation vs. 3 000 RMB per operation for OTN. Conclusions:Urological telesurgery using fiber-optic communication is feasible. The CCN mode，with its cost-effectiveness，excellent usability，and multi-point interconnection flexibility，is currently the preferred communication model for telesurgical applications.

Nocardia is a Gram-positive pathogen responsible for causing dairy mastitis,which leads to purulent granulomatous lesions in mammary tissue and can significantly impact the dairy indus-try,resulting in substantial economic losses.To develop a rapid and accurate diagnostic method for detecting Nocardia of bovine origin,a conserved sequence of the 16S rRNA gene from Nocardia was selected from the NCBI database.Based on this sequence,a pair of primers and a TaqMan fluo-rescent quantitative probe were designed.The validation of the TaqMan fluorescence quantitative PCR(qPCR)method found in this study showed that the Ctvalue had a good linear relationship with recombinant plasmid concentrations ranging from 1×1010 to 1×102 copies/μL,with a regres-sion equation of y=-3.536x+43.78,a correlation coefficient(R2)of 0.997 5,a slope of-3.536,and an amplification efficiency(E)of 91％(where 90％＜E＜110％).The specificity was strong,with no cross-reactions with other pathogens.The standard curve had a high sensitivity with a low-er detection limit of 1 × 102 copies/μL,it was 100-fold higher than conventional PCR.The repeatability of the standard curve was also good.Both intra-and inter-group coefficients of varia-tion were below 2％.Using this method,234 milk samples and 80 environmental samples were tested using this method,respectively,with a positive detection rate of 27.07％,whereas conven-tional PCR had a positive detection rate of 19.43％,indicating that this method was more sensitive compared to conventional PCR.The fluorescent quantitative PCR detection method established in this study provides an effective means for the clinical detection of Nocardia in dairy cows.

BACKGROUND: Telesurgery has the potential to overcome spatial limitations for surgeons, which depends on surgical robot and the quality of network communication. However, the influence of network latency and bandwidth on telesurgery is not well understood. METHODS: A telesurgery system capable of dynamically adjusting image compression ratios in response to bandwidth changes was established between Beijing and Sanya (Hainan province), covering a distance of 3000 km. In total, 108 animal operations, including 12 surgical procedures, were performed. Total latency ranging from 170 ms to 320 ms and bandwidth from 15-20 Mbps to less than 1 Mbps were explored using designed surgical tasks and hemostasis models for renal vein and internal iliac artery rupture bleeding. Network latency, jitter, frame loss, and bit rate code were systemically measured during these operations. National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) and a self-designed scale measured the workload and subjective perception of surgeons. RESULTS: All 108 animal telesurgeries, conducted from January 2023 to June 2023, were performed effectively over a total duration of 3866 min. The operations were completed with latency up to 320 ms and bandwidths as low as 1-5 Mbps. Hemostasis for vein and artery rupture bleeding models was effectively achieved under these low bandwidth conditions. The NASA-TLX results indicated that latency significantly impacted surgical performance more than bandwidth and image clarity reductions. CONCLUSIONS This telesurgery system demonstrated safety and reliability. A total of 320 ms latency is acceptable for telesurgery operations. Reducing image clarity can effectively mitigate the potential latency increase caused by decreased bandwidth, offering a new method to reduce the impact of latency on telesurgery.
Animals ; Robotic Surgical Procedures/methods* ; Laparoscopy/methods*

Objective:To investigate the effect of natural plant compound puerarin(PUE)on expression of NLRP3 inflamma-some in macrophages and its effect in ulcerative colitis(UC)in mice.Methods:A mouse model of UC was established using dextran sulfate sodium(DSS).Mice received PUE via gavage for 7 consecutive days,body weight,disease activity index and colon length were measured.HE staining was performed to assess tissue pathological damage.Flow cytometry was used to determine the proportion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in colonic lamina propria.Immunofluorescence was employed to assess the colocalization of NLRP3 inflammasome and macrophages.qRT-PCR was conducted to measure mRNA expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and NLRP3-related genes in colonic tissues.Protein expression levels of ZO-1,Occludin,cleaved caspase-1 and IL-1β in colonic tissues were detected by Western blot.A cell model was established using lipopolysaccharide(LPS)and adenosine triphosphate(ATP).mRNA expression levels of genes related to NLRP3 inflammasome were detected by qRT-PCR.Western blot was used to detect effects of PUE on expression levels of proteins related to NLRP3 inflammasome and NF-κB signaling pathway.Results:PUE treatment signifi-cantly improved symptoms of DSS-induced UC in mice,including body weight,disease index,colon length and pathological damage.Following PUE intervention,infiltration of Ly6C+MHC Ⅱ-monocyte derived macrophages in the colonic lamina propria was reduced.Expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and NLRP3 inflammasome related molecules in colonic tissues were decreased.PUE treatment increased expression levels of ZO-1 and Occludin in intestinal epithelial cells.In vitro experiments confirmed that PUE reduced expression levels of NLRP3 inflammasome-related molecules in macrophages induced by LPS combined with ATP,as well as protein expression level of p-NF-κB p65.Conclusion:PUE significantly alleviates the symptoms of UC by reducing intestinal tissue inflamma-tion and repairing the epithelial barrier.The mechanism may involve regulating NF-κB signaling pathway,thereby reducing the forma-tion and activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages.

Objective:To investigate the effect of natural plant compound puerarin(PUE)on expression of NLRP3 inflamma-some in macrophages and its effect in ulcerative colitis(UC)in mice.Methods:A mouse model of UC was established using dextran sulfate sodium(DSS).Mice received PUE via gavage for 7 consecutive days,body weight,disease activity index and colon length were measured.HE staining was performed to assess tissue pathological damage.Flow cytometry was used to determine the proportion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in colonic lamina propria.Immunofluorescence was employed to assess the colocalization of NLRP3 inflammasome and macrophages.qRT-PCR was conducted to measure mRNA expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and NLRP3-related genes in colonic tissues.Protein expression levels of ZO-1,Occludin,cleaved caspase-1 and IL-1β in colonic tissues were detected by Western blot.A cell model was established using lipopolysaccharide(LPS)and adenosine triphosphate(ATP).mRNA expression levels of genes related to NLRP3 inflammasome were detected by qRT-PCR.Western blot was used to detect effects of PUE on expression levels of proteins related to NLRP3 inflammasome and NF-κB signaling pathway.Results:PUE treatment signifi-cantly improved symptoms of DSS-induced UC in mice,including body weight,disease index,colon length and pathological damage.Following PUE intervention,infiltration of Ly6C+MHC Ⅱ-monocyte derived macrophages in the colonic lamina propria was reduced.Expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and NLRP3 inflammasome related molecules in colonic tissues were decreased.PUE treatment increased expression levels of ZO-1 and Occludin in intestinal epithelial cells.In vitro experiments confirmed that PUE reduced expression levels of NLRP3 inflammasome-related molecules in macrophages induced by LPS combined with ATP,as well as protein expression level of p-NF-κB p65.Conclusion:PUE significantly alleviates the symptoms of UC by reducing intestinal tissue inflamma-tion and repairing the epithelial barrier.The mechanism may involve regulating NF-κB signaling pathway,thereby reducing the forma-tion and activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of a domestically developed robotic surgical system based on fiber-optic dedicated line communication in cross-regional urological telesurgery.Methods:This was multicenter，single-arm，retrospective case series study. The data of patients who underwent urological telesurgeries using the telesurgical system between January 2023 and December 2024 were analyzed. The cohort included 59 patients from seven hospitals across China. Among the patients，47 were male（79.7%）and 12 were female（20.3%），with a median age of 63.0（56.0，68.0）years and a body mass index of（24.7 ± 3.0）kg/m 2. Surgical procedures included 32 radical prostatectomies，24 partial nephrectomies，one radical nephrectomy，one adrenalectomy，and one ureteral reconstruction. The perioperative indicators，pathological results and postoperative complications were analyzed. The network monitoring data were collected，and the perioperative data of patients，remote system monitoring data and costs were compared between the two communication modes of optical transport network（OTN）and cloud-connect network（CCN）. Results:All 59 remote surgeries were successfully completed，with a mean operative time of（138.0 ± 54.0）minutes，median intraoperative blood loss of 50.0（30.0，100.0）ml and a postoperative hospital stay of 5.0（4.0，6.0）days. No cases required reoperation，Clavien-Dindo grade ≥3 complications，or readmission. The geographical distance between the primary and remote surgical sites ranged from 450 to 2 800 km. Network monitoring revealed increased bidirectional latency with distance increasing：the shortest latency time（Hefei-Hangzhou，450 km）was（16.59 ± 0.80）ms，while the longest（Harbin-Hangzhou，2 200 km）latency time was（53.31 ± 0.31）ms. Average frame loss per procedure was 0?1.27 frames. The results of subgroup analysis comparing OTN and CCN communication modes showed no significant differences in operative time［（130.7 ± 70.5）minutes vs.（142.1 ± 42.9）minutes， P = 0.442］，postoperative hospitalization［6.0（4.0，8.0）d vs. 5.0（4.0，6.0）d， P = 0.581］，or readmission rates（0 vs. 0）. However，CCN demonstrated significant cost advantages with 500 RMB per operation vs. 3 000 RMB per operation for OTN. Conclusions:Urological telesurgery using fiber-optic communication is feasible. The CCN mode，with its cost-effectiveness，excellent usability，and multi-point interconnection flexibility，is currently the preferred communication model for telesurgical applications.