The innate immune sensor NLRP3 inflammasome overactivation is involved in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis. PGAM5 is a mitochondrial phosphatase involved in NLRP3 inflammasome activation in macrophages. However, the role of PGAM5 in ulcerative colitis and the mechanisms underlying PGAM5 regulating NLRP3 activity remain unknown. Here, we show that PGAM5 deficiency ameliorates dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in mice via suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation. By combining APEX2-based proximity labeling focused on PGAM5 with quantitative proteomics, we identify NEK7 as the new binding partner of PGAM5 to promote NLRP3 inflammasome assembly and activation in a PGAM5 phosphatase activity-independent manner upon inflammasome induction. Interfering with PGAM5-NEK7 interaction by punicalagin inhibits the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages and ameliorates DSS-induced colitis in mice. Altogether, our data demonstrate the PGAM5-NEK7 interaction in macrophages for NLRP3 inflammasome activation and further provide a promising therapeutic strategy for ulcerative colitis by blocking the PGAM5-NEK7 interaction.

The most common medications for the treatment of zoonotic toxoplasmosis are pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine, which may cause serious undesirable side effects. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop novel therapeutics. Baicalein (BAI, C₁₅H₁₀O₅) has been shown to perform well against protozoan parasites including Leishmania and Cryptosporidium. In this study, the inhibition efficacy of BAI on Toxoplasma gondii was evaluated using plaque, invasion, and intracellular proliferation assays. BAI effectively inhibited T. gondii (half-maximum inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀)=6.457×10^-5 mol/L), with a reduced invasion rate (33.56%) and intracellular proliferation, and exhibited low cytotoxicity (half-maximum toxicity concentration (TC₅₀)=5.929×10^-4 mol/L). Further investigation using a mouse model shed light on the inhibitory efficacy of BAI against T. gondii, as well as the potential mechanisms underlying its anti-parasitic effects. The survival time of T. gondii-infected ICR mice treated with BAI was remarkably extended, and their parasite burdens in the liver and spleen were greatly reduced compared with those of the negative control group. Histopathological examination of live sections revealed effective therapeutic outcomes in the treatment groups, with no notable pathological alterations observed. Furthermore, alterations in cytokine levels indicated that BAI not only effectively suppressed the growth of T. gondii but also prevented excessive inflammation in mice. Collectively, these findings underscore the significant inhibitory efficacy of BAI against T. gondii, positioning it as a promising alternative therapeutic agent for toxoplasmosis.
Animals ; Toxoplasma/drug effects* ; Flavanones/therapeutic use* ; Mice ; Antiparasitic Agents/therapeutic use* ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Toxoplasmosis/drug therapy* ; Female

Neurodegenerative diseases encompass a diverse array of disorders that have a profoundly detrimental impact on human health, characterized by their intricate and multifaceted pathogenesis. In the recent past, a growing body of scientific research has begun to shed light on the critical involvement of the neuro-immune axis in the onset and advancement of these debilitating conditions. This comprehensive review article delves into the intricate composition of the neuro-immune axis, elucidating the complex mechanisms through which it exerts its influence in the context of neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, it explores the potential therapeutic applications of targeting the neuro-immune axis for the management and treatment of these diseases. This extensive examination aims to offer new perspectives and innovative strategies that could pave the way for more effective treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, thereby providing hope for those afflicted by these challenging conditions.
Humans ; Neurodegenerative Diseases/metabolism* ; Animals ; Neuroimmunomodulation/physiology*

Objective To investigate the effect of lateral wedge insoles (LWI) with different heights on lower limb biomechanical characteristics during single-leg landing in patients with chronic ankle in? stability (CAI). Methods Thirty CAI undergraduates (15 males and 15 females) were recruited. All participants were required to perform a single-leg landing task from a height of 30 cm. They first un? derwent the test with flat insoles (FI),followed by tests with 3 mm and 6 mm LWI in a randomized order. A Qualisys 3D motion capture system and Kistler force platform were used to synchronously col? lect data. Kinematic and kinetic data of the lower limb tri-joints (hip,knee and ankle) were ana? lyzed from the moment of ground contact to the body stabilization phase. Results(1) Kinematically,compared with the FI group,the 3 mm and 6 mm LWI groups showed greater hip and knee flexion angles (P<0.001),smaller hip adduction (P<0.05,P<0.01),ankle plantarflexion (P<0.05,P<0.001),and knee valgus angles (P<0.05,P<0.001) at the moment of ground contact. The 6 mm LWI group had larger hip/knee flexion angles (P<0.001) and smaller ankle plantarflexion angles (P<0.001) at contact than the 3 mm LWI group. Additionally,compared with the FI group,the 6 mm LWI group showed significantly smaller ankle eversion angles (P<0.05). The 6 mm LWI group showed larger peak knee flexion angle (P<0.05) and peak ankle eversion angle (P<0.01) than the FI group,while the 3 mm LWI group also had a greater peak ankle eversion angle (P<0.05) than the FI group. Meanwhile,the 3 mm and 6 mm LWI groups had a larger knee flexion-extension range of motion (ROM)(P<0.05,P<0.01) but smaller ankle flexion-extension ROM (P<0.001) than the FI group. The 6 mm LWI group showed a significantly greater hip adduction-abduction ROM (P<0.001,P<0.05) than the other groups,with a smaller ankle plantar flexion-extension ROM (P<0.05) than the 3 mm LWI group. (2) The peak vertical ground reaction force (peak vGRF) of the LWI groups was signifi? cantly lower than the FI group (P<0.01),with that of the 6 mm LWI group significantly lower than the 3 mm LWI group (P<0.001). Moreover,there were significantly greater peak hip flexion moment (P<0.01) and smaller peak ankle plantarflexion moment of the LWI groups than the FI group (P<0.001),with a smaller peak ankle plantarflexion moment of the 6 mm LWI group than the 3 mm LWI group (P<0.05). (3) Significantly greater subjective comfort was observed in the 6 mm LWI group than the FI group (P<0.01). Conclusion LWI can improve landing patterns in CAI patients,re? duce their ground reaction forces,and lower the risk of ankle sprain. The 6 mm LWI outperforms the 3 mm LWI in improving flexion angles of the lower limb tri-joints at ground contact,ankle flexion-ex? tension ROM,peak vGRF,and peak ankle plantarflexion moment during single-leg landing tasks. Therefore,LWI can be used as a wearable protective device during rehabilitation to prevent recurrent ankle sprains among such patients.

Objective:To study the influence of surgical margins on the prognosis of anatomical hepatectomy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on a propensity score-matched (PSM) analysis.Methods:Clinical data of 200 patients with HCC undergoing anatomical hepatectomy at the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from December 2019 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, including 169 males and 31 females, aged 53.4±12.0 years. Patients were divided into the narrow margin group (surgical margin ≤10 mm, n=133) and wide margin group (>10 mm, n=67) according to the width of the surgical margin. PSM was used to compare preoperative indicators such as the maximum diameter of the tumor, the integrity of the tumor capsule, sublesions, and the clinical stage of Barcelona liver cancer (BCLC), perioperative indicators such as intraoperative blood loss, and 24-hour postoperative laboratory indicators such as alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase between the two groups of patients. The prognosis was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method, and the postoperative recurrence-free survival rate of the two groups was compared by the log-rank test. Yates corrected chi-square test was used to analyze the postoperative liver function of the two groups of patients. Results:Before PSM, 133 cases were included in the narrow margin group and 67 cases in the wide margin group. There were statistically significant differences in the clinical stage of BCLC, intraoperative blood loss, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase between the two groups (all P<0.05). After PSM, 55 cases were included in both the narrow margin group and the wide margin group. There were no statistically significant differences in the clinical stage, intraoperative blood loss, alanine aminotransferase and other indicators of BCLC between the two groups (all P>0.05). The 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year recurrence-free survival rates of the wide margin group were 94.2%, 80.1%, and 75.1% respectively, which were higher than those of the narrow margin group (71.8%, 52.9%, and 44.1%), the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=6.25, P=0.012). After PSM, a total of 12 patients (10.9%, 12/110) in the two groups developed liver dysfunction after the operation, among which 10 cases (18.2%, 10/55) were in the wide margin group and 2 cases (3.6%, 2/55). The incidence of postoperative liver dysfunction in the wide margin group was higher than that in the narrow margin group, the difference was statistically significant difference ( χ2=4.58, P=0.032). Conclusion:A surgical margin >10 mm can improve the relapse free survival rate, but it will increase the incidence of postoperative liver dysfunction.

ObjectiveTo construct a rat model of psoriasis with spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome （external dampness type）， and evaluate the macroscopic manifestations and microscopic indicators of the model. MethodsTwenty-two SD rats were divided into normal group （n=3）， common psoriasis group （n=5）， spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome （external dampness type） group （n=7）， and psoriasis with spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome （external dampness type） group （n=7）. The spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome （external dampness type） rat model was established through 32-week exposure to an artificially simulated high-humidity environment， while the common psoriasis model was developed via 7-day topical application of imiquimod cream， and these two approaches were combined to construct a composite model of psoriasis with spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome （external dampness type）. Rats in the normal group were housed under normal humidity conditions. The general state， tongue manifestation of rats were observed to evaluate the macroscopic syndrome manifestations； the microscopic syndrome manifestations of rats were evaluated through adipose tissue and liver tissue changes； the severity of psoriasis in rats was evaluated through skin pathological changes， psoriasis area and severity index （PASI）， proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA） expression and spleen tissue changes； changes in rat CD4⁺ interferon-γ⁺ cells （CD4⁺IFN-γ⁺ cells）， CD4⁺ tumour necrosis factor-α+ cells （CD4⁺ TNF-α⁺ cells）， and forkhead framing protein P3⁺ regulatory T cells （CD3⁺CD4⁺FoxP3⁺ Treg cells） were detected by flow cytometry. ResultsMacroscopically， both the spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome （external dampness type） group and psoriasis with spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome （external dampness type） group exhibited manifestations of spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction， including lethargy， huddling behavior， dull and disheveled fur， as well as soft or loose stools and perianal soiling in some individuals； both these two groups displayed enlarged tongue， swollen， and moist tongue texture， accompanied by slippery tongue surface. Microscopically， compared to the common psoriasis group， the psoriasis with spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome （external dampness type） group showed increased epididymal fat index （P＜0.05）； compared to the normal group and spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome （external dampness type） group， the psoriasis with spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome （external dampness type） group demonstrated significantly elevated spleen mass （P＜0.05）， while hepatic gross morphology and HE staining revealed no significant histopathological changes across all groups. Dorsal skin lesions were markedly exacerbated in the psoriasis with spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome （external dampness type） group when compared to those in common psoriasis group. Both the common psoriasis group and psoriasis with spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome （external dampness type） group exhibited significantly higher erythema scores， scaling scores， infiltration scores， PASI total scores， and proportions of CD3⁺CD4⁺FoxP3⁺Treg cells compared to the normal group and spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome （external dampness type） group （P＜0.05）， with pronounced PCNA-positive expression observed in the epidermal basal layer and dermis； the psoriasis with spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome （external dampness type） group displayed significantly increased proportions of CD4⁺TNF-α⁺cells compared to the spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome （external dampness type） group （P＜0.05）； whereas no significant differences were detected in CD4⁺IFN-γ⁺cell proportions among groups （P＞0.05）. ConclusionThe rat model of psoriasis with spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome （external dampness type） can be successfully constructed by artificially simulating a high-humidity environment combined with imiquimod induction.

Sepsis is a lethal condition resulting from the host's dysregulated response, involving complex pathophysiological mechanisms, including the host's biphasic immune response and metabolic disturbances. Diagnosing and treating sepsis remain formidable challenges, with the absence of definitive biomarkers and effective therapeutic interventions to date. Animal models of sepsis are pivotal in unraveling the disease's pathogenesis and identifying potential treatments, playing a crucial role in enhancing our comprehension of its intrinsic nature. However, there is no animal model that can comprehensively and accurately simulate the complex pathophysiological process of human sepsis. This review discusses the widely used sepsis animal models, exploring their advantages and limitations in terms of pathogenesis, inflammatory response, pathophysiological changes, and organ dysfunction. It summarizes the application scenarios and latest research advancements of these models and provides an outlook on potential future improvements.
Sepsis/physiopathology* ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Humans

Objective:To explore the short-term oncological efficacy of the total prostatic urethra preservation（TPUP）technique in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and its impact on postoperative urinary continence rate.Methods:The clinical data of 17 prostate cancer patients admitted to Shaoxing People’s Hospital from July 2023 to July 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. The age was（70.5 ± 6.5）years，the body mass index was（23.6 ± 2.5）kg/m 2，and the prostate-specific antigen（PSA）level was（7.845 ± 3.929）ng/ml. The preoperative biopsy pathological Gleason score were 6 in 8 cases，and 7 in 9 cases. All patients underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy，and the TPUP technique was used during the operation. The integrity of the preserved urethra was improved by preserving the prostatic surgical capsule closely attached to the corpus spongiosum of the urethra. During the operation，the urethra was completely preserved in 2 cases，nearly completely preserved in 14 cases，and partially preserved in 1 case. The recovery of urinary continence on the day of catheter removal and at 1 and 3 months after the operation was recorded. Recovery of urinary continence was defined as pad within 24 hours. PSA was re - examined at 6 weeks and 3 months after the operation. Results:All 17 operations in this study were successfully completed. The operation time was（143.6 ± 31.6）minutes，and the intraoperative blood loss was 50.0（20.0，50.0）ml. None of the cases was converted to open surgery，and no Clavien - Dindo grade ≥ 2 complications such as blood transfusion or intestinal injury occurred during the peri-operative period. The PSA levels at 6 weeks and 3 months after the operation were 0.054（0.008，0.215）ng/ml and 0.008（0.005，0.037）ng/ml，respectively. The indwelling catheter time after the operation was（13.4 ± 2.1）days. The number of cases with recovered urinary continence on the day of catheter removal and at 1 and 3 months after the operation was 10，15，and 17，respectively.Conclusions:The TPUP technique in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy leads to good recovery of postoperative urinary continence，and there is a slowly PSA decrease in the short term.

Objective:To analyze the lower limb muscle synergy patterns during the jump landing/cutting in patients with functional ankle instability(FAI),those who have experienced an ankle sprain without instability(Coper),and healthy controls(CON).Method:Twelve populations were recruited for each of the FAI,Coper,and CON groups(male/female ratio and whether the injured side was the favorable side were matched among groups).Kinematic,kinetic and sur-face electromyography(sEMG)data were collected from the unilateral lower limb during the jumping landing/cutting maneuver.Muscle synergy analysis was conducted using a non-negative matrix decomposition algorithm to extract parameters including the number of synergies,variance accounted for(VAF),synergy vectors,and activation coefficients.Result:Four synergy patterns existed in all three groups.Synergy l mainly activated the hip and knee exten-sors,contributing to impact absorption during landing.Synergy 2 mainly activated the knee extensors and ankle plantarflexors,functioning during both landing absorption and force generation in the lateral cut.Synergy 3 mainly activated the knee flexors and ankle plantarflexors,playing a role in the lateral cut force phase.Syner-gy 4 mainly activated the tibialis anterior muscle,contributing during the early landing phase and at the end of the lateral cut force generation phase,with a primary role in ankle stabilization.There was no significant difference in the number of synergies among the three groups,but the VAF-l(the VAF value when the num-ber of synergy is 1)of FAI group was significantly higher than the other two groups(P＜0.05).In the synergy vectors,the FAI and Coper groups showed increased activation weights for the periprosthetic muscles,reduced activation weights for the ankle plantarflexors and extensor digitorum brevis,and greater activation weights for the tibialis anterior muscles(P＜0.05).In terms of activation coefficients,the Coper group exhibited an earlier peak activation of synergy 2 and synergy 3(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Differences in ankle stabilization did not affect the number of muscle synergies in the lower ex-tremity,but muscle contributions within each synergy were altered in patients with FAI,indicating a compensa-tory strategy that relied more on proximal muscle while reducing the functional contributions of foot muscles to impact absorption and force generation.In the Coper group,reduced ankle muscle activation was compen-sated for by central adjustment of activation coefficient.