ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Trpc6 knockout on chronic lipopolysaccharide （LPS）-induced myocardial inflammation and fibrosis in mice and its potential mechanisms. MethodsMale C57BL/6 wild-type （WT） mice and Trpc6 knockout （Trpc6^-/-） mice of the same background were randomly divided into four groups： WT control， WT+LPS （200 μg/kg）， Trpc6^-/- control， and Trpc6^-/-+LPS （200 μg/kg）. Group with LPS received intraperitoneal LPS injections for 21 consecutive days to induce chronic myocardial inflammatory injury. Cardiac ultrasound assessed changes in left ventricular ejection fraction （EF）， left ventricular shortening fraction （FS）， and cardiac output （CO）. Hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining and periodic acid-Schiff （PAS） staining were used to examine morphological alterations in myocardial tissue. Masson’s trichrome staining was used to assess myocardial fiber alterations； Western blot analysis was used to measure myocardial tissue expression of transient receptor potential calcium channel 6 （TRPC6）， NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 inflammasome （NLRP3），absent in melanoma 2 inflammasome （AIM2）， Caspase-1， interleukin （IL）-6， and IL-1β in mouse myocardial tissue. ResultsCompared with the WT control group， the WT+LPS group exhibited decreased cardiac EF （P<0.01）， FS （P<0.01）， and CO （P<0.05）， along with significantly increased myocardial tissue damage， glycoprotein deposition， and fibrosis （P<0.01）. Further analysis revealed that compared with the WT control group， the WT+LPS group exhibited markedly increased myocardial tissue expression of TRPC6， NLRP3， AIM2， Caspase-1， IL-6， and IL-1β （P<0.01）. Compared with the WT+LPS group， mice in the Trpc6^-/- +LPS group exhibited elevated EF （P<0.01） and FS （P<0.05）， along with reduced myocardial tissue injury， glycoprotein deposition， and fibrosis （P<0.05）. ConclusionChronic LPS treatment can activate NLRP3/AIM2 inflammasomes through the up-regulation of TRPC6 expression， and then lead to chronic myocardial inflammatory injury and fibrosis， while Trpc6 knockdown can reduce myocardial inflammatory injury and fibrosis， and the mechanism is related to inhibiting the activation of NLRP3/AIM2 inflammasomes.

This study examined the effect of islet macrophages on β-cell function changes during type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) progression based on the traditional Chinese medicine theory that " moderate fire generating qi, hyperactive fire consuming qi" . T2DM is closely associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, with islet macrophages playing a central role in this process. Under physiological conditions, islet macrophages secrete anti-inflammatory and growth factors to regulate the immune response, promote cell proliferation, and support islet β-cell survival and function, reflecting the concept of " moderate fire generating qi" . However, during the pathological process of T2DM, islet macrophages become over-activated and dysfunctional, secreting large amounts of pro-inflammatory factors that trigger severe inflammatory responses and oxidative stress. This process damages islet β-cells, disrupts the islet microenvironment and blood supply, exacerbates local inflammation and structural damage, and worsens the survival environment of β-cells. Ultimately, this leads to fewer β-cells and function loss, aligning with the " hyperactive fire consuming qi" theory, where excessive fire depletes qi and blood. This study enhances the understanding and application of traditional Chinese medicine theories in modern medicine, offering a new perspective on T2DM prevention and treatment. Regulating islet macrophage function and reducing their pro-inflammatory responses may become key strategies for preserving β-cell function and slowing T2DM progression.

Objective To analyze the symptomatic improvement effects of vitamin D in children with autism spectrum disorder(ASD)based on the microbiota-gut-brain axis.Methods Seventy-two children with ASD were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group,with 36 cases in each group.Three cases dropped out in the control group.The observation group received 1200 IU/day of vitamin D supplementation in addition to conventional rehabilitation training,while the control group received only conventional rehabilitation training.The intervention lasted for 12 weeks.Assessments were conducted before and after the intervention using the childhood autism rating scale(CARS),autism behavior checklist(ABC),and repetitive behavior scale-revised(RBS-R).Resting-state functional connectivity of the brain was measured using near-infrared functional imaging,and serum levels of 25(OH)D3,inflammatory cytokines,and gut microbiota were analyzed.The differences in these indicators before and after the intervention were compared between the two groups to evaluate clinical efficacy.Results The between-group differences in pre-and post-intervention changes showed that the observation group had significantly greater improvements than the control group in the following measures:CARS scores(-5.92±1.40 vs.-2.55±1.43),RBS-R scores(-5.99±1.01 vs.-3.10±1.47),resting-state brain functional connectivity(0.19±0.15 vs.0.10±0.18),serum 25(OH)D3 levels[(34.89±8.18)ng/mL vs.(0.68±6.73)ng/mL],serum interleukin-6(IL-6)levels[(-6.60±6.07)pg/mL vs.(-0.74±9.45)pg/mL],IL-1β levels[(-2.56±1.33)pg/mL vs.(-0.04±2.13)pg/mL],and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)levels[(-4.09±3.85)pg/mL vs.(0.21±4.05)pg/mL](P<0.05).Post-intervention,significant differences in gut microbial β-diversity were observed between the two groups(R2=0.030,P=0.040,Adonis).LEfSe analysis revealed that the observation group exhibited enrichment in Clostridia(LDA=4.747,P=0.003),Clostridiales(LDA=4.747,P=0.003),Clostridiaceae(LDA=3.476,P=0.001),Lachnospiraceae(LDA=4.709,P=0.004),Odoribacteraceae(LDA=3.458,P=0.027),Odoribacter(LDA=3.458,P=0.027),Burkholderiales(LDA=3.339,P=0.038),Firmicutes(LDA=4.764,P=0.003),and Betaproteobacteria(LDA=3.338,P=0.037).Conclusion Vitamin D supplementation can modulate gut microbial diversity in children with ASD,significantly influence the abundance of specific gut microbiota,reduce systemic inflammatory cytokines,enhance brain functional connectivity,and alleviate clinical symptoms of ASD.

Objective:To investigate the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS) on the core symptoms, brain functional connectivity and activation in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).Methods:From September 2022 to March 2024, a total of 35 children with ADHD were selected as research subjects and they were randomly divided into observation group ( n=17) and control group ( n=18). The control group received conventional rehabilitation therapy, while the observation group received rTMS therapy in addition to the conventional therapy. Both groups were treated every other day, with each course of treatment lasting four weeks, and a total of three courses of treatment were administered consecutively. The clinical symptoms of the children with ADHD were assessed using Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham-Ⅳ(SNAP-Ⅳ) before and after treatment. fNIRS was used to detect the relative concentration changes of oxyhemoglobin (HbO 2) and deoxyhemoglobin (HbR) in the prefrontal cortex under resting-state and Go/Nogo task conditions before and after treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0 software. Paired sample t-test were used for within-group comparisons, and independent sample t-test were used for between-group comparisons. Results:(1) After treatment, the scores for inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity and oppositional defiant behavior in the two groups were significantly lower than before treatment ( t=3.51-18.86, all P<0.05). The scores for inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity and oppositional defiant behavior in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t=2.21, 2.03, 2.39, all P<0.05). (2) After treatment, the functional connectivity strength between all regions of interest in both groups was significantly higher than before treatment ( t=3.53-37.90, all P<0.05). The functional connectivity strength of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (0.25±0.03, 0.21±0.03), right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (0.12±0.02, 0.09±0.02), left medial prefrontal cortex (0.13±0.02, 0.10±0.01) and right medial prefrontal cortex (0.31±0.04, 0.24±0.06) in the observation group was significantly higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). (3) In the Go/Nogo task, after treatment, the average HbO 2 concentrations in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, left medial prefrontal cortex, right medial prefrontal cortex, left temporal lobe, and right temporal lobe in both groups were all higher than before treatment (all P<0.05). After treatment, the average HbO 2 concentrations in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, left medial prefrontal cortex and right medial prefrontal cortex of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group (all P<0.05). Conclusion:rTMS therapy can improve the core symptoms of children with ADHD, which may be related to the strength of brain functional connectivity and activation of ADHD brain function by rTMS.

Objective To analyze the symptomatic improvement effects of vitamin D in children with autism spectrum disorder(ASD)based on the microbiota-gut-brain axis.Methods Seventy-two children with ASD were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group,with 36 cases in each group.Three cases dropped out in the control group.The observation group received 1200 IU/day of vitamin D supplementation in addition to conventional rehabilitation training,while the control group received only conventional rehabilitation training.The intervention lasted for 12 weeks.Assessments were conducted before and after the intervention using the childhood autism rating scale(CARS),autism behavior checklist(ABC),and repetitive behavior scale-revised(RBS-R).Resting-state functional connectivity of the brain was measured using near-infrared functional imaging,and serum levels of 25(OH)D3,inflammatory cytokines,and gut microbiota were analyzed.The differences in these indicators before and after the intervention were compared between the two groups to evaluate clinical efficacy.Results The between-group differences in pre-and post-intervention changes showed that the observation group had significantly greater improvements than the control group in the following measures:CARS scores(-5.92±1.40 vs.-2.55±1.43),RBS-R scores(-5.99±1.01 vs.-3.10±1.47),resting-state brain functional connectivity(0.19±0.15 vs.0.10±0.18),serum 25(OH)D3 levels[(34.89±8.18)ng/mL vs.(0.68±6.73)ng/mL],serum interleukin-6(IL-6)levels[(-6.60±6.07)pg/mL vs.(-0.74±9.45)pg/mL],IL-1β levels[(-2.56±1.33)pg/mL vs.(-0.04±2.13)pg/mL],and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)levels[(-4.09±3.85)pg/mL vs.(0.21±4.05)pg/mL](P<0.05).Post-intervention,significant differences in gut microbial β-diversity were observed between the two groups(R2=0.030,P=0.040,Adonis).LEfSe analysis revealed that the observation group exhibited enrichment in Clostridia(LDA=4.747,P=0.003),Clostridiales(LDA=4.747,P=0.003),Clostridiaceae(LDA=3.476,P=0.001),Lachnospiraceae(LDA=4.709,P=0.004),Odoribacteraceae(LDA=3.458,P=0.027),Odoribacter(LDA=3.458,P=0.027),Burkholderiales(LDA=3.339,P=0.038),Firmicutes(LDA=4.764,P=0.003),and Betaproteobacteria(LDA=3.338,P=0.037).Conclusion Vitamin D supplementation can modulate gut microbial diversity in children with ASD,significantly influence the abundance of specific gut microbiota,reduce systemic inflammatory cytokines,enhance brain functional connectivity,and alleviate clinical symptoms of ASD.

Objective To explore the feasibility and value of synthetic MRI combined with reduced field of view(r FOV)intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion weighted imaging(IVIM-DWI)in preoperative predicting TN stage of rectal cancer.Methods The ima-ging and clinical data of 40 patients with rectal cancer confirmed by operation and pathology were collected and divided into low T stage group(T1-T2 stage)and high T stage group(T3-T4 stage),N0 stage group and N1-N2 stage group according to postoperative pathological staging as the golden standard.Independent sample t-tests were conducted to compare the parameter differences of synthetic MRI[T1,T2,and proton density(PD)values]and IVIM-DWI(D,D*,and f values)between the two groups.Receiver operating charac-teristic(ROC)curves were used to evaluate the efficacy of each parameter with statistically significant differences.Results Signifi-cant differences were observed in the T2 values of synthetic MRI and the D and f values of IVIM-DWI between high and low T stage groups,as well as between N0 and N1-N2 stage groups(P<0.05).The D value showed the highest area under the curve(AUC)(AUC=0.888)in predicting T stage group,and the T2 value was predominant(AUC=0.790)for N stage group prediction.The combination models of T2,D,and f values yielded superior predictive capability for TN stage in preoperative predicting rectal cancer,with AUC of 0.890 and 0.807,respectively.Conclusion Synthetic MRI combined with r FOV IVIM-DWI is feasible in preoperative prediction of TN stage of rectal cancer,which shows a higher efficacy,and is a useful supplement to conventional MRI technology.

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of non-contrast chest CT in acute pulmonary thromboembolism(APTE).Methods A total of 187 patients with suspected APTE who underwent non-contrast chest CT and computed tomography pulmonary angiography(CTPA)within 2 h were included.Among 187 patients,there were 89 patients with APTE(APTE group)and 98 patients without APTE(control group).The clinical characteristics and chest CT features between the APTE group and the control group were compared.The sensitivity and specificity of non-contrast chest CT findings in the diagnosis of central APTE and peripheral APTE were analyzed.Results Chest CT showed pulmonary artery hyperdensity sign in 35 cases in the APTE group and none in the control group,with the difference was statistically significant(χ2=47.414,P<0.001);Subpleural shadow appeared in 33 cases in the APTE group and 11 cases in the control group,with the difference was statistically significant(χ2=17.327,P<0.001).The sensitivity and specificity of pulmonary artery hyperdensity sign in the diagnosis of central APTE and peripheral APTE were 72.92%,100%and 0%,100%,respectively.The sensitivity and specificity of sub-pleural shadow in the diagnosis of central APTE and peripheral APTE were 39.58%,88.78%and 34.15%,88.78%,respectively.The difference was not statistically significant in pleural effusion,pulmonary artery diameter,or pulmonary artery diameter to aorta diameter ratio between the two groups.Conclusion The pulmonary artery hyperdensity sign on non-contrast chest CT is a useful sign of APTE,which can avoid CTPA examination.

Objective:To investigate the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS) on the core symptoms, brain functional connectivity and activation in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).Methods:From September 2022 to March 2024, a total of 35 children with ADHD were selected as research subjects and they were randomly divided into observation group ( n=17) and control group ( n=18). The control group received conventional rehabilitation therapy, while the observation group received rTMS therapy in addition to the conventional therapy. Both groups were treated every other day, with each course of treatment lasting four weeks, and a total of three courses of treatment were administered consecutively. The clinical symptoms of the children with ADHD were assessed using Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham-Ⅳ(SNAP-Ⅳ) before and after treatment. fNIRS was used to detect the relative concentration changes of oxyhemoglobin (HbO 2) and deoxyhemoglobin (HbR) in the prefrontal cortex under resting-state and Go/Nogo task conditions before and after treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0 software. Paired sample t-test were used for within-group comparisons, and independent sample t-test were used for between-group comparisons. Results:(1) After treatment, the scores for inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity and oppositional defiant behavior in the two groups were significantly lower than before treatment ( t=3.51-18.86, all P<0.05). The scores for inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity and oppositional defiant behavior in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t=2.21, 2.03, 2.39, all P<0.05). (2) After treatment, the functional connectivity strength between all regions of interest in both groups was significantly higher than before treatment ( t=3.53-37.90, all P<0.05). The functional connectivity strength of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (0.25±0.03, 0.21±0.03), right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (0.12±0.02, 0.09±0.02), left medial prefrontal cortex (0.13±0.02, 0.10±0.01) and right medial prefrontal cortex (0.31±0.04, 0.24±0.06) in the observation group was significantly higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). (3) In the Go/Nogo task, after treatment, the average HbO 2 concentrations in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, left medial prefrontal cortex, right medial prefrontal cortex, left temporal lobe, and right temporal lobe in both groups were all higher than before treatment (all P<0.05). After treatment, the average HbO 2 concentrations in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, left medial prefrontal cortex and right medial prefrontal cortex of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group (all P<0.05). Conclusion:rTMS therapy can improve the core symptoms of children with ADHD, which may be related to the strength of brain functional connectivity and activation of ADHD brain function by rTMS.

AIM:This study aims to investigate the mechanisms through which Astragaloside IV(AS)pre-vents and treats osteoporosis by regulating intestinal flora.METHODS:Thirty 3-month-old female Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were selected for the study.Ten rats were randomly assigned to a sham group,while the remaining twenty underwent bilateral ovariectomy(OVX)to simulate osteoporosis.Following the modeling,the twenty OVX rats were randomly divid-ed into two groups:the OVX group and the AS treatment group,which received continuous gavage for 12 weeks.Bone mineral density(BMD)of the femur and lumbar vertebrae was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry(DXA).Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was employed to assess the microstructure of the femur and colonic mucosa,while immu-nohistochemistry was used to measure the expression of collagen type Ⅰ alpha 1 chain(COL1A1)protein in the femur.Ad-ditionally,RT-qPCR was utilized to analyze the mRNA expression of bone formation-related indicators,including alkaline phosphatase(ALP),COL1A1,and Runt-related transcription factor 2(RUNX2).Fresh fecal samples were collected from the rats for 16S rDNA sequencing to detect changes in intestinal microbiota composition.RESULTS:Compared to the sham group,OVX rats exhibited a significant increase in body weight and a marked decrease in femur and lumbar ver-tebrae bone density.HE staining revealed trabecular bone fractures with a disrupted reticular structure in the OVX group,along with the presence of numerous cavities and fat vacuoles in the bone marrow.The colonic mucosa showed signs of vil-lous shedding and mild crypt atrophy.Immunohistochemistry results demonstrated a substantial reduction in brown-yellow granules and COL1A1 expression in the OVX group.Conversely,in the AS group,there was a reduction in body weight and a significant increase in bone density of the femur and lumbar vertebrae.The trabecular architecture appeared more or-ganized,with less severe fractures compared to the OVX group.In the AS group,the number of cavities and fat vacuoles in the bone marrow was also reduced,and the colonic mucosa exhibited improved villous structure and less crypt atrophy.Immunohistochemical analysis indicated that AS treatment significantly enhanced COL1A1 expression.Furthermore,after AS intervention,the mRNA expression levels of ALP,COL1A1,and RUNX2 were notably increased.16S rDNA sequenc-ing revealed a significant increase in the abundance of Firmicutes,Proteobacteria,f_Pseudonocardiaceae,f_Marinifilace-ae,f_Oscillospiraceae,f_Ruminococcaceae,and f_Peptostreptococcaceae,while p_Euryarchaeota,Bacteroidetes,and f_Muribaculaceae showed significant reductions.Overall,OVX led to increased diversity in the species distribution of in-testinal microbiota,whereas AS treatment helped recalibrate the aforementioned phyla(families)and reduce diversity.CONCLUSION:Astragaloside IV can increase bone density in OVX rats,improve bone microstructure,promote bone formation,and prevent colonic mucosal damage by regulating the relative abundance of intestinal flora.

Objective:To comparatively observe optical coherence tomography (OCT) image features between traumatic macular hole (TMH) and idiopathic macular hole (IMH).Methods:A retrospective clinical study. A total of 174 patients (174 eyes) with macular hole (MH) diagnosed at Shantou International Eye Center from December 2008 to May 2024 were included in the study. Among them, there were 75 patients (75 eyes) with TMH and 99 patients (99 eyes) with IMH, and they were divided into the TMH group and the IMH group accordingly. All the affected eyes underwent best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and OCT examinations. The BCVA was examined using a standard logarithmic visual acuity chart, and was converted to the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity for statistical analysis. The minimum diameter and basal diameter of the MH, as well as the average, nasal, superior, inferior, and temporal center retinal thickness (CRT) around the MH were measured by OCT. The independent-sample t test was used to compare the logMAR BCVA, hole diameter, and CRT at the hole margin between the groups. Results:There were significant differences in age ( t=-15.857) and gender ratio ( χ2=28.154) between the TMH group and the IMH group ( P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in logMAR BCVA ( t=1.962, P>0.05). The minimum diameter of the hole in the TMH group was smaller than that in the IMH group, but the basal diameter was larger, with significant differences ( t=-3.322, 2.570; P<0.05). The thickness of the neuroepithelial layer at the hole margin in the TMH group was thinner than that in the IMH group, with significant differences in the superior ( t=-2.747), inferior ( t=-2.316), and nasal ( t=-2.851) regions ( P<0.05), and no significant difference in the temporal region ( t=-1.586, P>0.05). In the TMH group, the number of eyes with macular cystoid edema (CME), posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), retinal atrophy, subretinal hemorrhage, choroidal laceration, and focal neuroepithelial detachment was 36 (48.00%, 36/75), 4 (5.33%, 4/75), 4 (5.33%, 4/75), 15 (20.00%, 15/75), 8 (10.67%, 8/75), and 19 (25.33%, 19/75) eyes, respectively. In the IMH group, the number of eyes with CME and PVD was 95 (95.96%, 95/99) and 94 (94.95%, 94/99) eyes, respectively. Conclusion:Compared with IMH, TMH has a larger basal diameter, a thinner CRT at the hole margin, a lower incidence of CME and PVD, and a higher incidence of subretinal hemorrhage, focal neuroepithelial detachment, choroidal laceration, and retinal atrophy.