Objective: To investigate the effects of cranial electrotherapy stimulation(CES) with varying parameter configurations on sleep quality in patients diagnosed with chronic insomnia disorder. Methods: Seventy-two participants meeting diagnostic criteria for chronic insomnia disorder were randomly allocated to a four-arm parallel study design.The intervention protocol comprised:Group 1(G1) received CES at 0.5 Hz,300 μA;Group 2(G2) underwent CES treatment at 1.5 Hz,300 μA;Group 3(G3) administered 100 Hz,300 μA stimulation;and Group4(G4) received sham stimulation with identical device placement but no current delivery.Primary outcomes were quantified through polysomnography(PSG) recordings conducted at baseline and post-intervention,whereas secondary outcomes were assessed via standardized sleep questionnaires including the Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI) and Insomnia Severity Index(ISI). Results: Following a 10-day intervention protocol,significant clinical improvements were observed across all active treatment groups(G1-G3) as evidenced by reductions in PSQI.Insomnia severity index(ISI) scores quantitative polysomnographic analysis revealed that both G2(1.5 Hz) and G3(100 Hz) cohorts demonstrated statistically significant enhancements in Flinders Fatigue Scale(FFS) scores,total sleep time(TST),and sleep efficiency(SE),accompanied by reduced sleep onset latency(SOL) compared to baseline measurements.However,no statistically significant differences were detected between the G2 and G3 intervention arms across all measured parameters.CES exerted no significant effect on sleep architecture. Conclusion CES can effectively improve the sleep of patients with chronic insomnia.Within a certain range,a higher frequency of CES leads to better sleep improvement effects.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the damage effect and potential toxic mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein(S protein)on human neuroblastomacells(SH-SY5Y).METHODS SH-SY5Y were treated with S protein at concentrations of 25,50,75,and 100 mg·L-1 for 24 h.Cell viability of SH-SY5Y was detected using the CCK-8 assay.The cytotoxic lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)detection kit was used to measure the release rate of LDH,and the 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine(EdU)-488 cell prolifera-tion kit was used to assess cell proliferation.The ATP detection kit was used to measure intracellular ATP content.The JC-1 fluorescent probe method was employed to detect the mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP)of cells.Seahorse XF was used to measure mitochondrial respiratory and glycolytic capacity.RESULTS Compared with the cell control group,cell viability was significantly reduced in S protein 25,50,75 and 100 mg·L-1 groups(P<0.01),and the half-inhibition concentration(IC50)was 65.05 mg·L-1.The LDH release rate wassignificantly increased(P<0.01)and the proportion of EdU positive cellswas significantly reduced(P<0.01)in S protein 25,50,75 and 100 mg·L-1 groups.S protein signifi-cantly reduced intracellular ATP content(P<0.01)at the concentrations of 75 and 100 mg·L-1,while significantly reduced intracellular MMP(P<0.05,P<0.01)at the concentrations of 50 and 75 mg·L-1.S protein 50 mg·L-1 increased the maximum value of basal glycolysis levels and glycolytic capacity(P<0.05,P<0.01),and S protein 25 and 50 mg·L-1 increased the maximum value of respiration capacity(P<0.05,P<0.01).SH-SY5Y cell viability was positively correlated with the intracellular ATP content and the MMP level(r2=0.9209,P=0.001;r2=0.6170,P=0.0025),and negatively correlated with the maximum level of basal glycolysis and glycolytic capacity(r2=0.5194,P=0.0285;r2=0.6664,P=0.0073),and nega-tively correlated with ATP production capacity(r2=0.8204,P=0.0008).CONCLUSIONS protein decreases the viability of SH-SY5Y cells and inhibited cell proliferation.The mechanism may be closely related to the disorder of energy metabolism.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the damage effect and mechanisms of cyclophosphamide(CTX)and its active metabolite derivative 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide(4-HC)to human neuroblas-toma SH-SY5Y cells.METHODS SH-SY5Y cells were treated with CTX[0(cell control),0.01,0.1,1,5,10,20,40 and 80 mmol·L-1]and 4-HC[0(cell control),0.01,0.1,1,5,10,20,40 and 80 μmol·L-1]for 48 h.Cell confluence and morphology were observed by the IncuCyte ZOOM system.Cell viability was assessed by CCK-8 assay.Lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)release was measured by LDH assay kit.SH-SY5Y cells were treated with CTX(0,1,5,10 and 20 mmol·L-1)and 4-HC(0,1,5,10 and 20 μmol·L-1)for 48 h before cell proliferation was analyzed by 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine(EdU)staining assay.Immunofluorescence was employed to assess the levels of the DNA double-strand break marker γ-H2AX and to evaluate changes in mitochondrial membrane potential.SH-SY5Y cells were treated with CTX(0,1,5 and 10 mmol·L-1)and 4-HC(0,1,5 and 10 μmol·L-1)for 48 h,and the alterations in glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation levels were analyzed using the Seahorse XFe96 Analyzer.RESULTS Compared with the cell control group,cell confluence and cell viability were significantly reduced in the CTX and 4-HC groups(P<0.01),and the half-maximal inhibitory concentrations(IC50)for CTX and 4-HC were 4.44 mmol·L-1 and 4.78 μmol·L-1,respectively.The release rate of LDH was signif-icantly increased while the percentage of EdU+cells was significantly reduced in the CTX and 4-HC groups(P<0.01).The percentage of γ-H2AX+cells was significantly increased and mitochondrial membrane potential significantly decreased in the CTX and 4-HC group(P<0.05).Treatment with CTX and 4-HC resulted in reduced levels of maximum glycolytic capacity,glycolytic reserve,maximal respi-ration,and ATP production(P<0.05).CONCLUSION CTX and 4-HC exert significant cytotoxic effects on SH-SY5Y cells by disrupting cell membrane structure,impeding cell proliferation,and reducing cell viability.The mechanisms underlying these effects may involve intracellular DNA damage,disturbance of energy metabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Scavenger receptor class B, member 2 (SCARB2) is linked to Gaucher disease and Parkinson's disease. Deficiency in the SCARB2 gene causes progressive myoclonus epilepsy (PME), a rare group of inherited neurodegenerative diseases characterized by myoclonus. We found that Scarb2 deficiency in mice leads to age-dependent dietary lipid malabsorption, accompanied with vitamin E deficiency. Our investigation revealed that Scarb2 deficiency is associated with gut dysbiosis and an altered bile acid pool, leading to hyperactivation of FXR in intestine. Hyperactivation of FXR impairs epithelium renewal and lipid absorption. Patients with SCARB2 mutations have a severe reduction in their vitamin E levels and cannot absorb dietary vitamin E. Finally, inhibiting FXR or supplementing vitamin E ameliorates the neuromotor impairment and neuropathy in Scarb2 knockout mice. These data indicate that gastrointestinal dysfunction is associated with SCARB2 deficiency-related neurodegeneration, and SCARB2-associated neurodegeneration can be improved by addressing the nutrition deficits and gastrointestinal issues.
Animals ; Mice ; Dysbiosis/metabolism* ; Mice, Knockout ; Humans ; Lysosomal Membrane Proteins/genetics* ; Receptors, Scavenger/genetics* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Myoclonic Epilepsies, Progressive/genetics* ; Vitamin E Deficiency/complications* ; Neurodegenerative Diseases/genetics* ; Bile Acids and Salts/metabolism* ; Male ; Lipid Metabolism ; Intestinal Mucosa/pathology*

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of falls among elderly patients with comorbidity of chronic diseases in Chongqing Municipality, so as to provide insights into preventing measures of falls. Methods: Elderly patients with comorbidity of chronic diseases admitted to a level A tertiary hospital of Chongqing Municipality from July 2022 to December 2022 were recruited. Participants' demographics, physical component and fall condition were collected using a questionnaire survey. Incidence of falls was descriptively analyzed, and factors affecting falls among elderly patients with comorbidity of chronic diseases were identified using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 344 questionnaires were allocated, and 338 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective rate of 98.26%. There were 195 men (57.69%) and 143 women (42.31%), with a mean age of (77.10±7.29) years. There were 171 (50.59%), 115 (34.02%), 38 (11.24%) and 14 (4.14%) patients suffering from 2, 3, 4 and 5 chronic diseases, respectively. The incidence of falls during recent six months was 22.49%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified history of vertigo in last 6 months (OR=2.720, 95%CI: 1.409-5.249), fear of falling (OR=8.725, 95%CI: 4.572-16.653) and adaptation of living environments to ageing (OR=0.257, 95%CI: 0.130-0.509) as factors affecting elderly patients with comorbidity of chronic diseases. Conclusion The Elderly patients with comorbidity of chronic diseases who have a history of vertigo, fear of falling, and living environments that are not age-adapted are at higher risks of falls.

Background/Aims: Some inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients in remission suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)-like symptoms (IBD-IBS). The pathogenesis has not yet been elucidated. The study aim is to evaluate relationships among quality of life (QOL), psychological status, and visceral sensitivity, and explore the formation mechanism of IBD-IBS. Methods: Forty-seven patients with Crohn’s disease in remission, 24 ulcerative colitis in remission, 26 IBS, and 20 healthy controls were included in the study. The abdominal pain, QOL, anxiety, and depression were evaluated through questionnaires. Visceral sensitivity was measured by rectal balloon distension. The serum levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and nerve growth factor (NGF) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expressions of tryptase, 5-HT, NGF, and related receptors in colonic tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry and western blot. Results: Prevalence of IBS-like symptoms in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis patients in clinical remission was 29.8% and 50.0%, respectively. The QOL was lower, the anxiety/depression scores were higher in IBD-IBS patients than those without IBS-like symptoms. Additionally, patients with IBD-IBS existed visceral hypersensitivity. Besides, abdominal pain was associated with poor QOL, visceral hypersensitivity, anxiety, and depression in IBD-IBS patients. The number of mast cells (MCs) and expressions of 5-HT, NGF, and related receptors were higher in IBD-IBS patients than those with no such symptoms. The serum levels of 5-HT and NGF positively correlated with abdominal pain and visceral hypersensitivity. Conclusion IBD-IBS patients may have low QOL and psychological abnormalities, as wells as visceral hypersensitivity which may be related to increased 5-HT and NGF levels released from activated mast cells.

The development of high-efficiency, low-toxicity, and low-residue green pesticides is the main trend of pesticide research, and the microbial-derived antibiotics are one of the essential parts of green pesticides and play a significant role in agriculture. With the development of microbial genomics technology, metabolic engineering, high-throughput screening and other technologies, the research on new microbial-derived antibiotics has entered a new stage in agriculture. Here we briefly summarize the types of new microbial-derived antibiotics developed in agriculture over the past decade. We also introduce the research strategies for high-yield breeding and fermentation of antibiotic-producing strains in agriculture. This review may provide references for the future development of agricultural antibiotics.
Agriculture ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Pesticides

Background/Aims: Some inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients in remission suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)-like symptoms (IBD-IBS). The pathogenesis has not yet been elucidated. The study aim is to evaluate relationships among quality of life (QOL), psychological status, and visceral sensitivity, and explore the formation mechanism of IBD-IBS. Methods: Forty-seven patients with Crohn’s disease in remission, 24 ulcerative colitis in remission, 26 IBS, and 20 healthy controls were included in the study. The abdominal pain, QOL, anxiety, and depression were evaluated through questionnaires. Visceral sensitivity was measured by rectal balloon distension. The serum levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and nerve growth factor (NGF) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expressions of tryptase, 5-HT, NGF, and related receptors in colonic tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry and western blot. Results: Prevalence of IBS-like symptoms in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis patients in clinical remission was 29.8% and 50.0%, respectively. The QOL was lower, the anxiety/depression scores were higher in IBD-IBS patients than those without IBS-like symptoms. Additionally, patients with IBD-IBS existed visceral hypersensitivity. Besides, abdominal pain was associated with poor QOL, visceral hypersensitivity, anxiety, and depression in IBD-IBS patients. The number of mast cells (MCs) and expressions of 5-HT, NGF, and related receptors were higher in IBD-IBS patients than those with no such symptoms. The serum levels of 5-HT and NGF positively correlated with abdominal pain and visceral hypersensitivity. Conclusion IBD-IBS patients may have low QOL and psychological abnormalities, as wells as visceral hypersensitivity which may be related to increased 5-HT and NGF levels released from activated mast cells.

Objective: To observe the distribution of occupational activity disorders of extremely severe mass burn patients in recovery period after injury. Methods: From December 2014 to December 2015, 65 extremely severe burn patients conforming to the inclusion criteria involved in August 2 Kunshan factory aluminum dust explosion accident were admitted to Kunshan Rehabilitation Hospital. They received comprehensive rehabilitation treatment after burns, including wearing pressure clothes, ultrasound treatment, semiconductor laser and red light irradiation, motor function training, and so on. Over 2 years after injury, a cross-sectional survey was conducted on the patients′ occupational activity disorders. Modified Barthel index (MBI) was used to assess the degree of activities of daily living (ADL) disorder of patients and to grade the independent level of completing each item of MBI, and then the independent level of patients completing self-care MBI items (bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, going to the toilet, urine control, and stool control) was compared with that of mobility items (going up and down stairs, bed and chair transfer, and walking). The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) was used to assess the distribution of occupational activity disorders of patients. The distribution of the five most serious occupational activity disorders was counted, then the frequency and probability of which with frequency greater than or equal to 16 times were calculated. Data were processed with Pearson Chi-square test. Results: Over 2 years after injury, the MBI score of patients was (76±22) points, and the ADL of 83.08% (54/65) patients reached completely self-care or light ADL disorder level. The MBI items arranged according to the completing independent level of patients from high to low were urine control/stool control, walking, bed and chair transfer, going up and down stairs, going to the toilet, eating, grooming, dressing, and bathing. The independent level of patients completing self-care MBI items was lower than that of mobility items (χ²=62.298, P<0.001). Over 2 years after injury, the five most serious occupational activity disorders in COPM dimension were mainly concentrated in the self-care dimension, accounting for 55.38% (180/325), followed by 22.46% (73/325) of production activities and 22.15% (72/325) of recreational activities, and the centrally distributed item was the personal self-care item under self-care dimension, accounting for 42.46% (138/325). Over 2 years after injury, the five most serious occupational activity disorders with frequency greater than or equal to 16 times were dressing and undressing, bathing, perineal cleaning, wearing pressure clothes, caring for children, visiting relatives and friends, 31, 25, 16, 17, 18, and 22 times respectively, with a probability of 47.69%, 38.46%, 24.62%, 26.15%, 27.69%, and 33.85% respectively. Conclusions: Over 2 years after injury, most of the patients with extremely severe burns caused by the aluminum dust explosion were completely or basically self-care in their daily life. The disorder of self-care ADL was more serious than that of mobility, and the disorder of individual self-care activity was still the most serious occupational activity disorder of patients in this stage. Clinical trial registration Chinese clinical trial registry, ChiCTR-OOC-16009188.

Objective To obtain anamorphosis of Shiraia bambusicola producing the component,hypocrellin A effectively.Methods A strain was isolated from the fruit of S.bambusicola by separating its hypha and was cultured by solid-state fermentation.One of the pure chemical compounds isolated from the stroma of wild S.bambusicola was studied on the basis of UV/VIS,IR,MS spectrometric analysis and physicochemical constants.Results The pigment is proved to be hypocrellin A.The isolate was determined as the stable anamorphosis strain 0258 of S.bambusicola.Conclusion A namorphosis strain of S.bambusicola is obtained and precisely appraised for the first time.This study will provide basis for the future massively industrialized hypocrellin production.