ObjectiveSpinal cord injury (SCI) directly impairs the regulatory function of the autonomic nervous system, induces intestinal dysfunction, and significantly reduces patients’ quality of life. Preclinical studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) therapy can regulate the brain-gut axis and is used to treat central nervous system diseases such as major depressive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Recent research has established that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from EA-treated SCI rats restored intestinal motility and colonic morphology. However, it remains unclear whether the regulation of gut microbiota by EA therapy directly contributes to neural repair after SCI. This study aims to explore whether gut microbiota mediates the neuroprotective effect of EA in the treatment of SCI and its possible mechanism. MethodsThe study employed RNA transcriptome analysis of spinal cord tissue to characterize gene expression profiles and to identify key signaling pathways following EA treatment for SCI. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the morphological changes in spinal cord tissue. Western blot (WB) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were applied to detect the effects of EA on the expression of proteins related to nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) -dependent pyroptosis. Using 16S rDNA sequencing, the study observed alterations in gut microbiota diversity and community composition in SCI rats. Prior to establishing SCI models, rats were pretreated with an antibiotic cocktail to induce gut dysbiosis, and the effects on intestinal function and spinal cord neural repair were evaluated. FMT was performed to investigate the regulatory effects of post-EA FMT on motor function, general status, liver and spleen indices, and NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis in SCI rats. ResultsEA improved motor function and reduced regulated neuronal cell death in SCI rats. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated the activation of immune- and inflammation-related pathways post-SCI, including NOD-like receptors, nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB), and Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways. EA primarily influenced intestinal inflammation and autoimmune functions. 16S rDNA sequencing illustrated that EA did not alter the diversity of gut microbiota. However, EA altered the gut microbiota composition in SCI rats, increasing Lactobacillus and Akkermansia genera while rebalancing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Furthermore, depletion of gut microbiota by antibiotics disrupted the intestinal barrier, reduced the expression of intestinal barrier proteins Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) and Occludin, elevated serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) levels, exacerbated spinal cord tissue damage, and hindered motor function recovery in SCI rats. FMT from donors treated with EA reduced LBP levels in the intestine, blood, and spinal cord of rats, inhibited the TLR4 myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88)-NF‑κB pathway and NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis, and improved motor function. On the other hand, FMT treatment resulted in decreased body weight and food intake, whereas FMT using EA-treated donors effectively alleviated these alterations. ConclusionEA effectively alleviated neuroinflammatory responses in rats with SCI, primarily through regulating the gut microbiota and suppressing the NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis signaling pathway.

ObjectiveSpinal cord injury (SCI) directly impairs the regulatory function of the autonomic nervous system, induces intestinal dysfunction, and significantly reduces patients’ quality of life. Preclinical studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) therapy can regulate the brain-gut axis and is used to treat central nervous system diseases such as major depressive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Recent research has established that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from EA-treated SCI rats restored intestinal motility and colonic morphology. However, it remains unclear whether the regulation of gut microbiota by EA therapy directly contributes to neural repair after SCI. This study aims to explore whether gut microbiota mediates the neuroprotective effect of EA in the treatment of SCI and its possible mechanism. MethodsThe study employed RNA transcriptome analysis of spinal cord tissue to characterize gene expression profiles and to identify key signaling pathways following EA treatment for SCI. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the morphological changes in spinal cord tissue. Western blot (WB) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were applied to detect the effects of EA on the expression of proteins related to nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) -dependent pyroptosis. Using 16S rDNA sequencing, the study observed alterations in gut microbiota diversity and community composition in SCI rats. Prior to establishing SCI models, rats were pretreated with an antibiotic cocktail to induce gut dysbiosis, and the effects on intestinal function and spinal cord neural repair were evaluated. FMT was performed to investigate the regulatory effects of post-EA FMT on motor function, general status, liver and spleen indices, and NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis in SCI rats. ResultsEA improved motor function and reduced regulated neuronal cell death in SCI rats. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated the activation of immune- and inflammation-related pathways post-SCI, including NOD-like receptors, nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB), and Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways. EA primarily influenced intestinal inflammation and autoimmune functions. 16S rDNA sequencing illustrated that EA did not alter the diversity of gut microbiota. However, EA altered the gut microbiota composition in SCI rats, increasing Lactobacillus and Akkermansia genera while rebalancing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Furthermore, depletion of gut microbiota by antibiotics disrupted the intestinal barrier, reduced the expression of intestinal barrier proteins Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) and Occludin, elevated serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) levels, exacerbated spinal cord tissue damage, and hindered motor function recovery in SCI rats. FMT from donors treated with EA reduced LBP levels in the intestine, blood, and spinal cord of rats, inhibited the TLR4 myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88)-NF‑κB pathway and NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis, and improved motor function. On the other hand, FMT treatment resulted in decreased body weight and food intake, whereas FMT using EA-treated donors effectively alleviated these alterations. ConclusionEA effectively alleviated neuroinflammatory responses in rats with SCI, primarily through regulating the gut microbiota and suppressing the NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the safety and efficacy of radiofrequency catheter ablation(RCFA)in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation(AF)/atrial flutter(AFL)and heart failure(HF)with left ventricular ejection fraction≤35％.Methods This study is a retrospective study.Patients with persistent AF/AFL and HF with left ventricular ejection fraction≤ 35％admitted to Beijing Anzhen Hospital from January 2018 to March 2024 were enrolled.The perioperative characteristics and complications changes in echocardiographic parameters,and follow-up outcomes were analyzed.Results A total of 45 patients were enrolled with a mean age of(56±13)years and a mean LVEF of(28±4)％.The ablation strategy was circumferential pulmonary vein isolation and empirical linear ablation.The operation time and fluoroscopy time were 120(120,163)min and 5(4,10)min respectively.The patients mainly underwent linear ablation including circumferential pulmonary vein isolation(38,84.4％),cavotricuspid isthmus(37,82.2％),roofline(34,75.6％),mitral isthmus(34,75.6％).21(46.7％)patients underwent ehtanol infusion into the vein of Marshall.24(53.3％)patients underwent electrocardioversion.All patients restored sinus rhythm immediately after RFCA and had no perioperative complications.After a median follow-up of 22.9(7.8,31.0)months,2 patients died of cardiovascular disease,1 patient underwent heart transplantation,14(33.3％)patients were readmitted for cardiovascular disease,and 10 patients(23.8％)had recurrence of AF.The mean LVEF of the 28 patients who obtained LVEF at the last follow-up increased from(28±4)％to(51±14)％,and the average improvement of LVEF was(23±13)％(P＜0.0001).15 of these patients had complete recovery of left ventricular systolic function(LVEF≥ 50％).Conclusions RFCA is safe and effective for patients with persistent AF/AFL and HF with LVEF ≤ 35％,and can improve patient's cardiac function and significantly increase LVEF.

Objective To explore the safety and efficacy of radiofrequency catheter ablation(RCFA)in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation(AF)/atrial flutter(AFL)and heart failure(HF)with left ventricular ejection fraction≤35％.Methods This study is a retrospective study.Patients with persistent AF/AFL and HF with left ventricular ejection fraction≤ 35％admitted to Beijing Anzhen Hospital from January 2018 to March 2024 were enrolled.The perioperative characteristics and complications changes in echocardiographic parameters,and follow-up outcomes were analyzed.Results A total of 45 patients were enrolled with a mean age of(56±13)years and a mean LVEF of(28±4)％.The ablation strategy was circumferential pulmonary vein isolation and empirical linear ablation.The operation time and fluoroscopy time were 120(120,163)min and 5(4,10)min respectively.The patients mainly underwent linear ablation including circumferential pulmonary vein isolation(38,84.4％),cavotricuspid isthmus(37,82.2％),roofline(34,75.6％),mitral isthmus(34,75.6％).21(46.7％)patients underwent ehtanol infusion into the vein of Marshall.24(53.3％)patients underwent electrocardioversion.All patients restored sinus rhythm immediately after RFCA and had no perioperative complications.After a median follow-up of 22.9(7.8,31.0)months,2 patients died of cardiovascular disease,1 patient underwent heart transplantation,14(33.3％)patients were readmitted for cardiovascular disease,and 10 patients(23.8％)had recurrence of AF.The mean LVEF of the 28 patients who obtained LVEF at the last follow-up increased from(28±4)％to(51±14)％,and the average improvement of LVEF was(23±13)％(P＜0.0001).15 of these patients had complete recovery of left ventricular systolic function(LVEF≥ 50％).Conclusions RFCA is safe and effective for patients with persistent AF/AFL and HF with LVEF ≤ 35％,and can improve patient's cardiac function and significantly increase LVEF.

Objective: To summarize the experience in diagnosis and treatment of 45, X Turner syndrome (TS) with gonadal Y chromosome mosaicism and bilateral gonadoblastoma (Gb) secreting human chorionic gonadotrophin(HCG). Methods: A female patient aged 5 years and 3 months was admitted to the hospital with a complaint of "enlarged breasts for 27 months, and elevated blood β-HCG for 8 months". The clinical data were summarized, and related literature up to March 2022 with the key words"Turner syndrome" "Gonadoblastoma" "Y chromosome" "human chorionic gonadotropin" "precocious" in PubMed, CNKI and Wanfang databases were reviewed. Results: The girl went to the local hospital for 2-month breast development at age of 3 years, and was found with a heart murmur diagnosed with "pulmonary venous malformation and atrial septal defect (secondary foramen type)". Surgical correction was performed. She experienced the progressive breast development, rapid linear growth and markedly advanced skeletal age, which cannot be explained by partial activation in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis determined at the age of 3 years and 7 months in local hospital. Then whole-exome sequencing revealed chromosome number abnormality 45, X, which was confirmed by Karyotyping. At the age of 4 years and 6 months, serum β-HCG was found to be elevated (24.9 U/L) with no lesion found at the local hospital. On physical examination, she was found with breast development, pubic hair development and clitoromegaly with elevated serum testosterone (1.96 μg/L) and β-HCG (32.3 U/L). Sex determining region Y(SRY) gene was negative in peripheral blood sample. Thoracic and abdominal CT, head and pelvic magnetic resonance imaging were normal. Exploratory laparotomy confirmed the presence of a left adnexal tumor and a right fibrous streak gonad. During surgery, simultaneous samples of bilateral gonadal and peripheral venous blood were obtained and serum β-HCG, estradiol and testosteron concentrations was higher to lower from left gonadal venous blood, right gonadal venous blood, to peripheral venous blood. Bilateral gonadectomy was performed. Histopathology revealed bilateral gonadoblastomas. SRY was positive in bilateral gonadal tissues. After surgery, serum E₂, testerone and β-HCG returned to normal. So far 4 cases of HCG-secreting gonadoblastoma had been reported worldwide. The phenotypes of the 4 cases were all female, with virilization or amenorrhea, and the preoperative peripheral blood β-HCG concentrations were 74.4, 5.0, 40 456.0, and 42.4 U/L, respectively. Conclusions: There is a high risk of Gb in TS with Y chromosome components. Gb is infrequently presented with breast development, and Gb associated with HCG secretion is rare. Karyotyping should be performed in a phenotypic female with masculinization, and virilization in TS indicates the presence of Y chromosome material with concurrent androgen secreting tumors.
Humans ; Female ; Child, Preschool ; Gonadoblastoma/surgery* ; Turner Syndrome/complications* ; Virilism ; Chorionic Gonadotropin ; Ovarian Neoplasms

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of an aggregational gastroenteritis and determine the genotypes of sapovirus， and to provide scientific basis for formulating effective control strategies. Methods:Unified case definition， active case search and descriptive epidemiology were used to analyze the epidemic. Feces or anal swabs of untreated students， teachers， canteen staff as well as canteen environment samples were collected. Norovirus and sapovirus nucleic acid tests were conducted by real-time fluorescent RT-PCR， and sapovirus nucleic acid was amplified by conventional RT-PCR. The gene region of capsid protein was analyzed by MEGA7.0 software and phylogenetic tree was constructed. Results:A total of 12 cases were reported in the epidemic， and the incidence rate was 44.44%. All reported cases， with vomiting symptoms， were found in the same class. The epidemic showed a point-based outbreak. The first case became the source of infection in class， and the epidemic lasted for 8 days. Real-time fluorescent RT-PCR assay confirmed that five children's feces were positive for sapovirus nucleic acid， and the first-episode children's feces were positive for sapovirus and GII norovirus nucleic acid. Sequence alignment result showed that the sapovirus strains belonged to GI.1 type with homologous genes. Conclusion:Based on the clinical manifestations， field epidemiological investigation and laboratory test results， we confirm that the first case of the epidemic in class is caused by GI.1 sapovirus infection. The epidemic is effectively controlled by comprehensive measures such as case isolation and disinfection.