Background: Adrenocortical hormones, particularly 11-oxygenated androgens, are pivotal in female reproductive health and fertility. Standardized detection kits and population-specific reference intervals are lacking in China, hindering related clinical applications. Methods: A HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) pipeline was developed, rigorously validated, and applied to simultaneously quantify corticosterone, cortisone, cortisol, 18-OH cortisol, androstenedione (A4), 11β-hydroxyandrostenedione (11-OH A4), dehydroepiandrosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in serum samples from 455 reproductive-aged women (18–45 yrs) in Guangxi, China. Age-dependent concentration trends were analyzed, and reference intervals stratified by age (2.5th to 97.5th percentiles) were established. Correlations with body-composition metrics, ethnicity, and the menstrual cycle were investigated. Results: The HPLC-MS/MS method demonstrated high precision (intra- and inter-assay CVs < 15%), accuracy, and sensitivity. All eight hormones exhibited significant age-related declines (P < 0.001 for seven hormones; P = 0.001 for 11-OH A4). Notably, 11-OH A4 levels were significantly lower in the 35–45-yr (3.05 nmol/L) and 25–34-yr (3.09 nmol/L) age groups than in the 18–24-yr (3.57 nmol/L) age group, whereas no significant difference was observed between the 35–45-yr and 25–34-yr age groups. Weak negative correlations were observed between the body mass index and corticosterone and cortisone levels, whereas ethnicity and the menstrual cycle showed no significant associations with hormone levels. Conclusions We developed an HPLC-MS/MS-based method for simultaneously quantifying eight adrenocortical hormones, including 11-OH A4, and defined age-specific reference intervals for reproductive-aged Chinese women. These findings advance the clinical utility of adrenocortical hormones in diagnosing and managing reproductive disorders.

Objective This study aimed to investigate the genetic diversity, differentiation, and population structure of Aedes albopictus across different geographical regions in Shandong Province, and to explore the relationship between genetic diversity and geographical distribution. Methods Between July and August 2024, ten Ae. albopictus populations were sampled from seven cities in Shandong Province. Genomic DNA was extracted from individual mosquitoes, and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I(COⅠ)gene was amplified using PCR and sequenced. The obtained sequences were verified using BLAST and analyzed with MAFFT, MEGA 11, DnaSP v6.12, Arlequin 3.5, PopART 1.7, STRUCTURE 2.3.4 and the R packages adegenet and vegan to assess genetic diversity and population structure. Results A total of 229 COⅠ sequences(662 bp) was obtained, revealing ten variable sites with no insertions or deletions. The overall base composition showed an AT bias of 67.7%. Haplotype analysis identified 11 haplotypes, with Hap2 being the dominant and most widely distributed haplotype across all populations. Neutrality tests showed significant population expansion only in the Rizhao population. Mantel testing result revealed that geographical distance does not significantly impede gene flow. Overall, genetic differentiation among populations was low, indicating frequent gene flow. When combined with additional samples from Shanghai, Fujian, Guangdong, Yunnan, Hainan and Guangxi, STRUCTURE, UPGMA and DAPC analyses revealed two primary genetic clusters of Ae. albopictus. Conclusions Ae. albopictus populations in Shandong Province exhibit frequent gene flow, low genetic differentiation, and relatively low overall genetic diversity. However, the Rizhao population showed signs of recent expansion, highlighting the need for enhanced surveillance and targeted control measures in this area.

Central nervous system(CNS)degenerative disorders refer to a spectrum of pathological alterations triggered by struc-tural damage to cerebral neural tissues,clinically manifested as diverse neurological dysfunction syndromes,including multiple sclerosis(MS),neurodegenerative diseases(NDs),and ische-mic stroke.The hallmark pathological features of these disorders involve irreversible neuronal damage and decompensation of functional neural networks,ultimately leading to progressive neurological deficits.Notably,with the accelerating global popu-lation aging,the incidence of these diseases has surged signifi-cantly.According to WHO statistics,they now rank among the top three global causes of disability and mortality.Current re-search has confirmed that the pathogenesis of CNS degenerative disorders exhibits high heterogeneity,encompassing multifaceted pathophysiological processes such as genetic predisposition,oxi-dative stress,protein misfolding,and metabolic dysregulation.This intricate pathogenic network not only complicates clinical differential diagnosis but also poses substantial challenges to the development of precision therapeutic strategies.Importantly,re-cent studies have revealed that mitochondrial homeostasis disrup-tion-induced inflammatory cascades(termed mitochondrial in-flammation)play a pivotal regulatory role in neurodegenerative progression.Key molecular mechanisms include impaired mito-phagy,aberrant mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA)release and NL-RP3 inflammasome activation.This review systematically deci-phers the molecular regulatory network of mitochondrial inflam-mation,with a focus on its biological effects in critical pathologi-cal events such as blood-brain barrier disruption,microglial hy-peractivation and neuronal apoptosis.The overarching aim is to provide a theoretical foundation for developing innovative thera-peutic strategies targeting mitochondrial homeostasis restoration.

Objective To investigate the effect of two treatment regimens combining Tacrolimus(TAC)with different Rituximab(RTX)dosages,and to provide clinical reference for treatment strategies.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients diagnosed with idiopathic membranous nephropathy(IMN)and treated with RTX combined with TAC regimen(RTX+TAC group and low-dose RTX+TAC group)in The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University.Propensity score matching(PSM)was performed at a 1:1 ratio,and a total of 60 patients were enrolled,with 30 in each group.In low-dose RTX(375 mg/m2 at the first and fifteenth day respectively)+TAC group,if circulating B cells(CD19?)exceeded 5 cells/μL after 3 months,a 200 mg RTX infusion was administered.In RTX(1g at the first and fifteenth day respectively)+TAC group,if complete remission(CR)was not achieved by 6 months,an additional 1000 mg RTX infusion was administered.The incidence of CR,partial remission,and adverse events were followed up for 12 months after medication in both groups.Results(1)Both groups showed significant reductions in 24-hour proteinuria,with the RTX+TAC group demonstrating a notably higher decrease compared to the low-dose RTX+TAC group.Statistical differences were observed between the two groups at the 1st and 3rd months of treatment(P<0.05).Albumin levels gradually increased,and there were differ-ences between the two groups at both the 1st and 3rd months(P<0.05).The anti-phospholipase A2 antibody levels decreased significantly after one month of treatment[3.45(1.90,22.10)vs.3.28(8.30,23.08)RU/mL],P>0.05.At 3 months of treatment,the overall clinical remission rate was 63.3％for the RTX+TAC group compared to 36.7％for the low-dose RTX+TAC group(P<0.05).At 12 months,the RTX+TAC group achieved an overall remission rate of 86.7％,while the low-dose RTX+TAC group reached 83.3％,showing no statistical significance(P>0.05).After one month of treatment,the RTX+TAC group achieved a complete serological immunological remission rate of 33.3％,significantly higher than the 3.3％in the low-dose RTX+TAC group(P<0.05).(2)The cumulative remission rate of the RTX+TAC group was higher than that of the low-dose RTX+TAC group during the first 6 months of follow-up.The remission rate in the low-dose RTX+TAC group increased significantly after 6 months.Log-rank test showed no statistical difference between the survival curves of the two groups(P=0.37).(3)Based on a multifactorial COX regression analysis of factors related to remission in patients with IMN,for every unit increase in serum immunological remission time,the risk of patients achieving remission decreased by 13.5％(HR=0.87,P=0.016).The risk of remission for patients with high titers of anti-PLA2R antibodies decreased by 60.2％(HR=0.39,P=0.018).Conclusions Different RTX dosages yielded comparable overall clinical remission rates without significantly increasing adverse events.RTX+TAC regimen achieves higher early CR rate.Serological remission time and high titer anti-PLA2R antibodies are associated with clinical outcomes.

Objective To investigate the effect of two treatment regimens combining Tacrolimus(TAC)with different Rituximab(RTX)dosages,and to provide clinical reference for treatment strategies.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients diagnosed with idiopathic membranous nephropathy(IMN)and treated with RTX combined with TAC regimen(RTX+TAC group and low-dose RTX+TAC group)in The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University.Propensity score matching(PSM)was performed at a 1:1 ratio,and a total of 60 patients were enrolled,with 30 in each group.In low-dose RTX(375 mg/m2 at the first and fifteenth day respectively)+TAC group,if circulating B cells(CD19?)exceeded 5 cells/μL after 3 months,a 200 mg RTX infusion was administered.In RTX(1g at the first and fifteenth day respectively)+TAC group,if complete remission(CR)was not achieved by 6 months,an additional 1000 mg RTX infusion was administered.The incidence of CR,partial remission,and adverse events were followed up for 12 months after medication in both groups.Results(1)Both groups showed significant reductions in 24-hour proteinuria,with the RTX+TAC group demonstrating a notably higher decrease compared to the low-dose RTX+TAC group.Statistical differences were observed between the two groups at the 1st and 3rd months of treatment(P<0.05).Albumin levels gradually increased,and there were differ-ences between the two groups at both the 1st and 3rd months(P<0.05).The anti-phospholipase A2 antibody levels decreased significantly after one month of treatment[3.45(1.90,22.10)vs.3.28(8.30,23.08)RU/mL],P>0.05.At 3 months of treatment,the overall clinical remission rate was 63.3％for the RTX+TAC group compared to 36.7％for the low-dose RTX+TAC group(P<0.05).At 12 months,the RTX+TAC group achieved an overall remission rate of 86.7％,while the low-dose RTX+TAC group reached 83.3％,showing no statistical significance(P>0.05).After one month of treatment,the RTX+TAC group achieved a complete serological immunological remission rate of 33.3％,significantly higher than the 3.3％in the low-dose RTX+TAC group(P<0.05).(2)The cumulative remission rate of the RTX+TAC group was higher than that of the low-dose RTX+TAC group during the first 6 months of follow-up.The remission rate in the low-dose RTX+TAC group increased significantly after 6 months.Log-rank test showed no statistical difference between the survival curves of the two groups(P=0.37).(3)Based on a multifactorial COX regression analysis of factors related to remission in patients with IMN,for every unit increase in serum immunological remission time,the risk of patients achieving remission decreased by 13.5％(HR=0.87,P=0.016).The risk of remission for patients with high titers of anti-PLA2R antibodies decreased by 60.2％(HR=0.39,P=0.018).Conclusions Different RTX dosages yielded comparable overall clinical remission rates without significantly increasing adverse events.RTX+TAC regimen achieves higher early CR rate.Serological remission time and high titer anti-PLA2R antibodies are associated with clinical outcomes.

Objective·To investigate the causal relationship between plasma zinc-alpha-2-glycoprotein 1(AZGP1)and heart failure(HF)by using Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis and experimental validation.Methods·A two-sample MR analysis was performed to assess the causal relationship between AZGP1 and HF by integrating large-scale genome-wide association study(GWAS)data on plasma proteins and HF.The inverse-variance weighted(IVW)method was employed as the primary analytical approach,supplemented by MR-Egger regression,weighted median,and simple median methods.Horizontal pleiotropy was tested by using MR-PRESSO global test and MR-Egger intercept analysis.Colocalization analysis was conducted to validate genetic locus overlap.Additionally,a clinical cohort(84 HF patients and 68 healthy controls)was analyzed,with plasma AZGP1 levels quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results·MR analysis showed that elevated plasma AZGP1 levels were significantly associated with reduced HF risk(OR=0.82,95%CI 0.75?0.90,P=1.70×10-5).Colocalization analysis confirmed that AZGP1 expression and HF shared causal genetic variants(posterior probability for H4=0.69).Sensitivity and reverse MR analyses supported the robustness of the results.ELISA confirmed that plasma AZGP1 levels were significantly lower in HF patients compared to healthy controls,reinforcing its protective role in HF.Conclusion·This study demonstrates AZGP1 exerts a protective causal effect on HF and may serve as a potential biomarker for HF treatment.

Objective To evaluate the clinical outcome of neurosurgical robot-assisted stereotactic puncture and drainage for brain abscess.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 53 patients with brain abscess admitted to our hospital from January 2018 to December 2024.Among them,29 cases underwent craniotomy for abscess resection(craniotomy group),while 24 cases received neurosurgical robot-assisted stereotactic puncture and drainage(robot-assisted group).The operation time,intraoperative blood loss,decompressive craniectomy rate,proportion of postoperative antibiotic regimen adjustment,postoperative hospital stay,incidence of postoperative complications,mortality rate and Glasgow outcome scale(GOS)scores 6 months after surgery of patients were compared between the two groups.Results Compared with the craniotomy group,the robot-assisted group demonstrated significantly shorter operation time,less intraoperative blood loss,and lower incidence of postoperative complication,the differences were all statistically significant(P<0.05).However,there were no statistically significant differences in terms of decompressive craniectomy rate,postoperative hospital stay,mortality rate,GOS score,or proportion of the postoperative antibiotic regimen adjustment between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion As a precise and minimally invasive surgical method,neurosurgical robot-assisted stereotactic puncture and drainage for patients with brain abscess can effectively improve the operational efficiency,shorten the operation time,reduce intraoperative injury,and lower the risk of postoperative complications.It has high clinical application value and potential for widespread adoption.

Objective·To investigate the causal relationship between plasma zinc-alpha-2-glycoprotein 1(AZGP1)and heart failure(HF)by using Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis and experimental validation.Methods·A two-sample MR analysis was performed to assess the causal relationship between AZGP1 and HF by integrating large-scale genome-wide association study(GWAS)data on plasma proteins and HF.The inverse-variance weighted(IVW)method was employed as the primary analytical approach,supplemented by MR-Egger regression,weighted median,and simple median methods.Horizontal pleiotropy was tested by using MR-PRESSO global test and MR-Egger intercept analysis.Colocalization analysis was conducted to validate genetic locus overlap.Additionally,a clinical cohort(84 HF patients and 68 healthy controls)was analyzed,with plasma AZGP1 levels quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results·MR analysis showed that elevated plasma AZGP1 levels were significantly associated with reduced HF risk(OR=0.82,95%CI 0.75?0.90,P=1.70×10-5).Colocalization analysis confirmed that AZGP1 expression and HF shared causal genetic variants(posterior probability for H4=0.69).Sensitivity and reverse MR analyses supported the robustness of the results.ELISA confirmed that plasma AZGP1 levels were significantly lower in HF patients compared to healthy controls,reinforcing its protective role in HF.Conclusion·This study demonstrates AZGP1 exerts a protective causal effect on HF and may serve as a potential biomarker for HF treatment.

Objective To evaluate the clinical outcome of neurosurgical robot-assisted stereotactic puncture and drainage for brain abscess.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 53 patients with brain abscess admitted to our hospital from January 2018 to December 2024.Among them,29 cases underwent craniotomy for abscess resection(craniotomy group),while 24 cases received neurosurgical robot-assisted stereotactic puncture and drainage(robot-assisted group).The operation time,intraoperative blood loss,decompressive craniectomy rate,proportion of postoperative antibiotic regimen adjustment,postoperative hospital stay,incidence of postoperative complications,mortality rate and Glasgow outcome scale(GOS)scores 6 months after surgery of patients were compared between the two groups.Results Compared with the craniotomy group,the robot-assisted group demonstrated significantly shorter operation time,less intraoperative blood loss,and lower incidence of postoperative complication,the differences were all statistically significant(P<0.05).However,there were no statistically significant differences in terms of decompressive craniectomy rate,postoperative hospital stay,mortality rate,GOS score,or proportion of the postoperative antibiotic regimen adjustment between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion As a precise and minimally invasive surgical method,neurosurgical robot-assisted stereotactic puncture and drainage for patients with brain abscess can effectively improve the operational efficiency,shorten the operation time,reduce intraoperative injury,and lower the risk of postoperative complications.It has high clinical application value and potential for widespread adoption.

Objective To observe the value of endovascular stenting(EVS)for treating transverse sinus stenosis(TSS)-related unilateral pulsatile tinnitus(PT).Methods Totally 42 patients with TSS-related unilateral PT who underwent EVS were retrospectively enrolled.The technical and clinical success rates of EVS for treating TSS-related unilateral PT were evaluated,and the complications and recurrence after treatment were observed.Results Among 42 cases,stent implantation was successfully performed in 40 cases,with the technical success rate of EVS was 95.24%(40/42).After treatment,the tinnitus symptoms in the above 40 cases improved significantly,the tinnitus handicap inventory(THI)score immediately decreased to mild PT,the trans-stenotic pressure gradient(TPG)decreased from 8.00(6.00,11.75)mmHg before treatment to 1.00(1.00,1.00)mmHg,and the clinical success rate of EVS was 100%(40/40).During the follow-up period,no serious complication was found.PT recurred 3 months after treatment in 1 case but spontaneously released 3 months later without any management.Conclusion EVS was safe and effective for treating TSS-related unilateral PT.