Drug addiction,also referred to as drug dependence or substance use disorder,is a chronic and recurrent brain disease.Its main characteristics are compulsive drug-seeking behavior,continued use of drugs,and a loss of control over intake.Prolonged use of addictive substances can result in both physiological and psychological dependence.When usage is ceased,individuals may experience intense discomfort,including anxiety,insomnia,nausea,vomiting,and a strong craving for the substances.Drug dependence is classified into two types:physical dependence and psychological dependence.Physical dependence describes a pathological state of adaptation that results from the repeated use of addictive substances,leading to severe withdrawal syndrome upon cessation.Psychological dependence involves a mental craving for addictive substances,which is needed to experience the specific euphoria that follows consumption.Regular or continuous use is required to sustain these euphoric effects.The mechanisms of addiction are complex and influenced by genetic,environmental,and various other factors.They involve higher-level neurological activities,such as memory,reward,and decision-making.Currently,effective treatment methods for drug addiction are insufficient.Due to the complexity of drug addiction,laboratory animal research is essential.Using animal behavioral models to simulate human drug addiction can enhance our understanding of the mechanisms of addiction.This research offers a comprehensive overview of various animal experimental models that explore both physical and psychological dependence.It includes detailed descriptions of the methods and procedures used to assess physical dependence,behavioral sensitization,conditioned place preference,drug discrimination,and self-administration experiments.Additionally,the characteristics of each experimental model are compared,and the relevance of these models is discussed,aiming to provide support for the research on addiction mechanisms and the development of therapeutic methods.

Objective To investigate the expression of T cell subsets in the spleen of BTBR T+Itpr3tf autistic mouse at 4,8,and 12 weeks of age,and to determine the optimal age for studying the relationship between immune abnormalities and autism in BTBR autistic mice.Methods It randomly selected 5～6 male BTBR mouse at 4 weeks,8 weeks,and 12 weeks of age and C57BL/6J mouse of the same gender at corresponding ages for the three-box social interaction test,the self-grooming test,and the marble-burying test;Single cell suspensions were prepared from the spleens of mouse at 8 and 12 weeks of age,and flow cytometry was used to detect 8 subsets of T cells(TH 1,TH2,TH17,TC1,TC2,TC17,TFH,and Treg).Results Compared with C57BL/6J mouse of the same age,BTBR mouse at 4 weeks,8 weeks,and 12 weeks of age showed a decrease in social time(P＜0.001),an increase in grooming time(P＜0.01,P＜0.001),and an increase in the number of marbles buried(P＜0.01,P＜0.001)in BTBR mouse at 8 weeks and 12 weeks of age.As well,the expression of TH 1(P＜0.001),TH2(P＜0.01),TC 1(P＜0.05),TC2(P＜0.001),and TFH(P＜0.01)cells in 8-week-old BTBR mouse were significantly increased,while the expression of Treg(P＜0.001)cells were significantly decreased;The expression of TH 1(P＜0.01),TH2(P＜0.01),TH 17(P＜0.05),TC1(P＜0.01),TC2(P＜0.001),TC 17(P＜0.01),and TFH(P＜0.001)increased in 12-week-old BTBR mouse,while the expression of Treg(P＜0.05)cells decreased.At different age stages(P＜0.050)the ratio of TH 1/Treg and TC 1/Treg in 8-week-old BTBR mouse were significantly higher than those in 12 week old mouse,while the TC 17/Treg ratio decreased.Conclusions BTBR mouse at different developmental stages exhibit varying degrees of abnormal increase in Teff/Treg ratio.Based on result of behavioral test,it is recommended to use 8-week-old BTBR mice for research on autism and immune abnormalities.

Drug addiction,also referred to as drug dependence or substance use disorder,is a chronic and recurrent brain disease.Its main characteristics are compulsive drug-seeking behavior,continued use of drugs,and a loss of control over intake.Prolonged use of addictive substances can result in both physiological and psychological dependence.When usage is ceased,individuals may experience intense discomfort,including anxiety,insomnia,nausea,vomiting,and a strong craving for the substances.Drug dependence is classified into two types:physical dependence and psychological dependence.Physical dependence describes a pathological state of adaptation that results from the repeated use of addictive substances,leading to severe withdrawal syndrome upon cessation.Psychological dependence involves a mental craving for addictive substances,which is needed to experience the specific euphoria that follows consumption.Regular or continuous use is required to sustain these euphoric effects.The mechanisms of addiction are complex and influenced by genetic,environmental,and various other factors.They involve higher-level neurological activities,such as memory,reward,and decision-making.Currently,effective treatment methods for drug addiction are insufficient.Due to the complexity of drug addiction,laboratory animal research is essential.Using animal behavioral models to simulate human drug addiction can enhance our understanding of the mechanisms of addiction.This research offers a comprehensive overview of various animal experimental models that explore both physical and psychological dependence.It includes detailed descriptions of the methods and procedures used to assess physical dependence,behavioral sensitization,conditioned place preference,drug discrimination,and self-administration experiments.Additionally,the characteristics of each experimental model are compared,and the relevance of these models is discussed,aiming to provide support for the research on addiction mechanisms and the development of therapeutic methods.

Objective To investigate the expression of T cell subsets in the spleen of BTBR T+Itpr3tf autistic mouse at 4,8,and 12 weeks of age,and to determine the optimal age for studying the relationship between immune abnormalities and autism in BTBR autistic mice.Methods It randomly selected 5～6 male BTBR mouse at 4 weeks,8 weeks,and 12 weeks of age and C57BL/6J mouse of the same gender at corresponding ages for the three-box social interaction test,the self-grooming test,and the marble-burying test;Single cell suspensions were prepared from the spleens of mouse at 8 and 12 weeks of age,and flow cytometry was used to detect 8 subsets of T cells(TH 1,TH2,TH17,TC1,TC2,TC17,TFH,and Treg).Results Compared with C57BL/6J mouse of the same age,BTBR mouse at 4 weeks,8 weeks,and 12 weeks of age showed a decrease in social time(P＜0.001),an increase in grooming time(P＜0.01,P＜0.001),and an increase in the number of marbles buried(P＜0.01,P＜0.001)in BTBR mouse at 8 weeks and 12 weeks of age.As well,the expression of TH 1(P＜0.001),TH2(P＜0.01),TC 1(P＜0.05),TC2(P＜0.001),and TFH(P＜0.01)cells in 8-week-old BTBR mouse were significantly increased,while the expression of Treg(P＜0.001)cells were significantly decreased;The expression of TH 1(P＜0.01),TH2(P＜0.01),TH 17(P＜0.05),TC1(P＜0.01),TC2(P＜0.001),TC 17(P＜0.01),and TFH(P＜0.001)increased in 12-week-old BTBR mouse,while the expression of Treg(P＜0.05)cells decreased.At different age stages(P＜0.050)the ratio of TH 1/Treg and TC 1/Treg in 8-week-old BTBR mouse were significantly higher than those in 12 week old mouse,while the TC 17/Treg ratio decreased.Conclusions BTBR mouse at different developmental stages exhibit varying degrees of abnormal increase in Teff/Treg ratio.Based on result of behavioral test,it is recommended to use 8-week-old BTBR mice for research on autism and immune abnormalities.

Objective:To study the relationship between circulating inflammatory proteins and liver cancer by Mendelian randomization.Methods:Data from the genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 91 circulating inflammatory proteins were sourced from the GWAS Catalog, involving 14 824 participants of European ancestry from 11 cohorts. Summary statistics for liver cancer were obtained from the GWAS database, encompassing a total sample of 197 611 cases, a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis was conducted to evaluate the relationship between 91 circulating inflammatory proteins and liver cancer. Among them, inverse variance weighting, weighted median method, MR-Egger, simple mode, and weighted mode were the main analysis methods. Using odds ratio (OR) values to evaluate the causal relationship between them. Cochran Q-test, MR-PRESSO, MR-Egger intercept, and "leave-one-out" analyses were used for sensitivity analysis. Reverse MR, MR-Steiger tests were employed to rule out the influence of reverse causality.Results:Among the circulating 91 inflammatory proteins, C-C motif chemokine 20 ( OR=1.28, 95% CI: 1.01-1.62), CD40 receptor ( OR=1.31, 95% CI: 1.00-1.28), fibroblast growth factor 21 ( OR=1.47, 95% CI: 1.18-1.83), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor ( OR=1.29, 95% CI: 1.08-1.54), interleukin-13 (IL-13) ( OR=1.24, 95% CI: 1.02-1.50), IL-20 levels ( OR=1.78, 95% CI: 1.30-2.44), IL-20 receptor subunit alpha ( OR=1.43, 95% CI: 1.06-1.93), and matrix metalloproteinase-10 ( OR=1.21, 95% CI: 1.04-1.39) have positive causal relationship with the occurrence of liver cancer. And IL-1 alpha ( OR=0.83, 95% CI: 0.71-0.96), IL-24 ( OR=0.68, 95% CI: 0.47-0.99), leukemia inhibitory factor ( OR=0.77, 95% CI: 0.60-0.98) and stem cell factor ( OR=0.87, 95% CI: 0.78-0.97) showed negative causal relationship with the occurrence of liver cancer. Heterogeneity tests for all 12 circulating inflammatory proteins revealed no outliers. Sensitivity analyses consistently demonstrated robustness, with no evidence of pleiotropy observed. Neither reverse MR nor MR-Steiger tests supported the existence of a reverse causal relationship between inflammatory proteins and liver cancer. Conclusion:The C-C motif chemokine 20, CD40L receptor, fibroblast growth factor 21, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, IL-13, IL-20, IL-20 receptor subunit alpha, MMP-10, IL-1 alpha, IL-24, leukemia inhibitory factor, and stem cell factor may be causally related to the development of liver cancer.

Objective:To elucidate the causal relationship between serum metabolites and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by the Mendelian randomization.Methods:The serum metabolite genome-wide association study (GWAS) data from the Metabolomics GWAS server was selected as the exposure group. The study sample includes 7 824 adults from two European population studies. The GWAS data of HCC was obtained from the IEU Open GWAS project as the outcome group, including a total sample of 197 611 cases, to evaluate the relationship between 486 serum metabolites and HCC. The inverse variance weighting method (IVW) was used as the primary analysis method. Supplementary analysis methods included MR-Egger, weighted median, simple mode, and weighted mode. Sensitivity analyses were conducted using Cochran's Q test, MR-Egger intercept test, leave-one-out analysis, and MR-PRESSO. Reverse MR and MR-Steiger tests were employed to exclude the influence of reverse causality. Metabolomic pathway analysis was performed using MetaboAnalyst 5.0. Results:The MR results finally identified six metabolites with potential causal relationships with HCC: mannose ( OR=0.38, 95% CI: 0.16-0.92, P=0.032), γ-glutamyltyrosine ( OR=3.34, 95% CI: 1.14-9.83, P=0.028), glycerol-3-phosphate ( OR=0.17, 95% CI: 0.04-0.70, P=0.014), 2-linoleoylglycerophosphocholine ( OR=0.33, 95% CI: 0.13-0.98, P=0.028), 1-stearoylglycerophosphoethanolamine ( OR=2.44, 95% CI: 1.05-5.65, P=0.038), and palmitoyl sphingomyelin ( OR=5.62, 95% CI: 1.56-20.18, P=0.008). Sensitivity analyses for the six metabolites showed robustness, with no abnormal variables in the heterogeneity tests, and no evidence of genetic pleio-tropy was observed. Both reverse MR and Steiger tests did not support the existence of reverse causality between the metabolites and HCC. Metabolic pathway analysis indicated that ether lipid metabolism is closely related to the occurrence of HCC ( P=0.002). Conclusion:Six serum metabolites (mannose, γ-glutamyltyrosine, glycerol-3-phosphate, 2-linoleoylglycerophosphocholine, 1-stearoylglycerophosphoethanolamine, and palmitoyl sphingomyelin) have causal relationships with HCC.

Based on the discussions in the The Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor （《黄帝内经》）， it is proposed that in the course of the disease， "bind" represents the initial stage of pulmonary nodules， while "accumulation" represents the final form. In terms of the pathogenesis， "two colds interacting" represented by "body cold" and "cold fluid retention" are the prerequisites for the formation of pulmonary nodules， while "disorder of qi" represented by "fainting" is the core of the formation. The specific manifestation is the disturbance of pivot of shaoyang （少阳） or shaoyin （少阴）， resulting in a complex of cold and heat， and then phlegm and stasis are suddenly generated and further formed into nodules. Therefore， the treatment principle should be to regulate the cardinal mechanism， dissolve phlegm and blood stasis. Depending on the complex degree of cold and heat， it is suggested to use Chaihu Guizhi Decoction （柴胡桂枝汤）， Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiang Decoction （柴胡桂枝干姜汤）， or Chaihu Xianxiong Decoction （柴胡陷胸汤） for disturbance of shaoyang pivot， while for shaoyin pivot dysfunction， modified Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Decoction （麻黄附子细辛汤） or Shengjiang Powder （升降散） can be used.

Objective:To elucidate the causal relationship between serum metabolites and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by the Mendelian randomization.Methods:The serum metabolite genome-wide association study (GWAS) data from the Metabolomics GWAS server was selected as the exposure group. The study sample includes 7 824 adults from two European population studies. The GWAS data of HCC was obtained from the IEU Open GWAS project as the outcome group, including a total sample of 197 611 cases, to evaluate the relationship between 486 serum metabolites and HCC. The inverse variance weighting method (IVW) was used as the primary analysis method. Supplementary analysis methods included MR-Egger, weighted median, simple mode, and weighted mode. Sensitivity analyses were conducted using Cochran's Q test, MR-Egger intercept test, leave-one-out analysis, and MR-PRESSO. Reverse MR and MR-Steiger tests were employed to exclude the influence of reverse causality. Metabolomic pathway analysis was performed using MetaboAnalyst 5.0. Results:The MR results finally identified six metabolites with potential causal relationships with HCC: mannose ( OR=0.38, 95% CI: 0.16-0.92, P=0.032), γ-glutamyltyrosine ( OR=3.34, 95% CI: 1.14-9.83, P=0.028), glycerol-3-phosphate ( OR=0.17, 95% CI: 0.04-0.70, P=0.014), 2-linoleoylglycerophosphocholine ( OR=0.33, 95% CI: 0.13-0.98, P=0.028), 1-stearoylglycerophosphoethanolamine ( OR=2.44, 95% CI: 1.05-5.65, P=0.038), and palmitoyl sphingomyelin ( OR=5.62, 95% CI: 1.56-20.18, P=0.008). Sensitivity analyses for the six metabolites showed robustness, with no abnormal variables in the heterogeneity tests, and no evidence of genetic pleio-tropy was observed. Both reverse MR and Steiger tests did not support the existence of reverse causality between the metabolites and HCC. Metabolic pathway analysis indicated that ether lipid metabolism is closely related to the occurrence of HCC ( P=0.002). Conclusion:Six serum metabolites (mannose, γ-glutamyltyrosine, glycerol-3-phosphate, 2-linoleoylglycerophosphocholine, 1-stearoylglycerophosphoethanolamine, and palmitoyl sphingomyelin) have causal relationships with HCC.

Objective:To evaluate the role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) NORAD in ketamine-induced neurotoxicity in mouse hippocampal neurons and the relationship with endoplasmic reticulum stress.Methods:Primary mouse hippocampal neurons were isolated and cultured and then divided into 5 groups ( n=36 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), ketamine group (group K), ketamine+ pcDNA3.1-NORAD plasmid group (group K+ NORAD), ketamine+ control plasmid group (group K+ NC), and ketamine+ NORAD+ tunicamycin group (group K+ NORAD+ TM). Group C was cultured with normal medium for 24 h. Group K was cultured with 40 μmol/L ketamine for 24 h. Group K+ NORAD was transfected with pcDNA3.1-NORAD overexpressing plasmid for 48 h, followed by treatment with 40 μmol/L ketamine for 24 h. Group K+ NC was transfected with pcDNA3.1 (+ ) plasmid for 48 h, followed by treatment with 40 μmol/L ketamine for 24 h. Group K+ NORAD+ TM was transfected with pcDNA3.1-NORAD overexpressing plasmid, 24 h later endoplasmic reticulum stress activator tunicamycin 1 μg/ml was added and the neurons were cultured for 24 h, and then ketamine 40 μmol/L was added and the neurons were cultured for another 24 h. Cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay. The amount of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) released was analyzed. Cell apoptosis was determined by TUNEL and flow cytometry methods. The NORAD expression was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins protein kinase R-like ER kinase (PERK), phosphorylated PERK (p-PERK) and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) was detected by Western blot. Results:Compared with group C, the cell viability was significantly decreased, the amount of LDH released, percentage of apoptotic neurons and apoptosis rate were increased, NORAD expression was down-regulated, CHOP expression was up-regulated, and p-PERK/PERK was increased in group K ( P<0.05). Compared with group K, the cell viability was significantly increased, the amount of LDH released, percentage of apoptotic neurons and apoptosis rate were decreased, NORAD expression was up-regulated, CHOP expression was down-regulated, and p-PERK/PERK was decreased in group K+ NORAD ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in group K+ NC ( P>0.05). Compared with group K+ NORAD, the cell viability was significantly decreased, the amount of LDH released, percentage of apoptotic neurons and apoptosis rate were increased, CHOP expression was up-regulated, and p-PERK/PERK was increased ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the NORAD expression in group K+ NORAD+ TM ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Over-expressed NORAD can alleviate ketamine-induced neurotoxicity in mouse hippocampal neurons via inhibition of the endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Objective:To investigate the significance and mechanism of ten-eleven translocation (Tet1) against Mycobacterium marinum ( Mm) infection in mice. Methods:SPF wild-type C57BL/6 and Tet1-knockout (Tet1KO) mice were injected intravenously with Mm. All mice were monitored and the abscesses formed in tail were observed and quantified. Pathological changes in mouse tail tissues were observed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and transmission electron microscopy and the differences between the two groups were analyzed. Immunohistochemistry staining was used to detect the expression and distribution of TNF-α and TGF-β in mouse tail tissues. Moreover, mouse tail tissues were cultured on 7H10 plates for bacterial counting. The expression of NF-κBp65 and TGF-β was detected by Western blot. Results:Obvious lesions including abscesses and ulcers were formed in the Mm-infected C57BL/6, but only scattered small abscesses were observed in Mm-infected Tet1KO mice. During Mm infection, the bacterial load was gradually increased in C57BL/6 mice, but decreased in Tet1KO mice. Histopathological examination showed that obvious inflammatory cell infiltration and typical granulomatous lesions were found in Mm-infected C57BL/6 mice, while no significant inflammatory cell infiltration was detected in Mm-infected Tet1KO mice. Immunohistochemistry staining demonstrated that the expression of TNF-α and TGF-β was lower in Mm-infected Tet1KO mice than in Mm-infected C57BL/6 mice. Moreover, the expression of phosphorylated NF-κBp65 and TGF-β was significantly reduced in Mm-infected Tet1KO mice as compared with that in Mm-infected C57BL/6 mice. Conclusions:Deletion of Tet1 could alleviate the inflammatory damage mediated by Mm and enhance the host immune response to bacteria.