Objective: To explore the developmental trajectories of depression in children and adolescents and their association with family types, and to analyze the role of being an only child in the context, so as to provide a basis for early identification of mental health issues in children and adolescents. Methods: The study was a secondary analysis based on the existing database of the Jiangsu Provincial Student Common Diseases and Health Influencing Factors Monitoring and Intervention Project. A total of 11 502 students who had completed at least two measurements using the Chinese version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) between 2022 and 2024, and had complete information on family type, gender, and age, were selected as the study subjects. Latent class trajectory modeling was used to identify depression developmental trajectories. Multinomial Logistic regression was applied to analyze the association between family type and depression developmental trajectories, and the interaction effect of family type and being an only child was tested. Results: Three types of depression developmental trajectories were identified among children and adolescents: low stable type (91.3%, 10 504 students), moderate rising type (4.3%, 500 students), and high declining type (4.3%, 498 students). Significant differences were observed among the different trajectory groups in terms of gender, age, parental education level, family type, baseline CES-D score, and baseline school type ( χ 2/H=17.48, 139.97, 19.72 , 30.77, 1 081.35, 220.81, all P <0.05). Multinomial Logistic regression analysis showed that, using the low stable type as the reference trajectory group and the nuclear family as the reference family type, after adjusting for confounding factors such as gender, age, and parental education level, single parent families ( OR=1.87, 95%CI= 1.16-3.03) and grandparent headed families ( OR=1.83, 95%CI =1.04-3.21) were significantly associated with the high declining type trajectory (both P <0.05). No significant association was found between family type and the moderate rising type trajectory (all P >0.05). The interaction effect between family type and being an only child was not statistically significant ( LRT=7.71, df=8, P =0.46). Conclusions Depressive symptoms in children and adolescents show heterogeneous developmental patterns during school age. Children and adolescents from single parent and intergenerational families are more likely to follow the high decreasing trajectory.

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.

BACKGROUND:The guinea pig is considered to be the most useful spontaneous model for evaluating primary osteoarthritis in humans because of its similar knee joint structure and close histopathologic features to those of humans. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the pathological process of spontaneous knee osteoarthritis in guinea pigs by analyzing the histopathology of the total knee joint of guinea pigs aged 1 to 18 months. METHODS:Eight healthy female Hartley guinea pigs in each age group of 1,6,10,14,16,and 18 months old were selected.The quadriceps femoris was taken for hematoxylin-eosin staining,and the total knee joint was stained with hematoxylin-eosin and toluidine blue.The histopathology of the cartilage,subchondral bone,synovium,meniscus,and muscles were observed under light microscope.Mankin's score and synovitis score were compared,and the correlation analysis was conducted. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:As the guinea pig age increased,the Mankin's score increased(P<0.05),and the pathological score of synovitis also gradually increased(P<0.05),and there was a significant positive correlation between the two(r=0.641,P<0.001).The incidence rate of subchondral bone marrow lesion in 18-month-old guinea pigs was 50%,and the incidence of meniscus injury was 37.5%.In addition,osteophyte and narrowing of the joint space were observed,and only a few guinea pigs had inflammation in the quadriceps femoris.To conclude,guinea pigs develop significant cartilage defects,synovial inflammation,subchondral bone lesions,meniscus injury,osteophyte formation,and joint space narrowing as they age,all of which are similar to the pathological processes of primary knee osteoarthritis in humans,making it an ideal model of spontaneous knee osteoarthritis.

Objective To analyze the effects of irbesartan(IBN)regulating the stromal cell-derived factor-1(SDF-1)/CXC chemokine receptor 4(CXCR4)pathway on proliferation,migration,and radiosensitivity of lung cancer cells.Methods Human lung cancer A549 cells were randomly divided into the A549 group(without treatment),radiation group(4 Gy X-ray radiation),IBN group(1 μmol/L IBN treatment for 24 hours),IBN+radiation group(1 μmol/L IBN treatment for 24 hours+4 Gy X-ray radiation),pcDNA3.1 group(transfected with pcDNA3.1+1 μmol/L IBN treatment for 24 hours+4 Gy X-ray radiation),and SDF-1 group(transfected with pcDNA3.1 SDF-1+1 μmol/L IBN treatment for 24 hours+4 Gy X-ray radiation).The cell viability,colony formation,apoptosis,and migration of each group were observed.The leakage rate of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)and Ang Ⅱ levels in cells were detected.Immunofluorescence method was applied to analyze the number of γH2AX focal points of cells in each group.Western blot was applied to detect the expression of proliferation and apoptosis related proteins and SDF-1/CXCR4 pathway related proteins.Results Both radiation and IBN treatment inhibited the proliferation and migration of A549 cells,promoted cell apoptosis,upregulated the number of γH2AX focal points and LDH leakage rate,upregulated the expression of Caspase-3,Bax,and Caspase-7,and downregulated the level of Ang Ⅱand expression of SDF-1,CXCR4,Bcl-2 and PCNA(P<0.05).The combined treatment of radiation and IBN further enhanced the changes of the above indicators(P<0.05).And SDF-1 treat-ment effectively reversed the effects of radiation and IBN treatment on the changes of the above indicators(P<0.05).Conclusion IBN can limit proliferation and migration of lung cancer cells,and increase radiosensitivity by inhibiting the SDF-1/CXCR4 pathway.

This study was aimed at determining the molecular characteristics of Yersinia pestis in the natural plague foci around Qinghai Lake through single nucleotide polymorphism technology,to lay a foundation for molecular epidemiological and source-tracing analysis of Y.pestis in this area.Using the whole genome sequencing technology,we obtained the whole genome sequences of 84 representative Y.pestis strains.Using the sequences of Y.pestis and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis IP32953 from the NCBI database as references,we compared and analyzed the 2 298 SNP loci of these strains.From 1957 to 2020,84 representative strains of Y.pestis from the natural plague foci around Qinghai Lake were divided into two clades:1.IN2 and 3.ANT1.The 1.IN2 clade was the characteristic population of Y.pestis throughout all epidemic years in this area.Additionally,analysis of the SNP distribution and hosts in the region indicated that the 1.IN2 clade was located in five counties except Wulan,whereas the 3.ANT1 clade was isolated from Himalayan marmot and dog in two counties.In conclusion,the population structure of SNP of Y.pestis in the natural plague foci around Qinghai Lake is relatively simple,and SNP analysis of Y.pestis provided a scientific basis for tracing plague epidemic sources and formulating plague prevention and control measures in this area.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of naloxone in improving health-related quality of life in patients with chronic arsenic exposure-related pruritus, and to explore the modification effect of gene polymorphisms associated with arsenic metabolism and endorphin receptors.Methods:A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted between January and March 2019 in Changde City, Hunan Province, China. Eligible patients with moderate to severe chronic pruritus under arsenic exposure were recruited, and randomly assigned to the naloxone group and the control group to receive sublingual naloxone and placebo (0.4 mg/d) respectively for 7 consecutive days. Outcomes were assessed before treatment and on day 7 after treatment, including the primary outcome (the dermatology life quality index [DLQI]) and secondary outcomes (depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and quality of sleep). Genotyping of the arsenic (+3 oxidation state) methyltransferase and 3 opioid receptor genes was performed using ligase detection reaction. Data analysis was performed using t test for normally distributed continuous variables, non-parametric tests for skewed continuous variables, and chi-square test for categorical data. Linear regression analysis was carried out to evaluate the effect of naloxone on outcome measures, while the interactive effect of demographic factors, genotypes and treatment methods on changes in DLQI were assessed by the generalized linear model. Results:A total of 126 patients with chronic arsenic exposure-related pruritus were enrolled, including 73 males and 53 females. They were randomly divided into the control group (64 cases) and the naloxone group (62 cases), with the ages being 60.0 ± 9.1 years and 58.4 ± 8.6 years, respectively. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of age, gender, income, education levels, or hair arsenic concentrations (all P > 0.05). After treatment, the decrease in DLQI scores was significantly higher in the naloxone group than in the control group (-8.79 ± 6.84 vs. -5.19 ± 8.10; P = 0.008). However, there were no significant changes in depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, or quality of sleep between the naloxone group and control group (all P > 0.05). Linear regression analysis showed that naloxone significantly affected DLQI with a crude regression coefficient of -3.60 (95% CI: -6.25, -0.96; P = 0.008). Stratification analysis revealed that patients with the κ-opioid receptor gene rs1051660 (wild-type, CC) responded better to the treatment than those with the mutated genotype (CA), and there was a significant interaction between the rs1051660 genotype and therapeutic drugs in relation to DLQI changes ( P = 0.014) . Conclusion:Naloxone can effectively improve health-related quality of life in patients with chronic arsenic exposure-related pruritus, and its efficacy is modified by the gene polymorphism of the κ-opioid receptors.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical equivalence between a domestic calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate ointment and the originator product in the treatment of stable plaque psoriasis.Methods:A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, three-arm, parallel-group, active- and placebo-controlled study was conducted, and 449 patients aged 18 - 65 years with stable plaque psoriasis were enrolled from 25 hospitals (such as the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University). Eligible patients had a baseline physician's global assessment (PGA) score of ≥ 3 points, baseline body surface area (BSA) involvement of 5% - 30%, and a target lesion psoriasis area and severity index (TL-PASI) for plaque elevation of ≥ 3 points. Participants were randomly assigned in a 2:2:1 ratio to the test group ( n = 179), reference group ( n = 180), and placebo group ( n = 90), and applied the domestic calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate ointment, originator product, and ointment base respectively, once daily in the evening for 4 weeks. Efficacy and safety were assessed at weeks 1, 2, and 4. The primary efficacy endpoints were the treatment success rates and clinical success rates in each group at week 4. The per-protocol set (PPS) was used for the primary efficacy analysis, and the intention-to-treat (ITT) set for supplementary efficacy analysis. Equivalence between the test and reference preparations was tested using the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel method adjusted for randomization strata. Superiority of the test and reference preparations over the placebo was also tested. Measurement data were compared among the 3 groups using analysis of variance or non-parametric tests, while treatment success rates, clinical success rates, and incidence rates of adverse reactions were compared using the chi-square test. Results:The ITT, PPS, and safety sets included 447, 420, and 448 patients, respectively. In the ITT set, patients were aged 43.6 ± 12.8 years, including 320 (71.6%) males and 127 (28.4%) females, and the disease duration was 11.21 ± 9.05 years; 316 (70.7%) had a PGA score of 3 points and 131 (29.3%) had a PGA score of 4 - 5 points. No significant differences in the baseline characteristics (including age, sex, disease duration and disease severity) were observed among the 3 groups (all P > 0.05). Based on the PPS analysis, the treatment success rates were 57.9% (99/171) in the test group, 50.3% (86/171) in the reference group, and 7.7% (6/78) in the placebo group, and the clinical success rates were 57.9% (99/171), 50.3% (86/171), and 10.3% (8/78), respectively; both the test and reference groups were superior to the placebo group in both treatment and clinical success rates (all P < 0.001) ; the rate differences for treatment success (90% confidence interval [ CI]: -1.3% - 16.4%) and clinical success (90% CI: -1.3% - 16.3%) between the test and reference groups were entirely within the pre-defined equivalence margin (-20% - 20%). Subgroup analyses by baseline PGA scores: for patients with a baseline PGA score of 3 points, the treatment success rates in the test, reference, and placebo groups were 60.8% (73/120), 52.1% (62/119), and 11.1% (6/54), respectively, and the corresponding clinical success rates were 61.7% (74/120), 53.8% (64/119), and 13% (7/54), respectively; the test and reference groups did not differ significantly in treatment or clinical success rates (both P > 0.05), but both showed higher success rates than the placebo group (all P < 0.001) ; the results of statistical comparisons among the 3 groups in patients with a baseline PGA score of 4 - 5 points were consistent with those observed in patients with a baseline PGA score of 3 points. The percentage reductions in PGA and TL-PASI scores from baseline to weeks 1, 2, and 4 showed significant differences among the 3 groups, which were significantly higher in the test and reference groups than in the placebo group (all P < 0.001), but did not differ between the test and reference groups (all P > 0.05). The primary adverse reactions were local skin reactions, such as pruritus, pain, and erythema. The incidence rates of adverse reactions were 8.9% (16/179) in the test group, 7.3% (13/179) in the reference group, and 7.8% (7/90) in the placebo group, with no significant difference among the 3 groups ( P > 0.05) . Conclusions:The domestic calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate ointment demonstrated clinical equivalence to the originator product in the treatment of stable plaque psoriasis, and the two agents exhibited comparable efficacy for patients with varying degrees of disease severity, and were comparable in the speed and degree of clinical improvement, with similar favorable safety profiles.

Objective:To construct a questionnaire to measure parents′ behavioral and social drivers (BeSD) in administering rotavirus vaccine to their children, and to test the reliability and validity of the questionnaire.Methods:A questionnaire was constructed to investigate the BeSD of rotavirus vaccination among parents based on the WHO BeSD questionnaire. A survey was conducted among parents of children aged 0-3 years old in vaccination clinics from 15 community health service centers in Nanjing City of Jiangsu Province, Yuhuan and Kaihua Counties of Zhejiang Province, Anqing City of Anhui Province, and Yangpu District of Shanghai City from April to May in 2024. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to analyze the reliability (internal consistency reliability, combination reliability and split half reliability) and validity (structural validity, convergence validity and discriminative validity) of the questionnaire.Results:A total of 850 questionnaires were collected, of which 614 were valid, with an effective response rate of 72.20%. The EFA resulted in the refinement of the rotavirus vaccine BeSD questionnaire from 37 to 35 items (including 24 core items), and suggested a five-factor structure including the perceptions of vaccine, confidence in vaccine, social process of vaccination, motivation for vaccination, and practical problems of vaccination. The cumulative variance contribution rate reached 56.27%. The CFA confirmed an ideal five-factor model fit (GFI=0.82,CFI=0.86,PNFI=0.67,RMSEA=0.07). The AVE of each dimension was greater than 0.50. The AVE square root of each dimension of the questionnaire was greater than its correlation coefficient. The Cronbach′s α coefficient of the total questionnaire was 0.79.Conclusion:The developed BeSD questionnaire of rotavirus vaccine has good reliability and validity, and can be used to measure parents′ behavioral and social factors in administering rotavirus vaccine to their children.

Objective:To analyze the colonization rate and molecular types of Staphylococcus aureus (SA) on the tracheotomy wounds of neonates at early postoperative stage in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods:This was a case series study. Patients who were admitted and underwent tracheotomy in NICU of Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 1 st 2020 to December 31 st 2023 were enrolled. Swabs on the skin around the incision or on the nasal mucosa were collected and cultured at 24, 72 and 168 h after operation. Coagulase test and Staphytect Plus kits were used for SA identification. The nuc gene amplification and molecular types of SA were assessed by PCR. The patients were divided into SA colonization group and non-colonization group based on the presence or absence of SA colonization, and into infection group and non-infection group based on the presence or absence of infection. Demographic data, hospitalization information, colonization and infection status of SA were collected from the digital medical record system of the hospital. Differences between groups were analyzed using the independent sample t test or Fisher exact test. Results:Totally 19 patients were enrolled, among whom 13 were male. The gestation age was 39.0 (38.1, 40.0) weeks, and the birth weight was 3 150 (2 600, 3 400) g. Tracheotomy was done at 8.2 (4.1, 19.6) days after diagnosis and indication confirmed. Corrected gestational age of patients on the operation day was 43.6 (42.2, 45.4) weeks. The NICU stay time was (34.0±3.1) days. SA colonization was confirmed around the incision of 8 patients. Out of the 18 strains of colonized bacteria, 10 were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The most common molecular type of MRSA was ST59-SCCmec Ⅳ-t437 strain (8 strains). A total of 10 patients presented typical clinical manifestations of bacterial infection at the lungs, 3 patients in the blood stream and 2 patients in the central nervous system. Among 10 patients with bacterial infection, 3 patients were MRSA positive by boby fluid culture and affected by the ST59-SCCmec Ⅳ-t437 strain. The infection rate was different between patients with or without SA colonization on the tracheotomy incision (7/8 vs. 3/11, P=0.020). Conclusions:The colonization rate and infection rate are high on the tracheotomy incision in neonates. The major type is MRSA, and the most common molecular strain is ST59-SCCmec Ⅳ-t437 .