1.A preliminary study on Toxoplasma gondii interfering with copper metabolism pathways in mouse kidney
Jun YANG ; Chuanming REN ; Min LIU ; Kunting WANG ; He CHEN ; Yihong CAI
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(1):127-132
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Toxoplasma gondii infection on copper metabolism in the kidneys of mice. MethodsA total of 80 7-8-week-old C57BL/6 female mice were randomly divided into four groups of 20 mice in each group after one week of adaptation, including Control group, Cu group, TgCtwh6 group and Cu+TgCtwh6 group. Mice that were not infected and fed with normal diet and water were used as the Control group; Mice fed with 1 g/kg of copper chloride processing diet and 0.1% copper chloride water for 60 consecutive days were used as Cu group; Mice infected with 25-30 TgCtwh6 cysts (one of the predominant genotype Chinese 1 in China) fed with normal diet and water were used as the TgCtwh6 group; mice infected with 25-30 TgCtwh6 cysts and fed with a processed diet containing 1 g/kg of copper chloride and water with 0.1% copper chloride for 60 consecutive days were used as the Cu+TgCtwh6 group. ICP-MS was used to determine the changes in copper content in kidney tissues. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes of mouse kidney tissue. The number of apoptotic cells was observed by PI staining. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and superoxide dismutase (SOD1, SOD2). RT-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of cuproptosis-related genes. ResultsPathological manifestations such as inflammatory cell infiltration in the Cu group and TgCtwh6 group were seen under the microscope, and the inflammatory infiltrating cells of the renal interstitial were reduced in the Cu+TgCtwh6 group, and the pathological manifestations
2.Comparative analyses of the detection performance of five multiplex polymerase chain reaction nucleic acid detection kits for respiratory pathogens
Fang YUAN ; Lei BI ; Jiajing LIU ; Huanru WANG ; Jun FENG ; Yuan ZHUANG ; Min CHEN ; Zheng TENG
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(2):165-169
ObjectiveTo evaluate the detection specificity for clinical samples and the detection capability for standard substances of five commercially available multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) nucleic acid detection kits (hereinafter referred to as the kits) for respiratory pathogens, and to provide a reference for selecting appropriate detection kits for multi-pathogen nucleic acid testing of respiratory infections. MethodsA total of 60 respiratory pathogen-positive clinical samples with known redults were selected and tested using the five kits (labeled as A, B, C, D, and E). The detection rates and Kappa coefficients were calculated to evaluate the consistency between the results from these kits and those from single-pathogen PCR kits. According to the limit of detection (LOD) provided by the kits, standard substances of respiratory pathogens (including 12 types such as influenza virus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Bordetella pertussis) were diluted to four concentrations (250, 500, 1 000, and 2 000 copies·mL⁻¹). All five kits were used for detection to evaluate their respective detection capabilities. ResultsCompared with the results from single-pathogen PCR kits, the five tested kits demonstrated good consistency (all Kappa >0.80). Among them, Kit A had the highest detection rate (100.00%), followed by Kits C and E (98.33%), and then Kits B and D (95.00%). All five kits showed a relatively low false negative rate (FNR) for samples with a cycle threshold (Ct) value ≤35 (≤2.38%). However, for samples with Ct values>35, the FNR increased accordingly(average FNR=6.67%, P=0.029). Kit C exhibited the highest detection sensitivity for the tested standard substances (average LOD: 458.33 copies·mL⁻¹), followed by Kit D, then Kits A/E, and finally Kit B. ConclusionThe five multiplex PCR kits showed good consistency with single-pathogen detection results, but each had its own performance emphasis. Kit A, with the highest detection rate and high throughput, is suitable for targeted viral screening. Kit B, covering the broadest pathogen spectrum (including fungi/bacteria), is suitable for comprehensive respiratory pathogen screening. Kits C, D and E, are applicable for rapid detection. It is important to note that the detection efficacy of all kits decreases for low viral load samples with Ct values >35. In practical application, selection should be based on specific screening objectives, throughput requirements, and sample types.
3.A Case of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex with Multiple Organ Involvement Caused by TSC2 Gene Mutation
Hongli ZHANG ; Jiayuan DAI ; Yan WANG ; Weihong ZHANG ; Wenbin MA ; Hanhui FU ; Chunxia HE ; Jun ZHENG ; Wenda WANG ; Wei ZUO ; Yaping LIU ; Min SHEN
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2026;5(1):60-67
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder primarily caused by pathogenic variants in the
4.Mechanism of pachymic acid in ameliorating renal injury in pregnancy induced hypertension rats by regulating the Sirt1/PGC‑1α pathway
Junjiang ZHU ; Jincheng LIN ; Jiajian WU ; Yi ZENG ; Jun HU ; Min LI ; Hongying LIU ; Jinfen LI
China Pharmacy 2026;37(2):186-191
OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism of pachymic acid on renal injury in pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) rats by regulating the silent information regulator transcript 1/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (Sirt1/PGC-1α) pathway. METHODS Pregnant SD rats were prepared by co-caging and PIH model was induced using N-nitro-L- arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) method. PIH rats were randomly divided into model group, L-pachymic acid (low-dose pachymic acid, 10 mg/kg) group, H-pachymic acid (high-dose pachymic acid, 20 mg/kg) group, and H-pachymic acid+EX527 (20 mg/kg pachymic acid+10 mg/kg EX527) group, with 6 rats in each group. Another 6 normal pregnant rats were selected as blank group. Each group was given relevant medicine or solvent intragastrically or intraperitoneally daily, once a day, for 28 consecutive days. After the last administration, 24 h urinary protein and tail artery systolic blood pressure (SBP) were measured in pregnant rats from each group, along with the levels of serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN),uric acid (UA), and cystatin C (Cys-C). The contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in renal tissue, as well as the mRNA and protein expression levels of Sirt1 and PGC-1α, were also determined. Meanwhile, renal histopathological changes in rats from each group were evaluated using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining. RESULTS Compared with model group, L-pachymic acid group and H-pachymic acid group exhibited significant decreases in 24 h urine protein quantification, tail artery SBP, Scr, BUN, UA, Cys-C levels, glomerulosclerosis index score of renal tissue, renal tubular injury score, the percentage of PAS positive area, MDA and 8-OHdG (P<0.05). Conversely, the contents of SOD and GSH-Px, along with the mRNA and protein expression levels of Sirt1 and PGC-1α, were significantly increased (P<0.05). Moreover, these improvements were more pronounced in H-pachymic acid group (P<0.05). Compared with H-pachymic acid group, the aforementioned indicators in pregnant rats from the H-pachymic acid+EX527 group showed significant reversal (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Pachymic acid significantly ameliorates renal injury induced by PIH in rats, potentially through activation of the Sirt1/PGC-1α pathway.
5.Visualization of Wallerian Degeneration of The Corticospinal Tract and Glial Pathological Changes After Ischemic Stroke in Mice
Meng MENG ; Jiao MU ; Mei-Yu LI ; Jun-Yan GAO ; Xiao-Min ZHU ; Liang-Liang LIU ; Ying GUO ; Guo-Hui ZHANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(10):2808-2819
ObjectiveStroke remains the leading cause of acquired disability in adults worldwide, imposing a substantial socioeconomic burden on patients, families, and healthcare systems. Among the various neurological deficits caused by stroke, motor dysfunction——particularly contralateral hemiplegia——is the most common and debilitating consequence, and it predominantly results from damage to the cortical motor conduction pathways. When motor cortex neurons or their projecting fibers are damaged, the distal axons and their associated myelin sheaths undergo a series of progressive, programmed degeneration, fragmentation, and eventual phagocytic clearance. This pathological process is termed Wallerian degeneration (WD). However, the temporal progression of WD following ischemic stroke and the associated alterations in the local glial microenvironment remain incompletely understood. The present study was designed to systematically elucidate the time course of corticospinal tract (CST) axonal WD after ischemic stroke in mice, and to simultaneously characterize the dynamic pathological changes of astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocyte lineage cells, and myelinating oligodendrocytes during the WD process. MethodsEight-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to control and ischemic stroke groups. A focal cortical ischemic stroke model was established in the right sensorimotor cortex using the photothrombotic method. This method induces localized intravascular thrombosis in the target cortical region through precisely controlled interaction between the photosensitizer and laser light of specific wavelength. At day 1 post‑surgery, 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining was performed to evaluate infarct volume, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining for histopathological examination, and Nissl staining for assessment of neuronal injury. For axonal degeneration time-course analysis, rAAV-CAG-mCherry anterograde viral tracing was employed to specifically label CST neurons. Cervical spinal cord sections at the CST region were collected at day 3, 5, 7, 14, and 60 post-injury. Morphological changes of mCherry-positive CST fibers were observed under fluorescence microscopy, and the fluorescence signal area fraction within the defined region was quantitatively analyzed to evaluate the dynamic process of axonal degeneration. For glial response assessment, immunofluorescence staining against Iba1 (microglia), GFAP (astrocytes), Olig2 (oligodendrocyte lineage cells), and APC (myelinating oligodendrocytes) was performed at day 7, 14, and 60 post‑surgery. The numbers of positive cells were counted to quantitatively analyze the dynamic changes in each glial population at different time points after ischemia, thereby revealing the evolution of the glial microenvironment during WD. ResultsThe photothrombotic method stably and reliably established an ischemic brain injury model confined to the sensorimotor cortex. Viral tracing revealed that the proportion of mCherry‑positive CST fibers was significantly reduced at day 7 after ischemic injury to the neuronal soma. Immunofluorescence staining demonstrated that during WD, the numbers of microglia and astrocytes in the CST region were significantly increased, whereas the numbers of oligodendrocyte lineage cells and myelinating oligodendrocytes showed no significant changes. ConclusionWD of CST axons is observed at day 7 post-ischemic stroke in a delayed manner. This degenerative process selectively activates microglia and astrocytes, while leaving the number of oligodendrocyte lineage cells largely unaffected.
6.Correlation between sleep duration and chest pain in Chinese population:results from CHARLS 2018
Tao LIU ; Ya-Min ZHANG ; Ji-Ming ZHANG ; Lu CHEN ; Jun-Xuan ZHANG ; Dong ZHOU
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(6):703-708
Objective To investigate the correlation between sleep duration and chest pain in the Chinese population.Methods A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data on chest pain and sleep duration from 7942 participants in the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study(CHARLS).Among them,1239 had chest pain and 6703 did not;2645 were aged>65 years and 5297 were aged≤65 years.All participants were categorized into three groups based on sleep duration:≤6 h(n=3123),6-8 h(n=2959),and>8 h(n=1860).Differences in characteristics such as gender,age,marital status,education level,diabetes,and hypertension were compared across these groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis,curve fitting,and threshold effect analysis were further employed to explore the correlation between sleep duration and chest pain.Results A total of 7942 participants were finally included in the study.Among the three groups with sleep duration>8 h,6-8 h and≤6 h,the incidences of chest pain were 12.6%,13.0%,and 19.8%,respectively.Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that with the increase in sleep duration,the incidence of chest pain showed a decreasing trend[odds ratio(OR)=0.88,95%confidence interval(CI)0.86-0.91,P<0.001].Curve fitting and threshold effect analysis indicated a U-shaped relationship between sleep duration and the risk of chest pain.In the population aged≤65 years,the inflection point for sleep duration was 8.5 h,beyond which the risk of chest pain did not decrease;in the population aged>65 years,the inflection point was 7.7 h,beyond which the risk of chest pain significantly increased(P<0.05).Conclusions There is a U-shape relationship between sleep duration and the risk of chest pain.In the age group≤65 years old,8.5 h is the turning point;in the population>65 years old,7.7 h is the turning point.When the sleep duration is below the turning point,prolonging the sleep time can help reduce the risk of chest pain.It is recommended to maintain an appropriate sleep duration of 6-8 h to reduce the risk of chest pain.
7.Construction and validation of a risk prediction model for 28-day mortality in patients with sepsis-associated acute kidney injury
Jiang-Ming ZHANG ; Ze-Qian WANG ; Cun-Lian XU ; Pai DENG ; Yang WU ; Min-Jun QI ; Lu-Mei MA ; Wei-Qing YAO ; Dong LIU ; Dong-Mei LIU
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(8):935-942
Objective To explore the risk factors for 28-day mortality of sepsis-associated acute kidney injury(SA-AKI)patients and to develop a nomogram risk prediction model.Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted,involving 184 patients with SA-AKI admitted to the intensive care unit(ICU)of the 940th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of PLA between January 2017 and December 2022.Patients were categorized into survival(n=135)and non-survival(n=49)groups based on 28-day mortality.Clinical data were collected,and statistically significant risk factors were preliminarily screened.Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors for 28-day mortality of SA-AKI patients.A nomogram predictive model was constructed using these factors,and internally validated with the Bootstrap method.The receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC curve)was drawn,and the area under the ROC curve(AUC)was calculated to verify the predictive value and accuracy of the model.Results The 28-day mortality rate among 184 SA-AKI patients was 26.6%(49/184).Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis identified multiple organ dysfunction syndrome(MODS)(OR=16.393,95%CI 4.317-62.254,P<0.001),high acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ(APACHE Ⅱ)score(OR=1.097,95%CI 1.036-1.161,P=0.002),low oxygenation index(OR=0.992,95%CI 0.986-0.998,P=0.015),low neutrophil count(OR=0.912,95%CI 0.860-0.968,P=0.002)and low fibrinogen concentration(OR=0.733,95%CI 0.549-0.978,P=0.034)as independent risk factors.The prediction model equation was P=1/1+e-logit(P),logit(P)=-1.626+2.797×MODS+0.092×AP ACHE Ⅱ+(-0.311)×fibrinogen+(-0.092)×neutrophil count+(-0.008)×oxygenation index.Internal validation with 1000 Bootstrap resamples showed high consistency between predicted and actual values.ROC analysis showed an AUC of 0.911(95%CI 0.868-0.955,P<0.05)for the model,with 93.9%sensitivity and 78.5%specificity at a cut-off of 0.194.The Hosmer-Lemeshow test confirmed good calibration(P=0.62),and decision-making curve analysis demonstrated clinical utility within the high-risk threshold range(0.1-0.9).Conclusions MODS,high APACHE Ⅱ score,low oxygenation index,low neutrophil count,and low fibrinogen concentration are independent risk factors for 28-day mortality in SA-AKI patients.The developed nomogram risk prediction model may provide important guidance for predicting 28-day mortality in SA-AKI patients.
8.Primary intraosseous synovial sarcoma:a case report and literature review
Wen ZHAO ; Wei-Jun QIAN ; Li LI ; Yan-Min WANG ; Peng-Hui SU ; Chao-Xin ZHANG ; Liang XU ; Tie-Cheng WU ; Jun-Qi LIU ; Ya-Jun WANG
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(11):1419-1425
Objective To report a case of tibial synovial sarcoma and review relevant literature to enhance understanding of this disease.Methods The clinical data of a patient with tibial synovial sarcoma treated at Kaifeng Central Hospital were retrospectively analyzed.A literature search was conducted in domestic and international databases,including China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),Wanfang Data,PubMed,Web of Science,and Embase,up to July 2024.Relevant literature was comprehensively reviewed to summarize the imaging and pathological characteristics,treatment,and prognosis of synovial sarcoma.Results A 29-year-old female patient was admitted with left lower extremity pain.X-ray examination revealed a proximal tibia space-occupying lesion suggestive of malignancy,and a mid-tibial space-occupying lesion considered benign.Contrast-enhanced computed tomography(CT)and plain magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)of the proximal tibial lesion also suggested malignancy.Ultrasound-guided biopsy of the proximal tibial tumor revealed a poorly differentiated malignant tumor.Immunohistochemistry results indicated monophasic synovial sarcoma,requiring genetic testing for definitive diagnosis.The patient underwent wide resection of the proximal left tibial malignancy with tumor-type artificial joint replacement,combined with curettage and bone cement filling for the left mid-tibial lesion under anesthesia.Postoperative pathology of space-occupying lesions in the proximal tibia confirmed monophasic synovial sarcoma,and fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH)demonstrated a rupture of the synovial sarcoma translocation gene(SYT)(i.e.,SS18 positive).There was no recurrence or metastasis found in the patient during the reexamination 6 months after postoperative chemotherapy.As of July 2024,15 cases of genetically confirmed primary intraosseous synovial sarcoma have been reported internationally.Symptoms included pain and swelling,with a medical history of 1-2 years.The X-ray and CT findings showed osteolytic destruction with bone cortical discontinuity.In 13 cases,the intraosseous masses extended to the extraosseous area;in 2 cases,punctate calcifications were detected within the masses.Plain MRI scan showed iso-signal or hypo-signal on T1WI and hyper-signal,iso-signal,and hypo-signal on fat-suppressed T2WI,and enhanced MRI scan demonstrated heterogeneous enhancement.Pathological examination showed spindle-shaped cells under microscopy.Immunohistochemistry results showed positive epithelial membrane antigen(EMA),broad-spectrum cytokeratin(AE1/AE3),Ewing's sarcoma marker(CD99),and transducin-like enhancer of Split 1(TLE1).Twelve patients underwent surgical treatment;6 patients received adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery,of whom 4 developed local recurrence or distant metastasis at initial diagnosis,and 3 died during follow-up.Among the 6 patients who did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy,3 suffered from recurrence or distant metastasis.Conclusions Primary intraosseous synovial sarcoma is a rare malignant tumor with non-specific clinical manifestations.Imaging features typically include osteolytic destruction and intraosseous masses extending extraosseously,suggesting an intraosseous origin.Pathology and immunohistochemistry aid diagnosis,but definitive confirmation relies on further genetic testing.At present,the main treatment regimens for synovial sarcoma involve comprehensive therapies such as surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy,and the prognosis of patients is poor.
9.STUDY ON THE POPULATION STRUCTURE OF MOSQUITOES AND THE APPLICATION OF MOSQUITO-REPELLENT SILICONE-BASED OIL FILM IN THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM OF MINHANG DISTRICT,SHANGHAI
Min-Hui ZHU ; Li-Jun LIU ; Lu ZHANG ; Xiao-Sa WEN ; Zhi-Yin XU ; Zhao-Wen ZHANG ; Yi-Bin ZHOU
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2025;32(2):105-111
Objective Understanding the population structure of mosquitoes in the drainage system of Minhang District,Shanghai,and exploring the physical prevention and control technology of mosquito traps with a Vazor mosquito repellent film in the drainage system.Methods A 500 mL water spoon was used to assist in visual inspection to investigate the breeding status of mosquito larvae in the drainage system.A carbon dioxide mosquito trap method was used to monitor adult mosquitoes around the ground drainage system,and the artificial hour method was used to monitor adult mosquitoes around the underground drainage system.Mosquito-repellent film was applied at a rate of 1 mL/m2 to the drainage system where mosquito larvae or pupae are found,and the breeding situation was observed and recorded.Results The positivity rate of mosquitoes breeding in the ground drainage system was 50%.The mosquito larvae in the drainage channels were primarily Aedes albopictus,whereas Ae.albopictus were primarily noted in the sewage wells.The proportions of Ae.albopictus and Culex pipiens pallens in the rainwater wells were similar,and the dominant mosquito species around the surface drainage system was Ae.Albopictus.The positive rate of mosquito breeding in the underground drainage system was 47%,with the dominant mosquito species being Cx.pipiens pallens(58.39%)followed by Ae.albopictus(41.6%).The dominant adult mosquito species around the drainage system were Cx.pipiens pallens(83%)followed by Ae.albopictus(11%).In terms of the effectiveness of mosquito-repellent water film,the mosquito breeding rates of the ground and underground drainage systems using mosquito-repellent water film decreased to 2.78%and 5%after 1 week of use,respectively,and then rebounded after the 3rd week.After a supplementary dose during the 5th week,the breeding rates returned to normal.No statistically significant differences were observed in the effect compared with the standard control group using 1%bisulfite granules;however,a statistically significant difference was noted compared with the blank control group without special treatment.Conclusions In the drainage system of Minhang District,Shanghai,mosquito breeding is severe,and variations exist in the dominant mosquito species in different environmental drainage facilities.The simultaneous use of mosquito-repellent films can effectively control mosquito breeding in drainage systems.
10.Feasibility Exploration of Zero-ray Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation Guided by Transthoracic Echocardiography Combined With Three-dimensional Mapping System
Tianjie FENG ; Guangzhi ZHAO ; Jing DONG ; Cheng WANG ; Fengwen ZHANG ; Shouzheng WANG ; Jun LIU ; Guodong NIU ; Min TANG ; Fujian DUAN ; Xiangbin PAN
Chinese Circulation Journal 2025;40(4):374-379
Objectives:To explore the feasibility of zero-ray radiofrequency catheter ablation for paroxymal atrial fibrillation under the guidance of transthoracic echocardiography combined with three-dimensional mapping system.Methods:This is a single-center prospective observational study.A total of 12 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation who underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation in Fuwai Hospital,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from June 1,2024 to September 30,2024 were included.All patients underwent successful percutaneous puncture,atrial septal puncture under the guidance of transthoracic echocardiography,and all patients underwent left atrial modeling and discharge ablation under the guidance of transthoracic echocardiography combined with three-dimensional mapping system.The disappearance of pulmonary vein potential was confirmed after the ablation operation and as the ablation endpoint and successful ablation marker.The operation results and 1-month and 3-month follow-up results of the patients were observed.Results:There were 12 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation,9 males and 3 females,aged(56.8±11.2)years,with a history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation(4.2±2.3)years.The mean left atrial diameter was(36.5±2.5)mm,the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter was(47.8±4.1)mm,and the left ventricular ejection fraction was 55%-65%.The mean overall operation time was(102.25±14.51)min,the ultrasound operation time was(29.58±6.23)min,and the catheter operation time was(33.08±4.10)min.All patients completed circumferential pulmonary vein isolation without intraoperative complications.The hospitalization time was 2-6 days.At the 1-month follow-up after ablation,all patients showed sinus rhythm on 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiogram,and 2 patients had occasional atrial premature contractions without recurrence of atrial fibrillation.At the 3-month follow-up,two patients had occasional premature atrial contractions,and no recurrence of atrial fibrillation was recorded on the electrocardiogram of all patients.Conclusions:It is feasible to complete radiofrequency catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation under the guidance of transthoracic echocardiography combined with three-dimensional mapping system.

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