OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of acupuncture on the neurotransmitter levels and gut microbiota in a mouse model of Tourette syndrome (TS). METHODS: Thirty-six male C57/BL6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups using a random number table method: 3,3'-iminodipropionitrile (IDPN) group, control group, acupuncture group, and tiapride group, with 9 mice in each group. In the IDPN group, acupuncture group, and tiapride group, mice received daily intraperitoneal injections of IDPN (300 mg/kg body weight) for 7 consecutive days to induce stereotyped behaviors. Subsequently, in the acupuncture intervention group, standardized acupuncture treatment was administered for 14 consecutive days to IDPN-induced TS model mice. The selected acupoints included Baihui (DU 20), Yintang (DU 29), Waiguan (SJ 5), and Zulinqi (GB 41). In the tiapride group, mice were administered tiapride (50 mg/kg body weight) via oral gavage daily for 14 consecutive days. The control group, IDPN group, and acupuncture group received the same volume of saline orally for 14 consecutive days. Stereotypic behaviors were quantified through behavioral assessments. Neurotransmitter levels, including dopamine (DA), glutamate (Glu), and aspartate (ASP) in striatal tissue were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Dopamine transporter (DAT) expression levels were additionally quantified through quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Gut microbial composition was analyzed through 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing, while metabolic profiling was conducted using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). RESULTS: Acupuncture administration significantly attenuated stereotypic behaviors, concurrently reducing striatal levels of DA, Glu and ASP concentrations while upregulating DAT expression compared with untreated TS controls (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Comparative analysis identified significant differences in Muribaculaceae (P=0.001), Oscillospiraceae (P=0.049), Desulfovibrionaceae (P=0.001), and Marinifilaceae (P=0.014) following acupuncture intervention. Metabolomic profiling revealed alterations in 7 metabolites and 18 metabolic pathways when compared to the TS mice, which involved various amino acid metabolisms associated with DA, Glu, and ASP. CONCLUSIONS Acupuncture demonstrates significant modulatory effects on both central neurotransmitter systems and gut microbial ecology, thereby highlighting its dual therapeutic potential for TS management through gut-brain axis regulation.
Animals ; Tourette Syndrome/metabolism* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Neurotransmitter Agents/metabolism* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice

Given that ovarian stimulation is vital for assisted reproductive technology (ART) and results in elevated serum estrogen levels, exploring the impact of elevated estrogen exposure on oocytes and embryos is necessary. We investigated the effects of various ovarian stimulation treatments on oocyte and embryo morphology and gene expression using a mouse model and estrogen-treated mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). Female C57BL/6J mice were subjected to two types of conventional ovarian stimulation and ovarian hyperstimulation; mice treated with only normal saline served as controls. Hyperstimulation resulted in high serum estrogen levels, enlarged ovaries, an increased number of aberrant oocytes, and decreased embryo formation. The messenger RNA (mRNA)‍-sequencing of oocytes revealed the dysregulated expression of lysine-specific demethylase 6b (Kdm6b), which may be a key factor indicating hyperstimulation-induced aberrant oocytes and embryos. In vitro, Kdm6b expression was downregulated in mESCs treated with high-dose estrogen; treatment with an estrogen receptor antagonist could reverse this downregulated expression level. Furthermore, treatment with high-dose estrogen resulted in the upregulated expression of histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) and phosphorylated H2A histone family member X (γ-H2AX). Notably, knockdown of Kdm6b and high estrogen levels hindered the formation of embryoid bodies, with a concomitant increase in the expression of H3K27me3 and γ-H2AX. Collectively, our findings revealed that hyperstimulation-induced high-dose estrogen could impair the demethylation of H3K27me3 by reducing Kdm6b expression. Accordingly, Kdm6b could be a promising marker for clinically predicting ART outcomes in patients with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
Female ; Mice ; Demethylation/drug effects* ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; Estrogens/administration & dosage* ; Gene Expression/drug effects* ; Histones/metabolism* ; Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Oocytes ; Ovary/drug effects* ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted ; Animals

Objective To explore the predictive efficiency of serum Dickkopf-1 protein(DKK-1)and C1q tumor necrosis factor-related protein 3(CTRP3)levels for thoracolumbar fractures in patients with osteoporosis(OP).Methods Between January 2020 and August 2024,124 OP patients treated at the hospital were recruited into the OP group.Based on the occurrence of thoracolumbar fractures,these OP patients were divided into a non-fracture group(n=70)and a fracture group(n=54).Additionally,124 healthy individuals who underwent physical examinations served as the control group.The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was employed to measure the levels of serum DKK-1 and CTRP3.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was utilized to analyze the influencing factors of thoracolumbar fractures in OP patients.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were used to evaluate the predictive value of serum DKK-1 and CTRP3 for thoracolumbar fractures in OP patients.Results In comparison with the control group,the serum level of DKK-1 was significantly higher,while the serum level of CTRP3 was significantly lower in the OP group(P<0.05).When compared with the non-fracture group,the fracture group exhibited prominently higher serum DKK-1 levels,age,duration of OP,and proportion of OP grade Ⅲ,whereas the serum CTRP3 level was significantly lower(P<0.05).High expression of DKK-1 was iden-tified as an independent risk factor for thoracolumbar fractures in patients with osteoporosis,while high expression of CTRP3 was found to be an independent protective factor for thoracolumbar fractures in such patients(P<0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)values of serum DKK-1 and CTRP3 levels for predicting thoracolumbar fractures in OP patients were 0.790 and 0.753,respectively.The AUC of the combined prediction of the two was 0.888,which was superior to the individual predictions of either one(ZDKK-1-combined=3.351,ZCTRP3-combined=3.172,both P<0.05).Conclusions In the serum of OP patients,the expression of DKK-1 is upregulated,while the expression of CTRP3 is downregulated.Both are factors influencing the occurrence of thoracolumbar fractures in OP patients.The combination of the two has a high predictive value for the occurrence of thoracolumbar fractures in OP patients.

Objective·To explore the effects and potential mechanisms of emodin on Alzheimer's disease(AD).Methods·Wild-type C57BL/6J mice and 3×Tg-AD mice were divided into 6 groups:Control group(C57BL/6J mice),AD group(3×Tg-AD mice),Emodin 25 mg/kg group(3×Tg-AD mice+Emodin 25 mg/kg),Emodin 50 mg/kg group(3×Tg-AD mice+Emodin 50 mg/kg),Emodin 100 mg/kg group(3×Tg-AD mice+Emodin 100 mg/kg)and Donepezil group(3×Tg-AD mice+Donepezil 3 mg/kg).The Morris water maze test was used to evaluate the learning and memory abilities of mice.The expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP),glucose-regulated protein 78kDa(GRP78),and inositol-requiring enzyme 1α(IRE1α)was detected by immunohistochemistry.The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),and IL-6 in brain tissue were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Western blotting was used to detect the expression of NF-κB p65,p-NF-κB p65,p38,and p-p38 proteins.Results·Compared with the control group,mice in the AD group showed impaired cognition,increased GFAP expression,elevated levels of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6,and increased expression of GRP78 and IRE1α,along with enhanced phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 and p38.Compared with the AD group,emodin improved cognitive impairment of AD mice,inhibited astrocyte overactivation and neuroinflammation,and decreased the expression of GRP78,IRE1α,phosphorylated NF-κB p65,and phosphorylated p38 in brain tissue.Conclusion·Emodin can effectively improve cognitive impairment in AD mice,which may be related to the inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated neuroinflammation in astrocytes.

In the context of globalization,zoonosis prevention and control requires an integrated approach across human,animal,and environmental systems,including interdisciplinary and cross sectional collaboration,which impose heightened requirements for the core competencies among relevant professionals.By a systematic analysis of literature and policy documents,this study explored progress in the application of the One Health concept to the global prevention and control of zoonoses,with a focus on dissecting practi-cal achievements and empirical insights regarding policies promoting the development of core competencies among professionals in this field.By summarizing the existing core competency frameworks and their construction methods,this article also disscussed the guiding roles of existing frameworks,such as the"competencies for one health field epidemiology framework"and the"Ecohealth and One Health network competency framework"on the cultivation of professional talent.This work aimed at providing theoretical support for establishing a One Health-oriented competency framework in China,promoting multidisciplinary collaboration,offering scientific foundations for policy-making and talent cultivation,and contributing to achieving the strategic objectives of"Healthy China 2030"and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility of areal bone mineral density (aBMD) quantification and the diagnostic performance for abnormal bone mass using the coronal spectral localizer radiography (SLR) from photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT).Methods:This cross-sectional study prospectively enrolled 67 participants who underwent both dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and dual-source PCD-CT examinations within 7 days at Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine between April 2024 and September 2025. The aBMD values of L1-L4 derived from DXA and calculated based on PCD-CT SLR were obtained (aBMD DXA and aBMD SLR, respectively). Participants were categorized into four groups based on body mass index (BMI): underweight (BMI<18.5 kg/m2, n=3), normal weight (18.5 kg/m2≤BMI<24 kg/m2, n=33), overweight (24 kg/m2≤BMI<28 kg/m2, n=22), and obese (BMI≥28 kg/m2, n=9) groups. Using aBMD DXA as the golden reference, T-scores were calculated, and participants were classified into normal bone mass (T-score≥-1.0, n=42), osteopenia (-2.50.05). Across the normal bone mass, osteopenia, and osteoporosis groups, significant differences were found in aBMD DXA, aBMD SLR, and AE ( P<0.001), but not in RAE ( P=0.426). Using aBMD SLR-based T-score classification, 38, 16, and 13 participants were classifying as having normal bone mass, osteopenia, and osteoporosis. For diagnosing osteoporosis, aBMD SLR achieved an accuracy of 94.0% (63/67), sensitivity of 90.9% (10/11), and specificity of 94.6% (53/56). For detecting abnormal bone mass, the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were 94.0% (63/67), 100% (25/25), and 90.5% (38/42), respectively. Conclusions:Quantitative bone density assessment based on PCD-CT SLR is feasible and accurate, unaffected by body habitus or bone mass status, and demonstrates high diagnostic performance for osteoporosis and abnormal bone mass.

Objective:To observe the effect of intensified heel anti-gravity posture stability training on the gait of stroke survivors.Methods:Thirty-six hemiplegic stroke survivors were randomly divided into a control group and an experimental group, each of 18. Both groups received conventional rehabilitation treatment (including limb positioning, limb movement training and conventional walking training), while the experimental group was additionally provided with 30 minutes of intense heel anti-gravity posture stability training 5 days a week for 4 weeks. Before and after the treatment, the subjects′ walking speed, stride frequency, step length, peak knee flexion angle and peak hip flexion angle were documented using three-dimensional gait analysis with a movement training system.Results:The average walking speed, stride rate, step length, peak hip flexion and peak knee flexion of both groups had improved significantly after the treatments. But the average walking speed [(0.46±0.06)m/s], step length [(85.05±6.68)cm], peak hip flexion angle [(34.80±2.80)°] and peak knee flexion angle [(40.55±3.58)°] of the treatment group were significantly better than those of the control group.Conclusions:Intensified heel anti-gravity posture stability training can significantly improve the walking speed, step length, hip flexion and knee flexion of hemiplegic stroke survivors.

Objective:To quantify thoracic and abdominal movements during breathing using inertial measurement units (IMUs) and to build a machine learning model which identifies the abdominal breathing (AB) pattern.Methods:Ten rehabilitation therapists formed the study′s professional group, while 15 patients receiving AB training comprised the validation group. Two synchronized IMUs were applied to capture breathing motions during natural breathing (NB), deep breathing (DB) and AB. Six kinematic features were extracted from each respiratory cycle, and inter-group and inter-pattern differences were analyzed. Correlation analysis was also performed with manually measured changes in thoracic and abdominal circumferences. A support vector classification model for AB pattern detection was then developed using data from the professional and validation groups.Results:A total of 1113 respiratory cycles were extracted and analyzed. The breathing pattern significantly influenced all of the kinematic features studied (0.21≤partial η 2≤0.65, all P≤0.001). The ranges of the angles in medial-lateral axis of the IMUs showed strong correlation with the changes in abdominal and thoracic circumferences (ρ1=0.928, ρ2=0.807, P≤0.001 in both cases). A greater range of abdominal angles was found during AB compared to the other patterns. The best of the models achieved an F1 score of 0.970 (sensitivity: 0.983, specificity: 0.980) in validation. Conclusions:AB generates the greatest abdominal movement. Combining IMUs and machine learning can provide real-time quantification of chest movement and accurate detection of AB during breathing training.

Objective To establish a scientific and feasible Chinese medicine(CM)comprehensive control and prevention program for elderly hypertension with early renal damage(EH-ERD)patients through high-level evidence-based medicine(EBM)evidence.Methods On the basis of literature research and evidence evaluation,we construct a database of specific prescriptions and implementation methods of CM comprehensive control and prevention program with EH-ERD.40 senior titled-experts were consulted in two rounds of questionnaires based on Delphi methods.We selected,evaluated,and revised specific CM comprehensive control and prevention program of EH-ERD through the analysis of multiple factors,such as expert's positive activity coefficient,authority coefficient,degree of opinion concentration and degree of coordination.Results In view of the CM appropriate intervention techniques with high-grade evidence(level Ⅰ and Ⅱ)and recommendation(level A and B),we have developed the CM comprehensive control and prevention plan items for EH-ERD.The activity coefficients in two-round consultation were 92.5%and 97.14%respectively,the overall authority coefficient(Cr)was exceeded 0.70,and the coordination coefficient was less than 0.25.With a sound activity coefficient,a relatively high Cr and a rather unified degree of opinion concentration and coordination,the CM comprehensive control and prevention program for EH-ERD was established,which included six primary indicators(CM compound preparation,acupuncture and massage,CM health education,medicinal diet therapy,health care exercise and foot bath)and seventeen secondary indicators.Conclusion The CM comprehensive control and prevention program for EH-ERD established in this study can provide a basis for the further formation of expert consensus or guidelines.Moreover,it can supply the strategy and paradigm for standardization of CM-based health management of EH-ERD.

Objective To compare the effects of single antiplatelet therapy(SAPT)versus dual antiplatelet therapy(DAPT)on bleeding and ischemic events in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TAVR)without long-term anticoagulation indications.Methods This randomized controlled trial included 90 post-TAVR patients without anticoagulation indications,who were allocated to the SAPT group(n=46,aspirin 100 mg/d)or DAPT group(n=44,aspirin 100 mg/d+clopidogrel 75 mg/d for 3 months,followed by aspirin monotherapy).Maximum aggregation rates of platelets induced by arachidonic acid(MARAA)and adenosine diphosphate(MARADP)were measured 1,3,6,and 12 months postoperatively.Bleeding and ischemic events were recorded during the follow-up visits.Results The SAPT group exhibited significantly higher MARAA and MARADP scores at 1 and 3 months,and higher MARAA scores at 6 months compared to the DAPT group(P<0.05).At the 12-month follow-up,the SAPT group had a significantly lower inci-dence of bleeding events compared to the DAPT group(13.0%vs.31.8%,P=0.043).No statistically significant difference was observed in ischemic events between the groups(15.2%vs.11.4%,P=0.759).Conclusion For TAVR patients without anticoagulation indica-tions,SAPT significantly reduced the 1-year bleeding risk compared to DAPT,without increasing ischemic events.These findings support the safety and efficacy of SAPT after TAVR.