ObjectiveTo clarify whether epigallocatechin gallate （EGCG） is involved in the clearance of amyloid β-protein （Aβ） and autophagy induction by microglia， so as to explore the potential mechanisms of EGCG in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease （AD）. MethodsSix-month-old APP/PS1 mice were randomly divided into model and EGCG groups， with some additional wild type （WT） mice as the control group， each group consisting of 15 mice. The EGCG group received continuous gavage administration［5 mg/（kg·d）］ for 8 weeks， followed by the open field test and Y-maze to assess the learning and memory abilities of the mice. Thioflavin-S staining was used to evaluate the content and distribution of amyloid β-protein （Aβ）in the brain parenchyma of the mice， and immunofluorescence was employed to detect the expression levels of Aβ_1-42， glial fibrillary acidic protein （GFAP）， and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 （Iba1） in the hippocampal tissue of the mice. Additionally， N9 mouse microglial cells were induced with 20 µmol/L Aβ_1-42， and the cell viability was measured after treatment with different concentrations of EGCG （5 µmol/L， 10 µmol/L， 20 µmol/L）. Western blotting was used to detect the levels of Aβ_1-42， low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1（LRP1）， receptor for advanced glycation endproducts （RAGE）， amyloid precursor protein （APP）， insulin degrading enzyme （IDE）， neprilysin （NEP）， microtubule associated protein 1 hydrogen chain 3（LC3）-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ， phosphatidylinositol 3-hydroxy kinase（PI3K）， p-PI3K， protein kinase B （AKT）， p-AKT， mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR）， p-mTOR， and histone deacetylase 6（HDAC6）. Finally， through the co-culture of microglial cells and neuronal SH-SY5Y cells， cell viability and Caspase-3 levels were measured to verify the protective effect of EGCG-mediated Aβ clearance on neurons. ResultsEGCG increased the activity time and frequency of APP/PS1 mice in the central area of the open field （P<0.05）， and enhanced the percentage of alternation in the Y-maze test （P<0.01）； EGCG reduced Aβ deposition in the hippocampal tissue of APP/PS1 mice and increased the number of microglia； in vitro experiments showed that EGCG improved the survival rate of Aβ-induced N9 cells （P<0.01）， upregulated RAGE activity （P<0.05）， and promoted the internalization and phagocytosis of Aβ （P<0.01）. ECGC activated microglial autophagy by downregulating the level of HDAC6 （P<0.05）， inhibiting the phosphorylation of PI3K， AKT， mTOR （P<0.001）， and increasing the LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-I ratio （P<0.001）； EGCG improved the survival rate of SH-SY5Y cells （P<0.05） and reduced the activity of Caspase-3 （P<0.01） by clearing Aβ_1-42 through microglia， and had a protective effect on neurons. ConclusionEGCG activates microglial autophagy to clear Aβ by targeting and inhibiting the HDAC6-PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis.

Objective:To investigate the clinical phenotypes and genetic variant characteristics in children with epilepsy.Methods:A total of 91 children with epilepsy admitted to the Women′s and Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University from July 2021 to October 2022 were selected as the study subjects. Peripheral blood samples were collected from the children for whole exome sequencing. Candidate genetic variants were validated by Sanger sequencing and copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq). The clinical phenotypes and treatment outcomes of the children with epilepsy were followed up, and an analysis of the relationship between genotype and phenotype was conducted. This study was approved by the Women′s and Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University (Ethics No.: EC2020-048).Results:Among the 91 children with epilepsy, 21 cases (23.08%, 21/91) were found to carry pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants. Of these, 18 cases had involved single base variant or insertional deletion, while 3 cases involved copy number variations. The gene with the highest detection rate was PRRT2 (38.10%, 8/21). Among the children with genetic variants, 47.62% (10/21) had onset during infancy, with 8 diagnosed with Benign familial infantile epilepsy (BFIE), 8 with Developmental epileptic encephalopathy (DEE), and 3 with Epileptic encephalopathy (EE). One case of Dravet syndrome (DS) and one case of Infantile spasms (IS) were also noted. The clinical manifestations of children were diverse and primarily included generalized tonic-clonic seizures and focal seizures. Among them, 52.38% (11/21) had exhibited cluster seizures, 23.81% (5/21) showed fever sensitivity, and 14.29% (3/21) experienced status epilepticus. After pharmacological treatment, 42.86% (9/21) of children had achieved complete seizure control, while 61.90% (13/21) had intellectual disability and 19.05% (4/21) had co-morbid autism spectrum disorder. Conclusion:Pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants were identified in 23.08% of the pediatric epilepsy cases, with the PRRT2 gene being the most frequently involved. Among children carrying genetic variants, 47.62% had seizure onset during infancy. Genetic factors are an important cause of epilepsy, and early genetic testing may facilitate precise diagnosis, treatment, and prognostic evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical phenotypes and genetic variant characteristics in children with epilepsy. METHODS: A total of 91 children with epilepsy admitted to the Women's and Children's Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University from July 2021 to October 2022 were selected as the study subjects. Peripheral blood samples were collected from the children for whole exome sequencing. Candidate genetic variants were validated by Sanger sequencing and copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq). The clinical phenotypes and treatment outcomes of the children with epilepsy were followed up, and an analysis of the relationship between genotype and phenotype was conducted. This study was approved by the Women's and Children's Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University (Ethics No.: EC2020-048). RESULTS: Among the 91 children with epilepsy, 21 cases (23.08%, 21/91) were found to carry pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants. Of these, 18 cases had involved single base variant or insertional deletion, while 3 cases involved copy number variations. The gene with the highest detection rate was PRRT2 (38.10%, 8/21). Among the children with genetic variants, 47.62% (10/21) had onset during infancy, with 8 diagnosed with Benign familial infantile epilepsy (BFIE), 8 with Developmental epileptic encephalopathy (DEE), and 3 with Epileptic encephalopathy (EE). One case of Dravet syndrome (DS) and one case of Infantile spasms (IS) were also noted. The clinical manifestations of children were diverse and primarily included generalized tonic-clonic seizures and focal seizures. Among them, 52.38% (11/21) had exhibited cluster seizures, 23.81% (5/21) showed fever sensitivity, and 14.29% (3/21) experienced status epilepticus. After pharmacological treatment, 42.86% (9/21) of children had achieved complete seizure control, while 61.90% (13/21) had intellectual disability and 19.05% (4/21) had co-morbid autism spectrum disorder. CONCLUSION Pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants were identified in 23.08% of the pediatric epilepsy cases, with the PRRT2 gene being the most frequently involved. Among children carrying genetic variants, 47.62% had seizure onset during infancy. Genetic factors are an important cause of epilepsy, and early genetic testing may facilitate precise diagnosis, treatment, and prognostic evaluation.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Epilepsy/genetics* ; Child, Preschool ; Child ; Phenotype ; Genotype ; DNA Copy Number Variations/genetics* ; Infant ; Membrane Proteins/genetics* ; Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics* ; Adolescent ; Exome Sequencing

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture and moxibustion combined with umbilical therapy on anxiety and depression in patients with neurogenic bladder (NB) after spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS: Thirty cases of NB after SCI with anxiety and depression were selected and treated with acupuncture and moxibustion combined with umbilical therapy. Acupuncture was applied at Baihui (GV20), Yintang (GV24⁺), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Shenmen (HT7), Hegu (LI4), Taichong (LR3), once a day, continuous treatment for 4 weeks. Ginger moxibustion was applied at the bladder meridian of foot taiyang and governor vessel, once a day, continuous treatment for 4 weeks. In treatment of umbilical therapy, Chaihu (Radix Bupleuri), Yujin (Radix Curcumae), Rougui (Cortex Cinnamomi) were ground and mixed with the same amount of honey, put into the application, and the application was placed on the navel after filling the navel with fine salt, once a day for 4 weeks. Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) score, Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) score, urodynamic indexes (maximum urinary flow rate [Qmax], maximum detrusor pressure [Pdet-max], residual urine volume [RUV]), neurogenic bladder symptom score (NBSS), urinary symptom distress scale (USDS) score were compared before and after treatment, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated. RESULTS: After treatment, the scores of HAMA, HAMD, NBSS, USDS and RUVwere lower than those before treatment (P<0.05), and Qmax and Pdet-max were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 93.3 (28/30). CONCLUSION Acupuncture and moxibustion combined with umbilical therapy can effectively relieve anxiety and depression symptoms, improve urination disorders in patients with NB after SCI.
Humans ; Moxibustion ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Spinal Cord Injuries/psychology* ; Depression/etiology* ; Anxiety/etiology* ; Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic/etiology* ; Young Adult ; Aged ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Acupuncture Points

Objective:To assess the application value of one-hour post-load glucose (1hPG) for detecting prediabetes among individuals with high risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods:The study was conducted between August 2023 and January 2024, and individuals with a high risk of T2DM were invited to receive an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), structural questionnaires, physical measurements, and other biochemical examinations. The fasting, one-, and two-hour glucose and insulin were tested. According to the 1hPG cut point on hyperglycemia suggested by International Diabetes Federation (IDF), normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and prediabetes were further divided into two subgroups, respectively, i.e., NGT with 1hPG<8.6 mmol/L (NGT-1hPG-normal), NGT with 1hPG≥8.6 mmol/L (NGT-1hPG-high), prediabetes with 1hPG<8.6 mmol/L (PDM-1hPG-normal), and prediabetes with 1hPG≥8.6 mmol/L (PDM-1hPG-high). The insulin release curve was drawn by the groups as above. Insulin resistance was evaluated by homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and β-cell secretory function was evaluated by homeostasis model assessment for β cell function (HOMA-β)/HOMA-IR. Spearman rank correlation analysis was used to calculate the correlation coefficients among 1hPG, 2hPG and HOMA indices, and Steiger′s Z test was used to compare the difference between two correlation coefficients. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves and area under the curve (AUC) were used to assess the accuracy of 1hPG for detecting prediabetes. Results:A total of 2 469 subjects consisting of 1 485 men (60.1%) and 984 (39.9%) women, with a mean age of (45.76±6.20) years, of which 1 844 (74.7%) had 1hPG≥8.6 mmol/L. The prevalence of 1hPG≥8.6 mmol/L was 46.8%, 93.0% and 99.8% in individuals with NGT, prediabetes and newly diagnosed T2DM, respectively ( χ 2=763.78, P<0.001). The insulin release curve showed that insulin secretion increased rapidly in subjects with NGT-1hPG-high, and peaked at one hour, then decreased rapidly, with a significantly higher level of one- and two-hour insulin than those with NGT-1hPG-normal ( P<0.001). Compared to individuals with NGT-1hPG-normal, the counterparts with NGT-1hPG-high exhibited higher HOMA-IR and lower adjusted HOMA-β ( P<0.001). Spearman rank correlation analysis showed that the correlation coefficient of 1hPG with HOMA-IR was similar to the correlation coefficient of 2hPG with HOMA-IR (0.493 vs. 0.480, P=0.550), while the correlation of 1hPG with adjusted HOMA-β was significantly stronger than that of 2hPG (-0.692 vs. -0.587, P<0.001). Excluding patients with T2DM, according to the cut point recommended by IDF, the AUC of 1hPG≥8.6 mmol/L for detecting prediabetes was 0.731 (95% CI: 0.714-0.748), and the sensitivity and specificity were 0.930 and 0.532, respectively, with the kappa value of 0.45. Conclusion:1hPG is closely related to insulin resistance and islet function, and there′s substantial value for individuals with a high risk of T2DM to detect prediabetes by using the 1hPG cut points recommended by IDF.

Cytoglobin(Cygb)is a recently discov-ered astrocyte specific globin that is widely distrib-uted in mammalian visceral organs such as the lung,heart,spleen,liver,pancreas,stomach,small intestine,kidney,neuron,and bone tissue.It plays an important role in clearing reactive oxygen spe-cies,nitric oxide and nitrite signal transduction,al-leviating oxidative stress,anti-fibrosis,regulation of cell apoptosis and treatment of cancer,etc.It is worth noting that the anti-fibrosis role of Cygb has attracted increasing attention in recent years.The existing research has involved various fibrotic dis-eases such as the liver,pancreas,kidney,spleen,etc.,especially in the study of liver fibrosis,which has made great progress.This article system re-views the role of Cygb in various fibrotic diseases,with a focus on its mechanism of alleviating oxida-tive stress.Although the application of Cygb in fi-brotic diseases is still in its infancy and the underly-ing mechanisms still require extensive research and exploration,there is no doubt that Cygb can serve as a promising therapeutic target,with the poten-tial to be widely used in the prevention and treat-ment of fibrotic diseases.

This study analyzed soil-transmitted nematode infection surveillance data for children 3-9 years of age in Shaanxi Province from 2016 to 2023,to provide a scientific basis for control strategies for soil-transmitted nematode infections in children in the province.Since 2016,according to the requirements of the National Schistosomiasis and Soil-transmitted Nematode Surveillance Program(Trial),several counties and districts in Shaanxi Province were selected as surveillance sites every year.According to geo-graphical position,the surveillance sites were divided into five areas:east,west,south,north and middle,and one administrative vil-lage(community)was selected in each area for monitoring.The eggs of soil-transmitted nematodes(hookworm,Ascaris lumbricoides,Trichuris trichiura,and Enterobius vermicularis)were detected with the Kato-Katz technique in children 3-9 years of age at each sur-veillance site,and the eggs of Enterobius vermicularis were detected again with the cellophane tape anal swab method.The infection rate and intensity for E.vermicularis were calculated.Detection was performed in 12 462 children 3-9 years old at 75 surveillance sites in Shaanxi Province from 2016 to 2023;84 cases of soil-borne nematode infections were detected,and the overall infection rate was 0.67%.The infection rates for Ascaris lumbricoides and E.vermicularis were 0.18%(22/12 462)and 0.50%(62/12 462),respec-tively,and the infection rates for Trichuris trichiura and hookworm were not found.The infection rates of soil-transmitted nematodes in children were 1.28%(16/1 250),0.16%(2/1 252),1.25%(17/1 365),1.20%(18/1 494),0.17%(2/1 169),1.45%(20/1 382),0.00,and 0.36%(9/251),respectively.A linear trend was observed among years(χ2=11.973,P<0.001).The infection rates in the Weifen Basin ecological region,Loess Plateau ecological region,and Qinba Mountains ecological region were 0.51%,1.19%,and 0.72%,respectively,and the differences were statistically significant(χ2=9.726,P=0.008).Significant differences in infection rates were observed among scattered children(1.63%),preschool children(0.66%),and students(0.57%)(χ2=11.189,P=0.004).No significant differences in infection rates were observed by gender,age,and education level.Compared with the infection rates in the entire country and other provinces,the infection rate of soil-transmitted nematodes among children in Shaanxi Province was low,and the main infection species were Ascaris lumbricoides and E.vermicularis.The infection rates greatly varied within Shaanxi Prov-ince,possibly because of differences in economic development levels,children′s living habits,and personal hygiene status across re-gions.In the future,comprehensive control measures should be taken to strengthen the monitoring and control of key areas,popula-tions,and parasite species.

Objective To analyze the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Neferine(Nef)on psoriasis mice based on the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)signaling pathway.Methods A mouse model of psoriasis was constructed.The 50 mice with successful modeling were divided into the model group,the L-Nef group,the M-Nef group,the H-Nef group,and the H-Nef+ML385 group,with 10 mice in each group according to random number table method.Additionally,10 normal mice were selected as the control group.The L-Nef group,M-Nef group and H-Nef group were respectively administered 5,10 and 20 mg/kg Nef by gavage.The H-Nef+ML385 group was administered 20 mg/kg Nef by gavage and intraperitoneally injected with 30 mg/kg Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway inhibitor ML385.The control group and the model group were given the same amount of normal saline.The changes of skin lesions in each group of mice were observed and the psoriasis area and severity index(PASI)scoring was conducted.HE staining and toluidine blue staining were used to observe the pathological changes of the skin and the number of mast cells in each group,and immunohistochemical staining was used to observe the expression of Ki-67 in the lesion sites of mice in each group.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect the levels of inflammation and oxidative stress factors in the skin lesion tissues of mice in each group,and Western blot was used to detect the expression of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway-related proteins in the skin lesion tissues of mice in each group.Results Compared with the control group,the mice in the model group presented symptoms such as skin erythema and scales,and the pathological changes of the skin lesion tissue were severe.The PASI score,the number of mast cells,Ki-67,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interferon-γ(IFN-γ),interleukin-6(IL-6),interleukin-17A(IL-17A),and malondialdehyde expressions were increased,while the expressions of superoxide dismutase(SOD),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px),Nrf2 and HO-1 were decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the symptoms such as skin erythema and scales and the pathological changes of skin lesion tissues in mice of the L-Nef group,M-Nef group and H-Nef group were alleviated,and the PASI score,the number of mast cells,the expressions of Ki-67,TNF-α,IFN-γ,IL-6,IL-17A and malondialdehyde were significantly reduced;however,the expressions of SOD,GSH-Px,Nrf2 and HO-1 were significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with the H-Nef group,the symptoms such as skin erythema and scales and the pathological changes of skin lesion tissues in the H-Nef+ML385 group of mice were more severe.The PASI score,the number of mast cells,and the expressions of Ki-67,TNF-α,IFN-γ,IL-6,IL-17A,and malondialdehyde were significantly increased.while the expressions of SOD,GSH-Px,Nrf2 and HO-1 were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion Nef may have therapeutic effects by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway to improve the inflammation and oxidative stress responses in the lesion tissues of mice with psoriasis.

Objective To analyze the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Neferine(Nef)on psoriasis mice based on the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)signaling pathway.Methods A mouse model of psoriasis was constructed.The 50 mice with successful modeling were divided into the model group,the L-Nef group,the M-Nef group,the H-Nef group,and the H-Nef+ML385 group,with 10 mice in each group according to random number table method.Additionally,10 normal mice were selected as the control group.The L-Nef group,M-Nef group and H-Nef group were respectively administered 5,10 and 20 mg/kg Nef by gavage.The H-Nef+ML385 group was administered 20 mg/kg Nef by gavage and intraperitoneally injected with 30 mg/kg Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway inhibitor ML385.The control group and the model group were given the same amount of normal saline.The changes of skin lesions in each group of mice were observed and the psoriasis area and severity index(PASI)scoring was conducted.HE staining and toluidine blue staining were used to observe the pathological changes of the skin and the number of mast cells in each group,and immunohistochemical staining was used to observe the expression of Ki-67 in the lesion sites of mice in each group.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect the levels of inflammation and oxidative stress factors in the skin lesion tissues of mice in each group,and Western blot was used to detect the expression of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway-related proteins in the skin lesion tissues of mice in each group.Results Compared with the control group,the mice in the model group presented symptoms such as skin erythema and scales,and the pathological changes of the skin lesion tissue were severe.The PASI score,the number of mast cells,Ki-67,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interferon-γ(IFN-γ),interleukin-6(IL-6),interleukin-17A(IL-17A),and malondialdehyde expressions were increased,while the expressions of superoxide dismutase(SOD),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px),Nrf2 and HO-1 were decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the symptoms such as skin erythema and scales and the pathological changes of skin lesion tissues in mice of the L-Nef group,M-Nef group and H-Nef group were alleviated,and the PASI score,the number of mast cells,the expressions of Ki-67,TNF-α,IFN-γ,IL-6,IL-17A and malondialdehyde were significantly reduced;however,the expressions of SOD,GSH-Px,Nrf2 and HO-1 were significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with the H-Nef group,the symptoms such as skin erythema and scales and the pathological changes of skin lesion tissues in the H-Nef+ML385 group of mice were more severe.The PASI score,the number of mast cells,and the expressions of Ki-67,TNF-α,IFN-γ,IL-6,IL-17A,and malondialdehyde were significantly increased.while the expressions of SOD,GSH-Px,Nrf2 and HO-1 were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion Nef may have therapeutic effects by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway to improve the inflammation and oxidative stress responses in the lesion tissues of mice with psoriasis.

Objective:To construct a sensitive quality index system for ophthalmic day surgery nursing.Methods:Based on the "structure-process-outcome" three-dimensional quality model, a preliminary screening of sensitive quality indicators for ophthalmic day surgery nursing was conducted through the literature review, survey of current situation, and group meeting. Purposive sampling was used to select 29 members of the expert pool of the Ophthalmology Nursing Committee of Chinese Nursing Association for two rounds of Delphi expert consultation from August to September 2023.Results:In the two rounds of expert consultation, 29 and 23 questionnaires were distributed respectively, and 23 and 21 valid questionnaires were recovered respectively, with effective recovery rates of 79.31% and 91.30% respectively. The expert authority coefficients were both 0.88. The Kendall's coefficient of concordance for the importance of indicators was 0.111 and 0.127, respectively (both P<0.01). The final formed sensitive quality index system for ophthalmic day surgery nursing included three primary indicators, nine secondary indicators, and 40 tertiary indicators. Conclusions:The sensitive quality index system for ophthalmic day surgery nursing constructed in this study is scientific, reliable, and practical, which can provide a reference for evaluating the quality of nursing in ophthalmic day surgery.