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.

ObjectiveTo investigate the contamination status of ochratoxin A (OTA) in commercially available food products in Shanghai, and to assess OTA exposure levels and the associated non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks among pregnant women by integrating dietary consumption data of this population. MethodsThe levels of OTA contamination in 1 520 food samples collected in Shanghai from 2022 to 2023 were determined using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. An exposure assessment model was developed based on the dietary consumption levels of pregnant women from the 2016‒2017 Shanghai Pregnant Women Dietary Monitoring Survey to calculate the estimated daily intake (EDI) of OTA, the margin of exposure for non-carcinogenic toxicity (MOE₁), and the margin of exposure for carcinogenic toxicity (MOE₂). An MOE₁ greater than 200 and an MOE₂ greater than 10 000 indicate that the non-carcinogenic toxicity and carcinogenic toxicity resulting from exposure are negligible, respectively. For samples with OTA contamination levels below the limit of detection (LOD), which accounted for more than 80% of the samples, the OTA levels were assigned values of 0 and LOD, respectively, for subsequent calculations. ResultsThe detection rates of OTA in cereals, nuts, dried fruits, and alcohol samples collected in 2022 were 2.03%, 0, 0, and 0, respectively. The OTA detection rates in cereals, nuts, dried fruits, beans, and alcohol samples collected in 2023 were 2.50%, 0.39%, 2.47%, 1.67%, and 13.33%, respectively. For pregnant women in Shanghai in 2022, simulation results indicated that when assigning a value of 0 and the LOD, theP₅₀ values of EDI for dietary OTA exposure were 0.05 and 0.72 ng·(kg·d)^-1, respectively, and the P₉₅ values of EDI for dietary OTA exposure were 0.25 and 2.40 ng·(kg·d)^-1, respectively. For pregnant women in Shanghai in 2023, the P₅₀ values of EDI for dietary OTA exposure were 0.04 and 1.00 ng·(kg·d)^-1, respectively, and the P₉₅ values of EDI for dietary OTA exposure were 0.23 and 2.67 ng·(kg·d)^-1, respectively, both substantially below the tolerable daily intake (TDI) for OTA [17 ng·(kg·d)^-1]. The EDI for dietary OTA exposure in 100.0% of Shanghai pregnant women was lower than the TDI, indicating an overall low level of dietary OTA exposure among this population. For 100.0% of pregnant women, the MOE₁ for dietary OTA exposure exceeded 200. When assigned a value of 0, the MOE₂ for 100.0% of pregnant women in both 2022 and 2023 exceeded10 000. When assigned the LOD value, 72.3% and 81.8% of pregnant women in 2022 and 2023, respectively, had an MOE₂ exceeding 10 000. ConclusionFrom 2022 to 2023, samples of cereals, nuts, dried fruits, beans, and alcohol sold in Shanghai exhibited varying degrees of OTA contamination. The overall EDI of OTA exposure among pregnant women in Shanghai remained at a low level. The non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks associated with OTA exposure were generally low and at controllable levels.

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.

ObjectiveTo investigate the changes in chemical components of Gardeniae Fructus（GF） before and after being charred， providing data support for research on the material basis of GF Carbonisata（GFC）. MethodsUltra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS/MS） was used to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the chemical components in GF and GFC under positive and negative ion modes with Compound Discoverer 3.3 software and online database. Then， principal component analysis and partial least squares-discriminant analysis in SIMCA14.1 software were used to analyze the MS data of each sample. Based on the principle of variable importance in the projection（VIP） value>1， differential secondary and primary metabolites before and after carbonization were screened. In addition， MetaboAnalyst website was used for pathway enrichment of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes（KEGG）， so as to provide a reference for clarifying the processing mechanism. ResultsA total of 185 components were identified， including 96 secondary metabolites and 89 primary metabolites. These components were classified into nine categories， primarily including iridoid glycosides， flavonoids， and terpenoids， their fragmentation pathways were also analyzed. Simultaneously， multivariate statistical analysis was performed on the secondary and primary metabolites， identifying 70 and 59 differential metabolites， respectively. The secondary metabolites were enriched in two metabolic pathways， including C5-branched dibasic acid metabolism and flavonoid and flavonol biosynthesis， while the primary differential metabolites were enriched in seven pathways such as linoleic acid metabolism and tyrosine metabolism. ConclusionThe chemical components of GF change significantly after carbonization， with a significant decrease in the contents of iridoid glycosides and terpenoids such as hydroxyisogeniposide， crocin Ⅱ， crocetin， and jasminoside B. while the contents of 4-hydroxycoumarin， geniposidic acid， gentiopicroside， and gardenoside methyl ester increase significantly. This change is presumed to be associated with the enhanced cooling and hemostatic effects of the processed products. The identified key components provide a basis for elucidating the material basis underlying the efficacy changes before and after carbonization.

AIM: To investigate the clinical efficacy of seamless corneal limbal stem cell transplantation combined with bandage soft contact lens in the treatment of pterygium.METHODS: A retrospective collection was conducted on patients with pterygium admitted to the hospital from January 2020 to January 2025. They were divided into two groups according to different treatment methods. Group A received seamless corneal limbal stem cell transplantation surgery combined with bandage soft contact lens, while group B received simple seamless corneal limbal stem cell transplantation surgery. The complete repair and healing of corneal epithelium, ocular comfort and corneal refractive status at different time points after surgery were compared between the two groups, and the occurrence of postoperative complications in the two groups was recorded.RESULTS: This study included 120 cases(120 eyes)of patients with pterygium, including 60 cases(60 eyes)in the group A and 60 cases(60 eyes)in the group B. Group A had an age of 51.88±5.22 years, with 33 males and 27 females. Group B had an age of 52.48±6.00 years, with 30 males and 30 females. The complete repair and healing rate of corneal epithelium in the group A was higher than that in the group B at 1 and 2 wk after surgery(all P<0.05). At 1 and 2 wk after surgery, the scores of the eye comfort assessment table in both groups decreased compared to the day of surgery, and the group A was lower than the group B at all time points(all P<0.05). At 1 and 3 mo after surgery, the surface asymmetry index(SAI), corneal astigmatism(CA), and corneal surface regularity index(SRI)of the corneal topography in both groups decreased compared to preoperative values, and the group A was lower than the group B at all time points(all P<0.05). The incidence of postoperative complications in the group A was slightly lower than that in the group B, but the difference was not statistically significant(all P>0.05).CONCLUSION: The seamless corneal limbal stem cell transplantation surgery combined with bandage soft contact lens treatment can promote postoperative corneal epithelial healing in patients with pterygium, increase short-term eye comfort after surgery, improve short-term corneal refractive status after surgery, and reduce the occurrence of postoperative complications to a certain extent.

Objective To analyze the changing trends and epidemiological characteristics of the disease burden of blindness caused by type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)in China from 1990 to 2021,and to predict the trends up to 2035.Methods Based on the standardized methodology of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021,the age-standardized rates(ASRs)and their corresponding 95％uncertainty intervals(UI)for prevalence and years lived with disability(YLDs)rate were used to systematically describe the disease burden of blindness caused by T2DM in China.The temporal trends[esti-mated annual percentage change(EAPC)]and epidemiological characteristics were assessed,with attention to age and sex differences,to predict the trends in the disease burden up to 2035.Results From 1990 to 2021,the age-standardized prevalence rate increased from 6.03 per 100 000(95％UI:4.46-8.18)to 10.35 per 100 000(7.60-13.69),and the age-standardized YLDs rate increased from 1.09 per 100 000(95％UI:0.67-1.70)to 1.88 per 100 000(95％UI:1.21-2.90),with an EAPC of 2.18(95％CI:1.73-2.64).The disease burden was relatively heavier in females and the elderly population.Epidemiological changes,population growth,and aging collectively drove the increase in the burden of blind-ness caused by T2DM.The disease burden of blindness caused by T2DM is projected to continue rising by 2035.Conclu-sion The disease burden of blindness caused by T2DM in China continues to increase,with a relatively heavier burden on females and the elderly population.Future research should optimize the equity of medical resource allocation and conduct studies on the mechanisms of sex differences to enable precise interventions with evidence-based strategies.

Objective To compare the clinical outcomes of patients with coronary in-stent restenosis(ISR)who underwent drug-coated balloon(DCB)treatment,based on different clinical presentations.Methods This prospective study included 508 patients diagnosed with coronary ISR at Anzhen Hospital,Capital Medical University,between May 2020 and May 2022.All patients received DCB treatment.According to clinical presentation,the patients were divided into an acute coronary syndrome(ACS)group(185 patients)and a non-acute coronary syndrome(non-ACS)group(323 patients).All patients were followed for two years,primarily comparing the incidence of myocardial infarction(MI),target lesion revascularization(TLR),death,and major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)between the two groups.Results Baseline data showed that the ACS group had a significantly higher proportion of hypertension,diabetes,and smoking compared to the non-ACS group(all P＜0.05).Additionally,the ACS group had a higher proportion of B2/C-type lesions,long lesions,and moderate to severe calcified lesions(all P＜0.05).The number,length,and diameter of stents implanted were also significantly larger in the ACS group(all P＞0.05).At the 1-year follow-up,the ACS group had a significantly higher incidence of TLR(8.1％vs.2.5％,P=0.007)and MACE(10.3％vs.5.3％,P=0.047)than the non-ACS group.By the end of the 2-year follow-up,the ACS group still had higher rates of TLR(18.9％vs.10.2％,P=0.007)and MACE(22.7％vs.14.9％,P=0.030).Conclusions ISR patients with ACS have higher cardiovascular risk and more complex lesions.They also experience a higher incidence of adverse events after DCB treatment.

Coronary chronic total occlusion(CTO)remains a significant challenge in the field of interventional therapy for coronary artery disease.With advancements in interventional techniques,particularly retrograde approaches,the success rate of CTO interventions has improved.The key steps of retrograde intervention include traversing collateral channels with the retrograde guidewire,wiring the occlusion segment,and establishing antegrade access.In this case,the patient had a heavily calcified occlusion at the left circumflex artery(LCX)ostium jailed by the prior stent implanted in the left main and anterior descending arteries,making it difficult to establish antegrade access using conventional methods after retrograde guidewire crossing.The procedure was successfully completed by employing a domestically developed intravascular snare system combined with a pre-assembled extension catheter technique to capture the retrograde guidewire and establish antegrade access,followed by stent implantation at the LCX ostium.This innovative approach provides a new strategy for complex CTO retrograde interventions,particularly in cases where retrograde guidewire entry into the antegrade guiding catheter is challenging.

Aim To investigate the im-munomodulatory effects of Ononin on Th17/Treg bal-ance and inflammatory responses,and to evaluate its neuroinmune regulatory role in ischemic stroke.Methods A Foxp3 promoter-driven luciferase reporter assay was used to assess the effect of Ononin on Foxp3 transcriptional activity.The effect of Ononin on the dif-ferentiation of na?ve CD4+T cells into Th 17 and Treg subsets was evaluated by flow cytometry.A transient middle cerebral artery occlusion(tMCAO)model was established in mice to evaluate the effects of Ononin on infarct size,neurological recovery,body weight resto-ration,and survival rate.Flow cytometry and RT-PCR were conducted to elucidate the immunological mechanisms underlying Ononin's effects.Results On-onin significantly enhanced Foxp3 promoter activity,promoted the differentiation of na?ve CD4+T cells into Treg cells,and suppressed Th17 polarization.In the tMCAO model,Ononin significantly reduced acute in-farct size,improved survival,ameliorated long-term neurological deficits,and increased Treg cell propor-tions in ischemic brain tissue.Conclusions Ononin modulates peripheral and central inflammation by resto-ring the Th17/Treg immune balance,thereby exerting significant immunomodulatory effects.Its therapeutic benefit in ischemic stroke is closely linked to immune balance restoration.

In recent years,the prevalence of porcine infectious pleuropneumonia caused by Actinoba-cillus pleuropneumoniae(APP)has significantly increased in large-scale pig farms in China.The i-solation,identification,and biological characteristic testing of newly prevalent strains have impor-tant clinical significance.This study isolated four suspected APP strains(named XB2T-56,JMTLP-443,YD-THB-755,SYZJ-291)from lung samples of pig farms suspected of outbreaks of porcine infectious pleuropneumonia in Hubei Province.They were identified by PCR amplification,and multiplex PCR serological typing,the biological properties were tested by detecting the growth a-bility,hemolytic activity and biofilm forming ability.The drug resistance of the strains was ana-lyzed by drug sensitivity testing,and the virulence of one strain(XB2T-56)in mice and piglets was evaluated.The PCR identification result showed that all four clinical isolates were APP serotype 15 strains.These four strains grew slower than serotype 1 standard strains,had weaker hemolytic activity,but could form stronger biofilms.These strains are all less sensitive to cephalosporin,tylo-sin,sulfamethoxazole,and doxycycline,but sensitive to cefotaxime and enrofloxacin.The mice and piglet infection experiments showed that the isolated strain XB2T-56 has strong virulence.Artifi-cial intranasal infection causes acute death in piglets,with typical symptoms of pleuropneumonia in the lungs,and serotype 15 strains can be isolated from the lesion site.This study indicates that the APP serotype 15 strain has strong virulence,providing new date for the clinical epidemiological characteristics of APP.