Objective To investigate the prevalence of Clonorchis sinensis human infections in Congjiang County, Guizhou Province in 2023, so as to provide insights into formulation of the clonorchiasis control strategy. Methods Congjiang County was divided into eastern, western, southern, northern and central areas according to the geographical locations, and one township was randomly sampled from each area. Then, each administrative village was randomly sampled from each township, and 200 permanent residents over 3 years of age were randomly sampled from each village. Participants’ stool samples were collected for detection of C. sinensis eggs with the Kato-Katz technique (two slides for each stool sample), and the prevalence and intensity of C. sinensis infections were calculated. In addition, the risk factors of clonorchiasis were identified among participants using a questionnaire survey. Results A total of 1 001 residents were included, and the prevalence of C. sinensis infections was 16.28% (163/1 001), with mild infections as the predominant category of infection intensity [73.01% (119/163)]. The prevalence rates of C. sinensis human infections were 30.50% (61/200), 1.50% (3/200), 30.35% (61/201), 12.50% (25/200), and 6.50% (13/200) at five survey sites, respectively (χ² = 107.03, P < 0.05), and there was a significant difference in the prevalence of C. sinensis infections between men [22.44% (112/499)] and women [10.16% (51/502)] (χ² = 27.71, P < 0.05). The prevalence of C. sinensis infections was relatively high among participants at ages of 60 to 70 years [26.14% (23/88)], public servants [46.15% (6/13)], and Han ethnic participants [33.33% (5/15)]. The prevalence of C. sinensis infections was higher among participants with a habit of consuming raw or un-dercooked freshwater fish and shrimp [22.06% (90/408)] than among those without the habit [12.31% (73/593)] (χ² = 16.85, P < 0.05), and there was no significant difference in the prevalence of C. sinensis infections between participants with [13.99% (41/293)] and without separation of raw and cooked chopping boards [17.23% (122/708)] (χ² = 1.59, P > 0.05). In addition, the prevalence of C. sinensis infections was 8.70% (2/23) and 16.46% (161/978) among participants with and without fever complicated by discomfort in the right upper abdomen during the past half year (χ² = 0.99, P > 0.05). Conclusions The prevalence of C. sinensis human infections was high in Congjiang County, Guizhou Province in 2023, and infections predominantly occurred among young and middle-aged men. Intensified health education among high-risk residents and alteration of dietary habits of consuming raw or undercooked freshwater fish or shrimp are recommended to reduce the prevalence of C. sinensis human infections.

Objective: This study aimed to systematically evaluate potential causal relationships between nine cathepsins and female infertility using Mendelian randomization (MR) methods. Methods: A bidirectional MR analysis was conducted utilizing single nucleotide polymorphisms as instrumental variables to investigate the potential causal effects between nine cathepsins and female infertility. Genetic data on female infertility were sourced from the FinnGen study, and cathepsin-related data were obtained from genome-wide association studies datasets of European ancestry. Results: Elevated levels of cathepsin E were significantly and inversely associated with the risk of female infertility, suggesting a potential protective role. This finding was further supported by multivariable MR analysis. However, no significant associations were observed between the other eight cathepsins and female infertility. Conclusion This study represents the first systematic MR analysis to identify a potential protective effect of cathepsin E on female infertility.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the surgical method and short-term effectiveness of arthroscopy edge-to-edge #-shaped suture in the treatment of the complete radial tear of the lateral meniscus body. METHODS: The clinical data of 13 patients with complete radial tear of lateral meniscus body between May 2020 and August 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 10 males and 3 females, aged 15-38 years (mean, 24.2 years). There were 11 cases of acute injury and 2 cases of chronic injury, with time from injury to admission ranging from 2 days to 5 months. All patients had tenderness in the lateral joint space, and 2 patients with chronic injury had positive McMurray's sign. All patients were treated with arthroscopic edge-to-edge #-shaped suture technique. The knee joint activity and tenderness in the lateral joint space were detected, and the healing of the incision and the occurrence of complications were observed. X-ray films and MRI of the knee joint were performed to evaluate joint degeneration and meniscus healing. Lysholm score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective score, Tegner score, and visual analogue scale (VAS) score were used to evaluate the functional recovery before and after operation. RESULTS: The operation time ranged from 46 to 100 minutes (mean, 80.08 minutes). All the incisions healed by first intention, and no complication such as intraoperative vascular and nerve injury or postoperative infection occurred. All 13 patients were followed up 20-59 months (mean, 29.3 months). All patients had no limitation of knee extension and flexion. One patient with chronic injury continued to have tenderness in the lateral space of the knee joint, while the remaining patients had no tenderness, swelling, and locking in the lateral space. Immediate postoperative MRI of knee joint showed continuous recovery of the lateral meniscus. At last follow-up, no degenerative changes were observed in X-ray films of knee joint. Except for 1 patient with chronic injury, the MRI of the other patients showed the healing performance after lateral meniscus suture. Lysholm score, IKDC subjective score, Tegner score, and VAS score all significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The edge-to-edge #-shaped suture technique can effectively repair the complete radial tear of the lateral meniscus body, and the short-term effectiveness is satisfactory.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Tibial Meniscus Injuries/surgery* ; Arthroscopy/methods* ; Retrospective Studies ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Suture Techniques ; Treatment Outcome ; Menisci, Tibial/surgery* ; Sutures ; Knee Joint/surgery* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Objective: This study aimed to systematically evaluate potential causal relationships between nine cathepsins and female infertility using Mendelian randomization (MR) methods. Methods: A bidirectional MR analysis was conducted utilizing single nucleotide polymorphisms as instrumental variables to investigate the potential causal effects between nine cathepsins and female infertility. Genetic data on female infertility were sourced from the FinnGen study, and cathepsin-related data were obtained from genome-wide association studies datasets of European ancestry. Results: Elevated levels of cathepsin E were significantly and inversely associated with the risk of female infertility, suggesting a potential protective role. This finding was further supported by multivariable MR analysis. However, no significant associations were observed between the other eight cathepsins and female infertility. Conclusion This study represents the first systematic MR analysis to identify a potential protective effect of cathepsin E on female infertility.

Objective: This study aimed to systematically evaluate potential causal relationships between nine cathepsins and female infertility using Mendelian randomization (MR) methods. Methods: A bidirectional MR analysis was conducted utilizing single nucleotide polymorphisms as instrumental variables to investigate the potential causal effects between nine cathepsins and female infertility. Genetic data on female infertility were sourced from the FinnGen study, and cathepsin-related data were obtained from genome-wide association studies datasets of European ancestry. Results: Elevated levels of cathepsin E were significantly and inversely associated with the risk of female infertility, suggesting a potential protective role. This finding was further supported by multivariable MR analysis. However, no significant associations were observed between the other eight cathepsins and female infertility. Conclusion This study represents the first systematic MR analysis to identify a potential protective effect of cathepsin E on female infertility.

Objective: This study aimed to systematically evaluate potential causal relationships between nine cathepsins and female infertility using Mendelian randomization (MR) methods. Methods: A bidirectional MR analysis was conducted utilizing single nucleotide polymorphisms as instrumental variables to investigate the potential causal effects between nine cathepsins and female infertility. Genetic data on female infertility were sourced from the FinnGen study, and cathepsin-related data were obtained from genome-wide association studies datasets of European ancestry. Results: Elevated levels of cathepsin E were significantly and inversely associated with the risk of female infertility, suggesting a potential protective role. This finding was further supported by multivariable MR analysis. However, no significant associations were observed between the other eight cathepsins and female infertility. Conclusion This study represents the first systematic MR analysis to identify a potential protective effect of cathepsin E on female infertility.

Objective: This study aimed to systematically evaluate potential causal relationships between nine cathepsins and female infertility using Mendelian randomization (MR) methods. Methods: A bidirectional MR analysis was conducted utilizing single nucleotide polymorphisms as instrumental variables to investigate the potential causal effects between nine cathepsins and female infertility. Genetic data on female infertility were sourced from the FinnGen study, and cathepsin-related data were obtained from genome-wide association studies datasets of European ancestry. Results: Elevated levels of cathepsin E were significantly and inversely associated with the risk of female infertility, suggesting a potential protective role. This finding was further supported by multivariable MR analysis. However, no significant associations were observed between the other eight cathepsins and female infertility. Conclusion This study represents the first systematic MR analysis to identify a potential protective effect of cathepsin E on female infertility.

Objective To simulate modern social stress using a pre-pregnancy chronic mild stress(CMS)model and to explore the mechanisms of emotional,behavioral,and neurodevelopmental changes in male offspring of pre-pregnancy liver qi stagnation female mice through corticosterone(CORT)-brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK)1/2 signaling cascade-mediated hippocampal injury.This study aimed to elucidate the impact of negative life events on offspring and the interventional mechanism of Shuyu Capsules.Methods CMS stress was used to induce pre-pregnancy depression in female rats(liver qi stagnation state),followed by intervention with Shuyu and fluoxetine capsules.After screening,male rats were mated and 12 male offspring from each group were selected for behavioral testing and detection of serum CORT levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.BDNF,ERK1/2,phospho(p)-ERK1/2,cAMP-response element binding protein(CREB),and p-CREB protein levels in the hippocampus were detected by Western Blot,and BDNF,ERK1,ERK2,and CREB mRNA levels in the hippocampus were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),to verify the effects of pre-pregnancy CMS on the BDNF-ERK1/2-CREB signaling pathway and to investigate the key micro-mechanisms of Shuyu Capsules on emotional and learning memory-related behaviors of male offspring of females with pre-pregnancy liver qi stagnation syndrome.Results The distance,number of entries,and duration of stay in the central area in open-field experiments were significantly reduced in offspring in the model group(all P＜0.05).The escape latency during the exploration period of the water-maze experiment was significantly prolonged(P＜0.05)and the swimming distance,duration of the target quadrant,and number of platform crossings were significantly reduced(P＜0.05,P＜0.05,P＜0.01),the suspension time and frequency in the forced-swimming experiment were increased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and the incubation period was shortened(P＜0.05)in offspring in the model group.Prophylactic treatment with Shuyu Capsules and fluoxetine improved the depression-like behavior and cognitive impairment in the offspring in the model group.Biochemical tests showed that CORT levels were increased in the CMS model group(P＜0.05),BDNF,p-ERK1/2,and p-CREB protein levels in the hippocampus were decreased(all P＜0.05),and BDNF,ERK1,ERK2,and CREB mRNA levels were significantly reduced(P＜0.01,P＜0.05,P＜0.01,P＜0.05).Treatment with Shuyu Capsules and fluoxetine increased the CORT content and BDNF,ERK1/2,and CREB protein and mRNA levels in male offspring to varying degrees.Conclusions High levels of CORT in offspring act selectively on the hippocampus,exerting adverse effects on the emotional and learning memory functions of rats by downregulating the BDNF-ERK1/2 signaling cascade.The Chinese medicine Shuyu Capsules can reduce the impact of an adverse intrauterine environment on offspring development by correcting abnormal levels and pathways of glucocorticoids.

Chronic pain causes physical suffering and can have major psychological impacts in patients.Chronic pain can induce depressive disorder,and clinical studies have consistently shown that chronic pain and depression frequently co-occur,suggesting the possibility of shared pathogenic mechanisms underlying these conditions.Acupuncture,as an alternative therapy,has been widely used for analgesia and to treat depression,with demonstrated clinical efficacy.The therapeutic mechanism of acupuncture is related to neural and endocrine regulation.This review considers the mechanism of chronic pain accompanied by depression,in relation to the brain regions and neural circuits affected by acupuncture treatment.This review provides a new approach for the treatment of depression caused by chronic pain.

Objective To simulate modern social stress using a pre-pregnancy chronic mild stress(CMS)model and to explore the mechanisms of emotional,behavioral,and neurodevelopmental changes in male offspring of pre-pregnancy liver qi stagnation female mice through corticosterone(CORT)-brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK)1/2 signaling cascade-mediated hippocampal injury.This study aimed to elucidate the impact of negative life events on offspring and the interventional mechanism of Shuyu Capsules.Methods CMS stress was used to induce pre-pregnancy depression in female rats(liver qi stagnation state),followed by intervention with Shuyu and fluoxetine capsules.After screening,male rats were mated and 12 male offspring from each group were selected for behavioral testing and detection of serum CORT levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.BDNF,ERK1/2,phospho(p)-ERK1/2,cAMP-response element binding protein(CREB),and p-CREB protein levels in the hippocampus were detected by Western Blot,and BDNF,ERK1,ERK2,and CREB mRNA levels in the hippocampus were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),to verify the effects of pre-pregnancy CMS on the BDNF-ERK1/2-CREB signaling pathway and to investigate the key micro-mechanisms of Shuyu Capsules on emotional and learning memory-related behaviors of male offspring of females with pre-pregnancy liver qi stagnation syndrome.Results The distance,number of entries,and duration of stay in the central area in open-field experiments were significantly reduced in offspring in the model group(all P＜0.05).The escape latency during the exploration period of the water-maze experiment was significantly prolonged(P＜0.05)and the swimming distance,duration of the target quadrant,and number of platform crossings were significantly reduced(P＜0.05,P＜0.05,P＜0.01),the suspension time and frequency in the forced-swimming experiment were increased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and the incubation period was shortened(P＜0.05)in offspring in the model group.Prophylactic treatment with Shuyu Capsules and fluoxetine improved the depression-like behavior and cognitive impairment in the offspring in the model group.Biochemical tests showed that CORT levels were increased in the CMS model group(P＜0.05),BDNF,p-ERK1/2,and p-CREB protein levels in the hippocampus were decreased(all P＜0.05),and BDNF,ERK1,ERK2,and CREB mRNA levels were significantly reduced(P＜0.01,P＜0.05,P＜0.01,P＜0.05).Treatment with Shuyu Capsules and fluoxetine increased the CORT content and BDNF,ERK1/2,and CREB protein and mRNA levels in male offspring to varying degrees.Conclusions High levels of CORT in offspring act selectively on the hippocampus,exerting adverse effects on the emotional and learning memory functions of rats by downregulating the BDNF-ERK1/2 signaling cascade.The Chinese medicine Shuyu Capsules can reduce the impact of an adverse intrauterine environment on offspring development by correcting abnormal levels and pathways of glucocorticoids.