Objective This study reports on the obligatory parasitism of water mites Arrenurus sp. on Anopheles messeae at the Manzhouli Port, Inner Mongolia, China. Methods Duing July 2024, a survey on the mosquito diversity was conducted at the Manzhouli Port. Captured mosquitoes and their ectoparasites were identified to species level. Results A total of 1840 adult mosquitoes were collected, representing species from three genera: Culex(Cx. modestus, Cx. pipiens pallens), Aedes(Ae. dorsalis, Ae. flavidorsalis, Ae. flavescens), and Anopheles (An. messeae). Among all the mosqutioes specimens,3 out of 150 captured An. messeae were found to carry ectoparasitic mites, with number of 2,4,27 mites separately. Morphological and molecular identification reached the same result as water mites(Hydrachnidiae, Hydracrina). COI gene sequence showed 94% similarity with the closest species Arrenurus truncatellus. Conlusions Literature review suggests water mites are host-specific parasitism of mosquito species and herein with the first record of Arrenurus sp. parasiting on An. Messeae in the most high-latitude region globally.

The recombinant human thyroid-stimulating hormone (rhTSH) can be used for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) preparation before ¹³¹I therapy, and follow-up. Since its approval by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998, rhTSH has been clinically used in European countries, the United States, and other countries for nearly 30 years. In April 2024, China’s first independently developed rhTSH agent was approved. Based on clinical experience and evidence from domestic and international studies, an expert consensus on the application of rhTSH has been developed following thorough consultations among experts. The consensus offers evidence-based recommendations to guide the appropriate use of rhTSH in clinical practice.

Objective:To summarize the clinical and genetic characteristics of pseudoachondroplasia and multiple epiphyseal dysplasia caused by COMP gene variants in pediatric patients.Methods:This retrospective study concluded 15 pediatric patients with COMP-related pseudoachondroplasia and multiple epiphyseal dysplasia at Shanghai Children′s Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from July 2013 to August 2024. This paper analyzed clinical manifestations, laboratory findings and genetic testing.Results:This cohort comprised 15 pediatric patients (8 males and 7 females) with a diagnostic age of 5.3 (1.8,9.3) years. The major clinical presentations included abnormal gait (15/15), brachydactyly (11/15), genu varum (12/15), irregular metaphyseal changes (14/14) and epiphyseal dysplasia (14/14). Genetic analysis revealed 13 cases of pseudoachondroplasia and 2 multiple epiphyseal dysplasias cases associated with COMP gene variants. Fifteen variants were identified (8 pathogenic and 7 likely pathogenic), including 2 novel variants (c.1223A>G, c.1378G>C). Thirteen of these patients had variations clustered in exons 8-14 encoding the calmodulin-like domains, with c.1414_1419dupGACGAC emerging as a hotspot variant.Conclusions:COMP-related pseudoachondroplasia and multiple epiphyseal dysplasia predominantly manifest with gait abnormalities and skeletal deformities. COMP gene pathogenic variations were mainly located in calmodulin-like domains.

AIM To investigate the impact of varying dosages of Supplemented Wendan Decoction on the PI3K/Akt/FOXO1 glycolipid metabolic pathway in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.METHODS The CCK-8 assay was used to determine the concentration of Supplemented Wendan Decoction-medicated serum.The mature adipocytes differentiated from 3T3-L1 preadipocytes after induction were further divided into the blank control group,the model group,the rosiglitazone group(10 mg/L),and the Supplemented Wendan Decoction groups(5％,10％,and 20％),followed by the sample collections after 48 hours of treatment.Oil red O staining quantified lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes;extracellular glucose levels were measured using glucose oxidase(GOD)assay;RT-qPCR analyzed mRNA expressions of IRS-1,PI3K,Akt,GLUT4,IL-6,TNF-α and IL-1β;Western blot assessed protein expressions of INSR,IRS-1,PI3K-p85,Akt,FOXO1 and GLUT4.RESULTS No significant changes in cell viability(P＞0.05)were observed in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes exposed to serum containing supplemented Wendan Decoction at different concentrations for 24,48,or 72 hours.The 3T3-L1 preadipocytes held the capacity to differentiate into mature adipocytes within a 14-day induction period.Compared to the model group,all supplemented Wendan Decoction groups exhibited reduced lipid accumulation in adipocytes and downregulated mRNA expression of IRS-1,IL-6,TNF-α and IL-1β(P＜0.01);the low-dose group demonstrated increased mRNA expressions of PI3K and GLUT4(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),alongside elevated protein expressions of INSR,IRS-1,PI3K-p85,Akt and GLUT4(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);the medium-dose group showed enhanced GLUT4 mRNA expression,and upregulated protein expressions of INSR and FOXO1(P＜0.01).After 24 hours intervention,the high-dose Supplemented Wendan Decoction group exhibited increased glucose consumption in adipocytes(P＜0.01),and elevated protein expression of INSR,Akt and FOXO1(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).CONCLUSION Supplemented Wendan Decoction reduces lipid accumulation in adipocytes,regulates glucose and lipid metabolism,and promotes metabolic homeostasis through PI3K/Akt/FOXO1 signaling pathway.

Objective To evaluate the effect of dapagliflozin on myocardial function in early spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR)with layer-specific global longitudinal strain(GLS).Methods A total of 45 male SHR aged 6 weeks were randomly divided into control group(normal saline),dapagliflozin group[1 mg/(kg·day)],and losartan group[10 mg/(kg·day)].Fifteen male Wistar-Kyoto(WKY)rats at same age with normal blood pressure were subjected and served as blank control group.During 8 weeks of intervention,systolic blood pressure(SBP)was measured,and conventional echocardiography and two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography(2DSTE)were performed and the results were collected to acquire the longitudinal strain of each layer of left ventricular(LV)myocardium.The parameters were compared among the groups.The pathological changes of myocardium were observed in each group of rats.Results Compared with the WKY group,LV ejection fraction(LVEF)and LV fraction shortening(LVFS)at week 8 were decreased in the control group(P＜0.05),but no such decreases were observed in the dapagliflozin group and the losartan group.The GLS of endo-myocardium(GLSendo)at the 6th week was decreased,and GLSendo,GLSmid and GLSepi at the 8th week were all decreased in the control group than the WKY group(all P＜0.05).But there were no statistical differences in the above 3 indicators in the dapagliflozin and losartan groups when compared with the WKY group(all P＞0.05).The pathological results showed that myocardial interstitial fibrosis was observed in the control group at the 6th week.Conclusion Dapagliflozin can effectively improve myocardial function in early SHR.

In this work,near infrared carbon quantum dots(NIR-CDs)were synthesized by hydrothermal method using biomass material Clausena lansium leaves.The synthesized NIR-CDs emitted maximum fluorescence signal at 677 nm,which was independent of excitation wavelength.The characterization results showed that there were abundant groups on the surface of NIR-CDs.Pd2+could form non-fluorescent compounds with the surface groups of NIR-CDs,resulting in fluorescence quenching(Fluorescence signal was denoted as F0).Because chlorpromazine hydrochloride(CPZ)parent nucleus contained unoxidized S atom,CPZ could form stable colored complex with Pd2+under acidic conditions.In the presence of CPZ,Pd2+dissociated from the surface of NIR-CDs and bonded with CPZ,so that the fluorescence signal could be restored(Fluorescence signal was denoted as F).An"on-off-on"fluorescence sensor was thus constructed.The fluorescence signal recovery value of NIR-CDs(△F=F-F0)showed a good linear relationship with the concentration of CPZ in the range of 5.68-28.43 μg/mL,and the detection limit(3σ)was 0.078 μg/mL.The sensor was applied to determination of CPZ in pharmaceutical preparations,and the recoveries were 94％-106％.The developed fluorescence sensor was expected to be used in quality control of actual pharmaceutical preparations.

Nitrofurantoin(NFT)is a nitrofuran antibiotic commonly used as a veterinary drug to treat bacterial infections in animals.However,due to the low solubility and bioaccumulation properties,NFT is prone to leave excessive residues in animal-derived foods and water systems,posing serious threats to human health and ecosystems.Therefore,there is an urgent need to develop an efficient and rapid detection method for NFT.In this work,nitrogen-doped carbon nanomaterials with unique bowl-like structures(N-CNBs)were synthesized via a hydrothermal-carbonization method.The morphology,surface structure,and specific surface area of N-CNBs were characterized using transmission electron microscopy(TEM),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS).The N-CNB modified glassy carbon electrode(N-CNB/GCE)was prepared,and the electrochemical test revealed that the N-CNB/GCE exhibited higher conductivity and larger electrochemical active surface area compared to bare GCE and nitrogen-doped hollow carbon nanosphere-modified electrode(N-HCNS/GCE).Additionally,the N-CNB/GCE demonstrated superior electrocatalytic activity toward NFT.An NFT electrochemical sensor was constructed based on N-CNB/GCE.The detection conditions of the sensor were optimized,and differential pulse voltammetry(DPV)was employed for NFT detection under optimal experimental conditions.The established NFT electrochemical sensor had a wide linear range of 0.4-500 μmol/L,a low detection limit(S/N=3)of 0.015 μmol/L and high selectivity,with excellent stability and reproducibility.The practical feasibility of this sensor was confirmed by analysis of NFT in milk and tap water samples,with spiked recoveries ranging from 94.2%to 108.9%.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the efficacy of Lactobacillus plantarum ZG03 (L. plantarum ZG03) for ameliorating oxidative stress in zebrafish. METHODS: We evaluated the growth pattern of L. plantarum ZG03, observed its morphology using field emission scanning electron microscopy, and assessed its safety and potential efficacy with whole-genome sequencing for genetic analysis. FITC-labeled ZG03 was used to observe its intestinal colonization in zebrafish. In a zebrafish model of 2% glucose-induced oxidative stress, the effect of ZG03 was evaluated by assessing the changes in neutrophils in the caudal hematopoietic tissue (CHT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based targeted metabolomics was used for analyzing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the zebrafish, and the antioxidant effects of the key metabolites (acetate, propionate, and caproate) were tested. RESULTS: On MRS agar, L. plantarum ZG03 formed circular, smooth, moist, and milky-white colonies with a rod-shaped cell morphology. Genomic analysis revealed abundant sugar metabolism gene clusters. After inoculation of FITC-labeled L. plantarum ZG03 in zebrafish, green fluorescence was clearly observed in the intestinal bulb, mid-intestine, and hind intestine. In zebrafish with glucose-induced oxidative stress, L. plantarum ZG03 significantly reduced ROS levels and the number of neutrophils in the CHT with increased SOD activity. L.plantarum ZG03 significantly increased the content of SCFAs including acetic acid, propionic acid, and caproic acid in zebrafish metabolites. In addition, sodium acetate, sodium propionate, and sodium caproate in the SCFAs significantly increased SOD activity in the zebrafish models. CONCLUSIONS L. plantarum ZG03 ameliorates oxidative stress in a glucose-induced zebrafish model through its metabolites, particularly the SCFAs including acetic acid, propionic acid and caproic acid.
Animals ; Zebrafish/metabolism* ; Oxidative Stress ; Lactobacillus plantarum/metabolism* ; Fatty Acids, Volatile/metabolism* ; Probiotics ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: Observational studies have shown inconsistent associations of loneliness or social isolation (SI) with ischemic heart disease (IHD), with unknown mediators. METHODS: Using data from genome-wide association studies of predominantly European ancestry, we performed a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian Randomization (MR) study to estimate causal effects of loneliness ( N = 487,647) and SI traits on IHD ( N = 184,305). SI traits included whether individuals lived alone, participated in various types of social activities, and how often they had contact with friends or family ( N = 459,830 to 461,369). A network MR study was conducted to evaluate the mediating roles of 20 candidate mediators, including metabolic, behavioral and psychological factors. RESULTS: Loneliness increased IHD risk ( OR= 2.129; 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.380 to 3.285), mediated by body fat percentage, waist-hip ratio, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. For SI traits, only fewer social activities increased IHD risk ( OR= 1.815; 95% CI: 1.189 to 2.772), mediated by hypertension, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting insulin, and smoking cessation. No reverse causality of IHD with loneliness and SI was found. CONCLUSION These findings suggested more attention should be paid to individuals who feel lonely and have fewer social activities to prevent IHD, with several mediators as prioritized targets for intervention.
Loneliness/psychology* ; Humans ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Social Isolation ; Myocardial Ischemia/etiology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Risk Factors ; Aged

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to evaluate the vaccine effectiveness (VE) of the pentavalent rotavirus vaccine (RV5) among < 5-year-old children in three provinces of China during 2020-2024 via a propensity score-matched test-negative case-control study. METHODS: Electronic health records and immunization information systems were used to obtain data on acute gastroenteritis (AGE) cases tested for rotavirus (RV) infection. RV-positive cases were propensity score matched with RV-negative controls for age, visit month, and province. RESULTS: The study included 27,472 children with AGE aged 8 weeks to 4 years at the time of AGE diagnosis; 7.98% (2,192) were RV-positive. The VE (95% confidence interval, CI) of 1-2 and 3 doses of RV5 against any medically attended RV infection (inpatient or outpatient) was 57.6% (39.8%, 70.2%) and 67.2% (60.3%, 72.9%), respectively. Among children who received the 3rd dose before turning 5 months of age, 3-dose VE decreased from 70.4% (53.9%, 81.1%) (< 5 months since the 3rd dose) to 63.0% (49.1%, 73.0%) (≥ 1 year since the 3rd dose). The three-dose VE rate was 69.4% (41.3%, 84.0%) for RVGE hospitalization and 57.5% (38.9%, 70.5%) for outpatient-only medically attended RVGE. CONCLUSION Three-dose RV5 VE against rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) in children aged < 5 years was higher than 1-2-dose VE. Three-dose VE decreased with time since the 3rd dose in children who received the 3rd dose before turning five months of age, but remained above 60% for at least one year. VE was higher for RVGE hospitalizations than for medically attended outpatient visits.
Humans ; Rotavirus Vaccines/immunology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Case-Control Studies ; Child, Preschool ; Infant ; Rotavirus Infections/epidemiology* ; Male ; Propensity Score ; Female ; Vaccine Efficacy ; Gastroenteritis/virology* ; Vaccines, Attenuated ; Rotavirus