To investigate the therapeutic effect and related mechanisms of hordenine on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic rhinitis (AR) in rats, HE and AB-PAS staining were used to detect the improvement of pathological damage to the nasal mucosa induced by hordenine. ELISA was employed to detect the effect of hordenine on OVA-sIgE in serum and IL-4 in the nasal mucosa supernatant of rats. IHC and Western blot experiments were undertaken to examine the effect of hordenine on Th1/Th2 cell balance. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to predict pathways, which were verified by in vivo and in vitro experiments. The experimental results showed that hordenine could alleviate the behavioral manifestations of OVA-induced AR rats, alleviate nasal mucosal pathological damage caused by AR, and reduce the secretion of OVA-sIgE and IL-4. In addition, hordenine could regulate the Th1/Th2 balance. Bioinformatics analysis results showed that the potential pathway of action of hordenine on AR was the phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway. The in vivo experimental results showed that the expression of PI3K and p-Akt proteins in the nasal mucosa of the model group rats was significantly increased (P < 0.01), and that the protein expression level was significantly decreased after the administration of hordenine, which was also confirmed by an in vitro experiment. This study suggests that hordenine may regulate Th1/Th2 cell balance through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, thereby exerting an alleviating effect on OVA-induced AR.

Background::In the clinic, practitioners encounter many patients with an abnormal pattern of dense punctate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal in the basal ganglia, a phenomenon known as "cheese sign". This sign is reported as common in cerebrovascular diseases, dementia, and old age. Recently, cheese sign has been speculated to consist of dense perivascular space (PVS). This study aimed to assess the lesion types of cheese sign and analyze the correlation between this sign and vascular disease risk factors.Methods::A total of 812 patients from Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) dementia cohort were enrolled. We analyzed the relationship between cheese sign and vascular risk. For assessing cheese sign and defining its degree, the abnormal punctate signals were classified into basal ganglia hyperintensity (BGH), PVS, lacunae/infarctions and microbleeds, and counted separately. Each type of lesion was rated on a four-level scale, and then the sum was calculated; this total was defined as the cheese sign score. Fazekas and Age-Related White Matter Changes (ARWMC) scores were used to evaluate the paraventricular, deep, and subcortical gray/white matter hyperintensities.Results::A total of 118 patients (14.5%) in this dementia cohort were found to have cheese sign. Age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.090, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.064-1.120, P <0.001), hypertension (OR: 1.828, 95% CI: 1.123-2.983, P = 0.014), and stroke (OR: 1.901, 95% CI: 1.092-3.259, P = 0.025) were risk factors for cheese sign. There was no significant relationship between diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and cheese sign. The main components of cheese sign were BGH, PVS, and lacunae/infarction. The proportion of PVS increased with cheese sign severity. Conclusions::The risk factors for cheese sign were hypertension, age, and stroke. Cheese sign consists of BGH, PVS, and lacunae/infarction.

Background::The potential impact of pre-existing coronary artery stenosis (CAS) on acute pulmonary embolism (PE) episodes remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the association between pre-existing CAS and the elevation of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) levels in patients with PE.Methods::In this multicenter, prospective case-control study, 88 cases and 163 controls matched for age, sex, and study center were enrolled. Cases were patients with PE with elevated hs-cTnI. Controls were patients with PE with normal hs-cTnI. Coronary artery assessment utilized coronary computed tomographic angiography or invasive coronary angiography. CAS was defined as ≥50% stenosis of the lumen diameter in any coronary vessel >2.0 mm in diameter. Conditional logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between CAS and hs-cTnI elevation.Results::The percentage of CAS was higher in the case group compared to the control group (44.3% [39/88] vs. 30.1% [49/163]; P = 0.024). In multivariable conditional logistic regression model 1, CAS (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.680; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.243–5.779), heart rate >75 beats/min (OR, 2.306; 95% CI, 1.056–5.036) and N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) >420 pg/mL (OR, 12.169; 95% CI, 4.792–30.900) were independently associated with elevated hs-cTnI. In model 2, right CAS (OR, 3.615; 95% CI, 1.467–8.909) and NT-proBNP >420 pg/mL (OR, 13.890; 95% CI, 5.288–36.484) were independently associated with elevated hs-cTnI. Conclusions::CAS was independently associated with myocardial injury in patients with PE. Vigilance towards CAS is warranted in patients with PE with elevated cardiac troponin levels.

Aim To investigate the effect of alpinetin on the biological behavior of lung cancer cells,and fur-ther to analyze the relation between its anti-tumor mechanism and the regulation of miR-654-3p/high mobility group protein B1(HMGB1)axis.Methods The lung cancer A549 cells were divided into 0 μmol·L-1 group,alpinetin(50,100,200 μmol·L-1)group,miR-NC group,miR-654-3p mimic group,si-NC group,si-HMGB1 Group,alpinetin+miR-654-3p in-hibitor group,alpinetin+pcDNA-HMGB1 group.Cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)method and flow cytometry were performed to detect the inhibition rate and apopto-sis rate respectively.Plate cloning assay and Transwell chamber method were applied to detect the numbers of clone formation and migration.Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)was employed to analyze the expression of miR-654-3p and HMGB1 mRNA.Dual luciferase reporter assay was used to confirm the targeting effect of miR-654-3p on HMGB1.Western blotting was performed to detect pro-tein expression.Results Compared with the 0 μmol·L-1 group,the inhibition rate,apoptosis rate and miR-654-3p expression of A549 cells in the alpinetin group(50,100,200 μmol·L-1)increased,while clone formation numbers,migration numbers and HMGB1 expression were reduced(P＜0.01).Com-pared with the miR-NC group,the inhibition rate and apoptosis rate of A549 cells in the miR-654-3p mimic group increased,while clone formation numbers,migra-tion number and HMGB1 expression decreased(P＜0.01).Compared with the si-NC group,the inhi-bition rate and apoptosis rate of A549 cells in the si-HMGB1 group increased,while clone formation num-bers and migration were reduced(P＜0.01).MiR-654-3 p directly and specifically bound to HMGB1.Compared with the alpinism group,the inhibition rate and apoptosis rate of A549 cell and BCL2-associated x protein(Bax)and E-cadherin protein expression in al-pinetin+miR-654-3p inhibitor group,alpinetin+pcD-NA-HMGB1 group were reduced,while clone formation numbers,migration and B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2)and N-cadherin protein expresison increased(P＜0.01).Conclusion Alpinetin exerts anti-prolif-eration,anti-migration and pro-apoptosis effects in lung cancer,and its mechanism is related to the up-regula-tion of the miR-654-3p/HMGB1 axis.

The aim of our research was to obtain Listeria bacteriophages from food and related environments,and conduc-ted the analysis of the electron microscopic morphology,host range specificity,and biological characteristics of the purified phages.The double-layer agar method and the spot test were employed for the isolation and identification of a virulent Listeria phage named LMLPA5,with the isolated strain Listeria in-nocua Lin08 as the host.Phage morphology was observed by transmission electron microscope.The biological characteris-tics of the phage were assessed by determining their host range,optimal multiplicity of infection(MOI),one-step growth curve,and physicochemical stability.Additionally,the preservation efficacy of the phage at 4 ℃,-20 ℃,and-80 ℃ was explored.The phage LMLPA5 belongs to the family Myoviridae based on morphology,exhibiting clear and transparent plaques without halo surrounded.Strains of sever-al Listeria species and different serotypes strains of Listeria monocytogenes were susceptible to lysis by LMLPA5,indica-ting its broad-spectrum activity against Listeria monocytogenes.Optimal MOIs and single-step growth curve analyses revealed optimal MOIs of 0.1 and latent period of 10 minutes for LMLPA5,with average burst size at 95.2 PFU/cell.LMLPA5 was sensitive to high temperatures,and completely inactivated after exposure to 70 ℃ for 1 h,while the phage remained stable for over 32 hours ranging from 4 ℃ to 40 ℃.Within the pH range of 4 to 10,phage titer remained stable and completely inactiva-ted until 60 minutes of ultraviolet exposure.LMLPA5 displayed insensitivity to chloroform,confirming its non-enveloped phage morphology.The phages remained stable for over 8 months when store at 4 ℃ and-80 ℃.The biological characteristics and lysis capacity of phage LMLPA5 were elucidated in this study,which provide the basis for further application.

Objective To explore the correlation of MPV,NLR,PT,APTT and FIB with early pro-gression of ACI in patients with BAD.Methods A total of 303 ACI patients with BAD admitted in our department of neurology from October 2021 to September 2023 were consecutively recrui-ted,and according to their progression within 7 d of onset,they were divided into progression group(89 cases)and un-progression group(214 cases).The general clinical data,blood routine re-lated indicators(MPV,NLR)and coagulation related indicators(PT,APTT,FIB)were compared between the two groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to identify the rela-tionship of above indicators with early progression of ACI in BAD patients.ROC curve was plot-ted to analyze the predictive value of the indictors for disease progression in these patients.Results The progression group had significantly advanced age,larger proportions of diabetes,hyperlipi-demia and stroke history,and increased levels of uric acid,LDL-C,homocysteine,MPV,platelet distribution width,NLR,D-dimer and FIB,and shorter TT,PT and APTT when compared with the un-progressed group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that MPV,NLR,PT,APTT,and FIB were all independent influencing factors for early disease pro-gression of ACI in patients with BAD(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).ROC curve indicated that the AUC value of combined MPV,NLR,PT,APTT and FIB in detecting early disease progression was 0.859(95％CI:0.813-0.905).Conclusion Blood routine(MPV,NLR)and coagulation related indicators(PT,APTT,FIB)are closely associated with the early disease progression of ACI in BAD patients,and these indicators are of high value in predicting the early disease progression.

China prospective multicenter birth cohort (Prospective Omics Health Atlas birth cohort, POHA birth cohort) study was officially launched in 2022. This study, in collaboration with 12 participating units, aims to establish a high-quality, multidimensional cohort comprising 20 000 naturally conceived families and assisted reproductive families. The study involves long-term follow-up of parents and offspring, with corresponding biological samples collected at key time points. Through multi-omics testing and analysis, the study aims to conduct multi-omics big data research across the entire maternal and infant life cycle. The goal is to identify new biomarkers for maternal and infant diseases and provide scientific evidence for risk prediction related to maternal diseases and neonatal health.

Objective To investigate the incidence rate,clinical characteristics,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen,China.Methods Led by Shenzhen Children's Hospital,the Shenzhen Neonatal Data Collaboration Network organized 21 institutions to collect 36 cases of neonatal stroke from January 2020 to December 2022.The incidence,clinical characteristics,treatment,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen were analyzed.Results The incidence rate of neonatal stroke in 21 hospitals from 2020 to 2022 was 1/15 137,1/6 060,and 1/7 704,respectively.Ischemic stroke accounted for 75％(27/36);boys accounted for 64％(23/36).Among the 36 neonates,31(86％)had disease onset within 3 days after birth,and 19(53％)had convulsion as the initial presentation.Cerebral MRI showed that 22 neonates(61％)had left cerebral infarction and 13(36％)had basal ganglia infarction.Magnetic resonance angiography was performed for 12 neonates,among whom 9(75％)had involvement of the middle cerebral artery.Electroencephalography was performed for 29 neonates,with sharp waves in 21 neonates(72％)and seizures in 10 neonates(34％).Symptomatic/supportive treatment varied across different hospitals.Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment was performed for 12 neonates(33％,12/36),with a mean score of(32±4)points.The prognosis of 27 neonates was followed up to around 12 months of age,with 44％(12/27)of the neonates having a good prognosis.Conclusions Ischemic stroke is the main type of neonatal stroke,often with convulsions as the initial presentation,involvement of the middle cerebral artery,sharp waves on electroencephalography,and a relatively low neurodevelopment score.Symptomatic/supportive treatment is the main treatment method,and some neonates tend to have a poor prognosis.

Objective To study the composition,abundance,and functional profiles of the intestinal microbiota in infants and young children with Kawasaki disease(KD)during the acute phase,and to explore the potential role of intestinal microbiota in the pathogenesis of KD.Methods Six children aged 0-3 years with acute KD admitted to the Department of Cardiology,Children's Hospital Affiliated to Capital Institute of Pediatrics from July to October 2021 were prospectively included as the KD group.Six age-and sex-matched healthy children who underwent physical examinations at the hospital during the same period were selected as the healthy control group.Metagenomics sequencing was used to detect and compare the differences in the microflora structure and functional profiles of fecal samples between the two groups.Results There were significant differences in the structural composition and diversity of intestinal microbiota between the two groups(P<0.05).Compared with the healthy control group,the abundance of Listeria_monocytogenes(family Listeriaceae and genus Listeria),Bifidobacterium_rousetti,Enterococcus_avium,and Enterococcus_hirae was significantly higher in the intestinal microbiota in the KD group(|LDA|>2.0,P<0.05).The steroid degradation and apoptosis pathways were significantly upregulated in the KD group compared with the healthy control group,while the Bacterial_secretion_system,Sulfur_metabolism,Butanoate_metabolism,Benzoate_degradation,β-alanine metabolism,and α-linolenic acid pathways were significantly downregulated(|LDA|>2,P<0.05).Conclusions There are significant differences in the structure and diversity of intestinal microbiota between children aged 0-3 years with acute KD and healthy children,suggesting that disturbances in intestinal microbiota occur during the acute phase of KD.In particular,Listeria_monocytogenes,Enterococcus_avium,and Enterococcus_hirae may be involved in the pathogenesis of KD through steroid degradation and apoptosis pathways.

Objective:To analyze the clinical symptoms and epidemiological characteristics of patients with tsutsugamushi disease (TD) in Utica County, Shiyan City, providing reference for scientific prevention and control of TD.Methods:The information of 57 TD patients admitted to the Department of Infectious Diseases of the People's Hospital of Utica County in Shiyan City from January to December 2022 was collected, including age, gender, occupation, clinical manifestations (tarsus or chigger, high fever, rash and accompanying syndromes), laboratory and imaging test results, and field work and travel history. Blood samples and body crusts were collected, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to detect antibodies against Orientia tsugamushi (Ot-Ab-IgM) and Orientia tsutsugamushi (Ot). The scores of each patient were calculated using the TD Diagnostic Scale. A score of ≥8.5 was considered a clinical diagnosis of TD. According to the number of system functional damages (0, 1, 2, ≥3), 57 patients were divided into 4 groups, A, B, C, and D, TD was analyzed for system functional damages of each system.Results:Among the 57 TD patients, 26 (45.61%) were male and 31 (54.39%) were female, and the proportion of patients aged 40 - 79 years was 92.98% (53/57); farmers accounted for 89.47% (51/57). May was the peak of TD incidence, with 19 cases, which accounted for 33.33% (19/57) of the total number of patients affected that year. Fifty-four patients had a history of fieldwork or field trips before the onset of the disease. The incidence of high fever in 57 TD patients was 100.00%(57/57), the detection rate of body scorch or chiggers was 80.70% (46/57), and the incidence rate of rash was 98.25% (56/57); the incidence rate of tsutsugamushi disease triad (accompanied by scabs, high fever, and rash) was 80.70% (46/57); the incidence of eosinophil decline was 100.00%(57/57), and 77.19% (44/57) of TD patients experienced multiple-system functional damage (MSFD). The TD score diagnostic scale for 57 patients ranged from 8.5 to 10.5 points. After being hospitalized for 1 - 5 days, all TD patients experienced a decrease in body temperature to the normal range, and the damage to various systems functional gradually recovered.Conclusions:TD has become one of the most common natural infectious diseases in Utopia County, Shiyan City, Hubei Province. The patients are mainly middle-aged and elderly people, and the triple syndrome is a typical clinical manifestation. Asymptomatic injuries to the blood system, liver and kidneys are the most common.