ObjectiveMagnetoencephalography (MEG), a non-invasive neuroimaging technique, meticulously captures the magnetic fields emanating from brain electrical activity. Compared with MEG based on superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUID), MEG based on optically pump magnetometer (OPM) has the advantages of higher sensitivity, better spatial resolution and lower cost. However, most of the current studies are clinical studies, and there is a lack of animal studies on MEG based on OPM technology. Pain, a multifaceted sensory and emotional phenomenon, induces intricate alterations in brain activity, exhibiting notable sex differences. Despite clinical revelations of pain-related neuronal activity through MEG, specific properties remain elusive, and comprehensive laboratory studies on pain-associated brain activity alterations are lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of inflammatory pain (induced by Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA)) on brain activity in a rat model using the MEG technique, to analysis changes in brain activity during pain perception, and to explore sex differences in pain-related MEG signaling. MethodsThis study utilized adult male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. Inflammatory pain was induced via intraplantar injection of CFA (100 μl, 50% in saline) in the left hind paw, with control groups receiving saline. Pain behavior was assessed using von Frey filaments at baseline and 1 h post-injection. For MEG recording, anesthetized rats had an OPM positioned on their head within a magnetic shield, undergoing two 15-minute sessions: a 5-minute baseline followed by a 10-minute mechanical stimulation phase. Data analysis included artifact removal and time-frequency analysis of spontaneous brain activity using accumulated spectrograms, generating spectrograms focused on the 4-30 Hz frequency range. ResultsMEG recordings in anesthetized rats during resting states and hind paw mechanical stimulation were compared, before and after saline/CFA injections. Mechanical stimulation elevated alpha activity in both male and female rats pre- and post-saline/CFA injections. Saline/CFA injections augmented average power in both sexes compared to pre-injection states. Remarkably, female rats exhibited higher average spectral power 1 h after CFA injection than after saline injection during resting states. Furthermore, despite comparable pain thresholds measured by classical pain behavioral tests post-CFA treatment, female rats displayed higher average power than males in the resting state after CFA injection. ConclusionThese results imply an enhanced perception of inflammatory pain in female rats compared to their male counterparts. Our study exhibits sex differences in alpha activities following CFA injection, highlighting heightened brain alpha activity in female rats during acute inflammatory pain in the resting state. Our study provides a method for OPM-based MEG recordings to be used to study brain activity in anaesthetized animals. In addition, the findings of this study contribute to a deeper understanding of pain-related neural activity and pain sex differences.

With the extensive application of nuclear technology in industry, agriculture, and medicine, the safety issues associated with neutron radiation have become increasingly prominent. Due to their high penetrability and strong ionization effect, neutrons can cause serious health risks by directly damaging DNA or inducing secondary γ radiation. Therefore, the neutron radiation protection has become a core challenge in radiation protection, especially the research and development of neutron shielding materials. To ensure the safe development of nuclear technology, neutron shielding materials are indispensable and constitute a fundamental core technology for radiation protection. This paper reviews the theory of neutron radiation protection and the research progress of neutron shielding materials, with a focus on the current application status and existing problems of neutron shielding materials. This article also discusses the future development trends. This review aims to provide theoretical support and technical references for the safe application and development of nuclear technology.

Objective To explore the effect and mechanism of hydroxysafflor yellow A(HSYA)on autophagy in bEnd.3 cells after oxygen-glucose deprivation(OGD).Methods The bEnd.3 cells were divided into normal group(conventional culture),model group(OGD model),HSYA group(OGD model+75 μmol·L-1 HSYA),3-methyladenine(3MA)group(5 mmol·L-1 3MA+OGD model)and 3 MA+HSYA group(5 mmol·L-1 3 MA+OGD model+75 μmol·L-1 HSYA).The level of apoptosis was determined by TUNEL fluorescence staining;Western blot was used to detect the expression of autophagy,blood brain barrier(BBB)related proteins;real time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction method for determining the expression of sirtuin-1(SIRT1)and forkhead box protein O3a(FOXO3A)mRNA.Results In the normal group,model group,HSYA group,3MA group and 3MA+HSYA group,the positive cells selected for TUNEL staining were 5.00±1.00,28.00±2.00,21.00±3.00,35.33±2.51 and 29.67±2.52;the expression levels of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3-Ⅱ/-Ⅰ(LC3-Ⅱ/-Ⅰ)were 0.90±0.20,1.34±0.10,1.95±0.14,0.76±0.15 and 1.14±0.09;sequestosome 1(P62)were 0.99±0.02,0.60±0.02,0.38±0.01,0.67±0.04 and 0.54±0.01;occludin were 1.39±0.17,0.62±0.15,1.00±0.09,0.40±0.13 and 0.80±0.15;zonula occludens-1(ZO-1)were 1.63±0.20,0.64±0.06,0.98±0.14,0.37±0.14 and 0.87±0.04;SIRT1 mRNA were 1.00±0.00,0.75±0.07,1.69±0.09,0.31±0.02 and 0.56±0.01;FOXO3A mRNA were 1.00±0.00,0.80±0.05,1.47±0.09,0.40±0.01 and 0.62±0.09,respectively.Significant differences were found between model group and normal group,HSYA group and model group,3MA+HSYA group and 3MA group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01,P＜0.001).Conclusion HSYA may enhance autophagy levels in bEnd.3 cells after OGD through the SIRT1/FOXO3A pathway,inhibit cell apoptosis and alleviate BBB damage.

Objective To investigate the feasibility and clinical experience of kidney transplantation from donors with Marfan syndrome (MFS). Methods Clinical data of 2 recipients undergoing kidney transplantation from the same MFS patient were retrospectively analyzed and literature review of 2 cases was conducted. Characteristics and clinical diagnosis and treatment of kidney transplantation from MFS patients were summarized. Results The Remuzzi scores of the left and right donor kidneys of the MFS patient during time-zero biopsy were 1 and 2. No significant difference was observed in the renal arteriole wall compared with other donors of brain death and cardiac death. Two recipients who received kidney transplantation from the MFS patient suffered from postoperative delayed graft function. After short-term hemodialysis, the graft function of the recipients received the left and right kidney began to gradually recover at postoperative 10 d and 20 d. After discharge, serum creatinine level of the recipient received the left kidney was ranged from 80 to 90 μmol/L, whereas that of the recipient received the right kidney kept declining, and the lowest serum creatinine level was 232 μmol/L before the submission date (at postoperative 43 d). Through literature review, two cases successfully undergoing kidney transplantation from the same MFS donor were reported. Both two recipients experienced delayed graft function, and then renal function was restored to normal. Until the publication date, 1 recipient has survived for 6 years, and the other recipient died of de novo cerebrovascular disease at postoperative 2 years. Conclusions MFS patients may serve as an acceptable source of kidney donors. However, the willingness and general conditions of the recipients should be carefully evaluated before kidney transplantation. Intraoperatively, potential risk of tear of renal arterial media should be properly treated. Extensive attention should be paid to the incidence of postoperative complications.

AIM: To analyze the clinical characteristics of acute acquired concomitant esotropia(AACE)in patients among different age groups.METHODS: Retrospective analysis of clinical data. A total of 112 non-Swan type AACE patients who underwent surgery at Peking University People's Hospital from January 2015 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical data were collected and the characteristics were compared, including gender, age, diopter, duration of disease, daily time spent on near work, angles of deviation before and after surgery, stereopsis, etc. According to age, patients were divided into three groups: <18 years old group(22 cases), 18-45 years old group(67 cases), and >45 years old group(23 cases). The clinical characteristics of patients were compared in each group.RESULTS: A total of 112 patients were included in the study, comprising 56 males and 56 females, with a median age of 29.50(19.25, 41.75)years old. Among them, 97 patients had myopia(86.6%). There were 93 patients(83.0%)who spent more than 8 h on near work. The age group <18 years old had the shortest duration before surgery, with a median time of 1.00(0.50, 1.00)a, the minimum negative diopter, with a median diopter of -0.75(-3.19, -0.56)D in the right eye and the diopter of -1.25(-2.81, -0.75)D in the left eye, and the maximum preoperative near angle of deviation, with a median angle of 30.00(18.50, 80.00)PD, and the maximum preoperative distant angle of deviation, with a median angle of 35.00(23.75, 80.00)PD. All these differences were statistically significant compared with other two groups(both P<0.05). For the age group from 18 to 45 years old, the median near angle of deviation was 20.00(14.00, 30.00)PD, and the median distant angle of deviation was 25.00(20.00, 35.00)PD, both of which were higher than those in the age group >45 years old(both P<0.05). For the age group >45 years old, the median near angle of deviation after surgery was -4.50(-7.50, 0)PD, and the median distant angle of deviation after surgery was 4.50(0, 9.50)PD, which were smaller than those in other two groups(all P<0.05). The age group >45 years old had the hiughest surgical success rate(100%). The preoperative stereopsis was better in age group >45 years old than the group <18 years old(P<0.05). The postoperative stereopsis of the age group of 18 to 45 years old and the age group >45 years old was better than age group <18 years old(both P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Surgical patients with AACE are mainly in the age group from 18 to 45 years old. The characteristic of angle of deviation is that distant angle of deviation is greater than near angle of deviation. The patients <18 years old have larger preoperative angles of deviation than adults, while their stereoacuity is worse than adults in the early postoperative period. It is recommended that augmented-dose surgery should be performed in AACE patients who are in the age group of 18 to 45 years old(5-10 PD). A conservative surgery should be designed for hyperopia young children without established binocular vision.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect and mechanism of curcumin on cognitive function in the mouse model of low oxygen-induced chronic nerve injury. MethodEighty male C57BL/6 mice were randomized into eight groups： control， low-， medium-， and high-dose （100， 200， and 300 mg·kg^-1， respectively） curcumin， model， model + low-dose curcumin， model + medium-dose curcumin， and model + high-dose curcumin groups （n=10）. The mouse model of low oxygen-induced nerve injury was prepared by continuous stimulation with simulated oxygen concentration at Lhasa altitude （13% O₂ at about 3 700 m） for 14 days. After the completion of modeling， mice in the six curcumin groups were administrated with curcumin at corresponding doses by gavage， while those in the control group and the model group were administrated with the same amount of normal saline once a day for one week. After that， open field， novel object recognition， and Morris water maze tests were carried out to reveal the behavioral changes of mice. The morphological changes of the hippocampus were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The mRNA levels of interleukin （IL）-6 and tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α in the hippocampus and peripheral blood of mice were determined by real-time PCR. The activation of microglia in the hippocampus was observed by Iba-1 staining. The protein levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） and cAMP-response element-binding protein （CREB） in the hippocampus were determined by Western blot. ResultCompared with the control group， the model group showed decreased new object recognition rate （P<0.01）， extended time to find the platform （P<0.01）， and reduced platform crossings （P<0.05）， which proved that the cognitive function of mice was impaired. Compared with model group， the model + medium-dose curcumin group showed increased new object recognition rate， shortened time to find the platform， and increased platform crossings （P<0.05，P<0.01）. Moreover， the application of curcumin repaired the abnormal morphological and structural changes in the hippocampus， reduced the inflammatory cytokine levels and activation of microglia， and upregulated the expression of CREB and BDNF （P<0.05）. ConclusionCurcumin demonstrates a therapeutic effect on low oxygen-induced cognitive decline， which provide a potential cure for treating chronic brain injury induced by high-altitude low oxygen in clinical practice.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is severe respiratory failure in clinical practice, with a mortality rate as high as 40%. Injury of pulmonary endothelial cells and alveolar epithelial cells occurs during ARDS, and pulmonary endothelial injury results in endothelial barrier disruption, which usually occurs before epithelial injury. Especially, when harmful factors enter the blood, such as sepsis and hemorrhagic shock, the pulmonary endothelial cells are affected firstly. The injured endothelial cells may loss cell-to-cell connections and even die. After the endothelial barrier is disrupted, fluid and proteins cross the endothelial barrier, causing interstitial edema. The alveolar epithelium is more resistant to injury, and when the tight barrier of the epithelium is broken, fluids, proteins, neutrophils, and red blood cells in the interstitium enter the alveolar space. From this process, it is easy to find that the endothelium is the first barrier to prevent edema, therefore, the protection of endothelium is the key to the prevention and treatment of ARDS. In addition, the injured endothelial cells express selectin and cell adhesion molecules, promoting the recruitment of immune cells, which exacerbate the inflammatory response and pulmonary endothelial cell injury. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be derived from umbilical cord, bone marrow, adipose and so on. Because of low immunogenicity, MSCs can be used for allogeneic transplantation and have great application potential in tissue repairing. Through paracrine effect, MSCs can promote cell survival and balance inflammatory response. MSCs infused intravenously can locate in lungs rapidly and interact with endothelial cells directly, thus MSCs have advantages in protecting pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells. Animal experiments and clinical trials have found that MSC transplantation can significantly improve the symptoms of ARDS and reduce inflammatory reactions and endothelial permeability. Mechanically, MSCs acts mainly through paracrine and immunomodulatory effects. Paracrine cytokines from MSCs can not only promote pulmonary endothelial proliferation, but also reduce inflammatory response and promote cell survival to maintain endothelial integrity. In addition to paracrine cytokines, extracellular vesicles of MSCs are rich in RNAs, proteins and bioactive substances, which can protect pulmonary endothelial cells by intercellular communication and substance transport. Furthermore, MSCs may protect pulmonary endothelial cells indirectly by regulating immune cells, such as reducing the formation of extracellular trapping network of neutrophils, regulating macrophage polarization and regulating Th17/Treg cell balance. Although the beneficial effects of MSCs are verified, much work still needs to be done. MSCs from different tissues have their own characteristics and the scope of application. Different lung diseases possess different endothelial injury mechanisms. Thus, determining the indications of MSCs derived from different tissues is the direction of pulmonary disease clinical trials. From the perspective of transplantation route, intravenous injection of MSCs may have better clinical application in pulmonary endothelial injury caused by endogenous harmful factors in blood. Previous reviews mostly focused on the protective effects of MSCs on alveolar epithelium. In this article, we focused on endothelial cells and reviewed the direct protective effects and mechanisms of MSCs on endothelium through paracrine cytokines and extracellular vesicles, and summarize the mechanisms by which MSCs may indirectly protect pulmonary endothelial cells by regulating immune cells.