ObjectiveAge-related macular degeneration （AMD） is one of the leading causes of low vision and blindness in people over 50 years old， and dry AMD （dAMD） is one type for which there is currently no clear treatment. On the basis of the diagnosis and clinical characteristics of dAMD in traditional Chinese and Western medicine， this paper evaluated the fitting degrees of existing animal models of dAMD with clinical characteristics according to the evaluation methods of animal models， and put forward suggestions and prospects. MethodsLiterature on animal models of dAMD was searched against database， and the characteristics of the models were assigned according to the diagnosis criteria of diseases and syndromes of traditional Chinese and Western medicine， and the fitting degrees of the models with clinical characteristics were analyzed and evaluated. ResultsAt present， the animal models of dAMD are mainly established targeting complement factors， chemokines， oxidative damage， lipid/glucose metabolism， and natural strains. Most of the models can simulate the major pathological changes of dAMD， showing the fitting degree of 25%-50% with clinical characteristics in Western medicine. However， the evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndromes， especially the evaluation of secondary syndromes， is missing， and the models present low fitting degrees with the clinical characteristics in TCM. ConclusionExisting animal models of dAMD are mostly established under the guidance of Western diagnostic standards， which reproduce the main disease characteristics of Western medicine and lack observation of TCM syndromes. Future studies can pay attention to the intervention factors and evaluation systems of spleen deficiency Qi deficiency and liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome and build the animal model of dAMD with integration of disease and syndrome based on clinical characteristics of traditional Chinese and Western medicine.

ObjectiveAge-related macular degeneration （AMD） is one of the leading causes of low vision and blindness in people over 50 years old， and dry AMD （dAMD） is one type for which there is currently no clear treatment. On the basis of the diagnosis and clinical characteristics of dAMD in traditional Chinese and Western medicine， this paper evaluated the fitting degrees of existing animal models of dAMD with clinical characteristics according to the evaluation methods of animal models， and put forward suggestions and prospects. MethodsLiterature on animal models of dAMD was searched against database， and the characteristics of the models were assigned according to the diagnosis criteria of diseases and syndromes of traditional Chinese and Western medicine， and the fitting degrees of the models with clinical characteristics were analyzed and evaluated. ResultsAt present， the animal models of dAMD are mainly established targeting complement factors， chemokines， oxidative damage， lipid/glucose metabolism， and natural strains. Most of the models can simulate the major pathological changes of dAMD， showing the fitting degree of 25%-50% with clinical characteristics in Western medicine. However， the evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndromes， especially the evaluation of secondary syndromes， is missing， and the models present low fitting degrees with the clinical characteristics in TCM. ConclusionExisting animal models of dAMD are mostly established under the guidance of Western diagnostic standards， which reproduce the main disease characteristics of Western medicine and lack observation of TCM syndromes. Future studies can pay attention to the intervention factors and evaluation systems of spleen deficiency Qi deficiency and liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome and build the animal model of dAMD with integration of disease and syndrome based on clinical characteristics of traditional Chinese and Western medicine.

Objective Currently, there is no commercially available quantitative detection kit for the main Felis domestic allergen (Fel d 1) in China. To establish a rapid detection method for Fel d 1, this study aims to prepare monoclonal antibodies against Fel d 1 protein. Methods The codon preference of Escherichia coli was utilized to optimize and synthesize the Fel d 1 gene. The prokaryotic expression plasmid pET-28a-Fel d 1 was constructed and used to express and purify the recombinant Fel d 1 protein. Subsequently, the recombinant protein was immunized into BALB/c mice and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were prepared by the hybridoma technique. An indirect ELISA was established using the recombinant Fel d 1 as the coating antigen, and hybridoma cell lines were screened for positive clones. The specificity and antigenic epitopes of the mAbs were confirmed by Western blot analysis. Finally, the selected hybridoma cells were injected into the peritoneal cavities of BALB/c mice for large-scale monoclonal antibody production. Results The recombinant plasmid pET-28a-Fel d 1 was successfully constructed, and soluble Fel d 1 protein was obtained after optimizing the expression conditions. Western blot and antibody titer assays confirmed the successful isolation of two hybridoma cell lines, 7D11 and 5H4, which stably secreted mAbs specific to Fel d 1. Antibody characterization revealed that the 5H4 mAb was of the IgG2a subtype and could recognize the amino acid region 105-163 of Fel d 1, while the 7D11 mAb was the IgG1 subtype and could recognize the amino acid region 1-59. Conclusion The high-purity recombinant Fel d 1 protein produced in this study provides a promising alternative for clinical immunotherapy of cat allergies. Furthermore, the monoclonal antibody prepared in this experiment lays a material foundation for the in-depth study of the biological function of Fel d 1 and the development of ELISA detection.
Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal/biosynthesis* ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Cats ; Mice ; Allergens/genetics* ; Glycoproteins/genetics* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Hybridomas/immunology* ; Recombinant Proteins/genetics* ; Female ; Antibody Specificity

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate preterm white matter injury (PWMI) in neonatal rats using multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combined with histological assessments and to explore its underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Healthy 3-day-old Sprague-Dawley neonatal rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group and a PWMI group (n=12 in each group). A PWMI model was established in neonatal rats through hypoxia-ischemia. Laser speckle imaging was used to observe changes in cerebral oxygen saturation and blood flow at different time points post-modeling. Multimodal MRI was employed to assess the condition of white matter injury, while hematoxylin-eosin staining was utilized to observe morphological changes in the striatal area on the injured side. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to detect the proliferation and differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells. RESULTS: At 0, 6, 12, 24, and 72 hours post-modeling, the relative blood flow and relative oxygen saturation on the injured side in the PWMI group were significantly lower than those in the sham operation group (P<0.05). At 24 hours post-modeling, T2-weighted imaging showed high signals in the white matter of the injured side in the PWMI group, with relative apparent diffusion coefficient values and Lorenz differential values being lower than those in the sham operation group (P<0.001); additionally, the arrangement of nerve cells in the PWMI group was disordered, and the number of EdU⁺PDGFR-α⁺ cells was higher than that in the sham operation group (P<0.001). At 28 days post-modeling, the relative fractional anisotropy values, the number of EdU⁺Olig2⁺ cells, and the fluorescence intensity of myelin basic protein and neurofilament protein 200 in the white matter region of the PWMI group were all lower than those in the sham operation group (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Multimodal MRI can evaluate early and long-term changes in PWMI in neonatal rat models in vivo, providing both imaging and pathological evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of PWMI in neonates. Hypoxia-ischemia inhibits the proliferation and differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells in neonatal rats, leading to PWMI.
Animals ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods* ; Rats ; White Matter/injuries* ; Animals, Newborn ; Female ; Multimodal Imaging ; Male ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain/pathology*

BACKGROUND:Hepatocyte-like cells induced by mesenchymal stem cells are promising seed cells for liver regeneration or liver tissue engineering.The efficiency of traditional two-dimensional culture for hepatocyte induction is low,and more and more research is focused on three-dimensional culture for inducing hepatocyte differentiation.OBJECTIVE:To summarize three-dimensional culture models for the hepatic induction of mesenchymal stem cells,focus on research progress on the epigenetic regulation mechanisms of mesenchymal stem cell hepatogenic differentiation,providing a theoretical basis for improving the differentiation efficiency of mesenchymal stem cells.METHODS:Relevant articles in the PubMed and other databases such as CNKI were searched,using Chinese and English search terms"mesenchymal stem cell,3D culture,hepatogenic differentiation,hepatocyte-like cells,epigenetics."Additionally,the literature tracing method was employed to find some of the literature for a comprehensive review and analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Common three-dimensional culture models for the hepatogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells currently include spheroids,biological scaffolds,bioprinting,and microfluidic chips.Each of these models has its own advantages and disadvantages in the process of inducing hepatogenic differentiation.(2)During the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into hepatocyte-like cells,epigenetic regulation plays a key role,primarily involving histone modification,DNA methylation,and the regulation of non-coding RNAs.(3)Under three-dimensional culture conditions,epigenetic modifications,especially histone acetylation,play an important role in promoting the hepatogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.

Objective:To explore the short-term clinical effects of deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomosis in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).Methods:A prospective exploratory study was conducted on the treatment of AD patients using the cervical deep lymph node-venous anastomosis technique in Scar and Wound Treatment Department, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from September to October 2024. The patients underwent high-frequency ultrasound to locate deep cervical lymph nodes and the external jugular vein. Under general anesthesia, bilateral deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomoses were performed. Indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography was conducted via subcutaneous injection behind the ear to visualize lymph nodes in levels Ⅱ and Ⅲ. After making a skin incision along the posterior margin of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the external jugular vein, internal jugular veins, and associated lymph nodes were exposed. Adjacent veins were selected for anastomosis of lymph node. Using microsurgical techniques, end-to-side or end-to-end anastomosis was completed for lymph nodes in levels Ⅱ and Ⅲ. Preoperative assessments included the mini-mental state examination (MMSE, a higher score indicates better cognitive function), Alzheimer’s disease assessment scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog, a higher score indicates greater impairment of cognitive function), Alzheimer’s disease cooperative study scale for activities of daily living (ADCS-ADL, a higher score indicates better ability to perform daily activity), and neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI, a higher score indicates more severe behavioral and emotional symptom). Postoperative follow-up included the same scales to observe changes in cognitive function, activities of daily living, and emotional communication.Results:Four patients (1 male, 3 females, aged 58-79 years) with AD were included. All were diagnosed based on cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers. All patients successfully underwent bilateral deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomoses. On average, 4.3 (2-7 per person) anastomoses were performed per patient. Surgical procedures lasted an average of 6.5 h (5.5-8.5 h) with minimal blood loss (less than 50 ml). Patients resumed normal activity within 6 hours postoperatively and were discharged after an average of 4.1 d (3.5-5.0 d). Postoperative complications included one case each of aspiration pneumonia, lower limb venous thrombosis, and transient delirium, all of whom resolved without long-term effects. Clinical symptoms, including memory decline, mood swings, and anxiety, showed varying degrees of improvement. Patients reported enhanced quality of life, emotional stability, and social engagement, confirming the procedure’s safety and potential cognitive benefits. At one month postoperatively, the MMSE scores of the four patients increased by an average of 0.8 points compared to preoperative levels. Additionally, the two patients who completed the ADAS-Cog assessments showed a decrease in their scores (reduced by 1.0 points and 11.3 points, respectively, compared to preoperative scores), indicating a certain degree of improvement in cognitive function during this period. The ADCS-ADL and NPI scores of four patients varied significantly, without showing any clear pattern.Conclusion:Lymphovenous anastomosis of the deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomosis may provide a new surgical intervention approach for AD, but further large-scale studies and long-term follow-up are needed to validate its safety and effectiveness.

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

Objective:To explore the factors that tend to lead to a low normal fertilization rate in spindle transfer of mouse oocytes and its strategies.Methods:Oocytes in metaphase Ⅱ (MⅡ) of C57BL/6 and ICR strains mouse were obtained for observations of mitochondrial replacement operations. Spindle karyoplasts of three different sizes (large, medium, small) were isolated by micromanipulation, and their morphology was observed under bright field and polarized light at 0 min, 10 min, 20 min and 30 min after suction. For small spindle karyoplasts, 2% paraformaldehyde fixation was performed after 10 min, 20 min and 30 min respectively, and the morphology of spindle and chromosomes was observed after immunofluorescence staining. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was performed on oocytes, followed by small spindle karyoplasts isolation, and then fusion was conducted after 30 min (traditional method), 10 min (modified method 1) and 0 min (modified method 2) respectively. ICSI-oocytes without spindle transfer were used as control group, and 14-16 h later, the fertilization of reconstructed oocytes was observed and statistically analyzed.Results:1) When spindle karyoplast was just retrieved (0 min), the karyoplast membrane was smooth and complete, and the spindle showed a normal spindle shape. After 10 min, 20 min and 30 min of suction, the karyoplast membrane was twisted or elongated with an irregular morphology, and the spindle was also twisted, stretched or scattered with a weaker brightness. And the smaller spindle karyoplast, the more serious the deformation was. 2) When the spindle was just taken out (0 min), immunofluorescence staining showed that the spindle was in a standard spindle shape, and the chromosomes were regularly and neatly arranged on the equatorial plate. With the prolongation of placement time, spindles were elongated and tapered or dumbbell-shaped, and chromosomes were scattered and irregularly arranged. 3) For the traditional method of spindle transfer, the normal fertilization rate of C57BL/6 mouse reconstructed oocytes was 63.16% (24/38), which was statistically different from that of control group ( P=0.002). The normal fertilization rate [68.00% (34/50)] in the modified method 1 group was significantly lower than that in control group [90.00% (36/40), P=0.019], but there was no statistical difference with the traditional method ( P=0.260). However, the normal fertilization rate [82.50% (33/40)] in the modified method 2 group was similar to control group ( P=0.422), and was significantly higher than that of the traditional method group ( P=0.010). Conclusion:The longer the spindle karyoplast of mouse oocytes is stayed after retrieval, the more serious the morphological changes, the more unstable the spindles and chromosomes, and the lower normal fertilization rate. Immediate fusion of spindle karyoplast after isolation is the best time for mitochondrial replacement micromanipulation.

Objective To investigate the relationship between prolactin and mild cognitive impairment(MCI)in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods A total of 319 postmenopausal women with T2DM who were hospitalized in the Department of Endocrinology,Drum Tower Hospital,Affiliated Hospital of Medical School,Nanjing University were enrolled in this study from August 2016 to October 2023.All the patients were divided into two groups according whether they had MCI:T2DM group(n=161)and MCI group(n=158).Differences in clinical characteristics were compared between the two groups.Pearson correlation was used to analyze the correlation between sex hormones and cognitive domains,and Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the influencing factors for MCI development.Results Serum prolactin levels were significantly lower in the MCI group than in the T2DM group[(5.5±2.1)vs(7.2±2.9)μg/L,P<0.05].Serum prolactin level was positively correlated with mini-mental state examination score,Montreal cognitive assessment score,immediate memory score,visuopatial constructional score,attention score and hippocampal volume(P<0.05),and negatively correlated with processing speed test(time)and executive function test(time)(P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that serum prolactin level was an influencing factor for the risk of MCI in postmenopausal women with T2DM(OR 0.715,95%CI 0.605～0.845,P<0.01).Conclusions The decrease of serum prolactin level is associated with an increased risk of MCI in postmenopausal women with T2DM.

Objective:To explore the factors that tend to lead to a low normal fertilization rate in spindle transfer of mouse oocytes and its strategies.Methods:Oocytes in metaphase Ⅱ (MⅡ) of C57BL/6 and ICR strains mouse were obtained for observations of mitochondrial replacement operations. Spindle karyoplasts of three different sizes (large, medium, small) were isolated by micromanipulation, and their morphology was observed under bright field and polarized light at 0 min, 10 min, 20 min and 30 min after suction. For small spindle karyoplasts, 2% paraformaldehyde fixation was performed after 10 min, 20 min and 30 min respectively, and the morphology of spindle and chromosomes was observed after immunofluorescence staining. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was performed on oocytes, followed by small spindle karyoplasts isolation, and then fusion was conducted after 30 min (traditional method), 10 min (modified method 1) and 0 min (modified method 2) respectively. ICSI-oocytes without spindle transfer were used as control group, and 14-16 h later, the fertilization of reconstructed oocytes was observed and statistically analyzed.Results:1) When spindle karyoplast was just retrieved (0 min), the karyoplast membrane was smooth and complete, and the spindle showed a normal spindle shape. After 10 min, 20 min and 30 min of suction, the karyoplast membrane was twisted or elongated with an irregular morphology, and the spindle was also twisted, stretched or scattered with a weaker brightness. And the smaller spindle karyoplast, the more serious the deformation was. 2) When the spindle was just taken out (0 min), immunofluorescence staining showed that the spindle was in a standard spindle shape, and the chromosomes were regularly and neatly arranged on the equatorial plate. With the prolongation of placement time, spindles were elongated and tapered or dumbbell-shaped, and chromosomes were scattered and irregularly arranged. 3) For the traditional method of spindle transfer, the normal fertilization rate of C57BL/6 mouse reconstructed oocytes was 63.16% (24/38), which was statistically different from that of control group ( P=0.002). The normal fertilization rate [68.00% (34/50)] in the modified method 1 group was significantly lower than that in control group [90.00% (36/40), P=0.019], but there was no statistical difference with the traditional method ( P=0.260). However, the normal fertilization rate [82.50% (33/40)] in the modified method 2 group was similar to control group ( P=0.422), and was significantly higher than that of the traditional method group ( P=0.010). Conclusion:The longer the spindle karyoplast of mouse oocytes is stayed after retrieval, the more serious the morphological changes, the more unstable the spindles and chromosomes, and the lower normal fertilization rate. Immediate fusion of spindle karyoplast after isolation is the best time for mitochondrial replacement micromanipulation.