The number of female patients undergoing genital cosmetic procedures has gradually increased in recent years due to the growing awareness of sexual culture and evolving aesthetic preferences. By surgical modification of the clitoral hood and labia minora, psychological issues can be positively impacted, in addition to improving function. However, there is a lack of systematic evaluation in China regarding changes in female sexual function following labiaplasty and clitoral hoodoplasty, particularly in the investigation of sexual sensitivity. This article explores the role of the labia minora and clitoral anatomy in sexual arousal and erection and summarizes methods for measuring and assessing sexual sensitivity. The aim is to provide a reference for the evaluation of related sexual functions and psychological changes after female genital cosmetic procedures.

Objective To investigate the global burden of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) from 1990 to 2021 and predict the trends in the burden of VL from 2022 to 2035, so as to provide insights into global VL prevention and control. Methods The global age-standardized incidence, prevalence, mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rates of VL and their 95% uncertainty intervals (UI) were captured from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 (GBD 2021) data resources. The trends in the global burden of VL were evaluated with average annual percent change (AAPC) and 95% confidence interval (CI) from 1990 to 2021, and gender-, age-, country-, geographical area- and socio-demographic index (SDI)-stratified burdens of VL were analyzed. The trends in the global burden of VL were projected with a Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) model from 2022 to 2035, and the associations of age-standardized incidence, prevalence, mortality, and DALYs rates of VL with SDI levels were examined with a smoothing spline model. Results The global age-standardized incidence [AAPC = -0.25%, 95% CI: (-0.25%, -0.24%)], prevalence [AAPC = -0.06%, 95% CI: (-0.06%, -0.06%)], mortality [AAPC = -0.25%, 95% CI: (-0.25%, -0.24%)] and DALYs rates of VL [AAPC = -2.38%, 95% CI: (-2.44%, -2.33%)] all appeared a tendency towards a decline from 1990 to 2021, and the highest age-standardized incidence [2.55/10⁵, 95% UI: (1.49/10⁵, 4.07/10⁵)], prevalence [0.64/10⁵, 95% UI: (0.37/10⁵, 1.02/10⁵)], mortality [0.51/10⁵, 95% UI: (0, 1.80/10⁵)] and DALYs rates of VL [33.81/10⁵, 95% UI: (0.06/10⁵, 124.09/10⁵)] were seen in tropical Latin America in 2021. The global age-standardized incidence and prevalence of VL were both higher among men [0.57/10⁵, 95% UI: (0.45/10⁵, 0.72/10⁵); 0.14/10⁵, 95% UI: (0.11/10⁵, 0.18/10⁵)] than among women [0.27/10⁵, 95% UI: (0.21/10⁵, 0.33/10⁵); 0.06/10⁵, 95% UI: (0.05/10⁵, 0.08/10⁵)], and the highest mortality of VL was found among children under 5 years of age [0.24/10⁵, 95% UI: (0.08/10⁵, 0.66/10⁵)]. The age-standardized incidence (r = -0.483, P < 0.001), prevalence (r = -0.483, P < 0.001), mortality (r = -0.511, P < 0.001) and DALYs rates of VL (r = -0.514, P < 0.001) correlated negatively with SDI levels from 1990 to 2021. In addition, the global burden of VL was projected with the BAPC model to appear a tendency towards a decline from 2022 to 2035, and the age-standardized incidence, prevalence, mortality and DALYs rates were projected to be reduced to 0.11/10⁵, 0.03/10⁵, 0.02/10⁵ and 1.44/10⁵ in 2035, respectively. Conclusions Although the global burden of VL appeared an overall tendency towards a decline from 1990 to 2021, the burden of VL showed a tendency towards a rise in Central Asia and western sub-Saharan African areas. The age-standardized incidence and prevalence rates of VL were relatively higher among men, and the age-standardized mortality of VL was relatively higher among children under 5 years of age. The global burden of VL was projected to continue to decline from 2022 to 2035.

Objective To investigate the changes in eosinophil counts and the activation of microglial cells in the brain tissues of mice at different stages of Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection, and to examine the role of microglia in regulating the progression of angiostrongyliasis and unravel the possible molecular mechanisms. Methods Fifty BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the control group and the 7-d, 14-d, 21-day and 25-d infection groups, of 10 mice in each group. All mice in infection groups were infected with 30 stage III A. cantonensis larvae by gavage, and animals in the control group was given an equal amount of physiological saline. Five mice were collected from each of infection groups on days 7, 14, 21 d and 25 d post-infection, and 5 mice were collected from the control group on the day of oral gavage. The general and focal functional impairment was scored using the Clark scoring method to assess the degree of mouse neurological impairment. Five mice from each of infection groups were sacrificed on days 7, 14, 21 d and 25 d post-infection, and 5 mice from the control group were sacrificed on the day of oral gavage. Mouse brain tissues were sampled, and the pathological changes of brain tissues were dynamically observed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Immunofluorescence staining with eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) was used to assess the degree of eosinophil infiltration and the counts of microglial cells in mouse brain tissues in each group, and the morphological parameters of microglial cells (skeleton analysis and fractal analysis) were quantified by using Image J software to determine the morphological changes of microglial cells. In addition, the expression of M1 microglia markers Fcγ receptor III (Fcgr3), Fcγ receptor IIb (Fcgr2b) and CD86 antigen (Cd86), M2 microglia markers Arginase 1 (Arg1), macrophage mannose receptor C-type 1 (Mrc1), chitinase-like 3 (Chil3), and phagocytosis genes myeloid cell triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (Trem2), CD68 antigen (Cd68), and apolipoprotein E (Apoe) was quantified using real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) assay in the mouse cerebral cortex of mice post-infection. Results A large number of A. cantonensis larvae were seen on the mouse meninges surface post-infection, and many neuronal nuclei were crumpled and deeply stained, with a large number of bleeding points in the meninges. The median Clark scores of mouse general functional impairment were 0 (interquartile range, 0), 0 (interquartile range, 0.5), 6 (interquartile range, 1.0), 14 (interquartile range, 8.5) points and 20 (interquartile range, 9.0) points in the control group and the 7-d, 14-d, 21-d and 25-d groups, respectively (H = 22.45, P < 0.01), and the median Clark scores of mouse focal functional impairment were 0 (interquartile range, 0), 2 (interquartile range, 2.5), 7 (interquartile range, 3.0), 18 (interquartile range, 5.0) points and 25 (interquartile range, 6.5) points in the control group and the 7-d, 14-d, 21-d and 25-d groups, respectively (H = 22.72, P < 0.01). The mean scores of mice general and focal functional impairment were all higher in the infection groups than in the control group (all P values < 0.05). Immunofluorescence staining showed a significant difference in the eosinophil counts in mouse brain tissues among the five groups (F = 40.05, P < 0.000 1), and the eosinophil counts were significantly higher in mouse brain tissues in the 14-d (3.08 ± 0.78) and 21-d infection groups (5.97 ± 1.37) than in the control group (1.00 ± 0.28) (both P values < 0.05). Semi-quantitative analysis of microglia immunofluorescence showed a significant difference in the counts of microglial cells among the five groups (F = 17.66, P < 0.000 1), and higher Iba1 levels were detected in mouse brain tissues in 14-d (5.75 ± 1.28), 21-d (6.23 ± 1.89) and 25-d infection groups (3.70 ± 1.30) than in the control group (1.00 ± 0.30) (all P values < 0.05). Skeleton and fractal analyses showed that the branch length [(162.04 ± 34.10) μm vs. (395.37 ± 64.11) μm; t = 5.566, P < 0.05] and fractal dimension of microglial cells (1.30 ± 0.01 vs. 1.41 ± 0.03; t = 5.266, P < 0.05) were reduced in mouse brain tissues in the 21-d infection group relative to the control group. In addition, there were significant differences among the 5 groups in terms of M1 and M2 microglia markers Fcgr3 (F = 48.34, P < 0.05), Fcgr2b (F = 55.46, P < 0.05), Cd86 (F = 24.44, P < 0.05), Arg1 (F = 31.18, P < 0.05), Mrc1 (F = 15.42, P < 0.05) and Chil3 (F = 24.41, P < 0.05), as well as phagocytosis markers Trem2 (F = 21.19, P < 0.05), Cd68 (F = 43.95, P < 0.05) and Apoe (F = 7.12, P < 0.05) in mice brain tissues. Conclusions A. cantonensis infections may induce severe pathological injuries in mouse brain tissues that are characterized by massive eosinophil infiltration and persistent activation of microglia cells, thereby resulting in progressive deterioration of neurological functions.

Objective To investigate the correlation between cognitive impairment and depression in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods Based on China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study in 2011,totally 521 elderly T2DM patients were enrolled,and according to the results of minimum mental state examination(MMSE)and their education lev-els,they were divided into a cognitively impaired group(437 cases)and a cognitively normal group(84 cases).Center for ED Epidemiological Survey Depression Scale was used to assess the depression symptoms.The correlation between cognitive impairment and depression was analyzed.Results Compared with the cognitively normal group,the cognitively impaired group had signifi-cantly advanced age(71.98±5.29 year vs 69.42±3.98 year,P=0.000),larger proportion of de-pression(60.6％vs 35.7％,P=0.000),and higher C-reactive protein level(5.09±12.80 mg/L vs 2.25±2.43 mg/L,P=0.000),and obviously lower ratios of being married(72.1％vs 86.9％,P=0.001)and having cardiovascular disease(20.1％vs 32.1％,P=0.010),and decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate[77.15±15.88 ml/(min·1.73 m2)vs 81.91±13.55 ml/(min·1.73 m2),P=0.001].Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that cognitive impairment was an independent risk factor for the development of depression in elderly T2DM patients(OR=3.44,95％CI:1.89-6.27,P＜0.01).ROC curve analysis indicated that the AUC value of MMSE score in predicting depression in elderly T2DM patients was 0.669(95％CI:0.626-0.709,P＜0.01).The direct effect of cognitive impairment and the mediating effect of loneliness on depression in elderly T2DM patients accounted for 72.22％and 27.78％of the total effect,respectively.Conclu-sion Cognitive impairment is associated with the presence of depression in elderly T2DM pa-tients,and loneliness plays a mediating role.

Objective To investigate the correlation between cognitive impairment and depression in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods Based on China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study in 2011,totally 521 elderly T2DM patients were enrolled,and according to the results of minimum mental state examination(MMSE)and their education lev-els,they were divided into a cognitively impaired group(437 cases)and a cognitively normal group(84 cases).Center for ED Epidemiological Survey Depression Scale was used to assess the depression symptoms.The correlation between cognitive impairment and depression was analyzed.Results Compared with the cognitively normal group,the cognitively impaired group had signifi-cantly advanced age(71.98±5.29 year vs 69.42±3.98 year,P=0.000),larger proportion of de-pression(60.6％vs 35.7％,P=0.000),and higher C-reactive protein level(5.09±12.80 mg/L vs 2.25±2.43 mg/L,P=0.000),and obviously lower ratios of being married(72.1％vs 86.9％,P=0.001)and having cardiovascular disease(20.1％vs 32.1％,P=0.010),and decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate[77.15±15.88 ml/(min·1.73 m2)vs 81.91±13.55 ml/(min·1.73 m2),P=0.001].Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that cognitive impairment was an independent risk factor for the development of depression in elderly T2DM patients(OR=3.44,95％CI:1.89-6.27,P＜0.01).ROC curve analysis indicated that the AUC value of MMSE score in predicting depression in elderly T2DM patients was 0.669(95％CI:0.626-0.709,P＜0.01).The direct effect of cognitive impairment and the mediating effect of loneliness on depression in elderly T2DM patients accounted for 72.22％and 27.78％of the total effect,respectively.Conclu-sion Cognitive impairment is associated with the presence of depression in elderly T2DM pa-tients,and loneliness plays a mediating role.

The number of female patients undergoing genital cosmetic procedures has gradually increased in recent years due to the growing awareness of sexual culture and evolving aesthetic preferences. By surgical modification of the clitoral hood and labia minora, psychological issues can be positively impacted, in addition to improving function. However, there is a lack of systematic evaluation in China regarding changes in female sexual function following labiaplasty and clitoral hoodoplasty, particularly in the investigation of sexual sensitivity. This article explores the role of the labia minora and clitoral anatomy in sexual arousal and erection and summarizes methods for measuring and assessing sexual sensitivity. The aim is to provide a reference for the evaluation of related sexual functions and psychological changes after female genital cosmetic procedures.

ObjectiveTo compare the differences in intestinal absorption of nanophase（NP） formed by single decoction and combined decoction of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma（GRR） and Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens（ZRR） in rats， and to investigate the effects of new NP formed by the combined decoction on the absorption of main components in GRR and ZRR. MethodDifferential centrifugation and dialysis techniques were used to enrich NP in the single and combined decoctions of GRR and ZRR， respectively. The microstructure， particle size， Zeta potential and concentration of the NP were analyzed by transmission electron microscope， particle size analyzer and nanoparticle tracking analyzer. Based on everted gut sac model， the index components in the intestinal absorption solution of NP from the single and combined decoctions were analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry（UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS）. The per unit area actual value of cumulative intestinal absorption（Q_actual）， absorption rate constant（K_a） and apparent permeability coefficient（P_app） were used as the evaluating indexes to investigate the absorption characteristics of the aforementioned NP in the duodenum， jejunum， ileum and colon. ResultIrregularly spherical NP was present in the single and combined decoctions， and the contents of components in NP of the combined decoction were mostly lower than those in the single decoction. In these NP， ten components could be absorbed into the intestinal sac， with the main absorption site being the small intestine， and the P_app was greater than 1×10^-5 cm·min^-1. Compared with NP in the single decoction， the Q_actual and K_a of ginsenoside Rb₁， ginsenoside Rf， 4-gingerol and 6-shogaol were significantly increased in NP of the combined decoction， while ginsenoside Re and 6-gingerol were significantly decreased（P<0.01）. Except for ginsenoside Re and ginsenoside Rd， the P_app of the remaining constituents was significantly increased in NP of the combined decoction（P<0.01）. In addition， the maximum intestinal segment site of Q_actual was shifted forward for ginsenoside Rb₁， ginsenoside Rd and ginsenoside Ro， while shifted backward for ginsenoside Rg₁， ginsenoside Re and 8-gingerol. The maximal intestinal segment sites of K_a and P_app of ginsenoside Rb₁， ginsenoside Rg₁， ginsenoside Rd and ginsenoside Ro shifted forward， while ginsenoside Re and 4-gingerol were shifted backward. ConclusionThe combined decoction of GRR and ZRR is helpful to promote the absorption of the effective components of the two， and changes the absorption behavior of the effective components in some intestinal segments. This study provides a reference for the subsequent research on the compatibility mechanism of the two medicines.

Objective To investigate the capillarization of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) and its association with hepatic fibrosis during the development of alveolar echinococcosis, so as to provide the basis for unraveling the mechanisms underlying the role of LSEC in the development and prognosis of hepatic injuries and hepatic fibrosis caused by alveolar echinococcosis. Methods Forty C57BL/6 mice at ages of 6 to 8 weeks were randomly divided into a control group and 1-, 2- and 4-week infection groups, of 10 mice in each group. Each mouse in the infection groups was intraperitoneally injected with 2 000 Echinococcus multilocularis protoscoleces, while each mouse in the control group was given an equal volume of phosphate-buffered saline using the same method. All mice were sacrificed 1, 2 and 4 weeks post-infection and mouse livers were collected. The pathological changes of livers were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and hepatic fibrosis was evaluated through semi-quantitative analysis of Masson’s trichrome staining-positive areas. The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition were examined using immunohistochemical staining of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1), and the fenestrations on the surface of LSECs were observed using scanning electron microscopy. Primary LSECs were isolated from mouse livers, and the mRNA expression of LSEC marker genes Stabilin-1, Stabilin-2, Ehd3, CD209b, GATA4 and Maf was quantified using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay. Results Destruction of local liver lobular structure was observed in mice 2 weeks post-infection with E. multilocularis protoscoleces, and hydatid cysts, which were surrounded by granulomatous tissues, were found in mouse livers 4 weeks post-infection. Semi-quantitative analysis of Masson’s trichrome staining showed a significant difference in the proportion of collagen fiber contents in mouse livers among the four groups (F = 26.060, P < 0.001), and a higher proportion of collagen fiber contents was detected in mouse livers in the 4-week infection group [(11.29 ± 2.58)%] than in the control group (P < 0.001). Immunohistochemical staining revealed activation of a few HSCs and ECM deposition in mouse livers 1 and 2 weeks post-infection, and abundant brown-yellow stained α-SMA and COL1A1 were deposited in the lesion areas in mouse livers 4 weeks post-infection, which spread to surrounding tissues. Semi-quantitative analysis revealed significant differences in α-SMA (F = 7.667, P < 0.05) and COL1A1 expression (F = 6.530, P < 0.05) in mouse levers among the four groups, with higher α-SMA [(7.13 ± 3.68)%] and COL1A1 expression [(13.18 ± 7.20)%] quantified in mouse livers in the 4-week infection group than in the control group (both P values < 0.05). Scanning electron microscopy revealed significant differences in the fenestration frequency (F = 37.730, P < 0.001) and porosity (F = 16.010, P < 0.001) on the surface of mouse LSECs among the four groups, and reduced fenestration frequency and porosity were observed in the 1-[(1.22 ± 0.48)/μm² and [(3.05 ± 0.91)%] and 2-week infection groups [(3.47 ± 0.10)/μm² and (7.57 ± 0.23)%] groups than in the control group (all P values < 0.001). There was a significant difference in the average fenestration diameter on the surface of mouse LSECs among the four groups (F = 15.330, P < 0.001), and larger average fenestration diameters were measured in the 1-[(180.80 ± 16.42) nm] and 2-week infection groups [(161.70 ± 3.85) nm] than in the control group (both P values < 0.05). In addition, there were significant differences among the four groups in terms of Stabilin-1 (F = 153.100, P < 0.001), Stabilin-2 (F = 57.010, P < 0.001), Ehd3 (F = 31.700, P < 0.001), CD209b (F = 177.400, P < 0.001), GATA4 (F = 17.740, P < 0.001), and Maf mRNA expression (F = 72.710, P < 0.001), and reduced mRNA expression of Stabilin-1, Stabilin-2, Ehd3, CD209b, GATA4 and Maf genes was quantified in three infection groups than in the control group (all P values < 0.001). Conclusions E. multilocularis infections may induce capillarization of LSECs in mice, and result in a reduction in the expression of functional and phenotypic marker genes of LSECs, and capillarization of LSECs occurs earlier than activation of HSC and development of hepatic fibrosis.

As an important enzyme for gluconeogenesis, mitochondrial phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK2) has further complex functions beyond regulation of glucose metabolism. Here, we report that conditional knockout of Pck2 in osteoblasts results in a pathological phenotype manifested as craniofacial malformation, long bone loss, and marrow adipocyte accumulation. Ablation of Pck2 alters the metabolic pathways of developing bone, particularly fatty acid metabolism. However, metformin treatment can mitigate skeletal dysplasia of embryonic and postnatal heterozygous knockout mice, at least partly via the AMPK signaling pathway. Collectively, these data illustrate that PCK2 is pivotal for bone development and metabolic homeostasis, and suggest that regulation of metformin-mediated signaling could provide a novel and practical strategy for treating metabolic skeletal dysfunction.
Mice ; Animals ; Metformin/pharmacology* ; Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase (ATP)/metabolism* ; Gluconeogenesis/genetics* ; Mice, Knockout

Objective To observe vancomycin and vancomycin in elderly patients with renal toxicity.Methods 105 cases because of infection from March 2013 to October 2014 were collected and randomly divided into two groups, one had 52 patients and were given vancomycin for anti-infection treatment, another group had 53 patients and were given norvancomycin for anti-infective treatment.Changes of serum urea nitrogen and creatinine levels and adverse reactions were observed and compared between two groups.Results Creatinine levels of patients with vancomycin group after 10 days and 7 days after withdrawal were (97.86 ±8.27)μmoI/L, (82.03 ±5.72)μmoI/L, and the norvancomycin group were (98.67 ±8.34)μmoI/L, (83.47 ± 5.91)μmoI/L, the difference were not significant.Urea nitrogen levels of patients with vancomycin group after 10 days and 7 days after withdrawal were (6.71 ±1.15)mmoI/L,(6.09 ±1.09)mmoI/L, respectively, and the norvancomycin group were(6.75 ±1.17)mmoI/L,(6.15 ±1.12)mmoI/L, the difference were not statistically significant.The total effective rate of vancomycin group was 78.85%, and norvancomycin group was 75.47%, the difference was not statistically significant.Adverse reactions of vancomycin group during treatment was 13.46%, and norvancomycin group was 13.21%, the difference was not statistically significant.Conclusion Vancomycin and norvancomycinboth have anti-infective effect on renal function in patients with certain adverse effects, urea nitrogen, creatinine levels in two groups were elevated during treatment, but decreased after withdrawing medicine.