To elucidate the mechanism by which steaming affects the quality of Curcuma kwangsiensis root tubers, methods such as LSCM, RVA, dual-wavelength spectrophotometry, LF-NMR, and LC-MS were employed to qualitatively and quantitatively detect changes in starch gelatinization characteristics, water distribution, and material composition of C. kwangsiensis root tubers under different steaming durations. Based on multivariate statistical analysis, the correlation between differences in gelatinization parameters, water distribution, and terpenoid material composition was investigated. The results indicate that steaming affects both starch gelatinization and water distribution in C. kwangsiensis. During the steaming process, transformations occur between amylose and amylopectin, as well as between semi-bound water and free water. After 60 min of steaming, starch gelatinization and water distribution reached an equilibrium state. The content of amylopectin, the amylose-to-amylopectin ratio, and parameters such as gelatinization temperature, viscosity, breakdown value, and setback value were significantly correlated(P≤0.05). Additionally, the amylose-to-amylopectin ratio was significantly correlated with total free water and total water content(P≤0.05). Steaming induced differences in the material composition of C. kwangsiensis root tubers. Clustering of primary metabolites in the OPLS-DA model was distinct, while secondary metabolites were classified into 9 clusters using the K-means clustering algorithm. Differential terpenoid metabolites such as(-)-α-curcumene were significantly correlated with zerumbone, retinal, and all-trans-retinoic acid(P<0.05). Curcumenol was significantly correlated with isoalantolactone and ursolic acid(P<0.05), while all-trans-retinoic acid was significantly correlated with both zerumbone and retinal(P<0.05). Alpha-tocotrienol exhibited a significant correlation with retinal and all-trans-retinoic acid(P<0.05). Amylose was extremely significantly correlated with(-)-α-curcumene, curcumenol, zerumbone, retinal, all-trans-retinoic acid, and α-tocotrienol(P<0.05). Amylopectin was significantly correlated with zerumbone(P<0.05) and extremely significantly correlated with(-)-α-curcumene, curcumenol, zerumbone, retinal, all-trans-retinoic acid, and 9-cis-retinoic acid(P<0.01). The results provide scientific evidence for elucidating the mechanism of quality formation of steamed C. kwangsiensis root tubers as a medicinal material.
Curcuma/chemistry* ; Starch/chemistry* ; Multivariate Analysis ; Water/chemistry* ; Terpenes/analysis* ; Plant Roots/chemistry* ; Plant Tubers/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*

Objective:To analyze and identify the expression profiles of oxidative stress-related genes and circular RNAs(circRNAs)in ricin toxin(RT)-induced pyroptosis of mouse mononuclear macrophages(RAW264.7)using transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics technology,and to preliminarily analyze their potential functions.Methods:The macrophages(RAW264.7 cells)were treated with RT to establish a cell pyroptosis model and divided into control group,40 μg·L-1 RT group,and 80 ng/mL RT group.Transmission electron microscope(TEM)was used to observe the morphology of the RAW264.7 cells in various groups;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of the pyroptosis pathway-related proteins in the cells in various groups;80 μg·L-1 RT was selected for subsequent experiments.Transcriptome sequencing(RNA-Seq)was performed to obtain the circRNA and mRNA expression profiles in the RAW264.7 cells in control group and RT-treated group,followed by bioinformatics analysis.Results:Compared with control group,the cells in 40 and 80 μg·L-1 RT groups underwent morphological changes;the cells in RT groups showed obvious pyroptosis-like morphological changes,characterized by significant swelling of dying cells and the appearance of characteristic large bubbles on the plasma membrane.Compared with control group,the expression level of gasdermin DN-terminal fragment(GSDMD-N)protein in 40 and 80 μg·L-1 RT groups was increased(P<0.05);compared with 40 μg·L-1 RT group,the expression level of GSDMD-N protein in the cells in 80 μg·L-1 RT group was increased(P<0.05);therefore,the subsequent experiments used the RT concentration of 80 μg·L-1.A total of 2930 differentially expressed messenger RNAs(mRNAs)and 24 differentially expressed circRNAs were identified.The constructed circRNA-microRNA(miRNA)-mRNA competing endogenous RNA(ceRNA)regulatory network consisted of 7 circRNAs,12 miRNAs and 13 mRNAs.Gene Ontology(GO)functional enrichment analysis showed that in biological process(BP),the functions regulated by differentially expressed genes mainly included immune response and oxidative stress response;in cellular component(CC),differentially expressed genes were mainly localized to the external side of plasma membrane and cell leading edge;in molecular function(MF),they were mainly involved in transporter transmembrane activity and hormone receptor binding.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis showed that differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in Toll-like receptor signaling pathway,Forkhead box O(FoxO)signaling pathway and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells(NF-κB)signaling pathway.In the protein-protein interaction(PPI)network,the top 10 hub genes with the highest connectivity were screened by CytoHubba,including matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP9),superoxide dismutase 2(SOD2),and v-src sarcoma viral oncogene homolog(Src).Conclusion:The expression profiles of oxidative stress-related genes and circRNAs in RAW264.7 cells are altered after RT treatment.The screened differentially expressed circRNAs and mRNAs may serve as potential targets to regulate RT-induced pyroptosis in RAW264.7 cells through oxidative stress pathways.

OBJECTIVE: To distinguish the ambiguous genotyping results of human leukocyte antigen (HLA), identify a novel HLA-B allele and analyze the nucleotide sequence. METHODS: A total of 2 076 umbilical core blood samples from the Zhejiang Cord Blood Bank in 2022 were detected using the next generation sequencing technology (NGS) based on the Ion Torrent S5 platform. Among these a rare HLA-B allele with ambiguous combination result containing a base mutation was identified, and was further confimed by the third-generation sequencing (TGS) based on the nanopore technology. RESULTS: The NGS typing result of HLA-B locus showed HLA-B* 46:18, 54:06 or HLA-B*46:01, 54:XX (including a base mutation), and nanopore sequencing confirmed the typing as HLA-B*46:01, 54:XX (including a base mutation). Compared with HLA-B*54:01:01:01, the HLA-B*54:XX allele showed one single nucleotide substitution at position 1014 T>C in exon 6, with no amino acid change. The nucleotide sequence of the novel HLA-B*54:XX has been submitted to the GenBank nucleotide sequence database and the accession number OP853532 was assigned. CONCLUSION A ambiguous genotyping of the HLA-B Locus detected by NGS was distinguished by nanopore sequencing and a new HLA-B allele was successfully identified, which was officially named as HLA-B*54:01:11 by the World Health Organization Nomenclature Committee for Factors of the HLA System.
Humans ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Alleles ; HLA-B Antigens/genetics* ; Genotype ; Mutation ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Base Sequence

Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) are crucially involved in various biological processes because of their self-renewal, multi-differentiation, and immunomodulatory activities. Some ADSC's characteristics have been associated with the basic theory of Chinese medicine (CM), especially the Meridian theory. CM can improve the biological properties of ADSCs to facilitate their use in injury treatment, restore immune homeostasis, and inhibit inflammatory responses. Therefore, the combination of CM and ADSCs may be a new promising research direction in integrative medicine of China. This review summarizes the association between CM and ADSCs to assess the potential application value of their combination against various diseases.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology* ; Adipose Tissue/cytology* ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Integrative Medicine ; Animals

Purpose To quantitatively evaluate the change of left ventricular myocardial work in well-functioning bicuspid aortic valves(BAV)by using left ventricular pressure-strain ring technology,and to explore the correlation between aortic dilation and myocardial work.Materials and Methods A total of 65 patients with well-functioning BAVs admitted to General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from June 2022 to June 2023 were selected and divided into two groups according to the adjusted inner diameter of the aorta by body surface area:aortic undilated group(35 cases,theaortic diameter<40 mm or aortic size index<22 mm/m2)and aortic dilation group(30 cases,aortic diameter≥40 mm or aortic size index>22 mm/m2),34 healthy patients were enrolled in our study as the control group.The study subjects were analyzed by echocardiography to obtain the left ventricular myocardial work[global longitudinal strain(GLS),global work index(GWI),global constructive work(GCW),global work efficiency(GWE),global wasted work(GWW)]and conventional two-dimensional ultrasound parameters,and the parameters between the three groups were compared and analyzed.Results Compared with the control group,the absolute value of GLS and GWE in the non-dilated aortic group and the aortic dilated group decreased,and the GWI,GCW,GWW,ascending aortic inner diameter and ascending aortic stiffness index were significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with the non-dilated aortic group,the absolute value of GLS and GWE in the aortic dilation group decreased,and the aortic stiffness index and GWW increased,and the difference was statistically significant(t=-3.567,-2.219,5.266,3.339,all P<0.05).The internal diameter of the ascending aorta was negatively correlated with the absolute value of GLS and GWE(r=-0.219,-0.324,both P<0.001),and positively correlated with GWI,GCW,GWW and ascending aortic stiffness index(r=0.178,0.229,0.315,0.529,all P<0.001).Conclusion Myocardial work is a new method for early detection of subclinical left ventricular myocardial dysfunction in well-functioning BAV,and has potential application value for evaluating the changes in left ventricular myocardial work under the progression of aortic disease in BAV patients.

Objective:The rectus abdominis distance(IRD)was measured by ultrasonography at different sites in primiparous women at 6 weeks postpartum to explore the factors affecting IRD in primiparous women.Methods:A total of 881 primigravid women who underwent ultrasound examination of the rectus abdominis mus-cle at 6 weeks postpartum in The Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University from January 1,2020 to December 31,2022 were selected as the study subjects.IRD was measured at 3 cm above the umbilicus,umbili-cus,and 3 cm below the umbilicus.Based on the site of diastasis recti abdominis(DRA)onset,IRD was catego-rized as single-site DRA,two-site DRA,and total abdominal DRA.The incidence of DRA at 6 weeks postpartum was counted and factors influencing IRD at the 3 sites were analyzed using multiple linear regression.Results:①At 6 weeks postpartum in primiparous women,the IRD at 3 cm above the umbilicus was 24.02±9.22 mm,at the umbilicus was 25.08±9.27 mm,and at the 3 cm below the umbilicus was 9.08±8.03 mm,with the largest IRD at the umbilicus and the smallest at the 3 cm below the umbilicus.②DRA occurred in 819 cases(92.96%)of which 473 cases(53.69%)were total abdominal DRA,119 cases(13.51%)were single-site DRA and 227 cases(25.77%)were two-sites DRA.③Multiple linear regression analysis showed that cesarean delivery,neonatal birth mass index(BMI),and maternal prenatal BMI were all significantly and positively associated with IRD at all 3 sites(β>0,P<0.05).Maternal age at delivery was significantly and positively associated with IRD at the umbilicus and 3 cm below the umbilicus(β>0,P<0.05),and gestational weight gain was significantly and positively associ-ated with IRD at 3 cm above the umbilicus and IRD at the umbilicus(β>0,P<0.05).Conclusions:There is high-er percentage of total abdominal DRA in primigravid women.IRD in primigravid women at 6 weeks postpartum is associated with a number of factors,among which cesarean delivery,neonatal birth BMI,maternal prenatal BMI,and age at delivery are high-risk factors for increased IRD.

Objective To develop and validate a transgenic mouse model enabling specific and inducible optogenetic activation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells(OPCs).Methods A conditional allele for the photosensitive opsin chicken opsin 5(cOpn5)(Rosa26-LSL-cOpn5)was generated using CRISPR/Cas9 technology.These mice were subsequently crossed with NG2-CreERT transgenic mice to produce NG2-CreERT;cOpn5 animals.In this model,tamoxifen administration induces Cre-mediated recombination,leading to specific expression of cOpn5 in NG2-positive OPCs.The specificity and efficiency of cOpn5 expression in OPCs were confirmed by immunofluorescent staining.Functional validation of light-induced OPC activation was performed by using calcium imaging in acute brain slices after stimulation with 470 nm blue light.Results Immunofluorescence analysis confirmed robust and specific expression of cOpn5 within NG2-positive OPCs in the brains of tamoxifen-treated NG2-CreERT;cOpn5 mice.Crucially,calcium imaging of acute brain slices from these mice demonstrated a significant increase in intracellular calcium levels in cOpn5-expressing OPCs upon stimulation with 470 nm blue light,indicating successful optogenetic activation.Conclusion We have successfully generated and validated a novel transgenic mouse model(NG2-CreERT;cOpn5)that permits specific and inducible optogenetic activation of OPCs.This model provides a novel tool for subsequent in vivo studies of the role and regulating mechanisms of OPCs in the central nervous system.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of chronic somatic comorbidities in schizophrenic patients in Shanghai communities,and to explore the factors influencing comorbidities.Methods Based on Shanghai community-based severe mental disorders cohort,5 422 patients with schizophrenia(SCZ)were included in the study.12 common chronic somatic diseases,defined by patients'self-report,were selected to analyze the prevalence of comorbidity,and Logistic regression model was used to analyze the factors influencing the number of somatic comorbidities.Results The total prevalence of somatic comorbidity was 37.0%in 5 422 patients with SCZ,with the highest prevalence of hypertension(22.6%)and diabetes mellitus(13.1%)among 12 somatic diseases selected.Older age was the main factor associated with chronic somatic comorbidities in community schizophrenic patients.The risk of 1-2 comorbidities in patients aged≥60 years was 3.34(95%CI:2.74-4.07)times higher than those aged<45 years,while the risk of≥3 comorbidities was 3.27(95%CI:2.11-5.09)times higher,correspondingly.Female gender,marriage,smoking,and longer duration of illness were also risk factors for comorbidity.Women after menopause had higher risk of comorbidity than perimenopausal women.Conclusion Cardiovascular and metabolic diseases were common somatic comorbidities among schizophrenic patients in Shanghai communities.Older age,female gender,marriage,smoking,and longer duration of illness were risk factors for increasing number of comorbidities.

Objective To explore the clinical effect of using the Brisson technique combined with a precise measurement scheme in the treatment of hidden penis.Methods The clinical data of 120 children with hidden penis treated in our hospital from January 2021 to June 2024 were retrospectively analyzed.The enrolled children were randomly divided into the study group(n=60)and the control group(n=60).The study group was treated with the Brisson technique combined with a precise measurement scheme,and the cutting of the penile skin was designed according to the data.The control group was treated with the traditional Devine technique.The surgical effects,penile lengths before and after surgery,and the incidence of postoperative complications of the children in the two groups were compared and analyzed.Results The effective rate of the study group reached 100％,which was significantly higher than that of the control group(93％,P＜0.05).Six months after surgery,the penile length of the children in the study group was longer than that in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The incidence of surgical complications in the study group was 5％,which was significantly lower than that in the control group(17％,P＜0.05).Conclusion Using the Brisson technique combined with a precise measurement scheme to treat hidden penis has a good effect,a high effective rate,and a low incidence of complications.

Objective:This study aims to develop a questionnaire for transsexualism screening and validate its reliability and validity, to provide a culturally adapted screening tool for Chinese clinicians.Methods:Referencing internationally validated instruments related to transsexualism, items closely aligned with the diagnostic criteria of the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) for transsexualism were extracted. Items reflecting Chinese family cultural characteristics were integrated. The overall structure of the questionnaire was refined through expert consultations. A total of 111 patients diagnosed with transsexualism according to ICD-10 diagnostic criteria (78 male-to-female (MtF), 33 female-to-male (FtM)) were recruited from the outpatient clinic of Shanghai Mental Health Center between June 2021 and April 2024. Additionally, 232 cisgender participants, whose self-reported gender identity aligned with their birth sex, were recruited via the Wenjuanxing platform from June 14 to 22, 2022, comprising 64 heterosexual males, 16 non-heterosexual males, 120 heterosexual females, and 32 non-heterosexual females. Both the transsexual and cisgender groups completed the screening questionnaire. The internal consistency reliability was assessed using Cronbach′s α coefficient, and the corrected item-total correlation (CITC) was employed to measure the relationship between individual items and the total score. Structural validity was verified through structural equation modeling (SEM) using AMOS software. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was conducted to determine the optimal screening cutoff value, with the area under the curve (AUC) used to evaluate diagnostic accuracy. Effect sizes (Cohen's d) were calculated to compare the average scores of the questionnaire across groups. Results:The Transsexualism Screening Questionnaire consists of 15 items including 4 reverse-scored questions, rated on a 5-point Likert scale. The Cronbach′s α coefficient was 0.953 and the CITC for all items exceeded the recommended threshold of 0.3. After rotation based on eigenvalues>1, one principal component explained 61.67% of the total variance. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated acceptable model fit (χ2/ df = 3.887, standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) = 0.064, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA)=0.092, comparative fit index (CFI)=0.952, normed fit index (NFI)=0.936, Tucker-Lewis index (TLI)=0.943, incremental fit index (IFI)=0.952). Factor loadings for each item ranged from 0.435 to 0.914. ROC curve analysis revealed that the optimal cutoff values were a mean score of 2.83 and a total score of 42.5, achieving 100% sensitivity and 98.7% specificity, with a Youden index of 0.987. Effect size comparisons showed a Cohen′s d of 6.112 between MtF individuals and cisgender heterosexual males, and a Cohen′s d of 9.287 between FtM individuals and cisgender heterosexual females. Conclusion:The Transsexualism Screening Questionnaire exhibits acceptable reliability, validity, sensitivity, and specificity, and is suitable for screening transsexualism in the Chinese population.