Objective Magnetoreception, the remarkable ability of diverse animals to sense and utilize the geomagnetic field for orientation and navigation, remains a molecularly unresolved mystery in sensory biology. The putative magnetoreceptor (MagR, previously known as IscA1) is a highly conserved iron-sulfur protein implicated in both magnetoreception and iron metabolism; however, the functional diversity among its cross-species homologs remains poorly understood. Cellular morphology is a key genetically determined trait that can be altered through genetic or environmental modifications—a process known as cell morphology engineering. Constructing engineered cells with specific morphological features and magnetic sensitivity to achieve remote, non-invasive magnetic modulation represents a crucial goal in this field with significant application potential. Therefore, this study aims to systematically investigate the effects of MagR heterologous expression on bacterial morphology and magnetic sensing capabilities, screen for MagR-based magnetically sensitive morphology engineering pathways, and reveal the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods We systematically screened 28 MagR homologous genes from diverse prokaryotic and animal taxa to evaluate their expression and corresponding phenotypic effects in Escherichia coli (E. coli). To compare the differential magnetic responses among bacteria expressing various recombinant MagR proteins, we utilized high-throughput automated bright-field microscopic imaging and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, comprehensive biochemical and biophysical characterizations of iron and iron-sulfur cluster binding were performed using Ferrozine colorimetric assays, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Additionally, 100 mT static magnetic field (SMF) exposure experiments were conducted to assess magnetically tunable phenotypes, while the intrinsic magnetic properties of purified MagR proteins were directly measured using a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. Results Our results demonstrated that the heterologous expression of MagR homologs induced varying degrees of bacterial filamentation. From this comprehensive screen, two distinct morphological patterns were identified: hydra (Hydra vulgaris) MagR (hyMagR) promoted uniform cell elongation and filamentation, exhibiting robust magnetic sensitivity manifested as significantly enhanced filamentation under the 100 mT SMF. In contrast, pigeon (Columba livia) MagR (clMagR) induced only low-frequency, extreme filamentation (sporadically exceeding 80 μm) with a relatively weaker magnetic morphological response. Mechanistically, our data unambiguously proved that these phenotypic differences are primarily driven by distinct iron redox preferences rather than total cellular iron accumulation. Specifically, hyMagR preferentially binds ferrous iron (Fe²⁺), whereas clMagR favors ferric iron (Fe³⁺) and forms more stable iron-sulfur clusters. Intriguingly, although SQUID magnetometry showed that purified clMagR exhibited approximately five-fold higher mass magnetic susceptibility than hyMagR, its cellular magnetic response was weaker. We hypothesize that the Fe²⁺-preferred intracellular environment associated with hyMagR overexpression primes the cell for enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via the Fenton reaction. Exposure to an SMF synergizes with this primed redox state, triggering the bacterial SOS response and upregulating cell division inhibitors to efficiently induce uniform filamentation. Conclusion Our findings identify the Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ redox state as a critical determinant of MagR-mediated morphological remodeling and magnetic responsiveness. This discovery suggests a potential strategy for engineering magnetically responsive cellular systems for synthetic biology applications, and provides a plausible framework, which potentially combines intrinsic protein magnetism with redox-state modulation, for further investigating the evolutionary mechanisms of MagR-mediated magnetoreception.

Objective Magnetoreception, the remarkable ability of diverse animals to sense and utilize the geomagnetic field for orientation and navigation, remains a molecularly unresolved mystery in sensory biology. The putative magnetoreceptor (MagR, previously known as IscA1) is a highly conserved iron-sulfur protein implicated in both magnetoreception and iron metabolism; however, the functional diversity among its cross-species homologs remains poorly understood. Cellular morphology is a key genetically determined trait that can be altered through genetic or environmental modifications—a process known as cell morphology engineering. Constructing engineered cells with specific morphological features and magnetic sensitivity to achieve remote, non-invasive magnetic modulation represents a crucial goal in this field with significant application potential. Therefore, this study aims to systematically investigate the effects of MagR heterologous expression on bacterial morphology and magnetic sensing capabilities, screen for MagR-based magnetically sensitive morphology engineering pathways, and reveal the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods We systematically screened 28 MagR homologous genes from diverse prokaryotic and animal taxa to evaluate their expression and corresponding phenotypic effects in Escherichia coli (E. coli). To compare the differential magnetic responses among bacteria expressing various recombinant MagR proteins, we utilized high-throughput automated bright-field microscopic imaging and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, comprehensive biochemical and biophysical characterizations of iron and iron-sulfur cluster binding were performed using Ferrozine colorimetric assays, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Additionally, 100 mT static magnetic field (SMF) exposure experiments were conducted to assess magnetically tunable phenotypes, while the intrinsic magnetic properties of purified MagR proteins were directly measured using a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. Results Our results demonstrated that the heterologous expression of MagR homologs induced varying degrees of bacterial filamentation. From this comprehensive screen, two distinct morphological patterns were identified: hydra (Hydra vulgaris) MagR (hyMagR) promoted uniform cell elongation and filamentation, exhibiting robust magnetic sensitivity manifested as significantly enhanced filamentation under the 100 mT SMF. In contrast, pigeon (Columba livia) MagR (clMagR) induced only low-frequency, extreme filamentation (sporadically exceeding 80 μm) with a relatively weaker magnetic morphological response. Mechanistically, our data unambiguously proved that these phenotypic differences are primarily driven by distinct iron redox preferences rather than total cellular iron accumulation. Specifically, hyMagR preferentially binds ferrous iron (Fe²⁺), whereas clMagR favors ferric iron (Fe³⁺) and forms more stable iron-sulfur clusters. Intriguingly, although SQUID magnetometry showed that purified clMagR exhibited approximately five-fold higher mass magnetic susceptibility than hyMagR, its cellular magnetic response was weaker. We hypothesize that the Fe²⁺-preferred intracellular environment associated with hyMagR overexpression primes the cell for enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via the Fenton reaction. Exposure to an SMF synergizes with this primed redox state, triggering the bacterial SOS response and upregulating cell division inhibitors to efficiently induce uniform filamentation. Conclusion Our findings identify the Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ redox state as a critical determinant of MagR-mediated morphological remodeling and magnetic responsiveness. This discovery suggests a potential strategy for engineering magnetically responsive cellular systems for synthetic biology applications, and provides a plausible framework, which potentially combines intrinsic protein magnetism with redox-state modulation, for further investigating the evolutionary mechanisms of MagR-mediated magnetoreception.

Objective: To explore the prevalence of screening myopia and depressive symptom among primary and secondary school students in Xuzhou, and to explore the association of sleep and screen time on the coexistence of screening myopia and depressive symptom, so as to provide scientific references for developing intervention strategies to address the development of myopia and promote mental health in children and adolescents. Methods: From September to October 2024, a stratified cluster random sampling method was used to select 6 605 students in grade 4 to 12 in 2 urban and 2 suburban districts in Xuzhou. The students health condition and influencing factors questionnaire were used to assess students basic information, sleep time, and screen time. The Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) was used to assess primary and secondary school students depressive symptom.Unaided distance visual acuity examination was conducted, and refractive assessment was performed using an automated refractometer without cycloplegic agents. The Chi-square test and multiple Logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate the association of sleep and screen time with the coexistence of screening myopia and depressive symptom. Results: The detection rates of screening myopia, depressive symptom, and screening myopia and depressive symptoms co morbidity among primary and secondary school students in Xuzhou were 60.35%, 4.45% and 18.61% respectively. Results from the multinomial Logistic regression analysis, using the healthy group as the reference and after adjusting for confounding factors, showed that students with insufficient sleep duration were more likely to have depressive symptom ( OR=1.57, 95%CI =1.08-2.27) and the coexistence of screening myopia and depressive symptom ( OR=1.85, 95%CI =1.45-2.36). Students with daily screen time≥2 h were more likely to have depressive symptom only ( OR=1.41, 95%CI =1.04-1.93) and the coexistence of screening myopia and depressive symptom ( OR=1.31, 95%CI =1.06-1.61). Further stratified analysis based on sufficient and insufficient sleep duration revealed that only in the insufficient sleep duration group, students with daily screen time≥2 h had an increased risk of depressive symptom only ( OR=1.49, 95%CI =1.07-2.07) and the coexistence of screening positive myopia and depressive symptom ( OR=1.40, 95%CI =1.11- 1.77 ) (all P <0.05). Conclusions Primary and secondary school students with insufficient sleep duration and daily screen time≥2 h have higher risks of depressive symptoms and the coexistence of screening myopia and depressive symptoms. It is recommended to ensure adequate sleep duration and limit screen time for children and adolescents.

General anesthesia, pivotal for surgical procedures, requires precise depth monitoring to mitigate risks ranging from intraoperative awareness to postoperative cognitive impairments. Traditional assessment methods, relying on physiological indicators or behavioral responses, fall short of accurately capturing the nuanced states of unconsciousness. This study introduces a machine learning-based approach to decode anesthesia depth, leveraging EEG data across different anesthesia states induced by propofol and esketamine in rats. Our findings demonstrate the model's robust predictive accuracy, underscored by a novel intra-subject dataset partitioning and a 5-fold cross-validation method. The research diverges from conventional monitoring by utilizing anesthetic infusion rates as objective indicators of anesthesia states, highlighting distinct EEG patterns and enhancing prediction accuracy. Moreover, the model's ability to generalize across individuals suggests its potential for broad clinical application, distinguishing between anesthetic agents and their depths. Despite relying on rat EEG data, which poses questions about real-world applicability, our approach marks a significant advance in anesthesia monitoring.
Animals ; Machine Learning ; Electroencephalography/methods* ; Ketamine/administration & dosage* ; Rats ; Male ; Propofol/administration & dosage* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Anesthesia, General/methods* ; Brain/physiology* ; Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring/methods*

Patients suffering from nerve injury often experience exacerbated pain responses and complain of memory deficits. The dorsal hippocampus (dHPC), a well-defined region responsible for learning and memory, displays maladaptive plasticity upon injury, which is assumed to underlie pain hypersensitivity and cognitive deficits. However, much attention has thus far been paid to intracellular mechanisms of plasticity rather than extracellular alterations that might trigger and facilitate intracellular changes. Emerging evidence has shown that nerve injury alters the microarchitecture of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and decreases ECM rigidity in the dHPC. Despite this, it remains elusive which element of the ECM in the dHPC is affected and how it contributes to neuropathic pain and comorbid cognitive deficits. Laminin, a key element of the ECM, consists of α-, β-, and γ-chains and has been implicated in several pathophysiological processes. Here, we showed that peripheral nerve injury downregulates laminin β1 (LAMB1) in the dHPC. Silencing of hippocampal LAMB1 exacerbates pain sensitivity and induces cognitive dysfunction. Further mechanistic analysis revealed that loss of hippocampal LAMB1 causes dysregulated Src/NR2A signaling cascades via interaction with integrin β1, leading to decreased Ca²⁺ levels in pyramidal neurons, which in turn orchestrates structural and functional plasticity and eventually results in exaggerated pain responses and cognitive deficits. In this study, we shed new light on the functional capability of hippocampal ECM LAMB1 in the modulation of neuropathic pain and comorbid cognitive deficits, and reveal a mechanism that conveys extracellular alterations to intracellular plasticity. Moreover, we identified hippocampal LAMB1/integrin β1 signaling as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of neuropathic pain and related memory loss.
Animals ; Laminin/genetics* ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Neuralgia/metabolism* ; Cognitive Dysfunction/etiology* ; Male ; Peripheral Nerve Injuries/metabolism* ; Extracellular Matrix/metabolism* ; Integrin beta1/metabolism* ; Pyramidal Cells/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction

To investigate the effects and mechanisms of Yougui Pills(YGP) on oxidative damage induced by hydrogen peroxide(H_2O_2) in human ovarian granulosa cells(KGN). The components in serum with low-and high-doses of YGP were analyzed and compared through ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole electrostatic field orbitrap mass spectrometry(UHPLC-QEMS), and selected the serum containing YGP high-dose group to follow-up experiments. To stimulated KGN with 200 μmol·L~(-1) H_2O_2to establish an oxidative damage model, which was divided into normal group, model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose of YGP groups, and the efficacy was further verified on the basis of silencing or overexpressing serine protease inhibitor(Serpina3k), further validating the efficacy based on the silencing or overexpression of Serpina3k. TUNEL staining was used to detect cell apoptosis,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was employed to measure the secretion levels of estradiol(E_2) and 17β-E_2 in KGN, and Western blot was utilized to assess the expression of Serpina3k and proteins related to the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway. The results show that compared to the model group, each dose group of YGP not only significantly reduces granulocyte apoptosis and upregulates the secretion levels of E_2 and 17β-E_2, but also significantly upregulates Serpina3k and Nrf2 pathway. Further research has found that overexpression of Serpina3k not only enhances the therapeutic effect of YGP but also increases the expression of Nrf2 and inhibits the expression of Keap1. Conversely, interfering with Serpina3k partially reverses the therapeutic effect of YGP, while also partially. The results indicate that the mechanism by which YGP improves oxidative stress in KGN may be related to its upregulation of Serpina3k expression, which affects the conduction of the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway. This study reveals the mechanism by which YGP protects granular cells, providing a certain theoretical basis for its clinical application.
NF-E2-Related Factor 2/genetics* ; Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1/genetics* ; Humans ; Female ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Granulosa Cells/cytology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Serpins/genetics*

This study aimed to explore the effects and mechanisms of total extracts from Anthriscus sylvestris on pulmonary hypertension in rats. Sixty male SD rats were divided into normal(NC) group, model(M) group, positive drug sildenafil(Y) group, low-dose A. sylvestris(ES-L) group, medium-dose A. sylvestris(ES-M) group, and high-dose A. sylvestris(ES-H) group. On day 1, rats were intraperitoneally injected with monocrotaline(60 mg·kg~(-1)) to induce pulmonary hypertension, and the rat model was established on day 28. From days 15 to 28, intragastric administration of the respective treatments was performed. After modeling and treatment, small animal echocardiography was used to detect the right heart function of the rats. Arterial blood gas was measured using a blood gas analyzer. Hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining and Masson staining were performed to observe cardiopulmonary pathological damage. Flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis in the lung and myocardial tissues and reactive oxygen species(ROS) levels. Western blot was applied to detect the expression levels of transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1), phosphorylated mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3(p-Smad3), Smad3, tissue plasminogen activator(t-PA), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1(PAI-1) in lung tissue. A blood routine analyzer was used to measure inflammatory immune cell levels in the blood. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the expression levels of P-selectin and thromboxane A2(TXA2) in plasma. The results showed that, compared with the NC group, right heart hypertrophy index, right ventricular free wall thickness, right heart internal diameter, partial carbon dioxide pressure(PaCO_2), apoptosis in cardiopulmonary tissue, and ROS levels were significantly increased in the M group. In contrast, the ratio of pulmonary blood flow acceleration time(PAT)/ejection time(PET), right cardiac output, change rate of right ventricular systolic area, systolic displacement of the tricuspid ring, oxygen partial pressure(PaO_2), and blood oxygen saturation(SaO_2) were significantly decreased in the M group. After administration of the total extract of A. sylvestris, right heart function and blood gas levels were significantly improved, while apoptosis in cardiopulmonary tissue and ROS levels significantly decreased. Further testing revealed that the total extract of A. sylvestris significantly decreased the levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), and PAI-1 proteins in lung tissue, while increasing the expression of t-PA. Additionally, the extract reduced the levels of inflammatory cells such as leukocytes, lymphocytes, granulocytes, and monocytes in the blood, as well as the levels of P-selectin and TXA2 in plasma. Metabolomics results showed that the total extract of A. sylvestris significantly affected metabolic pathways, including arginine biosynthesis, tyrosine metabolism, and taurine and hypotaurine metabolism. In conclusion, the total extract of A. sylvestris may exert an anti-pulmonary hypertension effect by inhibiting the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway, thereby alleviating immune-inflammatory responses and thrombosis.
Animals ; Male ; Smad3 Protein/metabolism* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Hypertension, Pulmonary/genetics* ; Thrombosis/immunology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Humans ; Apoptosis/drug effects*

Syringa pinnatifolia, belonging to the family Oleaceae, is a species endemic to China. It is predominantly distributed in the Helan Mountains region of Inner Mongolia and Ningxia of China. The peeled roots, stems, and thick branches have been used as a distinctive Mongolian medicinal material known as "Shan-chen-xiang", which has effects such as suppressing "khii", clearing heat, and relieving pain and is employed for the treatment of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases and joint pain. Over the past five years, significant increase was achieved in research on chemical constituents and pharmacological effects. There were a total of 130 new constituents reported, covering sesquiterpenoids, lignans, and alkaloids. Its effects of anti-myocardial ischemia, anti-cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, sedation, and analgesia were revealed, and the mechanisms of agarwood formation were also investigated. To better understand its medical value and potential of clinical application, this review updates the research progress in recent five years focusing on the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of S. pinnatifolia, providing reference for subsequent research on active ingredient and support for its innovative application in modern medicine system.
Medicine, Mongolian Traditional ; Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Animals ; Syringa/chemistry*

Objective To develop an enteral nutrition delivery device for nasal feeding patients to relieve gastrointestinal discomfort during enteral nutrition therapy and solve the problems in heating,quality preservation and constant temperature maintenance of the solution.Methods The enteral nutrition delivery device was mainly composed of a nasal feeding container,a fixing frame,a limiting trough,a heating wire,a temperature control unit and a speed control unit.The heating wire and temperature and speed control units were combined to facilitate the nasogastric solution in the container to be delivered to the patient's stomach and intestines at a constant temperature and a uniform speed.The device developed had its shell made of 304 waterproof stainless steel and the nasal feeding container made of 05-polypropylene.Results The device developed realized constant-temperature and uniform-speed delivery and auto cleaning,and could reduced effectively gastrointestinal adverse reactions during nasal feeding.Conclusion The device developed gains advantages in easy operation and autonomous feeding,and thus is worth promoting for nasal feeding patients clinically.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(2):108-111]

Objective: To investigate the interactive effects of prenatal and postnatal factors on overweight and obesity in preschool children, so as to provide evidence for subsequent planning of prevention strategies and intervention measures. Methods: Between October 2020 and June 2021, a convenience cluster sample of 918 preschool children from four kindergartens in Xuzhou urban area underwent questionnaire surveys and physical examinations. The Chi square test was used to compare intergroup differences in overweight and obesity prevalence. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was employed to investigate the effects of prenatal and postnatal factors, as well as their interactions, on overweight and obesity in preschool children. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among preschool children was 30.8%, with boys exhibiting a higher rate (37.0%) than girls (24.8%). Statistically significant differences in overweight and obesity prevalence were observed across age groups, genders, paternal pre pregnancy body mass index (BMI), paternal educational level, delivery mode, antibiotic use within the six months after birth, and rapid weight gain during infancy ( χ 2=5.08-17.67, all P <0.05). After adjusting for confounding factors such as age, gender, the only child, parental educational level and parental average monthly income, interaction analysis revealed that when the father was overweight or obese before conception, children delivered by caesarean section had an increased risk of overweight or obesity ( OR= 2.05 , 95%CI =1.02-3.39), and children with rapid weight gain during infancy also had an increased risk ( OR=2.05, 95%CI = 1.08 -3.88) (both P <0.05). Gender stratified analysis revealed that the interaction between paternal pre pregnancy BMI and mode of delivery on overweight and obesity was more pronounced among girls ( OR=4.00, 95%CI=1.51-10.58, P <0.05). While the interaction between the father s pre pregnancy BMI and rapid weight gain during infancy was more pronounced in boys ( OR= 2.85 , 95%CI=1.14-7.08, P <0.05). No significant interactions between prenatal and postnatal factors on overweight and obesity in preschool children were observed (all P >0.05). Conclusions Multiple prenatal and postnatal factors influence overweight and obesity in preschool children. Attention should be paid to mode of delivery and infant weight gain, particularly when the father is overweight or obese, to reduce the risk of overweight and obesity in preschool children.