Gap junction(GJ),also known as gap junction,is widely found between neurons and glial cells,and can connect neighboring cells and mediate the transmission of electrical sig-nals between neighboring cells.The GJ channel,which exists between neurons and mediates intercellular electrical signaling,is also known as an electrical synapse.Connexins(Cxs)are the molecular basis of GJ,and are expressed to different degrees in different neurons and glial cells.The presence of GJ mediates different functions among neurons and glial cells,which further influences the establishment of various mature neural circuits,re-flecting the importance of GJ in the maintenance of neural cir-cuits.This review summarizes the relationship between GJ and neural circuits in relation to the effects of GJ and different Cxs on neurons and glial cells,providing new research ideas for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders.

Purpose: This study evaluated the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in the ultrasound-guided microwave ablation (MWA) treatment of symptomatic focal uterine adenomyosis. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted between March 2020 and January 2023, enrolling 52 patients with symptomatic focal uterine adenomyosis who had undergone MWA. All patients were examined with CEUS before and after MWA. The non-perfused volume (NPV) was compared between CEUS and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCEMRI) following ablation. Therapeutic efficacy and safety were evaluated at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups. Additionally, this study explored the correlations between pre-treatment CEUS features and a volume reduction ratio indicating sufficient ablation, defined as 50% or more at the 3-month follow-up. Results: No significant differences in NPV were noted between CEUS and DCE-MRI immediately after MWA and during follow-up (all P>0.05). At the 3-month follow-up, the median VRRs for the uterus and adenomyosis were 33.2% and 63.9%, respectively. Sufficient ablation was achieved in 69.2% (36/52) of adenomyosis cases, while partial ablation was observed in the remaining 30.8% (16/52). The identification of non-enhancing areas on pre-treatment CEUS was associated with sufficient ablation (P=0.016). At the 12-month follow-up, significant decreases were observed in both the uterine and adenomyosis volumes (all P<0.001). Dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia were significantly alleviated at 12 months, and no major complications were encountered. Conclusion CEUS can be used to evaluate the ablation zone of focal adenomyosis that has been treated with MWA, similarly to DCE-MRI. The identification of non-enhancing areas on pretreatment CEUS indicates satisfactory treatment outcomes.

Objective:To report the results of national surveillance on the distribution and antimicrobial resistance profile of clinical Gram-positive bacteria isolates from bloodstream infections in China in 2022.Methods:The clinical isolates of Gram-positive bacteria from blood cultures in member hospitals of National Bloodstream Infection Bacterial Resistant Investigation Collaborative System（BRICS）were collected during January 2022 to December 2022. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were conducted by agar dilution or broth dilution methods recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute（CLSI）. WHONET 5.6 and SPSS 25.0 software were used to analyze the data.Results:A total of 3 163 strains of Gram-positive pathogens were collected from 51 member units，and the top five bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus（ n=1 147，36.3%），coagulase-negative Staphylococci（ n=928，29.3%）， Enterococcus faecalis（ n=369，11.7%）， Enterococcus faecium（ n=296，9.4%）and alpha-hemolyticus Streptococci（ n=192，6.1%）. The detection rates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus（MRSA）and methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococci（MRCNS）were 26.4%（303/1 147）and 66.7%（619/928），respectively. No glycopeptide and daptomycin-resistant Staphylococci were detected. The sensitivity rates of Staphylococcus aureus to cefpirome，rifampin，compound sulfamethoxazole，linezolid，minocycline and tigecycline were all >95.0%. Enterococcus faecium was more prevalent than Enterococcus faecalis. The resistance rates of Enterococcus faecium to vancomycin and teicoplanin were both 0.5%（2/369），and no vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium was detected. The detection rate of MRSA in southern China was significantly lower than that in other regions（ χ2=14.578， P=0.002），while the detection rate of MRCNS in northern China was significantly higher than that in other regions（ χ2=15.195， P=0.002）. The detection rates of MRSA and MRCNS in provincial hospitals were higher than those in municipal hospitals（ χ2=13.519 and 12.136， P<0.001）. The detection rates of MRSA and MRCNS in economically more advanced regions（per capita GDP≥92 059 Yuan in 2022）were higher than those in economically less advanced regions（per capita GDP<92 059 Yuan）（ χ2=9.969 and 7.606， P=0.002和0.006）. Conclusions:Among the Gram-positive pathogens causing bloodstream infections in China， Staphylococci is the most common while the MRSA incidence decreases continuously with time；the detection rate of Enterococcus faecium exceeds that of Enterococcus faecalis. The overall prevalence of vancomycin-resistant Enterococci is still at a low level. The composition ratio of Gram-positive pathogens and resistant profiles varies slightly across regions of China，with the prevalence of MRSA and MRCNS being more pronounced in provincial hospitals and areas with a per capita GDP≥92 059 yuan.

AIM To observe the effects of Danggui Buxue Decoction on myocardial ferroptosis in a rat model of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction(HFpEF).METHODS The rats were randomly divided into the control group,the model group and the Danggui Buxue Decoction group.After 8 weeks feeding of 8%high-salt diet in the model and trial groups to induce the rats into HFpEFd models,rats of the Danggui Buxue Decoction group were given 4 g/kg Danggui Buxue Decoction once daily for 4 weeks,in contrast to those of the control group given 12 weeks feeding of 0.3%low-salt diet.The rats had their left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),left ventricular fraction shortening(LVFS),left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVIDD),and end-diastolic left ventricular posterior wall thickness(LVPWd)detected by echocardiography;their pathological changes of myocardial tissue by HE and Masson staining;their myocardial mitochondrial morphology observed by transmission electron microscopy;their serum BNP,NT-proBNP levels,myocardial tissue Fe3+levels,and their levels of ROS,MDA,LPO and GSH,and SOD activity in serum and myocardium detected by ELISA method;and their myocardial expressions of ferroptosis marker proteins GPX4,FTH1 and xCT detected by immunofluorescence staining and Western blot method.RESULTS Compared with the model group,the Danggui Buxuetang group displayed increased LVEF,LVFS(P＜0.01);decreased LVIDD,LVPWd(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);decreased serum BNP,NT-proBNP levels(P＜0.01);decreased myocardial Fe3+level(P＜0.01);decreased MDA,ROS and LPO levels in serum and myocardium(P＜0.01);increased GSH level and SOD activity(P＜0.01);and increased expressions of myocardial ferroptosis related protein GPX4,FTH1 and xCT(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).CONCLUSION Danggui Buxue Decoction protects the cardiac function of the rat model of HFpEF through inhibiting the occurrence of myocardial ferroptosis and reducing the myocardial oxidative stress level as well.

Objective:To assess the efficacy and safety of overlapping braided carotid artery stent (Wallstent) implantation in large extracranial internal carotid artery aneurysms (15 mm≤diameter<25 mm) and giant ones (diameter≥25 mm).Methods:A retrospective study was performed; the clinical data of 23 patients with large or giant extracranial internal carotid artery aneurysms accepted overlapping Wallstent stent implantation in Department of Interventional Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from August 2015 to June 2023 were collected. Immediately after implantation, DSA was used to evaluate the retention of contrast agent within the aneurysms and high-resolution C-arm CT (HR-CBCT) was used to detect the apposition between the two stents and between the stents and inner wall of the blood vessel. Perioperative complications were recorded. Clinical follow-up was performed bi-monthly via outpatient visits or telephone, and modified Rankin scale (mRS) was used to assess the prognoses (mRS scores of 0-2 as good prognosis) at the last follow-up; aneurysm occlusion was evaluated in a 6-month follow-up by DSA and in-stent restenosis in a final imaging follow-up by DSA or CTA according to the OKM grading. Results:Twenty-two patients had successful overlapping implantation of 2 Wallstent stents; blood flow was restricted in one patient due to carotid artery dissection at the distal end of the aneurysm during stent implantation and restored after a Neuroform EZ stent and 2 Wallstent stent implantation from the distal-proximal lesion; technical success rate of 95.7% (22/23) was obtained. DSA immediately after implantation showed obvious contrast medium retention in all aneurysms. HR-CBCT indicated good stent apposition in 21 patients and mild incomplete stent apposition in 2. Clinical follow-up was finished in 23 patients, ranged 6-31 months (mean 11.5±6.3 months); all patients had good prognosis at the last follow-up. Imaging follow-up, including at least once DSA, was conducted for all patients, with intervals ranging from 6 to 15 months (mean 10.4±3.4 months); DSA 6 months after implantation showed complete aneurysm occlusion in 19 patients (OKM grading D) and a bit of residual contrast in 4 patients (OKM grading C); final imaging follow-up (DSA in 2 and CTA in 21) revealed in-stent stenosis in 2 patients (stenosis rates of 51% and 87%) with obvious improved stenosis after balloon angioplasty and patent stents in 21 patients without evidence of aneurysm opacification.Conclusion:Overlapping braided carotid artery stent (Wallstent) implantation is an effective and safe approach for managing large or giant extracranial carotid artery aneurysms.

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of musculoskeletal ultrasound in patients with limb pain.Methods A total of 80 patients with limb pain admitted to the First Hospital of Nanchang from January 2021 to December 2022 were included in the study.All patients received magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)and musculoskeletal ultrasound on admission.The consistency and coincidence rate of musculoskeletal ultrasound and MRI in diagnosing the cause of limb pain were compared.Results In the 80 patients,MRI and musculoskeletal ultrasound detected positive results in 78 cases,accounting for 97.50%,and 2 cases had no clear disease type.According to the results of MRI,there were 75 cases in which musculoskeletal ultrasound diagnosis of the cause of limb pain was consistent with the MRI results,and total coincidence rate was 96.15%(75/78),with excellent consistency(Kappa=0.907).Conclusion Musculoskeletal ultrasound can clearly display the fine tissue structure,and the diagnosis accuracy of limb pain is high,and the diagnosis consistency with MRI is excellent.

Objective To investigate the radiotherapy dose impacts of different jaw widths on stereotactic body radiotherapy(SBRT)for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)with the hilical tomotherapy(HT)planning system.Methods Totally 16 HCC patients who received radiotherapy at some hospital from March 2021 to August 2023 were selected,and the planning was carried out with the same pitch,modulation factors and optimization conditions and the jaw widths being 1.0,2.5 and 5.0 cm.The dosimetric differences due to the jaw widths in planned targets and organs at risk(OAR)were compared,and the planned treatment time,monitor unit,gantry rotations and gantry period were evaluated.SPSS 22.0 was used for statistical analysis.Results Better dosimetric parameters and lower doses to OARs could be got with lower jaw widths.The widened jaw widths resulted in reduced planned treatment time,decreased monitor units and gantry rotations,shortened gantry period while enhanced treatment efficiency.Conclusion A 2.5 cm jaw width for HT planning contributes to improving treatment efficiency during HCC SBRT under the premise of ensured target dose distribution and satisfactory dose to OAR for clinical require-ments.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(7):51-55]

Purpose: This study evaluated the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in the ultrasound-guided microwave ablation (MWA) treatment of symptomatic focal uterine adenomyosis. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted between March 2020 and January 2023, enrolling 52 patients with symptomatic focal uterine adenomyosis who had undergone MWA. All patients were examined with CEUS before and after MWA. The non-perfused volume (NPV) was compared between CEUS and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCEMRI) following ablation. Therapeutic efficacy and safety were evaluated at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups. Additionally, this study explored the correlations between pre-treatment CEUS features and a volume reduction ratio indicating sufficient ablation, defined as 50% or more at the 3-month follow-up. Results: No significant differences in NPV were noted between CEUS and DCE-MRI immediately after MWA and during follow-up (all P>0.05). At the 3-month follow-up, the median VRRs for the uterus and adenomyosis were 33.2% and 63.9%, respectively. Sufficient ablation was achieved in 69.2% (36/52) of adenomyosis cases, while partial ablation was observed in the remaining 30.8% (16/52). The identification of non-enhancing areas on pre-treatment CEUS was associated with sufficient ablation (P=0.016). At the 12-month follow-up, significant decreases were observed in both the uterine and adenomyosis volumes (all P<0.001). Dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia were significantly alleviated at 12 months, and no major complications were encountered. Conclusion CEUS can be used to evaluate the ablation zone of focal adenomyosis that has been treated with MWA, similarly to DCE-MRI. The identification of non-enhancing areas on pretreatment CEUS indicates satisfactory treatment outcomes.

Purpose: This study evaluated the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in the ultrasound-guided microwave ablation (MWA) treatment of symptomatic focal uterine adenomyosis. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted between March 2020 and January 2023, enrolling 52 patients with symptomatic focal uterine adenomyosis who had undergone MWA. All patients were examined with CEUS before and after MWA. The non-perfused volume (NPV) was compared between CEUS and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCEMRI) following ablation. Therapeutic efficacy and safety were evaluated at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups. Additionally, this study explored the correlations between pre-treatment CEUS features and a volume reduction ratio indicating sufficient ablation, defined as 50% or more at the 3-month follow-up. Results: No significant differences in NPV were noted between CEUS and DCE-MRI immediately after MWA and during follow-up (all P>0.05). At the 3-month follow-up, the median VRRs for the uterus and adenomyosis were 33.2% and 63.9%, respectively. Sufficient ablation was achieved in 69.2% (36/52) of adenomyosis cases, while partial ablation was observed in the remaining 30.8% (16/52). The identification of non-enhancing areas on pre-treatment CEUS was associated with sufficient ablation (P=0.016). At the 12-month follow-up, significant decreases were observed in both the uterine and adenomyosis volumes (all P<0.001). Dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia were significantly alleviated at 12 months, and no major complications were encountered. Conclusion CEUS can be used to evaluate the ablation zone of focal adenomyosis that has been treated with MWA, similarly to DCE-MRI. The identification of non-enhancing areas on pretreatment CEUS indicates satisfactory treatment outcomes.

Objective To investigate the incidence rate,clinical characteristics,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen,China.Methods Led by Shenzhen Children's Hospital,the Shenzhen Neonatal Data Collaboration Network organized 21 institutions to collect 36 cases of neonatal stroke from January 2020 to December 2022.The incidence,clinical characteristics,treatment,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen were analyzed.Results The incidence rate of neonatal stroke in 21 hospitals from 2020 to 2022 was 1/15 137,1/6 060,and 1/7 704,respectively.Ischemic stroke accounted for 75％(27/36);boys accounted for 64％(23/36).Among the 36 neonates,31(86％)had disease onset within 3 days after birth,and 19(53％)had convulsion as the initial presentation.Cerebral MRI showed that 22 neonates(61％)had left cerebral infarction and 13(36％)had basal ganglia infarction.Magnetic resonance angiography was performed for 12 neonates,among whom 9(75％)had involvement of the middle cerebral artery.Electroencephalography was performed for 29 neonates,with sharp waves in 21 neonates(72％)and seizures in 10 neonates(34％).Symptomatic/supportive treatment varied across different hospitals.Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment was performed for 12 neonates(33％,12/36),with a mean score of(32±4)points.The prognosis of 27 neonates was followed up to around 12 months of age,with 44％(12/27)of the neonates having a good prognosis.Conclusions Ischemic stroke is the main type of neonatal stroke,often with convulsions as the initial presentation,involvement of the middle cerebral artery,sharp waves on electroencephalography,and a relatively low neurodevelopment score.Symptomatic/supportive treatment is the main treatment method,and some neonates tend to have a poor prognosis.