ObjectiveSpinal cord injury (SCI) directly impairs the regulatory function of the autonomic nervous system, induces intestinal dysfunction, and significantly reduces patients’ quality of life. Preclinical studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) therapy can regulate the brain-gut axis and is used to treat central nervous system diseases such as major depressive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Recent research has established that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from EA-treated SCI rats restored intestinal motility and colonic morphology. However, it remains unclear whether the regulation of gut microbiota by EA therapy directly contributes to neural repair after SCI. This study aims to explore whether gut microbiota mediates the neuroprotective effect of EA in the treatment of SCI and its possible mechanism. MethodsThe study employed RNA transcriptome analysis of spinal cord tissue to characterize gene expression profiles and to identify key signaling pathways following EA treatment for SCI. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the morphological changes in spinal cord tissue. Western blot (WB) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were applied to detect the effects of EA on the expression of proteins related to nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) -dependent pyroptosis. Using 16S rDNA sequencing, the study observed alterations in gut microbiota diversity and community composition in SCI rats. Prior to establishing SCI models, rats were pretreated with an antibiotic cocktail to induce gut dysbiosis, and the effects on intestinal function and spinal cord neural repair were evaluated. FMT was performed to investigate the regulatory effects of post-EA FMT on motor function, general status, liver and spleen indices, and NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis in SCI rats. ResultsEA improved motor function and reduced regulated neuronal cell death in SCI rats. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated the activation of immune- and inflammation-related pathways post-SCI, including NOD-like receptors, nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB), and Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways. EA primarily influenced intestinal inflammation and autoimmune functions. 16S rDNA sequencing illustrated that EA did not alter the diversity of gut microbiota. However, EA altered the gut microbiota composition in SCI rats, increasing Lactobacillus and Akkermansia genera while rebalancing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Furthermore, depletion of gut microbiota by antibiotics disrupted the intestinal barrier, reduced the expression of intestinal barrier proteins Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) and Occludin, elevated serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) levels, exacerbated spinal cord tissue damage, and hindered motor function recovery in SCI rats. FMT from donors treated with EA reduced LBP levels in the intestine, blood, and spinal cord of rats, inhibited the TLR4 myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88)-NF‑κB pathway and NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis, and improved motor function. On the other hand, FMT treatment resulted in decreased body weight and food intake, whereas FMT using EA-treated donors effectively alleviated these alterations. ConclusionEA effectively alleviated neuroinflammatory responses in rats with SCI, primarily through regulating the gut microbiota and suppressing the NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis signaling pathway.

ObjectiveSpinal cord injury (SCI) directly impairs the regulatory function of the autonomic nervous system, induces intestinal dysfunction, and significantly reduces patients’ quality of life. Preclinical studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) therapy can regulate the brain-gut axis and is used to treat central nervous system diseases such as major depressive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Recent research has established that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from EA-treated SCI rats restored intestinal motility and colonic morphology. However, it remains unclear whether the regulation of gut microbiota by EA therapy directly contributes to neural repair after SCI. This study aims to explore whether gut microbiota mediates the neuroprotective effect of EA in the treatment of SCI and its possible mechanism. MethodsThe study employed RNA transcriptome analysis of spinal cord tissue to characterize gene expression profiles and to identify key signaling pathways following EA treatment for SCI. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the morphological changes in spinal cord tissue. Western blot (WB) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were applied to detect the effects of EA on the expression of proteins related to nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) -dependent pyroptosis. Using 16S rDNA sequencing, the study observed alterations in gut microbiota diversity and community composition in SCI rats. Prior to establishing SCI models, rats were pretreated with an antibiotic cocktail to induce gut dysbiosis, and the effects on intestinal function and spinal cord neural repair were evaluated. FMT was performed to investigate the regulatory effects of post-EA FMT on motor function, general status, liver and spleen indices, and NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis in SCI rats. ResultsEA improved motor function and reduced regulated neuronal cell death in SCI rats. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated the activation of immune- and inflammation-related pathways post-SCI, including NOD-like receptors, nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB), and Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways. EA primarily influenced intestinal inflammation and autoimmune functions. 16S rDNA sequencing illustrated that EA did not alter the diversity of gut microbiota. However, EA altered the gut microbiota composition in SCI rats, increasing Lactobacillus and Akkermansia genera while rebalancing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Furthermore, depletion of gut microbiota by antibiotics disrupted the intestinal barrier, reduced the expression of intestinal barrier proteins Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) and Occludin, elevated serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) levels, exacerbated spinal cord tissue damage, and hindered motor function recovery in SCI rats. FMT from donors treated with EA reduced LBP levels in the intestine, blood, and spinal cord of rats, inhibited the TLR4 myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88)-NF‑κB pathway and NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis, and improved motor function. On the other hand, FMT treatment resulted in decreased body weight and food intake, whereas FMT using EA-treated donors effectively alleviated these alterations. ConclusionEA effectively alleviated neuroinflammatory responses in rats with SCI, primarily through regulating the gut microbiota and suppressing the NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis signaling pathway.

This paper aimed to systematically evaluate the effects of hypoxic training at different fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO₂) on body composition, glucose metabolism, and lipid metabolism in obese individuals, and to determine the optimal oxygen concentration range to provide scientific evidence for personalized and precise hypoxic exercise prescriptions. A systematic search was conducted in the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and CNKI databases for randomized controlled trials and pre-post intervention studies published up to March 31, 2025, involving hypoxic training interventions in obese populations. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software to assess the effects of different fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO₂≤14% vs. FiO₂>14%) on BMI, body fat percentage, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), with subgroup analyses based on oxygen concentration. A total of 22 studies involving 292 participants were included. Meta-analysis showed that hypoxic training significantly reduced BMI (mean difference (MD)=-2.29,95%CI: -3.42 to -1.17, P<0.000 1), body fat percentage (MD=-2.32, 95%CI: -3.16 to -1.47, P<0.001), waist circumference (MD=-3.79, 95%CI: -6.73 to -0.85, P=0.01), fasting blood glucose (MD=-3.58, 95%CI: -6.23 to -0.93, P=0.008), insulin (MD=-1.60, 95%CI: -2.98 to -0.22, P=0.02), TG (MD=-0.18, 95%CI: -0.25 to -0.12, P<0.001), and LDL-C (MD=-0.25, 95%CI: -0.39 to -0.11, P=0.000 3). Greater improvements were observed under moderate hypoxic conditions with FiO₂>14%. Changes in HOMA-IR (MD=-0.74, 95%CI: -1.52 to 0.04,P=0.06) and HDL-C (MD=-0.09, 95%CI: -0.21 to 0.02, P=0.11) were not statistically significant. Hypoxic training can significantly improve body composition, glucose metabolism, and lipid metabolism indicators in obese individuals, with greater benefits observed under moderate hypoxia (FiO>14%). As a key parameter in hypoxic exercise interventions, the precise setting of oxygen concentration is crucial for optimizing intervention outcomes.

OBJECTIVE To acquire the real-world incidence of ceftazidime-avibactam sodium(CAZ)-related ad-verse reactions of blood system among a large sample of drug medication patients based on the active monitoring system so as to provide reference for safe clinical use of drugs.METHOD With the help of'Adverse Drug Event Active Surveillance and Assessment System-Ⅱ'(ADE-ASAS-Ⅱ),the use of CAZ of the patients who were hospi-talized in Chinese PLA General Hospital from Jan.1,2020 to Dec.31,2023 were retrospectively and automatical-ly monitored,the patients who were alarmed by system were evaluated by two persons,the incidence rates of CAZ-related thrombocytopenia,hemoglobin decreased and leucopenia were calculated,and the related influencing factors were analyzed.RESULTS Among the 278 case-times(191 cases)of patients who were treated with drugs and were enrolled in the study,there were 3(1.08％)case-times of thrombocytopenia,8(2.88％)case-times of hemoglobin decreased and 19(6.83％)case-times of leucopenia;the total incidence of adverse reactions of blood system was 10.79％.Logistic regression analysis showed that age and duration of drug administration were the in-fluencing factors for the CAZ-related adverse reactions of blood system.CONCLUSIONS It is common for the CAZ-related adverse reactions of blood system.The middle-aged and elderly patients who take drug therapy for a long time period are more likely to have the blood system-related adverse reactions.It is necessary to focus on the monitoring of renal function of the patients and adjust the dosage of administration in a timely manner so as to re-duce the incidence of adverse reactions of the blood system.

Objective To develop a multifunctional vision examination device for confined cabin environments to meet the requirements for detecting and collecting visual function parameters in military training and scientific research.Methods A multifunctional vision examination device was designed with a segmented mode and composed of an exmaination terminal and a control terminal.The examination terminal was composed of a sealed box,a high-definition display,an isolation baffle and a rubber eye mask.The sealed box had a fully closed structure,and the space design in the box was carried out in the form of integrating sphere;the high-definition display had a floating structure not rigidly connected with the surrounding components,and adopted a non-standard screen as the main display;the edges of the isolation baffle were sealed,and a spring washer for mechanical positioning was placed between the baffle and the sealed box.The control terminal software was programmed with C language,and there were several funcational modules involved in the software part for basic information management,function testing and summary report.Results Trials in the low-pressure chamber showed the device developed could be used for testing near vision,stereoscopic vision,contrast sensitivity,rapid dark adaptation and dark vision under the simulated altitude of 5 000 m when the examinee wore an oxygen mask,with remote operation enabled during the testing.Conclusion The multifunctional vision examination device gains advantages in light weight,high portability and compatibility with confined cabin environments,and meets the requirements for visual function testing in military training and scientific research.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(5):21-26]

Objective:To examine the status of self-perceived aging, family function, and fear of disease progression among elderly patients with peptic ulcer disease (PUD), and to explore the mediating role of self-perceived aging in the relationship between family function and fear of disease progression.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study. Using a convenience sampling method, a total of 307 elderly patients with PUD hospitalized in the Third Hospital of Bethune, Jilin University between December 2023 and May 2024 were included. Data were collected using the General Information Questionnaire, the Brief Ageing Perceptions Questionnaire (B-APQ), the Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form (FoP-Q-SF), and the Chinese version of the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales (FACES II-CV). The PROCESS macro in SPSS was used to construct and validate a mediation model to assess the mediating effect of self-perceived aging between family function and fear of disease progression among elderly patients with PUD.Results:A total of 307 questionnaires were distributed, with 276 valid responses obtained (effective response rate: 89.90%). The B-APQ score was (53.79±18.30), the FACES II-CV score was (92.17±16.39), and the FoP-Q-SF score was (30.16±6.02). Family function negatively predicted fear of disease progression directly, with a direct effect value of -0.083, accounting for 44.15% of the total effect (-0.083/-0.188). Self-perceived aging exerted a significant mediating effect between family function and fear of disease progression, with an indirect effect value of -0.105, representing 55.85% of the total effect (-0.105/-0.188) .Conclusions:This study reveals the mediating role of self-perceived aging in the relationship between family function and fear of disease progression in elderly PUD patients. The findings enrich the explanatory dimensions of psychosocial models in chronic disease management and underscore the importance of addressing family dynamics and aging perceptions in designing comprehensive interventions for elderly patients with digestive diseases.

OBJECTIVE To acquire the real-world incidence of ceftazidime-avibactam sodium(CAZ)-related ad-verse reactions of blood system among a large sample of drug medication patients based on the active monitoring system so as to provide reference for safe clinical use of drugs.METHOD With the help of'Adverse Drug Event Active Surveillance and Assessment System-Ⅱ'(ADE-ASAS-Ⅱ),the use of CAZ of the patients who were hospi-talized in Chinese PLA General Hospital from Jan.1,2020 to Dec.31,2023 were retrospectively and automatical-ly monitored,the patients who were alarmed by system were evaluated by two persons,the incidence rates of CAZ-related thrombocytopenia,hemoglobin decreased and leucopenia were calculated,and the related influencing factors were analyzed.RESULTS Among the 278 case-times(191 cases)of patients who were treated with drugs and were enrolled in the study,there were 3(1.08％)case-times of thrombocytopenia,8(2.88％)case-times of hemoglobin decreased and 19(6.83％)case-times of leucopenia;the total incidence of adverse reactions of blood system was 10.79％.Logistic regression analysis showed that age and duration of drug administration were the in-fluencing factors for the CAZ-related adverse reactions of blood system.CONCLUSIONS It is common for the CAZ-related adverse reactions of blood system.The middle-aged and elderly patients who take drug therapy for a long time period are more likely to have the blood system-related adverse reactions.It is necessary to focus on the monitoring of renal function of the patients and adjust the dosage of administration in a timely manner so as to re-duce the incidence of adverse reactions of the blood system.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics, immunophenotypes, diagnostic criteria and differential diagnosis of atrophic kidney-like lesion (AKLL).Methods:Three cases of AKLL were collected from April 2021 to October 2023 at the Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Zhejiang Provincial People′s Hospital, Hangzhou and Ningbo Clinical Pathology Diagnosis Center, Ningbo, China. The clinical, morphological, and immunohistochemical characteristics were analyzed. Relevant literature was also reviewed. A targeted DNA-based next-generation sequencing (a panel of 150 genes) was performed on one of the three cases.Results:There were 1 female and 2 males, aged 30, 57, and 17 years (mean 34.6 years), respectively. The lesions were all incidentally identified during physical or imaging examination. Radiologically, they were all presented as a unilateral renal parenchymal mass. Grossly, the maximum diameters of the lesions were 1.8, 4.0, and 6.5 cm (mean 4.1 cm), respectively. The tumor cut-surfaces were sponge-like, multilocular cystic, and solid, respectively. At low magnification, the lesions were well-circumscribed, while a thick fibromuscular capsule was noted in cases 1 and 3. Cases 1 and 2 were composed of thin-walled cysts or follicular like structures of varying sizes, with the cyst wall lined by flattened and atrophic, or hobnail cells. The luminal spaces contained dense eosinophilic secretion and associated calcifications, while some cysts contained discohesive cells floating in the eosinophilic material. The tissue between the cysts showed predominantly small atrophic tubular structures. Case 3 was almost entirely composed of atrophic and collapsed tubular structures with focal cyst formation, imparting a solid sheets growth pattern under low magnification. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the cyst lining cells and the intracystic floating cells were WT1 positive, PAX8 negative and CK7 negative, while the atrophic renal tubules were WT negative, PAX8 positive and CK7 positive. Targeted next-generation sequencing in case 1 showed no significant genetic abnormalities. All 3 patients underwent partial nephrectomy. No evidence of recurrence or metastasis was found with a follow-up of 17 to 36 months.Conclusions:AKLL is a rare and novel benign renal disease. It is easily misdiagnosed as a renal neoplasm grossly and histologically. Careful morphological observation combined with characteristic immunophenotypes can aid in its diagnosis and differential diagnosis.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics, immunophenotypes, diagnostic criteria and differential diagnosis of atrophic kidney-like lesion (AKLL).Methods:Three cases of AKLL were collected from April 2021 to October 2023 at the Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Zhejiang Provincial People′s Hospital, Hangzhou and Ningbo Clinical Pathology Diagnosis Center, Ningbo, China. The clinical, morphological, and immunohistochemical characteristics were analyzed. Relevant literature was also reviewed. A targeted DNA-based next-generation sequencing (a panel of 150 genes) was performed on one of the three cases.Results:There were 1 female and 2 males, aged 30, 57, and 17 years (mean 34.6 years), respectively. The lesions were all incidentally identified during physical or imaging examination. Radiologically, they were all presented as a unilateral renal parenchymal mass. Grossly, the maximum diameters of the lesions were 1.8, 4.0, and 6.5 cm (mean 4.1 cm), respectively. The tumor cut-surfaces were sponge-like, multilocular cystic, and solid, respectively. At low magnification, the lesions were well-circumscribed, while a thick fibromuscular capsule was noted in cases 1 and 3. Cases 1 and 2 were composed of thin-walled cysts or follicular like structures of varying sizes, with the cyst wall lined by flattened and atrophic, or hobnail cells. The luminal spaces contained dense eosinophilic secretion and associated calcifications, while some cysts contained discohesive cells floating in the eosinophilic material. The tissue between the cysts showed predominantly small atrophic tubular structures. Case 3 was almost entirely composed of atrophic and collapsed tubular structures with focal cyst formation, imparting a solid sheets growth pattern under low magnification. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the cyst lining cells and the intracystic floating cells were WT1 positive, PAX8 negative and CK7 negative, while the atrophic renal tubules were WT negative, PAX8 positive and CK7 positive. Targeted next-generation sequencing in case 1 showed no significant genetic abnormalities. All 3 patients underwent partial nephrectomy. No evidence of recurrence or metastasis was found with a follow-up of 17 to 36 months.Conclusions:AKLL is a rare and novel benign renal disease. It is easily misdiagnosed as a renal neoplasm grossly and histologically. Careful morphological observation combined with characteristic immunophenotypes can aid in its diagnosis and differential diagnosis.

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a genetically heterogeneous disorder characterized by impaired motility of cilia and flagella. Mutations in cilia- and flagella-associated protein 300 ( CFAP300 ) are associated with human PCD and male infertility; however, the underlying pathogenic mechanisms remain poorly understood. In a consanguineous Chinese family, we identified a homozygous CFAP300 loss-of-function variant (c.304delC) in a proband presenting with classical PCD symptoms and severe sperm abnormalities, including dynein arm deficiency and acrosomal malformation, as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Histological analysis revealed multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella in CFAP300 -mutant individual, whereas immunofluorescence demonstrated markedly reduced CFAP300 expression in the spermatozoa of the proband. Furthermore, tandem mass tag (TMT)-based quantitative proteomics showed that the CFAP300 mutation reduced key spermatogenesis proteins (e.g., sperm flagellar 2 [SPEF2], solute carrier family 25 member 31 [SLC25A31], and A-kinase anchoring protein 3 [AKAP3]) and mitochondrial ATP synthesis factors (e.g., SLC25A31, cation channel sperm-associated 3 [CATSPER3]). It also triggered abnormal increases in autophagy-related proteins and signaling mediator phosphorylation. These molecular alterations are likely to contribute to progressive deterioration of sperm ultrastructure and function. Notably, successful pregnancy was achieved via intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using the proband's sperm. Overall, this study expands the known CFAP300 mutational spectrum and offers novel mechanistic insights into its role in spermatogenesis.
Humans ; Male ; Infertility, Male/pathology* ; Acrosome/pathology* ; Sperm Tail/pathology* ; Pedigree ; Spermatozoa ; Adult ; Loss of Function Mutation ; Ciliary Motility Disorders/genetics* ; Spermatogenesis/genetics* ; Female