OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of early life intervention with Bifidobacterium bifidum BD-1 (B. bifidum BD-1) on hyperactivity in a female mouse model of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and explore the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Eight newborn female Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and 6 spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHRs) were gavaged with saline and another 6 SHRs were gavaged with B. bifidum BD-1 (10⁹ CFU) daily for 3 weeks. Open field test of the rats was conducted at 7 weeks, and fecal samples were collected at weaning (3 weeks) and at 7 weeks for 16S rRNA sequencing. Immunofluorescent staining was used to detect dopamine transporter (DAT) and tyrosine hydroxylase (Th) levels in the striatum and activated microglia in the prefrontal cortex. Treg cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes, spleen and blood were analyzed using flow cytometry. RESULTS: The SHRs traveled a significantly greater distance in open fields test than WKY rats, and this behavior was significantly attenuated by B. bifidum BD-1 intervention. The expression of DAT and Th in the striatum was significantly lower in the SHRs than in WKY rats, while B. bifidum BD-1 treatment obviously increased Th levels in the SHRs. B. bifidum BD-1 intervention significantly deceased the number of activated microglia and increased Treg cell counts in the spleen of SHRs. The treatment also enhanced α diversity in gut microbiota of the SHRs and resulted in a decreased Firmicutes/Bacteroidota ratio, more active Muribaculaceae growth, and suppression of Clostridia_UCG-014 proliferation. CONCLUSIONS Early life intervention with B. bifidum BD-1 alleviates hyperactivity in female SHRs by modulating the gut microbiota and peripheral immune response, suppressing neuroinflammation and improving dopaminergic system function. These findings provide evidence for early prevention strategies and support the development and application of psychobiotics for ADHD.
Animals ; Female ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity/therapy* ; Bifidobacterium bifidum ; Probiotics/therapeutic use* ; Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins/metabolism* ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase/metabolism* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Disease Models, Animal

OBJECTIVES: To fabricate an injectable composite microsphere hydrogel reinforced with silk fibroin/hyaluronic acid microspheres, achieving synergistic enhance-ment of mechanical robustness and biofunctionality. METHODS: Methacrylated hyaluronic acid (HAMA) and thiolated silk fibroin (TSF) were synthesized. Monodisperse microspheres generated via microfluidics were UV-cured (420 nm) through thiol-ene click reaction. These microspheres were embedded in a TSF/HAMA matrix to form photo-cured composites. The grafting rate of TSF and HAMA was characterized by H1-NMR; particle size distribution of microsphere hydrogels in soybean oil was observed by optical microscopy; gel point of composite microsphere hydrogels was determined by advanced extensional rheometer; microscopic morphology of microsphere hydrogels was observed by scanning electron microscopy; elemental distribution of microsphere hydrogels was detected by X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy; tunability of composite microsphere hydrogels was observed by inverted confocal microscopy; mechanical properties of composite microsphere hydrogels were tested by compression testing; swelling ratio, degradation rate and water retention rate of composite microsphere hydrogels were measured by gravimetric method. Cytotoxicity of the composite microsphere hydrogels was determined by Calcein-AM/propidium iodide dual staining and CCK-8 assay; cell migration capability was observed by scratch assay. RESULTS: The grafting rates of HAMA and TSF was 48.03% and 17.99%, respectively. Microsphere hydrogels with particle sizes of (43.3±1.2), (78.1±3.0), and (130.8±1.9) μm were prepared. The gel time of the composite microsphere hydrogels was 48-115s. The laser confocal imaging confirmed dynamic regulation characteristics of the composite microsphere hydrogels. The compressive strength of the composite microsphere hydrogels reached 22.7 kPa and maintained structural integrity at 40% strain after 20 compression cycles. The composite microsphere hydrogels exhibited differential deswelling behaviors in simulated physiological environments, and reducing microsphere particle size could significantly enhance its stability under moist conditions. The degradation rate of the composite microsphere hydrogels was (49.1±0.9)% after 200 h, and water retention rate was maintained at 40%-60% after 96 h. Biocompatibility assays confirmed >95% cell viability and unimpaired cell migration abilities. CONCLUSIONS The TSF/HAMA composite microsphere hydrogel developed in this study has characteristics of rapid fabrication, adjustable mechanical properties, enhanced environmental stability and excellent biocom-patibility, thus providing a new material solution for tissue repair and regenerative medicine.
Fibroins/chemistry* ; Hydrogels/chemistry* ; Microspheres ; Hyaluronic Acid/chemistry* ; Humans

Objective To comprehensively analyze the clinical outcomes of total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) in the treatment of functional single ventricle combined with heterotaxy syndrome (HS). Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the patients with functional single ventricle and HS who underwent TCPC (a HS group) in Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital between 2004 and 2021. The analysis focused on postoperative complications, long-term survival rates, and identifying factors associated with patient survival. Early and late postoperative outcomes were compared with matched non-HS patients (a non-HS group). Results Before propensity score matching, 55 patients were collected in the HS group, including 42 males and 13 females, with a median age of 6.0 (4.2, 11.8) years and a median weight of 17.0 (14.2, 28.8) kg. Among the patients, there were 53 patients of right atrial isomerism and 2 patients of left atrial isomerism. Eight patients underwent TCPC in one stage. TCPC procedures included extracardiac conduit (n=39), intracardiac-extracardiac conduit (n=14), and direct cavopulmonary connection (n=2). Postoperative complications included infections in 27 patients, liver function damage in 19 patients, and acute kidney injury in 11 patients. There were 5 early deaths. The median follow-up time was 94.7 (64.3, 129.8) months. The 1-year, 5-year, and 10-year survival rates were 87.2%, 85.3%, and 74.3%, respectively. After propensity score matching, there were 45 patients in the HS group and 81 patients in the non-HS group. Compared to the non-HS group, those with HS had longer surgical and mechanical ventilation time, higher infection rates (P<0.05), and a 12.9% lower 10-year survival rate. Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified asplenia was a risk factor for mortality (HR=8.98, 95%CI 1.86-43.34, P=0.006). Conclusion Compared to non-HS patients, patients with HS have lower survival rates after TCPC, and asplenia is an independent risk factor for the survival of these patients.

Objective:To investigate the behavioral, electroencephalographic, and cognitive functional differences in drug-resistant epileptic rat models of cognitive impairment prepared by intraperitoneal injection of lithium chloride-pilocarpine followed by intracranial injection of pilocarpine or carbamylcholine.Methods:One hundred and sixty adult male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group ( n=10), lithium chloride-pilocarpine group (establishing epileptic rat models by intraperitoneal injection of lithium chloride-pilocarpine, n=50), pilocarpine-pilocarpine group (intracranial injection of pilocarpine after intraperitoneal injection of lithium chloride-pilocarpine, n=50)and pilocarpine-carbamylcholine group (intracranial injection of carbamylcholine after intraperitoneal injection of lithium chloride-pilocarpine, n=50). Frequency and duration of spontaneously recurrent seizures (SRSs) were observed by video monitoring system, and 2 weeks after that, phenobarbital and phenytoin sodium were injected intraperitoneally to screen drug-resistant models. Frequency and amplitude of the epileptic waves in EEG were recorded by BL-420 Bio-signal Acquisition and Processing System. Novel object recognition experiment was used to detect the novel exploration, Y-maze free exploration experiment and new and different arm experiment were used to detect the spatial recognition and memory ability, and Morris water maze experiment was used to detect the spatial memory ability. Results:(1) Twenty-four rats (48.00%) survived in the lithium chloride-pilocarpine group, 25 (78.00%) in the pilocarpine-pilocarpine group, and 21 (65.62%) in the pilocarpine-carbamylcholine group; and ultimately 7, 9, and 8 drug-resistant epileptic rat models were identified, respectively; frequency and duration of SRSs in the pilocarpine-pilocarpine group and pilocarpine-carbamylcholine group were significantly higher/longer than those in the lithium chloride-pilocarpine group ( P<0.05). (2) The pilocarpine-pilocarpine group and pilocarpine-carbamylcholine group had significantly higher amplitude of the epileptic waves in EEG compared with the lithium chloride-pilocarpine group ( P<0.05); the frequency of the epileptic waves in EEG increased gradually in the lithium chloride-pilocarpine group, pilocarpine-pilocarpine group, and pilocarpine-carbamylcholine group ( P<0.05). (3) Discrimination index, accuracy, ratio of distance traveled in novel arm to total distance, and time of novel arm entries gradually decreased in the normal control group, lithium chloride-pilocarpine group, pilocarpine-pilocarpine group, and pilocarpine-carbamylcholine group, with significant differences ( P<0.05). (4) Compared with the normal control group, the pilocarpine-pilocarpine group and pilocarpine-carbamylcholine group had significantly decreased frequency in crossing the original platform ( P<0.05); compared with the normal control group, lithium-pilocarpine chloride group and pilocarpine-pilocarpine group, the pilocarpine-carbamylcholine group had statistically shorter distance of target quadrant activity ( P<0.05); number of entries in the target quadrant gradually decreased in the normal control group, lithium chloride-pilocarpine group, pilocarpine-pilocarpine group, and pilocarpine-carbamylcholine group, with significant differences ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Drug-resistant epileptic rat models established by intracranial injection of carbamylcholine after intraperitoneal injection of lithium chloride-pilocarpine have high survival rate, high SRSs rate, and severe cognitive impairment, which is suitable for studying drug-resistant epilepsy combined with cognitive impairment.

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction(POCD)is a common complication affecting elderly patients after anaesthesia.It is characterised by acute or persistent impairments of attention,learning and memory after surgery.This cognitive disorder can lead not only to an increase in postoperative complications and prolonged hospi-tal stays,but also to an increased societal burden and waste of medical resources.Stellate ganglion block(SGB)is a commonly used nerve block technique in clinical practice.It works to block neural signals from stellate ganglion to control pain or treat certain conditions primarily by injecting local anaesthetics.This article summarises the mechanisms by which SGB improves POCD,focusing on the regulation of cerebral vasculature,oxidative stress and inflammatory responses.It aims to provide elderly patients with an approach to safer and more effective postop-erative recovery and seek new therapies to alleviate the burden of POCD.

Objective:To compare the real-world efficacy and safety profile of tenofovir amibufenamid (TMF) and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) tablets in the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).Methods:This retrospective study included patients with chronic hepatitis B who received TMF and TAF antiviral treatment at the Infectious Disease Outpatient Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2021 to December 2023. The primary and secondary outcome was to study the patient HBV DNA conversion rate (<20 IU/ml), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization rate, renal function, and lipid levels of patients at 48 weeks of treatment. The comparison of data between measurement data groups was differentiated using a t-test and Mann-Whitney U test. The inter-group comparison rate in count data was performed using the χ2 test or Fisher's exact probability. Results:A total of 440 cases were enrolled, including 220 in the TMF group (63 treatment-na?ve and 157 treatment-experienced) and 220 cases in the TAF group (61 treatment-na?ve and 159 treatment-experienced). In terms of efficacy, the HBV DNA seroconversion rates in the TMF group and TAF group were 90.5% and 85.2% ( P=0.372), respectively, while the ALT normalization rates were 92.1% and 88.5% ( P=0.505), respectively, at 48 weeks of treatment. The HBV DNA-negative conversion rate for the newly treated patients was 99.4% and 98.7%, respectively ( P=1.000), while the rates of ALT normalization were 94.9% and 92.3%, respectively ( P=0.863). In terms of safety profile, the serum creatinine level was lower in the TMF group than that in the TAF group at 48 weeks of treatment [TMF group 66.5 (56.3, 78.3) μmol/L, TAF group 70.6 (60.7, 77.8) μmol/L, Z=-2.282, P=0.022]. However, there was no statistically significant difference in other renal function and tubular function related indicators between the two groups of patients ( P>0.05). The serum high-density lipoprotein levels were higher in the TMF group than those in the TAF group [TMF 1.4 (1.1, 1.6) mmol/L vs. TAF group 1.3 (1.1, 1.6) mmol/L, Z=-2.204, P=0.027] at 48 weeks of treatment. However, there was no statistically significant difference in other blood lipid indicators between the two groups of patients ( P>0.05). Conclusion:There is no statistically significant difference in efficacy and safety profiles between TMF and TAF at 48 weeks in the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B, and the overall safety profile is favorable.

AIM: To assess the therapeutic effect of lienal polypeptide injection (LPI) on bone marrow suppression and poor immunity in Kunming (KM) mice after the intervention of chemotherapy drug carboplatin (CBP), as well as its potential mechanisms. METHODS: KM female mice were randomly divided into control group, model group, low-dose lienal polypeptide, and high-dose lienal polypeptide treatment groups. On day 1, mice in the treatment group and model group were subjected to intraperitoneal single injection of carboplatin (70 mg / kg), to induce chemotherapy-induced bone marrow suppression in mice, while the control group was intervened with normal saline. From Day 2 to Day 16, the treatment groups received daily intraperitoneal injections of lienal polypeptide (60 mg · kg

Objective:To investigate the effectiveness and safety of bortezomib combined with conventional chemotherapy regimens for treatment of relapsed/refractory acute B lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL).Methods:Twenty patients with relapsed/refractory B-ALL treated with bortezomib combined with chemotherapy in Jiaozuo People's Hospital Affiliated to Xinxiang Medical College, Jiaozuo Coal Industry Group Central Hospital and the Second People's Hospital of Jiaozuo from September 2021 to June 2022 were collected, and their treatment response and prognosis were retrospectively analyzed.Results:The median age of the 20 patients was 49.5 years old (25.0-58.5 years old); 12 were male and 8 were female; 12 were relapsed and 8 were refractory. All patients completed 1 course of bortezomib (1.6 mg/m 2, subcutaneous injection on days 2 and 16) combined with chemotherapy. Before bortezomib treatment, there were 0 case of complete remission (CR), 7 cases of partial remission (PR) and 13 cases of non-remission (NR) in 20 patients, the objective remission rate (ORR) was 35% (7/20), and all were positive for minimal residual disease (MRD). After bortezomib treatment, there were 13 cases of CR, 3 cases of PR and 4 cases of NR, and the ORR was 80% (16/20); the MRD of all patients decreased, among which 13 cases (65%) turned to negative; the differences were statistically significant when comparing CR rate, ORR and MRD negative conversion rate before and after bortezomib treatment ( χ2 values were 65.41, 8.83 and 19.30, all P < 0.05). Four of the 20 patients developed central nervous system infiltration despite bone marrow remission, and one died from post-chemotherapy infection. Myelosuppression occurred in all patients, the incidence of infection was 90% (18/20), and the incidence of digestive system adverse effects was 75% (15/20). Conclusions:Bortezomib combined with conventional chemotherapy regimens is effective and well tolerated in the treatment of relapsed/refractory ALL, and has the potential to enable patients with multi-drug resistant relapse to overcome resistance and to achieve deep remission.

Objectives To detect the level of soluble programmed death 1 (sPD-1) and soluble programmed death ligand 1 (sPD-L1) in serum and urine of children with primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS),and explore its clinical significance.Methods From July 2017 to November 2017,children with PNS admitted to the Children's Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University were divided into onset group (36 cases) and remission group (33 cases).Thirty healthy children who underwent medical examination for enrollment,undersize or overweight in the outpatient department of pediatric health care and inpatient department of Endocrinology were selected as healthy control group.Serum and urine samples were collected,in which the levels of sPD-1 and sPD-L1 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The correlation between serum and urine sPD-1,sPD-L1 levels and lymphocyte subsets,urinary protein were analyzed by Pearson and Spearman correlation analysis.Results The level of sPD-1 in serum was lower in remission group than those in healthy controlgroup [1.60(0.48,8.15) ng/ml vs 7.38(2.15,19.02) ng/ml,P ＜ 0.01].The level of urinary sPD-1 in onset group was higher than that in remission group [1.21(0.61,2.56) pg/μg vs 0.51(0.31,0.97) pg/μg,P ＜0.001] and healthy control group [1.21(0.61,2.56) pg/μg vs 0.82(0.34,1.15) pg/μg,P ＜ 0.01].The levels of sPD-L1 in serum and urine were higher in onset and remission group than those in healthy control group (P ＜ 0.001).The level of sPD-1 in the serum was positive correlated with the numbers of CD3+,CD3+CD4+,CD3+ CD8+ T lymphocytes and CD3-CD19+,CD19+CD23+ B lymphocytes (r=0.537,0.478,0.454,0.429 and 0.374;P=0.002,0.008,0.012,0.018 and 0.042).The level of sPD-1 in the urine had positive relation with the ratio of 24 hours urinary albumin and weight (24 h UmAlb/Wt),N-acetylglucosaminidase and urinary creatinine (UNAG/Cr) and β2 microglobulin and urinary creatinine (Uβ2MG/Cr) (r=0.409,0.588 and 0.276;P=0.016,0.000 and 0.032).Conclusions The dynamic changes of sPD-1 and sPD-L1 in serum and urine suggested that PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway is involved in the development process of childhood primary nephrotic syndrome.

Objective: To investigate the inhibitory effect of macrophage foaming by Yinlan Tianzhi formula (YLTZ) and to explain its effects on lipid-induced inflammation and LXRα-ABCA1 signal pathway. Methods: The model of macrophage foaming was induced by incubating the RAW264.7 cells or BMMs with ox-LDL (50 mg·L-1). The serum containing YLTZ was prepared. The cells were divided into blank group, model group, and drug group. After drug intervention, MTT method was used to detect cell proliferation. The lipid accumulation in cells was observed by oil red O staining, and GPO-PAP method was used to determine the total cholesterol content in cells. Protein and mRNA levels were determined by Western blot and RT- qPCR. Results: Compared with control group, after YLTZ treatment, the lipid level was significantly decreased, and the level of mRNA and protein of LXRα and ABCA1 were significant increased. The expression of inflammatory factor COX2 and iNOS was significantly decreased. Conclusion: YLTZ inhibits macrophage foaming through enhancing LXRα-ABCA1 pathway and suppressing of inflammatory response.