The prevalence of comorbidity of eating disorders(ED)and bipolar disorder(BD)is high,and patients with comorbid conditions often have a high risk of suicide and poor prognosis.Exploring the pathogenesis of BD comorbid with ED is of great significance for improving clinical efficacy and adverse prognosis in patients.The mechanisms underlying BD comorbid ED remain unclear,involving multifaceted neurobiological factors such as serotonin system dysfunction,dopamine reward pathway disruption,abnormal immune system activation,fluctuations in sex hormone levels,and functional and structural abnormalities in brain regions associated with emotional control and reward system pathways.Therefore,this article provides ideas for the research direction of BD comorbid with ED by analyzing the roles of genetic metabolism,neurobiochemistry,immune,and imaging changes in the comorbidity mechanism.

This study was aimed at predicting and analyzing the structural and functional properties of the persistence-associated secretory protein PaaX in Mycobacterium tuberculosis(M.tb),identifying its interacting partners,and elucidating its biological roles.Bioinformatics analysis revealed that PaaX comprises 240 amino acids with a molecular mass of 26.54 kDa(C1158H1866N354O334S14).The protein lacks transmembrane domains but contains a signal peptide.Its secondary structure is dominated by α-helices(53.33%),fol-lowed by random coils(36.25%)and extended strands(10.42%),thereby forming a homotetrameric spatial configuration.Potential PaaX-interacting proteins,including Rv0406c,EchA4,EchA5,HsaE,FadE8,LpqP,and End,were predicted.These candidate genes and the paaX gene were cloned into bacterial two-hybrid vectors and co-transformed into Escherichia coli BTH101 cells.Colony PCR and sequencing confirmed the accuracy of the recombinant constructs.Bacterial two-hybrid assays demonstrated direct interac-tions of PaaX with EchA4,HsaE,FadE8,and LpqP.Moreover,gradient dilution experiments indicated that the strongest binding af-finity occurred between PaaX and EchA4.AlphaFold 3 modeling further validated these interactions,thus providing high-confidence predictions of binding interfaces.Our findings revealed that PaaX,a secreted α-helix-rich protein,engages in specific interactions with key metabolic enzymes(EchA4,HsaE,and FadE8)and a lipoprotein(LpqP),thus suggesting its potential involvement in lipid metabolism,stress adaptation,and host-pathogen interactions.This study provides novel insights into PaaX's contribution to M.tb per-sistence and pathogenicity,and highlights its value as a potential target for tuberculosis diagnostics and therapeutic development.

The prevalence of comorbidity of eating disorders(ED)and bipolar disorder(BD)is high,and patients with comorbid conditions often have a high risk of suicide and poor prognosis.Exploring the pathogenesis of BD comorbid with ED is of great significance for improving clinical efficacy and adverse prognosis in patients.The mechanisms underlying BD comorbid ED remain unclear,involving multifaceted neurobiological factors such as serotonin system dysfunction,dopamine reward pathway disruption,abnormal immune system activation,fluctuations in sex hormone levels,and functional and structural abnormalities in brain regions associated with emotional control and reward system pathways.Therefore,this article provides ideas for the research direction of BD comorbid with ED by analyzing the roles of genetic metabolism,neurobiochemistry,immune,and imaging changes in the comorbidity mechanism.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the management status of small pressure steam sterilizers in dental institu-tions across seven major regions of China and provide references for establishing standardized monitoring and eval-uation protocols for sterilization efficacy.METHODS From Aug.to Nov.2023,a convenience sampling method was employed to select 885 dental institutions of various levels from seven geographical regions.An online survey using a self-designed questionnaire was conducted to assess the management status of small pressure steam steri-lizers in dental institutions.RESULTS A total of 885 questionnaires were distributed,with 770 valid responses col-lected,covering 770 dental institutions at all levels.The survey involved 2 056 small pressure steam sterilizers,of which 43.14％were pre-vacuum type and 89.40％were benchtop models.Tertiary dental institutions had the high-est proportion of imported small pressure steam sterilizers(60.15％),with most devices in use for 5-10 years(36.88％).Secondary and low er-level institutions predominantly used domestically produced small pressure steam sterilizers(74.60％),which used for 3-5 years accounting for the highest proportion(34.29％).While 85.58％of dental institutions employed dedicated sterilization personnel,only 45.84％performed proper maintenance for small pressure steam sterilizers.Training rates were 80.00％for department of stomatology in ungraded general hospitals and primary medical institutions,76.19％in prejob and 71.43％during the work for department of sto-matology in primary clinics,respectively.CONCLUSIONS Although most dental institutions demonstrate sound policy formulation,challenges persist in equipment maintenance,policy implementation and grassroots training.Future efforts should be made on strengthening maintenance and inspection of equipment,enhancing sys-tem supervisory mechanisms,and optimizing training systems to ensure dental treatment safety.

BACKGROUND:The effect of protective agent penetration is crucial in organ cryopreservation.Quantitative analysis of the effect of cryoprotectant dimethyl sulfoxide introduction can provide a theoretical basis for the successful cryopreservation of organs.OBJECTIVE:To study the effect of dimethyl sulfoxide penetration on the cryopreservation of rabbits'severed hindlimb.METHODS:Fifty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into group A1(n=8),group A2(n=8),group B1(n=8),group B2(n=8),group C1(n=6),group C2(n=6),and group C3(n=6)by random number table method.The severed hind limb cryoprotectant perfusion model was established in all groups.Groups A1 and A2 were perfused with 10％and 20％dimethyl sulfoxide solution through the femoral artery for 50 minutes,respectively.The concentration of dimethyl sulfoxide in muscle tissue was detected by microdialysis-freezing osmometer.Group B1 and group B2 were perfused with 10％and 20％dimethyl sulfoxide solution through the femoral artery for 30 and 20 minutes,respectively.The concentration of dimethyl sulfoxide in perivascular,muscle and subcutaneous tissue was detected by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.Group C1,group C2,and group C3 were immersed in 50％,35％,and 20％dimethyl sulfoxide solution for 30 minutes,respectively.Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to detect the concentration of dimethyl sulfoxide in perivascular,muscle and subcutaneous tissues.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The concentration of dimethyl sulfoxide in the muscle tissue of groups A1 and A2 increased with the extension of perfusion time.The concentration of group A1 stabilized at about 5％after 30 minutes of perfusion,and the concentration of group A2 stabilized at about 12％after 20 minutes of perfusion.The concentration of dimethyl sulfoxide in the muscle tissue of group A2 at each perfusion time point was higher than that of group A1(P＜0.05).(2)The concentrations of dimethyl sulfoxide in the muscle,perivascular and subcutaneous tissue of group B2 were 12％,20％,and 8.6％,respectively.The concentrations of dimethyl sulfoxide in the perivascular,muscle tissue and subcutaneous tissue of group B1 were 10.9％,6.9％,and 1％,respectively.There were significant differences in the concentrations of dimethyl sulfoxide in the same tissues between the two groups(P＜0.05).(3)The presence of dimethyl sulfoxide was not detected in the muscle and perivascular tissue of groups C1,C2,and C3.The concentrations of dimethyl sulfoxide in the subcutaneous tissue of groups C1,C2,and C3 were 6.5％,2.3％,and 1.85％,respectively,and the difference between the groups was significant(P＜0.05).(4)These results suggest that for the rabbits'severed hindlimb model,the dimethyl sulfoxide penetration is ineffective by traditional immersion method,while 20％dimethyl sulfoxide can reach or approach effective vitrification concentration in most tissues after being introduced into the model through arterial perfusion.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the management status of small pressure steam sterilizers in dental institu-tions across seven major regions of China and provide references for establishing standardized monitoring and eval-uation protocols for sterilization efficacy.METHODS From Aug.to Nov.2023,a convenience sampling method was employed to select 885 dental institutions of various levels from seven geographical regions.An online survey using a self-designed questionnaire was conducted to assess the management status of small pressure steam steri-lizers in dental institutions.RESULTS A total of 885 questionnaires were distributed,with 770 valid responses col-lected,covering 770 dental institutions at all levels.The survey involved 2 056 small pressure steam sterilizers,of which 43.14％were pre-vacuum type and 89.40％were benchtop models.Tertiary dental institutions had the high-est proportion of imported small pressure steam sterilizers(60.15％),with most devices in use for 5-10 years(36.88％).Secondary and low er-level institutions predominantly used domestically produced small pressure steam sterilizers(74.60％),which used for 3-5 years accounting for the highest proportion(34.29％).While 85.58％of dental institutions employed dedicated sterilization personnel,only 45.84％performed proper maintenance for small pressure steam sterilizers.Training rates were 80.00％for department of stomatology in ungraded general hospitals and primary medical institutions,76.19％in prejob and 71.43％during the work for department of sto-matology in primary clinics,respectively.CONCLUSIONS Although most dental institutions demonstrate sound policy formulation,challenges persist in equipment maintenance,policy implementation and grassroots training.Future efforts should be made on strengthening maintenance and inspection of equipment,enhancing sys-tem supervisory mechanisms,and optimizing training systems to ensure dental treatment safety.

BACKGROUND:The effect of protective agent penetration is crucial in organ cryopreservation.Quantitative analysis of the effect of cryoprotectant dimethyl sulfoxide introduction can provide a theoretical basis for the successful cryopreservation of organs.OBJECTIVE:To study the effect of dimethyl sulfoxide penetration on the cryopreservation of rabbits'severed hindlimb.METHODS:Fifty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into group A1(n=8),group A2(n=8),group B1(n=8),group B2(n=8),group C1(n=6),group C2(n=6),and group C3(n=6)by random number table method.The severed hind limb cryoprotectant perfusion model was established in all groups.Groups A1 and A2 were perfused with 10％and 20％dimethyl sulfoxide solution through the femoral artery for 50 minutes,respectively.The concentration of dimethyl sulfoxide in muscle tissue was detected by microdialysis-freezing osmometer.Group B1 and group B2 were perfused with 10％and 20％dimethyl sulfoxide solution through the femoral artery for 30 and 20 minutes,respectively.The concentration of dimethyl sulfoxide in perivascular,muscle and subcutaneous tissue was detected by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.Group C1,group C2,and group C3 were immersed in 50％,35％,and 20％dimethyl sulfoxide solution for 30 minutes,respectively.Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to detect the concentration of dimethyl sulfoxide in perivascular,muscle and subcutaneous tissues.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The concentration of dimethyl sulfoxide in the muscle tissue of groups A1 and A2 increased with the extension of perfusion time.The concentration of group A1 stabilized at about 5％after 30 minutes of perfusion,and the concentration of group A2 stabilized at about 12％after 20 minutes of perfusion.The concentration of dimethyl sulfoxide in the muscle tissue of group A2 at each perfusion time point was higher than that of group A1(P＜0.05).(2)The concentrations of dimethyl sulfoxide in the muscle,perivascular and subcutaneous tissue of group B2 were 12％,20％,and 8.6％,respectively.The concentrations of dimethyl sulfoxide in the perivascular,muscle tissue and subcutaneous tissue of group B1 were 10.9％,6.9％,and 1％,respectively.There were significant differences in the concentrations of dimethyl sulfoxide in the same tissues between the two groups(P＜0.05).(3)The presence of dimethyl sulfoxide was not detected in the muscle and perivascular tissue of groups C1,C2,and C3.The concentrations of dimethyl sulfoxide in the subcutaneous tissue of groups C1,C2,and C3 were 6.5％,2.3％,and 1.85％,respectively,and the difference between the groups was significant(P＜0.05).(4)These results suggest that for the rabbits'severed hindlimb model,the dimethyl sulfoxide penetration is ineffective by traditional immersion method,while 20％dimethyl sulfoxide can reach or approach effective vitrification concentration in most tissues after being introduced into the model through arterial perfusion.

Anhedonia is one of the core symptoms of major depressive disorder, and its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The regulation of the reward process in brain regions, such as the hippocampus, amygdala, striatum, ventral tegmental brain, and prefrontal lobe, may play a role in anhedonia. This study has concluded the changes in relevant brain regions in reward anticipation, decision-making, and feedback processes. The neuroimaging mechanisms of inflammation, neurotransmitter metabolism, and gene expression on depression anhedonia symptoms were reviewed.

Objective:To explore the effect of staged pressure therapy, in addition to rehabilitation training, on scar hyperplasia and motor function after a deep hand burn.Methods:Sixty patients with deep hand burns were randomly divided into a control group ( n=30) and an observation group ( n=30). In addition to specialized burn treatment and early rehabilitation training, the control group was given routine pressure treatment, while the observation group was provided with staged pressure therapy for 6 months. Before the treatment and after 3 and 6 months of treatment, scar hyperplasia and hand function in both groups was evaluated using the Vancouver scar scale (VSS), grip strength and pinch strength tests, and the Jebsen hand function test (JHFT). Total active motion (TAM) and total passive motion (TPM) of the finger joints was quantified, and any complications during the treatment were recorded. Results:After 3 and 6 months of the treatment, all of the observations in both groups had improved significantly, but the improvements were significantly better among the treatment group, on average.Conclusions:Staged pressure therapy can more effectively inhibit scar hyperplasia after a deep hand burn. In conjunction with rehabilitation training, it better improves the mobility of the finger joints, hand muscle strength and the recovery of hand function. It is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

This study aims to determine the therapeutic effect and then elucidate the molecular mechanism of Dietary Yangrong Decoction(DYRT)on blood deficiency syndrome based on net-work pharmacology and study its active compounds.The molecular mechanism of DYRT in the treatment of blood deficiency syndrome was predicted by network pharmacology.The blood defi-ciency of rats was established using cyclophosphamide and acetophenohydrazine jointly,which was divided into a blank control group,a model group,a Men's Yangrong Decoction group(MYRT)(positive control group),a medicinal group and food-based Yangrong Decoction group.The active components were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(HPLC-MS),the periph-eral hemogram was detected by an automatic biochemical analyzer,the levels of hematopoietic regulatory factors in serum were determined by ELISA,and the relative expression of EPO in kid-ney and PI3K,AKT,GM-CSF in bone marrow were measured by RT-PCR.The results showed that DYRT had 57 active ingredients and 128 potential targets for the treatment of spleen deficien-cy syndrome.1 835 items were obtained by GO enrichment analysis,and 20 pathways were ob-tained by KEGG enrichment analysis;DYRT and MYRT were identified by HPLC-MS to contain 12 same blood active compounds.Animal experiments showed that,compared with the model group,the number of red blood cells,the number of platelets and the content of hemoglobin in the DYRT group were significantly increased,and the number of white blood cells was significantly decreased(P＜0.05).The contents of EPO,IL-3,IL-6 and GM-CSF in serum were significantly in-creased,and the content of TNF-α was significantly decreased(P＜0.05).The relative expression levels of EPO in kidney and PI3K,AKT and GM-CSF mRNA in bone marrow were significantly increased(P＜0.05).Compared with the MYRT group,the number of white blood cells in the DYRT group was significantly reduced,the content of GM-CSF in serum was significantly in-creased,and the content of EPO and GM-CSF mRNA was significantly increased(P＜0.05).In conclusion,DYRT contains the same active compounds as MYRT,which can regulate hematopoi-etic factors,thereby activating the PI3K/AKT pathway to restore hematopoietic function and im-prove the blood deficiency state of the body.