ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Yiqi Huoxue Jiedu formula（YHJF） on immune cell exhaustion in the spleen of septic mice and to explore and validate its potential intervention targets. MethodsMice were randomly divided into the sham-operated， model， low-dose YHJF（4.1 g·kg^-1）， and high-dose YHJF（8.2 g·kg^-1） groups. Except for the sham-operated group， a cecal ligation and puncture（CLP） procedure was performed to establish a mouse sepsis model. The treatment groups received oral administration of the corresponding doses， while the sham-operated and model groups received an equal volume of physiological saline. After the intervention， the 7-day survival rate of each group was recorded， and spleen samples were collected 72 h post-intervention， and the spleen index was calculated. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate（dUTP） nick end labeling（TUNEL） staining was used to detect apoptosis in spleen cells. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA） was performed to measure the levels of interleukin（IL）-4 and IL-10 in the serum. Transcriptomics and metabolomics were used to screen for differentially expressed genes（DEGs） and differential metabolites in the spleen， followed by bioinformatics analysis to identify key targets. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR）， flow cytometry， and multiplex immunofluorescence were used to verify the expressions of key genes and proteins. ResultsThe high-dose YHJF group significantly improved the 7-day survival rate of septic mice（P0.05）. Compared with the sham-operated group， the model group showed a significant increase in apoptosis of spleen cells and a decrease in the spleen index at 72 h post-modeling， with markedly elevated peripheral serum IL-4 and IL-10 levels（P0.01）. Compared with the model group， the high-dose YHJF group showed a reduction in apoptosis of spleen cells， an increase in the spleen index， and a significant decrease in peripheral serum IL-4 and IL-10 levels（P0.05）. Spleen transcriptomics identified 255 DEGs between groups， potentially serving as intervention targets for YHJF. Gene Ontology（GO） enrichment analysis revealed that DEGs were mainly involved in biological processes such as natural killer（NK） cell-mediated positive immune regulation， cell killing， cytokine production， positive regulation of innate immune cells， and interferon production. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes（KEGG） pathway enrichment analysis showed that DEGs were mainly involved in cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions， viral protein interactions with cytokines and cytokine receptors， chemokine signaling pathway， and nuclear transcription factor-κB（NF-κB） signaling pathway. Protein-protein interaction（PPI） network analysis identified CD160， granzyme B（GZMB）， and chemokine ligand 4（CCL4） as key targets for YHJF in treating sepsis. Metabolomics identified 46 differential metabolites that were significantly reversed by YHJF intervention， and combined transcriptomics and metabolomics analysis identified 17 differential metabolites closely related to CD160. Pathway enrichment revealed that these metabolites were mainly involved in glycerophospholipid metabolism， arachidonic acid metabolism， glycosylphosphatidylinositol（GPI） anchor biosynthesis， linoleic acid metabolism， and α-linolenic acid metabolism pathways. Verification results showed that， compared with the sham-operated group， the model group exhibited significantly elevated CD160 mRNA expression level in the spleen， along with markedly decreased CCL4 and GZMB mRNA expression， and had a significant increase in CD160 expression on the surface of natural killer T（NKT） cells in the spleen（P0.01）. Compared with the model group， the high-dose YHJF group had a significant decrease in CD160 mRNA expression in the spleen， a significant increase in CCL4 and GZMB mRNA expressions. Further flow cytometry and immunofluorescence revealed that compared with the sham-operated group， CD160 expression on the surface of splenic NKT cells in the model group was significantly increased（P0.01）， while high-dose YHJF intervention significantly reduced CD160 expression（P0.01）. ConclusionYHJF may alleviate NKT cell exhaustion in sepsis by downregulating the expression of the negative co-stimulatory molecule CD160， and this regulatory effect is closely related to fatty acid metabolism pathways. This study provides new insights and targets for further exploration of strengthening vital Qi and detoxifying strategy to improve immune cell exhaustion in acute deficiency syndrome of sepsis.

ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Yiqi Huoxue Jiedu formula（YHJF） on immune cell exhaustion in the spleen of septic mice and to explore and validate its potential intervention targets. MethodsMice were randomly divided into the sham-operated， model， low-dose YHJF（4.1 g·kg^-1）， and high-dose YHJF（8.2 g·kg^-1） groups. Except for the sham-operated group， a cecal ligation and puncture（CLP） procedure was performed to establish a mouse sepsis model. The treatment groups received oral administration of the corresponding doses， while the sham-operated and model groups received an equal volume of physiological saline. After the intervention， the 7-day survival rate of each group was recorded， and spleen samples were collected 72 h post-intervention， and the spleen index was calculated. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate（dUTP） nick end labeling（TUNEL） staining was used to detect apoptosis in spleen cells. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA） was performed to measure the levels of interleukin（IL）-4 and IL-10 in the serum. Transcriptomics and metabolomics were used to screen for differentially expressed genes（DEGs） and differential metabolites in the spleen， followed by bioinformatics analysis to identify key targets. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR）， flow cytometry， and multiplex immunofluorescence were used to verify the expressions of key genes and proteins. ResultsThe high-dose YHJF group significantly improved the 7-day survival rate of septic mice（P0.05）. Compared with the sham-operated group， the model group showed a significant increase in apoptosis of spleen cells and a decrease in the spleen index at 72 h post-modeling， with markedly elevated peripheral serum IL-4 and IL-10 levels（P0.01）. Compared with the model group， the high-dose YHJF group showed a reduction in apoptosis of spleen cells， an increase in the spleen index， and a significant decrease in peripheral serum IL-4 and IL-10 levels（P0.05）. Spleen transcriptomics identified 255 DEGs between groups， potentially serving as intervention targets for YHJF. Gene Ontology（GO） enrichment analysis revealed that DEGs were mainly involved in biological processes such as natural killer（NK） cell-mediated positive immune regulation， cell killing， cytokine production， positive regulation of innate immune cells， and interferon production. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes（KEGG） pathway enrichment analysis showed that DEGs were mainly involved in cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions， viral protein interactions with cytokines and cytokine receptors， chemokine signaling pathway， and nuclear transcription factor-κB（NF-κB） signaling pathway. Protein-protein interaction（PPI） network analysis identified CD160， granzyme B（GZMB）， and chemokine ligand 4（CCL4） as key targets for YHJF in treating sepsis. Metabolomics identified 46 differential metabolites that were significantly reversed by YHJF intervention， and combined transcriptomics and metabolomics analysis identified 17 differential metabolites closely related to CD160. Pathway enrichment revealed that these metabolites were mainly involved in glycerophospholipid metabolism， arachidonic acid metabolism， glycosylphosphatidylinositol（GPI） anchor biosynthesis， linoleic acid metabolism， and α-linolenic acid metabolism pathways. Verification results showed that， compared with the sham-operated group， the model group exhibited significantly elevated CD160 mRNA expression level in the spleen， along with markedly decreased CCL4 and GZMB mRNA expression， and had a significant increase in CD160 expression on the surface of natural killer T（NKT） cells in the spleen（P0.01）. Compared with the model group， the high-dose YHJF group had a significant decrease in CD160 mRNA expression in the spleen， a significant increase in CCL4 and GZMB mRNA expressions. Further flow cytometry and immunofluorescence revealed that compared with the sham-operated group， CD160 expression on the surface of splenic NKT cells in the model group was significantly increased（P0.01）， while high-dose YHJF intervention significantly reduced CD160 expression（P0.01）. ConclusionYHJF may alleviate NKT cell exhaustion in sepsis by downregulating the expression of the negative co-stimulatory molecule CD160， and this regulatory effect is closely related to fatty acid metabolism pathways. This study provides new insights and targets for further exploration of strengthening vital Qi and detoxifying strategy to improve immune cell exhaustion in acute deficiency syndrome of sepsis.

Objective To investigate the effects of electroacupuncture at Baihui(GV20)point and Dazhui(GV14)point on cognitive function and potential mechanisms in Alzheimer's disease(AD)mice.Methods Forty-eight male five-transgenic familial Alzheimer's disease(5xFAD)mice were divided into four groups:empty vector group,knockdown group,empty vector+electroacupuncture group,and knockdown+electroacupuncture group.The knockdown group received Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 2(ROCK2)knockdown via adeno-associated virus(AAV)microinjection technology.Knockdown efficiency was verified by polymerase chain reaction(PCR),and gene expression levels were confirmed by Western Blot.After 4 weeks of viral expression and transfection,electroacupuncture intervention at Baihui and Dazhui acupoints was administered for 4 weeks.Cognitive function was assessed using behavioral tests.Pathological products,inflammatory markers[interleukin 6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α)],and changes in the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway were detected using immunofluorescence staining,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),and Western Blot techniques.Results Compared with the empty vector group,the ROCK2 knockdown group showed significantly improved spatial and contextual memory(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),reduced amyloid deposition and inflammatory indicators(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),and increased expression levels of phosphorylated protein kinase B(P-AKT)and phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase(P-PI3K)(P＜0.01),while the knockdown+electroacupuncture group exhibited more pronounced effects than knockdown group(P＜0.05 orP＜0.01).Conclusion Electroacupuncture at Baihui point and Dazhui point can regulate ROCK2 to activate the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway,improve cognitive impairment in AD mice,reduce Aβ deposition,and alleviate inflammatory responses.

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship of physical activity (PA) and cognitive function to sleep quality in older adults with cognitive impairment based on resting electroencephalogram (EEG), and to explore the mediating role of specific EEG markers in the relationship between PA and sleep quality. MethodsFrom March to May, 2024, 137 older adults were recruited from Chenfu Jiayuan and Qiangwei Jiuli in Songjiang district, and Luyan communities in Jinshan district, Shanghai. The assessments included Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), along with a five-minute EEG recording. ResultsThere was significant difference in sleep quality among older adults with different levels of cognitive impairment (t = -7.400, P < 0.001). The PSQI total score was negatively correlated with MoCA scores (r = -0.412, P < 0.001) and total physical activity level (PAL) (r = -0.363, P < 0.001). The θ power in the frontal areas (F3, F4) was significantly correlated with both PSQI scores and PAL (P < 0.01). The θ power in F3 + F4 exhibited a significant partial (effect size = -0.0004, 95%CI -0.0007 to -0.0002) mediating effect between PA and sleep quality in older adults with cognitive impairment. ConclusionOlder adults with more severe cognitive impairment tend to have poorer sleep quality, whereas higher PAL is associated with better sleep quality. PA can indirectly influence sleep quality in older adults with cognitive impairment by affecting θ power (F3 + F4).

Objective In order to address the major issues in fixed assets management for public hospitals like"unclear management boundaries,poor management,improper utilization,and placing greater emphasis on purchasing rather than manage-ment"this paper delved into the management of fixed assets in public hospitals.Methods The Theory of Constraints(TOC)was used to guide the study.In conjunction with a current situation analysis,the key factors influencing fixed assets management in public hospitals were identified using a questionnaire survey as well as field investigation.Results By adopting a problem-sol-ving approach and focusing on the"five key elements"of refining institutional processes,optimizing system utilization,develo-ping team management,establishing effective performance evaluation,and implementing innovative work mechanisms,a lean management system for fixed assets in public hospitals was developed.This system ensured the efficient and standardized daily management of fixed assets,continual enhancement of institutional frameworks,initial formation of management teams,and the fundamental establishment of dynamic management practices.Conclusion Hospitals explore comprehensive life-cycle manage-ment of fixed assets,effectively elevating the level of refined management of fixed assets and ensuring the secure integrity and effi-cient utilization of state-owned assets.

The C-glycosidic bond that connects the sugar moiety with aglycone is difficult to be broken or made due to its inert nature. The knowledge of C-glycoside breakdown and synthesis is very limited. Recently, the enzyme DgpA/B/C cascade from a human intestinal bacterium PUE was identified to specifically cleave the C-glycosidic bond of puerarin (daidzein-8-C-glucoside). Here we investigated how puerarin is recognized and oxidized by DgpA based on crystal structures of DgpA with or without substrate and biochemical characterization. More strikingly, we found that apart from being a C-glycoside cleaving enzyme, DgpA/B/C is capable of efficiently converting O- to C-glycoside showing the activity as a structure isomerase. A possible mechanistic model was proposed dependently of the simulated complex structure of DgpB/C with 3″-oxo-daidzin and structure-based mutagenesis. Our findings not only shed light on understanding the enzyme-mediated C-glycosidic bond breakage and formation, but also may help to facilitate stereospecific C-glycoside synthesis in pharmaceutical industry.

Via an insufficient coat protein complex I (COPI) retrieval signal, the majority of SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) is resident in host early secretory organelles and a tiny amount is leaked out in cell surface. Only surface-exposed S can be recognized by B cell receptor (BCR) or anti-S therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that is the trigger step for B cell activation after S mRNA vaccination or infected cell clearance by S mAbs. Now, a drug strategy to promote S host surface exposure is absent. Here, we first combined structural and biochemical analysis to characterize S COPI sorting signals. A potent S COPI sorting inhibitor was then invented, evidently capable of promoting S surface exposure and facilitating infected cell clearance by S antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Importantly, with the inhibitor as a probe, we revealed Omicron BA.1 S is less cell surface exposed than prototypes because of a constellation of S folding mutations, possibly corresponding to its ER chaperone association. Our findings not only suggest COPI is a druggable target against COVID-19, but also highlight SARS-CoV-2 evolution mechanism driven by S folding and trafficking mutations.

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, is a destructive pest native to America and has recently become an invasive insect pest in China. Because of its rapid spread and great risks in China, understanding of FAW genetic background and pesticide resistance is urgent and essential to develop effective management strategies. Here, we assembled a chromosome-level genome of a male FAW (SFynMstLFR) and compared re-sequencing results of the populations from America, Africa, and China. Strain identification of 163 individuals collected from America, Africa and China showed that both C and R strains were found in the American populations, while only C strain was found in the Chinese and African populations. Moreover, population genomics analysis showed that populations from Africa and China have close relationship with significantly genetic differentiation from American populations. Taken together, FAWs invaded into China were most likely originated from Africa. Comparative genomics analysis displayed that the cytochrome p450 gene family is extremely expanded to 425 members in FAW, of which 283 genes are specific to FAW. Treatments of Chinese populations with twenty-three pesticides showed the variant patterns of transcriptome profiles, and several detoxification genes such as AOX, UGT and GST specially responded to the pesticides. These findings will be useful in developing effective strategies for management of FAW in China and other invaded areas.
Animals ; China ; Genomics ; Humans ; Male ; Pesticides ; Spodoptera/genetics* ; Transcriptome

The aim of this study was to develop a blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (bELISA) based on a biotinylated nanobody target the S1 protein of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) for detecting the anti-PEDV antibodies and evaluating the immune effect of the vaccine. The gene encoding the single-domain antibody sdAb3 target the PEDV S1 protein was amplified and the Avitag sequence was fused at its 3'-end. The PCR product was cloned into the expression vector pET-21b for expression and purification of the sdAb3-Avitag protein. The purified sdAb3-Avitag fusion protein was biotinylated and its activity was determined. Using the recombinant S1 protein as a coating antigen, a bELISA was established and optimized. Serum samples were tested in parallel by the bELISA and a commercial kit. The recombinant vector pET21b-sdAb3-Avitag was constructed to express the tagged sdAb3. After induction for expression, the biotin-labeled sdAb3 (sdAb3-Biotin) with high purity and good activity was obtained. For the optimized bELISA, the coating concentration of the S1 protein was 200 ng/well, the serum dilution was 1:2 and incubated for 2 h, the dilution ratio of the biotinylated sdAb3 was 1:8 000 and incubated for 30 min, the dilution of the enzyme-labeled antibody was 1:5 000 and incubated for 30 min. The bELISA had no cross reaction with the sera of major porcine viruses including transmissible gastroenteritis virus, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and showed good specificity and reproducibility. For a total of 54 porcine serum samples tested, the overall compliance rate of the bELISA with a commercial kit was 92.56%. This study developed a rapid and reliable bELISA method, which can be used for serosurveillance and vaccine evaluation for PEDV.
Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; Coronavirus Infections/veterinary* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus/genetics* ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Single-Domain Antibodies ; Swine ; Swine Diseases

Objective: To assess the vaccine loss related to the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region so as to improve the management of vaccines. Methods: A total of 135 vaccination clinics were randomly selected, using a stratified cluster sampling method. In each clinic, data on vaccination was collected between 2016 and 2017, including the number of doses in routine immunization program and supplementary immunization activities (i.e., vaccine doses in vials that were opened for use) on polio vaccine, number of doses administered to children and the number of doses discarded (e.g., expired vaccine or broken vials that had not been opened for use), etc. Coefficient on vaccine loss was calculated with the following equation: vaccine loss coefficient=(number of vaccine doses used)/(number of vaccine doses administered). The vaccine discard rate appeared as: number of vaccine doses discarded)/number of vaccine doses used. Results: For vaccines in single-dose vials [diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine (DTaP) and trivalent oral polio virus vaccine (tOPV)], the loss coefficients appeared as 1.00 and 1.02, respectively. For vaccines in multi-dose vials [bivalent oral polio vaccine (bOPV), group A meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (MPV-A), diphtheria-tetanus combined vaccine (DT) and bacilli Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine], the loss coefficients were 1.58, 1.67, 1.68, and 3.02, respectively. The coefficients of EPI vaccine loss in urban, rural, and pastoral area vaccination clinics ranged between 1.00-2.84, 1.00-3.71, and 1.00-2.27, respectively. Loss coefficients ranged between 1.00-3.00, 1.00- 4.41, and 1.00-1.94, respectively, were seen in township clinics, village clinics, and decentralized vaccination clinics. Coefficients on larger vaccine loss were associated with longer intervals between clinic sessions and with fewer vaccinations administrations per day. Conclusions In Xinjiang, coefficients on the loss of multi-dose EPI vaccines were high. The coefficients on loss were different from the levels of region and types of clinics, and time interval between clinic sessions. Programs on refining the management and distribution of EPI vaccines, to minimize the vaccine loss were recommended.