Objective This study reports on the obligatory parasitism of water mites Arrenurus sp. on Anopheles messeae at the Manzhouli Port, Inner Mongolia, China. Methods Duing July 2024, a survey on the mosquito diversity was conducted at the Manzhouli Port. Captured mosquitoes and their ectoparasites were identified to species level. Results A total of 1840 adult mosquitoes were collected, representing species from three genera: Culex(Cx. modestus, Cx. pipiens pallens), Aedes(Ae. dorsalis, Ae. flavidorsalis, Ae. flavescens), and Anopheles (An. messeae). Among all the mosqutioes specimens,3 out of 150 captured An. messeae were found to carry ectoparasitic mites, with number of 2,4,27 mites separately. Morphological and molecular identification reached the same result as water mites(Hydrachnidiae, Hydracrina). COI gene sequence showed 94% similarity with the closest species Arrenurus truncatellus. Conlusions Literature review suggests water mites are host-specific parasitism of mosquito species and herein with the first record of Arrenurus sp. parasiting on An. Messeae in the most high-latitude region globally.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the pharmacological impact of hesperidin, the main component of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, on depressive behavior and elucidate the mechanism by which hesperidin treats depression, focusing on the gut-brain axis. METHODS: Fifty-four Sprague Dawley male rats were randomly allocated to 6 groups using a random number table, including control, model, hesperidin, probiotics, fluoxetine, and Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium groups. Except for the control group, rats in the remaining 5 groups were challenged with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) for 21 days and housed in single cages. The sucrose preference test (SPT), immobility time in the forced swim test (FST), and number in the open field test (OFT) were performed to measure the behavioral changes in the rats. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in brain tissue, and the histopathology was performed to evaluate the changes of colon tissue, together with sequencing of the V3-V4 regions of 16S rRNA gene on feces to explore the changes of intestinal flora in the rats. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, the rats in the model group showed notable reductions in body weight, SPF, and number in OFT (P<0.01). Hesperidin was found to ameliorate depression induced by CUMS, as seen by improvements in body weight, SPT, immobility time in FST, and number in OFT (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Regarding neurotransmitters, it was found that at a dose of 50 mg/kg hesperidin treatment upregulated the levels of 5-HT and BDNF in depressed rats (P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the colon tissue of the model group exhibited greater inflammatory cell infiltration, with markedly reduced numbers of goblet cells and crypts and were significantly improved following treatment with hesperidin. Simultaneously, the administration of hesperidin demonstrated a positive impact on the gut microbiome of rats treated with CUMS, such as Shannon index increased and Simpson index decreased (P<0.01), while the abundance of Pseudomonadota and Bacteroidota increased in the hesperidin-treated group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The mechanism responsible for the beneficial effects of hesperidin on depressive behavior in rats may be related to inhibition of the expressions of BDNF and 5-HT and preservation of the gut microbiota.
Animals ; Hesperidin/therapeutic use* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Depression/drug therapy* ; Male ; Stress, Psychological/drug therapy* ; Brain/metabolism* ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/metabolism* ; Serotonin/metabolism* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Behavior, Animal/drug effects* ; Rats ; Brain-Gut Axis/drug effects* ; Chronic Disease ; Colon/drug effects*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of acupuncture on advanced cancer patients by meta-analysis. METHODS: Nine databases (the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China Science and Technology Journal Database, and WanFang Data) were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on acupuncture in advanced cancer patients published from inception to February 13, 2023 and updated to June 1, 2023. Primary outcomes were quality of life (QOL), while secondary outcomes were pain, fatigue, and adverse events (side effects). Data synthesis was performed using RevMan V.5.3 to calculate pooled effect sizes. RoB-2 was used for the risk of bias, and the quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) tool. RESULTS: Totally 17 RCTs involving 1,178 participants were included, 15 of which were pooled for meta-analysis. Most studies demonstrated some concern for the overall risk of bias. The pooled data indicated that acupuncture was associated with improved QOL [mean difference (MD)=6.67, 95% confidence interval (CI): 5.09 to 8.26], pain (MD=-1.18, 95% CI -2.28 to -0.08), and adverse events (risk ratio=0.30, 95% CI: 0.26 to 0.57) compared with control groups. Fatigue outcome was not included. Heterogeneity was substantial, and GRADE evidence was very low for both QOL and pain. CONCLUSIONS Acupuncture could benefit patients with advanced cancer and is considered safe compared with usual care. However, the evidence regarding QOL and pain outcomes requires further validation. It is crucial to encourage the development of high-quality studies to strengthen this evidence. (Registry No. CRD42023423539).
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Neoplasms/therapy* ; Quality of Life ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) activity of total alkaloids from Gelsemium elegans Benth. (TAG) in vivo and in vitro and to elucidate their potential mechanisms of action through transcriptomic analysis. METHODS: TAG extraction was conducted, and the primary components were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The effects of TAG (100, 150, and 200 µg/mL) on various tumor cells, including SMMC-7721, HepG2, H22, CAL27, MCF7, HT29, and HCT116, were assessed. Effects of TAG on HCC proliferation and apoptosis were detected by colony formation assays and cell stainings. Caspase-3, Bcl-2, and Bax protein levels were detected by Western blotting. In vivo, a tumor xenograft model was developed using H22 cells. Totally 40 Kunming mice were randomly assigned to model, cyclophosphamide (20 mg/kg), TAG low-dose (TAG-L, 0.5 mg/kg), and TAG high-dose (TAG-H, 1 mg/kg) groups, with 10 mice in each group. Tumor volume, body weight, and tumor weight were recorded and compared during 14-day treatment. Immune organ index were calculated. Tissue changes were oberseved by hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry. Additionally, transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses, as well as quatitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), were performed to detect mRNA and metabolite expressions. RESULTS: HPLC successfully identified the components of TAG extraction. Live cell imaging and analysis, along with cell viability assays, demonstrated that TAG inhibited the proliferation of SMMC-7721, HepG2, H22, CAL27, MCF7, HT29, and HCT116 cells. Colony formation assays, Hoechst 33258 staining, Rhodamine 123 staining, and Western blotting revealed that TAG not only inhibited HCC proliferation but also promoted apoptosis (P<0.05). In vivo experiments showed that TAG inhibited the growth of solid tumors in HCC in mice (P<0.05). Transcriptomic analysis and RT-qPCR indicated that the inhibition of HCC by TAG was associated with the regulation of the key gene CXCL13. CONCLUSION TAG inhibits HCC both in vivo and in vitro, with its inhibitory effect linked to the regulation of the key gene CXCL13.
Animals ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Liver Neoplasms/genetics* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics* ; Humans ; Alkaloids/therapeutic use* ; Gelsemium/chemistry* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Mice ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Objective To investigate the dosimetric differences in preoperative short-course volumetric modulated arc therapy(VMAT)for rectal cancer using different fluence smoothing(FS)levels in the Monaco Treatment Planning System(Monaco TPS).Methods Twenty rectal cancer patients who received preoperative neoadjuvant short-course VMAT at some hospital from September 2021 to December 2022 were retrospectively selected.Four groups of radiotherapy plans were formulated using the Monaco TPS for each case,which were classified into an off group,a low group,a medium group and a high group based on the FS levels.Then the four groups were compared in terms of the dosimetric parameters,monitor unit and number of the segments in the planning target volume(PTV)and organ at risk(OAR).Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 27.0 software.Results All the four groups had the doses to the target volume meeting clinical requirements,which had no significant differences in the doses to 5％(D5％)and 95％(D95％)to the target volume and the maximum dose(Dmax),minimum dose(Dmin),mean dose(Dmean)and conformity index(all P＞0.05).Statistical differences were found between the homogeneity indexes of the four groups(P＜0.05),with the medium group behaving the best.The number of the segments rose while the mornitor units decreased siginificantly with the increase of FS levels,with the differences being statistically significant(P＜0.05).There were no significant differences between the V25,V20,V15 and V10 of the small intestine,the V25 and V20 of the bladder and the V15 and V10 of the left and right femur(all P＞0.05).Conclusion In preoperative short-course VMAT for rectal cancer,clinical requirements can be met with different FS levels in the Monaco TPS,and medium-level FS results in optimal overall dose distribution in terms of treatment planning.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(5):48-53]

Objective:To investigate the immuno-inflammatory regulatory effects of the Qing Gan San Jie Xiao Ying Formula(QGSJXYF)on Hashimoto's thyroiditis(HT)by modulating thyroid cell-derived exosomes to provide experi-mental evidence for its immunomodulatory mechanisms.Methods:Nthy-ori-3-1 thyroid cells were treated with QGSJXYF-medicated serum,with untreated cells serving as controls.Exosomes from both groups were extracted and analyzed using nanoparticle tracking analysis(NTA),transmission electron microscopy(TEM),and Western blot to assess concentration,size distribution,morphology,and the expression of characteristic exosomal markers.An inflammatory model of human T lymphocytes(H9)was established and co-incubated with normal exosomes(EXO-C group)or QGSJXYF-treated exosomes(EXO-T group).The levels of inflammatory cytokines in H9 cells were measured using Western blot(WB)and ELISA.Results:Exosome characterization showed that the particle concentration of Nthy-ori-3-1 cell-derived exosomes in both the control and QGSJXYF groups ranged from 1×109 to 1×1011/mL,with particle diameters between 80～300 nm.The exosomes exhibited a typical spherical or cup-shaped morphology with positive expression of TSG101,CD63,and HSP70.Compared with the inflammation model group and the EXO-C group,the EXO-T group significantly reduced the intracellular expression of IL-17A protein in H9 cells(P<0.05)and suppressed IL-17 and IL-6 levels in the cell supernatant(P<0.01).Conclusion:QGSJXYF may exert its anti-inflammatory and thyroid-protective effects by modulating the functional state of thyroid cell-derived exosomes,regulating the inflamma-tory microenvironment,and inhibiting the expression of inflammatory cytokines associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Objective To investigate the ameliorative effects and mechanisms of six types of tea(green tea,cyan tea,red tea,white tea,black tea and yellow tea)on metabolic disorders in obesity mice induced by high-fat diet(HFD).Methods Four-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 8 groups with 7 mice per group.An HFD-induced obese mouse model was established,and the mice in control group maintained on standard diet followed by intragastric administration of different teas for 5 weeks.The body weight,liver weight ratio,fasting blood glucose,and lipid profile of the mice were measured to assess glucose and lipid metabolism.Serum inflammatory factors including IL-6,tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α)and oxidative stress markers[malondialdehyde(MDA)and superoxide dismutase(SOD)were measured.Additionally,liver histopathology and the expression of key glycolipid metabolism-related genes,adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK)and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1(CPT-1),were analyzed to explore underlying mechanisms.Results Cyan tea significantly suppressed weight gain,demonstrating superior weight control.White tea markedly reduced fasting blood glucose levels and decreased the area under the curve of oral glucose tolerance test(OGTT)and insulin tolerance test(ITT),indicating synergistic improvements in glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity.Yellow tea exhibited exceptional anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects,reducing hepatic IL-6 and MDA while enhancing SOD activity.Green tea activated the lipid oxidation pathway by upregulating AMPK/CPT-1 expression.All kinds of tea significantly attenuated hepatic lipid droplet accumulation.Conclusion All six types of tea alleviated metabolic disorders by reducing hepatic fat content in obesity mice.However,different types of tea exert their unique effects on improving metabolic disorders through differential mechanisms such as glucose metabolism regulation,lipid oxidation,and anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions.

Objective To investigate the effects of ischemia time and storage periods on RNA quality in fresh-frozen breast cancer(BC)and esophageal cancer(EC)tissue samples in order to establish evidence-based protocols for biobank sample management.Methods The tumor(T)and paired normal(N)tissue samples from 6 cases of BC and 6 cases of EC were collected and cryopreserved in Biobank,Shantou Central Hospital.Mirror paraffin-embedded tissues were simultaneously prepared into sections for morphological analysis.The samples were divided into two groups of<15 min and 15-30 min according to ischemia time,and RNA quality was analyzed at 4 storage periods of 8-10 months(T1),14-16 months(T2),26-28 months(T3)and 38-40 months(T4).Results In 96 analyzed samples,93.8%(90/96)exhibited high quality(RIN≥6),with 89.6%(43/48)in BC and 97.9%(47/48)in EC.Significant differences in RIN were observed between BC group and EC group(8.050 vs.8.600,P=0.009).In EC group,RIN value was significantly negatively correlated with RNA yield(P<0.001).Moreover,RIN values of tumor-normal pairs exhibited markedly significant differences(7.550 vs.9.000,P<0.001).In contrast,no significant difference was detected in BC group(8.200 vs.7.700,P=0.348).Statistical analysis showed that RIN value was positively correlated with 28S/18S(P<0.001),but had no correlation with tumor content(P=0.676)and necrotic content(P=0.055).Neither ischemia time(<15 min vs.15-30 min:8.200 vs.8.300,P=0.932)nor storage periods(T1-T4:8.400,7.700,8.450,8.600,P=0.163)compromised RNA quality.Conclusion Organ origin and tissue type could influence RNA quality of fresh-frozen tissue samples.However,limited ischemia time(≤30 min)and long-term storage period(38-40 months)do not adversely affect RNA quality in fresh-frozen breast cancer and esophageal cancer tissue samples.

Objective:To explore the diagnostic value of shear wave elastography(SWE)for clinically significant prostate cancer(csPCa).Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 359 cases with suspected prostate cancer(PCa)in Baoji Central Hospital from June 2017 to July 2023.All the patients underwent the following examinations in the order of serum prostate-spe-cific antigen(PSA)testing,transrectal ultrasonography(TRUS),measurement of the stiffness of the entire prostate gland by SWE,and TRUS-guided prostate puncture biopsy.The stiffness of the entire prostate gland was defined as the average of Young's modulus at both sides of the base,middle,and apex of the prostate,including the maximum Young's modulus(Emax),mean Young's modulus(Emean),and minimum Young's modulus(Emin).We analyzed the correlation of the parameters of the stiffness of the entire prostate gland with the pathological results,focusing on their diagnostic performance for csPCa.Results:Of the 359 cases,189 were diag-nosed by pathological puncture biopsy as BPH,26 as non-csPCa,and 144 as csPCa.The PSA level,Emax,Emean and Emin were significantly higher in the csPCa than those in the BPH and non-csPCa groups(all P＜0.01),but showed no statistically significant difference between the BPH and non-csPCa groups(all P＞0.05).The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC),optimal cut-off value,sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value(PPV),negative predictive value(NPV)and accura-cy of Emax in the diagnosis of csPCa were 0.852,143.92 kPa,72.22％,84.65％,75.91％,81.98％and 79.67％;those of Emean were 0.868,82.42 kPa,67.36％,91.16％,83.62％,80.66％and 81.62％;and those of Emin were 0.682,32.73 kPa,47.22％,89.30％,73.91％,71.54％and 72.14％,respectively.In the non-csPCa group,Emax,Emean and Emin were found be-low the optimal cut-off value in 73.08％(19/26),92.31％(24/26)and 88.46％(23/26),respectively.Conclusion:The stiff-ness of the entire prostate gland measured by SWE contributes to the diagnosis of csPCa,reduces unnecessary detection of non-csPCa,and provides some reference for its active surveillance.

Aconitum kusnezoffii is a perennial herbaceous medicinal plant of the family Ranunculaceae, with unique medicinal value. Damping off is one of the most important seedling diseases affecting A. kusnezoffii, occurring widely and often causing large-scale seedling death in the field. To clarify the species of the pathogen causing damping off in A. kusnezoffii and to formulate an effective control strategy, this study conducted pathogen identification, research on biological characteristics, and evaluation of fungicide inhibitory activity. Through morphological characteristics, cultural traits, and phylogenetic tree analysis, the pathogen causing damping off in A. kusnezoffii was identified as Rhizoctonia solani, belonging to the AG5 anastomosis group. The optimal temperature for mycelial growth of the pathogen was 25-30 ℃, with OA medium as the most suitable medium, pH 8 as the optimal pH, and sucrose and yeast as the best carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. The effect of light on mycelial growth was not significant. In evaluating the inhibitory activity of 45 chemical fungicides, including 30% hymexazol, and 4 biogenic fungicides, including 0.3% eugenol, it was found that 30% thifluzamide and 50% fludioxonil had significantly better inhibitory effects on R. solani than other tested agents, with EC_(50) values of 0.129 6,0.220 6 μg·mL~(-1), respectively. Among the biogenic fungicides, 0.3% eugenol also showed an ideal inhibitory effect on the pathogen, with an EC_(50) of 1.668 9 μg·mL~(-1). To prevent the development of resistance in the pathogen and to reduce the use of chemical fungicides, it is recommended that the three fungicides above be used in rotation during production. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the accurate diagnosis and effective control strategy for R. solani causing damping off in A. kusnezoffii.
Fungicides, Industrial/pharmacology* ; Plant Diseases/microbiology* ; Rhizoctonia/growth & development* ; Aconitum/microbiology* ; Phylogeny ; Mycelium/growth & development*