Objective: This study aimed to explore the correlation between balance function and core muscle activation in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), compared to healthy individuals. Methods: A total of 24 AIS patients and 25 healthy controls were recruited. The limits of stability (LOS) test were conducted to assess balance function, while surface electromyography was used to measure the activity of core muscles, including the internal oblique, external oblique, and multifidus. Diaphragm thickness was measured using ultrasound during different postural tasks. Center of pressure (COP) displacement and trunk inclination distance were also recorded during the LOS test. Results: AIS patients showed significantly greater activation of superficial core muscles, such as the internal and external oblique muscles, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Diaphragm activation was lower in AIS patients during balance tasks (p < 0.01). Although no significant difference was observed in COP displacement between the groups, trunk inclination was significantly greater in the AIS group during certain tasks (p < 0.05). Conclusion These findings suggest distinct postural control patterns in AIS patients, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions to improve balance and core muscle function in this population.

Objective To explore the mechanism of myocardial toxicity caused by N-methyl-3,4-methyle-nedioxyamphetamine(MDMA),the changes of intracellular calcium oscillation mode and calcium han-dling proteins during acute exposure to different concentrations of MDMA were detected,and the in-volvement of nuclear factor κB(NF-κB)and its effect on calcium handling proteins were investigated.Methods Primary rat cardiomyocytes were cultured to establish MDMA acute exposure model,and a control group was set up.The MDMA poisoning model was divided into three concentration groups of 10,100 and 1 000 μmol/L.After 1 h of exposure,the morphological changes of cardiomyocytes were ob-served,the cytotoxicity and changes in calcium signals were measured,and the changes in calcium handling proteins RyR2,SERCA2a,PLN,NCX1 and Cav1.2 were detected.The changes of NF-κB activity and the expression of nucleoprotein p-p65(Ser311)and PKCζ after MDMA exposure,and the intervention of NF-κB inhibitors pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate ammonium(PDTC)and protein kinase C(PKC)inhibitor chelerythrine(CHE)were detected by electrophoretic mobility shift assay(EMSA)and Western blotting.The effects of PDTC intervention on calcium signals,and the expressions of RyR2,SERCA2a,PLN,NCX1 and Cav1.2 after acute MDMA exposure were also observed.Results No obvious changes were observed in the morphology of cardiomyocytes after acute exposure to MDMA,whereas the oscillation waveform of intracytoplasmic calcium ion showed irregular changes with increased oscillation amplitude,intense fluctuations,irregular frequency,and increased fluctuation range of relative optical density values.The expression of RyR2,SERCA2a and NCX1 increased,while the expression of Cav1.2 and PLN de-creased.Acute MDMA exposure could increase NF-κB activity,while PDTC and CHE intervention could inhibit NF-κB activity.In MDMA exposed group,the expression of PKCζ and nucleoprotein p-p65(Ser311)both increased and could be inhibited by CHE.After the intervention of PDTC to block NF-κB,the amplitude of calcium oscillation was lower than that of the MDMA exposed group,and the expres-sion of RyR2,SERCA2a and NCX1 decreased.There was no significant change in PLN,while the ex-pression of Cav1.2 increased.Conclusion MDMA can lead to an increase of calcium ion concentration in cardiomyocytes.Calcium ions are involved in myocardial toxicity of MDMA.The mechanism is re-lated to changes in calcium handling proteins,mainly associated with the increased expression of RyR2.MDMA can up-regulate the intracellular activity of NF-κB through the PKCζ-NF-κB pathway and affect calcium handling proteins,which aggravate intracellular calcium overload during acute MDMA exposure.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the serological prevalence of high-titer IgG antibodies against 2019-nCoV among voluntary blood donors in Zunyi. METHODS: The blood plasma specimens were diluted at 1∶160 or 1∶320, then tested for the presence of 2019-nCoV IgG antibodies by using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The differences of antibody reactive rate among different genders, ages, and blood types were analyzed. RESULTS: 1 523 reactive specimens were identified in 5 378 specimens which were diluted at a ratio of 1∶160. Similarly, 329 reactive specimens were identified in 2 988 diluted at 1∶320. The overall reactive rate for antibodies was 22.1%. It was observed that females, individuals over the age of 40, and those with blood type AB exhibited higher high-titer antibody reactive rate. CONCLUSION After entering a new stage of 2019-nCoV infection prevention and control, there is a relatively high detection rate of high-titer 2019-nCoV IgG antibodies among voluntary blood donors in Zunyi. The reactive rate of antibodies varies among different genders, ages, and blood types.
Humans ; Blood Donors ; Immunoglobulin G/blood* ; Antibodies, Viral/blood* ; SARS-CoV-2/immunology* ; COVID-19 ; Female ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Adult ; China ; Male ; Middle Aged

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: This study aimed to explore the correlation between balance function and core muscle activation in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), compared to healthy individuals. Methods: A total of 24 AIS patients and 25 healthy controls were recruited. The limits of stability (LOS) test were conducted to assess balance function, while surface electromyography was used to measure the activity of core muscles, including the internal oblique, external oblique, and multifidus. Diaphragm thickness was measured using ultrasound during different postural tasks. Center of pressure (COP) displacement and trunk inclination distance were also recorded during the LOS test. Results: AIS patients showed significantly greater activation of superficial core muscles, such as the internal and external oblique muscles, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Diaphragm activation was lower in AIS patients during balance tasks (p < 0.01). Although no significant difference was observed in COP displacement between the groups, trunk inclination was significantly greater in the AIS group during certain tasks (p < 0.05). Conclusion These findings suggest distinct postural control patterns in AIS patients, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions to improve balance and core muscle function in this population.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the correlation between balance function and core muscle activation in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), compared to healthy individuals. Methods: A total of 24 AIS patients and 25 healthy controls were recruited. The limits of stability (LOS) test were conducted to assess balance function, while surface electromyography was used to measure the activity of core muscles, including the internal oblique, external oblique, and multifidus. Diaphragm thickness was measured using ultrasound during different postural tasks. Center of pressure (COP) displacement and trunk inclination distance were also recorded during the LOS test. Results: AIS patients showed significantly greater activation of superficial core muscles, such as the internal and external oblique muscles, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Diaphragm activation was lower in AIS patients during balance tasks (p < 0.01). Although no significant difference was observed in COP displacement between the groups, trunk inclination was significantly greater in the AIS group during certain tasks (p < 0.05). Conclusion These findings suggest distinct postural control patterns in AIS patients, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions to improve balance and core muscle function in this population.

Astrocytes are a crucial type of glial cells in the central nervous system, not only maintaining brain homeostasis, but also actively participating in the transmission of information within the brain. Astrocytes have a complex structure that includes the soma, various levels of processes, and end-feet. With the advancement of genetically encoded calcium indicators and imaging technologies, researchers have discovered numerous localized and small calcium activities in the fine processes and end-feet. These calcium activities were termed as microdomain calcium activities, which significantly differ from the calcium activities in the soma and can influence the activity of local neurons, synapses, and blood vessels. This article elaborates the detection and analysis, characteristics, sources, and functions of microdomain calcium activities, and discusses the impact of aging and neurodegenerative diseases on these activities, aiming to enhance the understanding of the role of astrocytes in the brain and to provide new insights for the treatment of brain disorders.
Astrocytes/cytology* ; Humans ; Animals ; Calcium/metabolism* ; Calcium Signaling/physiology* ; Brain/physiology* ; Aging/physiology* ; Membrane Microdomains/physiology* ; Neurodegenerative Diseases/physiopathology*

This study aimed to explore the molecular mechanism of rubioncolin C(RuC) in inhibiting gastric cancer(GC). AGS and MGC803 cell lines were selected as cellular models. After treating the cells with RuC at different concentrations, the effects of RuC on the proliferation ability of GC cells were assessed using the CCK-8 method, real-time cellular analysis(RTCA), and colony formation assays. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe subcellular structural changes. Immunofluorescence was applied to detect LC3 fluorescent foci. Acridine orange staining was used to evaluate the state of intracellular lysosomes. Western blot was employed to detect the expression of autophagy-related proteins LC3Ⅱ, P62, and lysosomal cathepsin D(CTSD). The SuperPred online tool was used to predict the target proteins that bound to RuC, and molecular docking analysis was conducted to identify the interaction sites between RuC and CTSD. The drug affinity responsive target stability(DARTS) assay was performed to detect the direct binding interaction between RuC and CTSD. The results showed that RuC significantly inhibited the proliferation and colony formation of GC cells at low concentrations, with 24-hour half-maximal inhibitory concentrations(IC_(50)) of 3.422 and 2.697 μmol·L~(-1) for AGS and MGC803 cells, respectively. After 24 hours of treatment with RuC at concentrations of 1, 2, and 3 μmol·L~(-1), the colony formation rates for AGS cells were 61.0%±1.5%, 28.0%±0.5%, and 18.2%±0.5%, respectively, while the rates for MGC803 cells were 56.0%±0.5%, 23.3%±1.0%, and 11.8%±1.0%, all of which were significantly reduced. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that RuC promoted an increase in autophagosome formation in GC cells. Immunofluorescence detection showed that LC3 fluorescent foci of GC cells increased with the increase in RuC dose. RuC up-regulated the expression of autophagy-related proteins LC3Ⅱ and P62 in GC cells. Acridine orange staining indicated that RuC altered the acidic environment of lysosomes. SuperPred online prediction identified CTSD as a potential target protein of RuC. Western blot analysis revealed that RuC induced the up-regulation of the inactive precursor of CTSD in GC cells. CTSD activity assays indicated that RuC reduced the activity of CTSD. Molecular docking simulations found that RuC bound to the substrate-binding region of CTSD, forming hydrogen bonds with the Tyr205 and Asp231 residues. Microscale thermophoresis and DARTS assays further confirmed that RuC directly bound to CTSD. In summary, RuC inhibits lysosomal activity by targeting and down-regulating the expression of CTSD, thereby inducing autophagosome accumulation in GC cells.
Humans ; Stomach Neoplasms/enzymology* ; Cathepsin D/chemistry* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Autophagosomes/metabolism* ; Autophagy/drug effects*

Jiuwei Xifeng Granules have become a Chinese patent medicine in the market. Because the formula contains Os Draconis, a top-level protected fossil of ancient organisms, the formula was to be improved by replacing Os Draconis with Ostreae Concha. To evaluate whether the improved formula has the same effectiveness and safety as the original formula, a randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled, equivalence clinical trial was conducted. This study enrolled 288 tic disorder(TD) of children and assigned them into two groups in 1∶1. The treatment group and control group took the modified formula and original formula, respectively. The treatment lasted for 6 weeks, and follow-up visits were conducted at weeks 2, 4, and 6. The primary efficacy endpoint was the difference in Yale global tic severity scale(YGTSS)-total tic severity(TTS) score from baseline after 6 weeks of treatment. The results showed that after 6 weeks of treatment, the declines in YGTSS-TSS score showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. The difference in YGTSS-TSS score(treatment group-control group) and the 95%CI of the full analysis set(FAS) were-0.17[-1.42, 1.08] and those of per-protocol set(PPS) were 0.29[-0.97, 1.56], which were within the equivalence boundary [-3, 3]. The equivalence test was therefore concluded. The two groups showed no significant differences in the secondary efficacy endpoints of effective rate for TD, total score and factor scores of YGTSS, clinical global impressions-severity(CGI-S) score, traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) response rate, or symptom disappearance rate, and thus a complete evidence chain with the primary outcome was formed. A total of 6 adverse reactions were reported, including 4(2.82%) cases in the treatment group and 2(1.41%) cases in the control group, which showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. No serious suspected unexpected adverse reactions were reported, and no laboratory test results indicated serious clinically significant abnormalities. The results support the replacement of Os Draconis by Ostreae Concha in the original formula, and the efficacy and safety of the modified formula are consistent with those of the original formula.
Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Tic Disorders/drug therapy* ; Treatment Outcome

Objective: This study aimed to explore the correlation between balance function and core muscle activation in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), compared to healthy individuals. Methods: A total of 24 AIS patients and 25 healthy controls were recruited. The limits of stability (LOS) test were conducted to assess balance function, while surface electromyography was used to measure the activity of core muscles, including the internal oblique, external oblique, and multifidus. Diaphragm thickness was measured using ultrasound during different postural tasks. Center of pressure (COP) displacement and trunk inclination distance were also recorded during the LOS test. Results: AIS patients showed significantly greater activation of superficial core muscles, such as the internal and external oblique muscles, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Diaphragm activation was lower in AIS patients during balance tasks (p < 0.01). Although no significant difference was observed in COP displacement between the groups, trunk inclination was significantly greater in the AIS group during certain tasks (p < 0.05). Conclusion These findings suggest distinct postural control patterns in AIS patients, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions to improve balance and core muscle function in this population.