Objective This study investigated the diversity of rodent populations and the infection status of Bartonella at three ports along the China-Mongolia border in 2022. Methods Rodents at three Belt and Road ports along the China-Mongolia border, namely Ganqimaodu, Erenhot, and Zhuengadabuqi, were morphologically identified. The Bartonella citrate synthase(gltA)gene was amplified by nested polymerase chain reaction(PCR), and PCR-positive products were sequenced. The resulting sequences were then analyzed for genetic characteristics. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using MEGA 11.0 software using Neighbor-Joining and Maximum-Likelihood method. Results A total of 94 rodents were captured, representing seven species from five families and six genera: Mus musculus, Meriones unguiculatus, Meriones meridianus, Spermophilus dauricus, Allactaga sibirica, Dipus sagitta, and Phodopus roborovskii. Among them, M. unguiculatus was the most abundant species, with 58 rodents, accounting for 61.70% of the total. Overall,11 positive Bartonella pathogen sequences were obtained from the three ports, with a positive detection rate of 11.70%(11/94). The infected rodent species included M. unguiculatus, M. meridianus, and A. sibirica, and two species of Bartonella were detected. Conclusions Rodents at Ganqimaodu, Erenhot, and Zhuengadabuqi ports along the China-Mongolia border were naturally infected with Bartonella. Rodent monitoring and pathogen prevention and control in this area should be strengthened.

The recombinant human thyroid-stimulating hormone (rhTSH) can be used for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) preparation before ¹³¹I therapy, and follow-up. Since its approval by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998, rhTSH has been clinically used in European countries, the United States, and other countries for nearly 30 years. In April 2024, China’s first independently developed rhTSH agent was approved. Based on clinical experience and evidence from domestic and international studies, an expert consensus on the application of rhTSH has been developed following thorough consultations among experts. The consensus offers evidence-based recommendations to guide the appropriate use of rhTSH in clinical practice.

ObjectiveTo establish a model that can quickly identify the aroma components in different parts of Nardostachys jatamansi， so as to provide a quality control basis for the market circulation and clinical use of N. jatamansi. MethodsHeadspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry（HS-SPME-GC-MS） combined with Smart aroma database and National Institute of Standards and Technology（NIST） database were used to characterize the aroma components in different parts of N. jatamansi， and the aroma components were quantified according to relative response factor（RRF） and three internal standards， and the markers of aroma differences in different parts of N. jatamansi were identified by orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis（OPLS-DA） and cluster thermal analysis based on variable importance in the projection（VIP） value >1 and P<0.01. The odor data of different parts of N. jatamansi were collected by Heracles Ⅱ Neo ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose， and the correlation between compound types of aroma components collected by the ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose and the detection results of HS-SPME-GC-MS was investigated by drawing odor fingerprints and odor response radargrams. Chromatographic peak information with distinguishing ability≥0.700 and peak area≥200 was selected as sensor data， and the rapid identification model of different parts of N. jatamansi was established by principal component analysis（PCA）， discriminant factor alysis（DFA）， soft independent modeling of class analogies（SIMCA） and statistical quality control analysis（SQCA）. ResultsThe HS-SPME-GC-MS results showed that there were 28 common components in the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi， of which 22 could be quantified and 12 significantly different components were screened out. Among these 12 components， the contents of five components（ethyl isovalerate， 2-pentylfuran， benzyl alcohol， nonanal and glacial acetic acid，） in the aboveground part of N. jatamansi were significantly higher than those in the underground part（P<0.01）， the contents of β-ionone， patchouli alcohol， α-caryophyllene， linalyl butyrate， valencene， 1，8-cineole and p-cymene in the underground part of N. jatamansi were significantly higher than those in the aboveground part（P<0.01）. Heracles Ⅱ Neo electronic nose results showed that the PCA discrimination index of the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi was 82， and the contribution rates of the principal component factors were 99.94% and 99.89% when 2 and 3 principal components were extracted， respectively. The contribution rate of the discriminant factor 1 of the DFA model constructed on the basis of PCA was 100%， the validation score of the SIMCA model for discrimination of the two parts was 99， and SQCA could clearly distinguish different parts of N. jatamansi. ConclusionHS-SPME-GC-MS can clarify the differential markers of underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi. The four analytical models provided by Heracles Ⅱ Neo electronic nose（PCA， DFA， SIMCA and SQCA） can realize the rapid identification of different parts of N. jatamansi. Combining the two results， it is speculated that terpenes and carboxylic acids may be the main factors contributing to the difference in aroma between the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi.

Objective:To investigate the regulatory effect of electroacupuncture on visual cortex plasticity in adult amblyopic mice and its mechanism.Methods:Forty-eight SPF male healthy 3-week-old Kunming mice were randomly divided into a normal control group, a monocular form deprivation (MD) group, and an electroacupuncture intervention group by the random number table method, with 16 mice in each group.Except for the normal control group, mice in the other groups had their right eyelids sutured for two weeks to establish an adult MD amblyopia model.The electroacupuncture intervention group received electroacupuncture stimulation at three acupoints, Taiyang (EX-HN5), Jingming (BL1), and Fengchi (GB20) for four weeks at five weeks of age.The subjective visual function (paw probing success rate) of each group of mice was measured at five and nine weeks of age, respectively.At nine weeks of age, the changes in flash-visual evoked potential (F-VEP) of mice in each group was detected.The expression of plasticity related proteins synaptophysin (SYP), synaptic protein 1 (SYN1), neurite overgrowth inhibitor A (Nogo-A), and Nogo receptor (NgR) proteins in the contralateral cortex of the deprived mouse eyes was detected by Western blot.Expression of early growth response gene 1 (Egr-1) in the visual cortex of mice was detected by immunohistochemical staining.This study was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Hunan Children's Hospital (No.HCHDWLL-2022-17), and the management and use of animals were in accordance with the Laboratory Animal Management and Use Guide of Hunan Children's Hospital.Results:At nine weeks of age, the success rates of paw probing in the normal control group, MD group, and electroacupuncture intervention group were (71.69±10.60)%, (25.54±10.09)%, and (58.25±8.39)%, respectively, with a statistically significant overall difference ( F=5.987, P=0.006).Among them, the success rate of paw probing was significantly lower in the MD group than in the normal control group, and the electroacupuncture intervention group was significantly higher than in the MD group (both P<0.05).There was a significant overall difference in P2 wave amplitude in F-VEP examination among different groups of mice ( F=63.710, P<0.001), with lower P2 wave amplitude in the deprived eye of the MD group than in the normal control group and the electroacupuncture intervention group, and the differences were statistically significant (both P<0.001).There were significant differences in the expression levels of SYP and SYN1 proteins in the contralateral cortex of the deprived mouse eyes ( F=5.451, 3.871; both P<0.05).The relative expression levels of SYP and SYN1 proteins were significantly lower in the MD group than in the normal control group and electroacupuncture intervention group (all P<0.05).There were significant differences in levels of Nogo-A and NgR proteins in the contralateral cortex of the deprived mouse eyes ( F=4.188, 3.942, both P<0.05).The relative expression levels of Nogo-A and NgR proteins were significantly higher in the MD group than in the normal control group and the electroacupuncture intervention group (all P<0.05).The immunohistochemical staining results showed that compared with the normal control group, the MD group mice had a decrease in the expression of Egr-1 in the contralateral cortical neurons of the deprived eye, and the brown neuron protrusions were indistinguishable.Compared with the MD group, the electroacupuncture intervention group showed significant positive cell expression in the contralateral cortical area of the deprived eye, but the expression intensity was weaker than that of the normal control group. Conclusions:Electroacupuncture treatment of Taiyang (EX-HN5), Jingming (BL1), and Fengchi (GB21) acupoints can reactivate the plasticity of the visual cortex in adult amblyopic mice and improve their visual function.The mechanism may be related to the regulation of Nogo-A/NgR signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the effects of insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2) on the expression of postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95), synaptophysin-1 (SYN1), and synaptophysin (SYP) in the mouse visual cortex and visual function after monocular deprivation (MD).Methods:Sixty-four SPF male Kunming mice aged 3 weeks were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal control group, MD group, MD+ IGF-2 recombinant protein (MD+ IGF-2) group, and MD+ fluoxetine (FLX) group, with 16 mice in each group.The MD group, MD+ IGF-2 group and MD+ FLX group were treated with right eyelid suturing at the beginning of 3 weeks old and eyelid opening at the end of 5 weeks old.The MD+ IGF-2 group was intraperitoneally injected with IGF-2 recombinant protein during MD.The MD+ FLX group was given fluoxetine via drinking water for 4 weeks after eyelid opening.The normal control group and MD group were injected intraperitoneally with bovine serum albumin every day from 3 to 5 weeks of age.At the end of 5 and 9 weeks of age, subjective visual function was evaluated by fore paw touching ground reflex experiment.At the end of 9 weeks of age, objective visual function was assessed by flash visual evoked potentials.After the mice were sacrificed, the left visual cortex of mice in each group was taken, and the expression of PSD95, SYN1, and SYP was assessed by Western blot.This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Hunan Children's Hospital (No.HCHDWLL-2022-16). The handling of experimental animals was carried out in accordance with the Guidelines for the Management and Use of Laboratory Animals in Hunan Children's Hospital.Results:At the end of 5 and 9 weeks of age, there were overall significant differences in the success rate of fore paw touching ground among different groups of mice ( F=4.83, 3.36; both P<0.05). At the end of 5 weeks of age, the success rate was lower in MD group and MD+ FLX group than in normal control group, and significantly higher in MD+ IGF-2 group than in MD group, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). At the end of 9 weeks of age, the success rate was lower in MD group than in normal control group, and significantly higher in MD+ IGF-2 group and MD+ FLX group than in MD group (all P<0.05). There was a significant overall difference in P2 wave amplitude in F-VEP examination among different groups of mice ( F=13.99, P<0.01). The P2 wave amplitude was significantly lower in MD group than in normal control group and MD+ IGF-2 group (both P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the P2 wave latency of F-VEP among the four groups of mice ( F=2.83, P=0.07). The relative expression levels of PSD95, SYN1 and SYP proteins were 1.00±0.41, 1.00±0.10 and 1.00±0.27 in normal control group, 0.32±0.27, 0.68±0.20 and 0.56±0.28 in MD group, 0.78±0.32, 0.91±0.18 and 0.94±0.22 in MD+ IGF-2 group, 0.89±0.65, 0.98±0.28 and 0.94±0.47 in MD+ FLX group, respectively.There were significant differences in levels of PSD95, SYN1 and SYP in mice visual cortex among different groups ( F=4.24, 5.32, 3.40; all P<0.05). The expressions of PSD95, SYN1 and SYP proteins in the visual cortex were lower in MD group than in normal control group, and higher in MD+ IGF-2 group than in MD group (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Administration of exogenous IGF-2 to mice that underwent MD during the critical period can maintain visual cortex plasticity and protect the visual function to a certain extent.

Objective:To investigate the expressions of cystathionine-β-synthase(CBS)and cystathionine-γ-lyase(CSE)and their effects on the malignant biological behaviours of breast cancer cells,and to elucidate their mechanisms.Methods:The breast cancer tissue and paracancerous normal tissue from 15 cases of patients were selected,and RT-qPCR and Western blotting methods were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of CBS and CSE in breast cancer tissue,paracancerous normal tissue,MCF-7 cells,and MDA-MB-231 cells.The MCF-7 cells were divided into siNC group(transfected with siNC)and siCBS group(transfected with siCBS),and the MDA-MB-231 cells were divided into ovNC group(transfected with CSE over-expression empty plasmid)and ovCSE group(transfected with CSE over-expression plasmid).CCK8 assay was used to detect the proliferation activities of breast cancer cells in various groups,Transwell assay was used to detect the numbers of migration and invasion cells in various groups,and Western blotting method was used to detect the protein expression levels of E-cadherin,N-cadherin and Vimentin proteins in the breast cancer cells in various groups.Results:Compared with paracancerous normal tissue,the expression levels of CBS and CSE mRNA and proteins in breast cancer tissue were increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Compared with MDA-MB-231 cells,the CBS mRNA expression level in the MCF-7 cells was increased(P＜0.05);compared with MCF-7 cells,the expression level of CSE protein in the MDA-MB-231 cells was decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with siNC group,the proliferation activity,the numbers of migration and invasion cells,the expression levels of N-cadherin and Vimentin proteins in the MCF-7 cells in siCBS group were significantly decreased(P＜0.05),and the expression level of E-cadherin protein was increased(P＜0.05).Compared with ovNC group,the proliferation activity,the numbers of migratoin and invasion cells,and the expression levels of N-cadherin and Vimentin proteins in the MDA-MB-231 cells in ovCSE group were increased(P＜0.05),while the expression level of E-cadherin protein was significantly decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusion:The expressions of CBS and CSE are upregulated in breast cancer tissue,and high levels of CBS and CSE promote proliferation,migration,invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)of breast cancer cells.

Aim To investigate the protective effect of liraglutide(LIRA)on acetaminophen(APAP)-in-duced hepatotoxicity at the in vivo level and to reveal the underlying mechanism.Methods Forty SPF grade male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into the Control,LIRA(200 μg·kg-1),APAP(500 mg·kg-1),LIRA+APAP,LIRA+APAP+3-methylade-nine(3-MA,30 mg·kg-1)groups,with eight mice in each group.The mice were administered for three con-secutive days,and the materials were taken after 24 h.The general condition and body weight of mice in each group were recorded,and liver morphology was ob-served.Serum ALT and AST levels,as well as SOD ac-tivity,MDA,and GSH content in liver homogenates,were measured using biochemical assay kits.The levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-6,TNF-α,and IL-1β in serum were detected by ELISA.Liver pathological changes were assessed by HE staining,while mitochon-drial and autophagosome structures in liver tissues were observed using transmission electron microscopy.The number of PCNA-positive cells in liver tissues was e-valuated using immunohistochemical staining.The pro-tein expression levels of LC3Ⅱ,p62,Bax,Bcl-2,PC-NA,and CyclinD1 in liver tissues were determined by Western blot.Results LIRA pretreatment can im-prove the general condition of mice with acetamino-phen-induced liver injury(AILI),reduce serum ALT and AST levels,and effectively ameliorate the appear-ance and morphology of the liver as well as the patho-logical damage to liver tissue.Simultaneously,the lev-els of inflammatory cytokines IL-6,TNF-α,and IL-1βare significantly decreased;SOD activity and GSH con-tent are significantly increased,while MDA content is significantly reduced.Transmission electron microsco-py observations reveal the presence of numerous auto-phagosomes in the cytoplasm of liver tissue.Immuno-histochemical staining results indicate a significant in-crease in the number of PCNA-positive cells.Further-more,the expression of LC3Ⅱ,Bcl-2,PCNA,and Cy-clinD1 proteins in liver tissue is significantly upregulat-ed,while the expression of p62 and Bax proteins is significantly downregulated.However,after interven-tion with the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA,the aforemen-tioned protective effects of LIRA are significantly.Conclusions LIRA pretreatment can significantly im-prove liver injury in AILI mice.Its protective mecha-nism may be related to enhancing autophagy in hepato-cytes,thereby reducing oxidative stress,inflammatory response and apoptosis in liver of AILI mice.

Objective:To investigate the distribution of CGG repeat numbers in the FMR1 gene among reproductive-age women in China, providing data reference for carrier screening and genetic counseling of Fragile X syndrome. Methods:This cross-sectional study recruited 16 610 reproductive-age women from 12 medical institutions between July 2022 and October 2023. Peripheral venous blood samples (3 mL) were collected, and genomic DNA was extracted. The number of CGG repeats in the FMR1 gene was determined using the triplet-primed polymerase chain reaction (TP-PCR) combined with capillary electrophoresis technology. Statistical analyses were performed to assess the prevalence and distribution of CGG repeat expansions. Results:Among 16 610 women of childbearing age, 5 684 (34.220%) women had the same number of CGG repeats in the two alleles of FMR1 gene, and 10 926 (65.780%) women had different numbers of repeats in the two alleles. Among the 33 220 FMR1 alleles in 16 610 women of reproductive age, the most common CGG repeat numbers were 29 [48.645% (16 160/33 220)] and 30 [26.276% (8 729/33 220)], while the most frequent CGG genotype was CGG 29/29 [24.726% (4 107/16 610)]. The CGG repeat numbers of FMR1 gene were normal in 16 498 women (99.326%). Among the 112 women (0.674%) with CGG repeat abnormities, 96 (0.578%) women were classified as intermediate carriers, 15 (0.090%) as premutation carriers, and 1 (0.006%) as a full mutation carrier, whose CGG genotype was (36, >200). Conclusion:In the general reproductive-age female population in China, the normal CGG repeat numbers of the FMR1 gene account for 99.326%, while the intermediate carrier rate is 0.578%, and the combined carrier rate of the premutation and full mutation types is 0.096%.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of hypofractionated radiotherapy combined with temozolomide and bevacizumab in the treatment of primary glioblastoma.Methods:A total of 48 patients who received radiotherapy in Chongqing University Cancer Hospital from Jan. 2020 to Dec. 2023 were enrolled. According to the principle of voluntary participation of patients,research group: hypofractionated radiotherapy+temozolomide+bevacizumab, control group: radiotherapy+temozolomide. The research group received bevacizumab at a dose of 7.5mg/kg, q2w, 1 week before radiotherapy. Hypofractionated radiotherapy (60Gy/20F) was administered with bevacizumab (7.5mg/kg, q2w) combined with temozolomide (75mg/m 2), D1-D42, once a day. Patients would rest for 4 weeks after radiotherapy, and be given bevacizumab (10mg/kg q3w) for 6 cycles until cancer progression and combined with temozolomide (150-200mg/m 2, d1-d5, q28) for 6 cycles. Control group: radiotherapy (60Gy/30F), combined with temozolomide (75mg/m 2) once a day, D1-D42. Patients would rest for 4 weeks after radiotherapy, and be given temozolomide (150-200mg/m 2, d1-d5, q28) for 6 cycles. Both groups were treated until the disease progression or intolerant toxicity. Clinical efficacy evaluation based on neurooncological response evaluation criteria. Results:The total response rate (ORR) in the control group and research group were 37.50% (9 cases/24 cases) and 54.17% (13 cases/24 cases) ; The disease control rate (DCR) ratio was 79.17% (19 cases/24 cases) and 91.67% (22 cases/24 cases) respectively. There were significant differences in ORR and DCR rates between the two groups (all P<0.05). The median OS of patients in the control group and research group were 12.4 months (95% CI: 5.8-9.6) and 18.2 months (95% CI: 8.2-12.4). The median PFS of patients in the control group and research group were 8.9 months (95% CI: 3.8-7.2) and 13.2 months (95% CI: 6.4-10.2). The differences between the two groups were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The incidence of adverse drug reactions in both group was 50.00%, with no statistically difference ( P>0.05) . Conclusion:The newly diagnosed glioblastoma treated with hypofractionated radiotherapy+temozolomide+bevacizumab showed significant advantages compared with conventional radiotherapy in PFS, OS, ORR and DCR.

The current study aimed to clarify the roles of apolipoprotein A5 (ApoA5) and milk fat globule-epidermal growth factor 8 (Mfge8) in regulating myocardial lipid deposition and the regulatory relationship between them. The serum levels of ApoA5 and Mfge8 in obese and healthy people were compared, and the obesity mouse model induced by the high-fat diet (HFD) was established. In addition, primary cardiomyocytes were purified and identified from the hearts of suckling mice. The 0.8 mmol/L sodium palmitate treatment was used to establish the lipid deposition cardiomyocyte model in vitro. ApoA5-overexpressing adenovirus was used to observe its effects on cardiac function and lipids. The expressions of the fatty acid uptake-related molecules and Mfge8 on transcription or translation levels were detected. Co-immunoprecipitation was used to verify the interaction between ApoA5 and Mfge8 proteins. Immunofluorescence was used to observe the co-localization of Mfge8 protein with ApoA5 or lysosome-associated membrane protein 2 (LAMP2). Recombinant rMfge8 was added to cardiomyocytes to investigate the regulatory mechanism of ApoA5 on Mfge8. The results showed that participants in the simple obesity group had a significant decrease in serum ApoA5 levels (P < 0.05) and a significant increase in Mfge8 levels (P < 0.05) in comparison with the healthy control group. The adenovirus treatment successfully overexpressed ApoA5 in HFD-fed obese mice and palmitic acid-induced lipid deposition cardiomyocytes, respectively. ApoA5 reduced the weight of HFD-fed obese mice (P < 0.05), shortened left ventricular isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT), increased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and significantly reduced plasma levels of triglycerides (TG) and cholesterol (CHOL) (P < 0.05). In myocardial tissue and cardiomyocytes, the overexpression of ApoA5 significantly reduced the deposition of TG (P < 0.05), transcription of fatty acid translocase (FAT/CD36) (P < 0.05), fatty acid-binding protein (FABP) (P < 0.05), and fatty acid transport protein (FATP) (P < 0.05), and protein expression of Mfge8 (P < 0.05), while the transcription levels of Mfge8 were not significantly altered (P > 0.05). In vitro, the Mfge8 protein was captured using ApoA5 as bait protein, indicating a direct interaction between them. Overexpression of ApoA5 led to an increase in co-localization of Mfge8 with ApoA5 or LAMP2 in cardiomyocytes under lipid deposition status. On this basis, exogenous added recombinant rMfge8 counteracted the improvement of lipid deposition in cardiomyocytes by ApoA5. The above results indicate that the overexpression of ApoA5 can reduce fatty acid uptake in myocardial cells under lipid deposition status by regulating the content and cellular localization of Mfge8 protein, thereby significantly reducing myocardial lipid deposition and improving cardiac diastolic and systolic function.
Animals ; Humans ; Mice ; Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism* ; Obesity/physiopathology* ; Male ; Apolipoprotein A-V/blood* ; Lipid Metabolism/physiology* ; Milk Proteins/blood* ; Myocardium/metabolism* ; Diet, High-Fat ; Antigens, Surface/physiology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Cells, Cultured ; Female