ObjectiveSpinal cord injury (SCI) directly impairs the regulatory function of the autonomic nervous system, induces intestinal dysfunction, and significantly reduces patients’ quality of life. Preclinical studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) therapy can regulate the brain-gut axis and is used to treat central nervous system diseases such as major depressive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Recent research has established that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from EA-treated SCI rats restored intestinal motility and colonic morphology. However, it remains unclear whether the regulation of gut microbiota by EA therapy directly contributes to neural repair after SCI. This study aims to explore whether gut microbiota mediates the neuroprotective effect of EA in the treatment of SCI and its possible mechanism. MethodsThe study employed RNA transcriptome analysis of spinal cord tissue to characterize gene expression profiles and to identify key signaling pathways following EA treatment for SCI. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the morphological changes in spinal cord tissue. Western blot (WB) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were applied to detect the effects of EA on the expression of proteins related to nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) -dependent pyroptosis. Using 16S rDNA sequencing, the study observed alterations in gut microbiota diversity and community composition in SCI rats. Prior to establishing SCI models, rats were pretreated with an antibiotic cocktail to induce gut dysbiosis, and the effects on intestinal function and spinal cord neural repair were evaluated. FMT was performed to investigate the regulatory effects of post-EA FMT on motor function, general status, liver and spleen indices, and NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis in SCI rats. ResultsEA improved motor function and reduced regulated neuronal cell death in SCI rats. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated the activation of immune- and inflammation-related pathways post-SCI, including NOD-like receptors, nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB), and Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways. EA primarily influenced intestinal inflammation and autoimmune functions. 16S rDNA sequencing illustrated that EA did not alter the diversity of gut microbiota. However, EA altered the gut microbiota composition in SCI rats, increasing Lactobacillus and Akkermansia genera while rebalancing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Furthermore, depletion of gut microbiota by antibiotics disrupted the intestinal barrier, reduced the expression of intestinal barrier proteins Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) and Occludin, elevated serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) levels, exacerbated spinal cord tissue damage, and hindered motor function recovery in SCI rats. FMT from donors treated with EA reduced LBP levels in the intestine, blood, and spinal cord of rats, inhibited the TLR4 myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88)-NF‑κB pathway and NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis, and improved motor function. On the other hand, FMT treatment resulted in decreased body weight and food intake, whereas FMT using EA-treated donors effectively alleviated these alterations. ConclusionEA effectively alleviated neuroinflammatory responses in rats with SCI, primarily through regulating the gut microbiota and suppressing the NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis signaling pathway.

ObjectiveSpinal cord injury (SCI) directly impairs the regulatory function of the autonomic nervous system, induces intestinal dysfunction, and significantly reduces patients’ quality of life. Preclinical studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) therapy can regulate the brain-gut axis and is used to treat central nervous system diseases such as major depressive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Recent research has established that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from EA-treated SCI rats restored intestinal motility and colonic morphology. However, it remains unclear whether the regulation of gut microbiota by EA therapy directly contributes to neural repair after SCI. This study aims to explore whether gut microbiota mediates the neuroprotective effect of EA in the treatment of SCI and its possible mechanism. MethodsThe study employed RNA transcriptome analysis of spinal cord tissue to characterize gene expression profiles and to identify key signaling pathways following EA treatment for SCI. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the morphological changes in spinal cord tissue. Western blot (WB) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were applied to detect the effects of EA on the expression of proteins related to nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) -dependent pyroptosis. Using 16S rDNA sequencing, the study observed alterations in gut microbiota diversity and community composition in SCI rats. Prior to establishing SCI models, rats were pretreated with an antibiotic cocktail to induce gut dysbiosis, and the effects on intestinal function and spinal cord neural repair were evaluated. FMT was performed to investigate the regulatory effects of post-EA FMT on motor function, general status, liver and spleen indices, and NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis in SCI rats. ResultsEA improved motor function and reduced regulated neuronal cell death in SCI rats. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated the activation of immune- and inflammation-related pathways post-SCI, including NOD-like receptors, nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB), and Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways. EA primarily influenced intestinal inflammation and autoimmune functions. 16S rDNA sequencing illustrated that EA did not alter the diversity of gut microbiota. However, EA altered the gut microbiota composition in SCI rats, increasing Lactobacillus and Akkermansia genera while rebalancing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Furthermore, depletion of gut microbiota by antibiotics disrupted the intestinal barrier, reduced the expression of intestinal barrier proteins Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) and Occludin, elevated serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) levels, exacerbated spinal cord tissue damage, and hindered motor function recovery in SCI rats. FMT from donors treated with EA reduced LBP levels in the intestine, blood, and spinal cord of rats, inhibited the TLR4 myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88)-NF‑κB pathway and NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis, and improved motor function. On the other hand, FMT treatment resulted in decreased body weight and food intake, whereas FMT using EA-treated donors effectively alleviated these alterations. ConclusionEA effectively alleviated neuroinflammatory responses in rats with SCI, primarily through regulating the gut microbiota and suppressing the NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis signaling pathway.

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.

OBJECTIVE To study the mechanisms and effect of sufentanil(SUF)on protection of sepsis-induced myocardial injury.METHODS The in vitro experimental models of sepsis-induced myocardial injury were estab-lished by using lipopolysaccharide(LPS).The myocardial H9C2 cells were divided into the Control group,the LPS group,the SUF-L group,the SUF-M group,the SUF-H group,the SUF-H-ComC group and the SUF-H-ML385 group;the LPS group,the SUF-L group,the SUF-M group,the SUF-H group,the SUF-H-ComC group and the SUF-H-ML385 group were the experimental groups.The cells from the experimental groups were respec-tively inoculated and incubated in culture media containing 25 mg/L of LPS,and the culture media were respec-tively added SUF with the terminal dose of 0,5,10,20,20 and 20 μmol/L;the culture media of the SUF-H-ComC was added ComC with the terminal dose of 10 μmol/L,and the culture media of the SUF-H-ML385 was added ML385 with the terminal dose of 5 μmol/L.The cells from the Control group were incubated in normal cul-ture media.The same amount of culture media and CCK-8 reagent without containing myocardial H9C2 cells were assigned as the blank group.The cell viability was determined by CCK-8 method,the levels of reactive oxygen species(ROS),malondialdehyde(MDA),lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),superoxide dismutase(SOD)and gluta-thione peroxidase(GSH-Px)were detected.The Fe2+level of the cells was detected by iron ion colorimetric meth-od.The levels of interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in supernatant fluid of the culture media were detected with the use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The expression levels of adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinas(AMPK),phosphorylated-AMPK(p-AMPK),nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)were detected by means of Western Blot.RESULTS The cell viability of the LPS group was lower than that of the Control group;the levels of ROS,MDA,LDH,Fe2+,IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α of the LPS group were higher than those of the Control group;the levels of SOD and GSH-Px of the LPS group were lower than those of the Control group;the expression levels of p-AMPK/AMPK,Nrf2 and HO-1 proteins of the LPS group were lower than those of the Control group(P＜0.05).As compared with the LPS group,the cell viability of the SUF-L group,the SUF-M group and the SUF-H group was succes-sively increased,the levels of ROS,MDA,LDH,Fe2+,IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α were successively reduced,the levels of SOD and GSH-Px were successively elevated,and the expression levels of p-AMPK/AMPK,Nrf2 and HO-1 proteins were successively increased(P＜0.05).AMPK pathway inhibitor and Nrf2 pathway inhibitor could reverse the viability of SUF-affecting LPS-induced myocardial H9C2 cells,levels of ROS,MDA,LDH,Fe2+,SOD,GSH-Px,IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α and downregulated the expression levels of p-AMPK/AMPK,Nrf2 and HO-1 proteins(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION SUF can improve the sepsis-induced myocardial injury,and the mecha-nism may be associated with activation of AMPK/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathways,inhibition of ferroptosis,oxi-dative stress injury and inflammatory reactions.

Sheep and goats are important tuberculosis hosts found predominantly in plateau and mountainous regions.In recent years,the number of reported tuberculosis cases in sheep and goats has increased.The tuberculosis pathogen can spread among vari-ous animal species and even infect humans,thus further complicating disease prevention and control,and posing a serious threat to the health of both humans and livestock.This article summarizes the global prevalence of tuberculosis in sheep and goats,and specifi-cally analyzes the epidemic status in China.Frequently used tuberculosis detection methods in sheep and goats are described,and the shortcomings of each method are briefly introduced.Additionally,on the basis of frequently applied methods for monitoring,handling,and controlling tuberculosis in sheep and goats worldwide,suggestions are offered to provide a reference for tuberculosis control in sheep and goats in China.

This study was aimed at investigating the immunoregulatory function of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Rv3641c gene in modulating host type Ⅰ interferon responses.The shuttle plasmid pMV261 was used to construct Rv3641c overexpression recombinant Mycobacterium smegmatis,and the biological characteristics of the recombinant bacteria were analyzed to explore the effect of Rv3641c on the growth curve,colony morphology and stress resistance of Mycobacterium.Subsequently,RAW264.7 cells were infected with Rv3641c overexpressing Mycobacterium smegmatis,and the transcriptional expression of genes related to the inhibition of type I inter-feron pathway was determined by RT-PCR.The expression level of IFN-βprotein was determined by ELISA,and the intracellular sur-vival level was determined.As a result,the recombinant rMS::pMV261-Rv3641c was successfully constructed.The results of biologi-cal characteristics analysis showed that Rv3641c did not affect the growth of mycobacteria,but significantly changed the colony mor-phology of mycobacteria and improved its resistance to H2O2.The results of recombinant bacteria infection experiments showed that Rv3641c significantly down-regulated the transcription levels of IFN-α,IFN-βand downstream ISGs genes CXCL10,IFIT2 and IL-1β in host cells,and Rv3641c significantly down-regulated the transcription levels of IFN-α,IFN-βand downstream ISGs genes CXCL10,IFIT2 and IL-1βin host cells.The results of intracellular colonization experiments showed that the intracellular mycobacte-ria in the overexpression recombinant bacteria infection group were significantly higher than those in the empty vector group,indicat-ing that Rv3641c could promote the intracellular surviv al of mycobacteria.In summary,the Rv3641c gene of M.tuberculosis can inhibit the host type I interferon response and promote the intracellular survival of M.tuberculosis,which provides a new idea for further explor-ing the immune escape function of M.tuberculosis and the discovery of new targets for anti-tuberculosis drugs.

Objective:To investigate the MRI characteristics of ductal lesions with microcalcifications detected by mammography,and to evaluate the value of MRI in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant ductal lesions.Methods:The clinical data of 112 patients with pathologically confirmed ductal lesions with microcalcifications detected by mammography in our hospital from January 2022 to June 2024 were retrospectively analyzed.All patients underwent mammography and MRI examinations.MRI morphological features,dynamic enhancement characteristics,diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI)findings,and apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)values were analyzed and compared with pathological results.The diagnostic performance of various MRI features was analyzed using ROC curves.Results:Among the 112 patients,there were 47 benign lesions and 65 malignant lesions.Malignant lesions were more likely to present with irregular morphology,heterogeneous T2 signal,lobulation,and spiculation(P＜0.05),while benign lesions were more likely to present with round or oval shapes and homogeneous T2 signal(P＜0.05).Malignant lesions predominantly showed fast rise-fast washout(Washout type)enhancement curves(58.5％),while benign lesions predominantly showed persistent rise(Progressive type)enhancement curves(55.3％).The ADC values of malignant lesions(0.92±0.21× 10-3 mm2/s)were significantly lower than those of benign lesions(1.45±0.28× 10-3 mm2/s)(P＜0.001).The combined application of morphological features,dynamic enhancement curves,and ADC values had the highest diagnostic performance,with a sensitivity of 92.3％,specificity of 89.4％,and accuracy of 91.1％.Conclusion:Multi-parameter MRI can comprehensively evaluate ductal lesions with microcalcifications detected by mammography.The combined application of morphological features,dynamic enhancement curve types,and ADC values can effectively improve the accuracy of differential diagnosis between benign and malignant lesions,providing important basis for clinical treatment decisions.

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of valve-in-valve transcatheter mitral valve replacement(ViV-TMVR)in patients with bioprosthetic valve degeneration who are at high surgical risk.Methods This study is a multi-center,retrospective cohort analysis of 20 consecutive patients who underwent transseptal ViV-TMVR using the Edwards SAPIEN 3 transcatheter heart valve(THV).The primary endpoints include technical success and procedural success,both defined according to the Mitral Valve Academic Research Consortium(MVARC)criteria,as well as mortality and functional change assessed based on New York Heart Association(NYHA)classification at 30-days and six months post-procedure.Clinical follow-up assessments are conducted at 30-days and six months.Results From February 2021 to October 2022,a total of 20 patients with symptoms of bioprosthetic valve degeneration were enrolled across nine sites in China.The patients had a mean age of(73.5±5.5)years,with 85.0％being females and 70.0％classified as NYHA class Ⅲ/Ⅳ.The study achieved a 100.0％technical success rate and a 90.0％procedural success rate finally.All patients remained alive during the 30-day follow-up period.However,six months post-intervention,two patients(10.0％)were re-hospitalized due to heart failure,and sadly,one of them(5.0％)died.None of the patients reported any adverse events related to ViV-TMVR during the follow-up period.Notably,there was a significant improvement in NYHA class compared to baseline(P=0.0004)at six-month follow-ups.Conclusions The transseptal ViV-TMVR technique proved to be highly successful and was associated with significant improvement in NYHA class function.These findings strongly suggest that it serves as a safe and efficient treatment alternative for high-risk patients suffering from bioprosthetic valve degeneration.

OBJECTIVE To study the mechanisms and effect of sufentanil(SUF)on protection of sepsis-induced myocardial injury.METHODS The in vitro experimental models of sepsis-induced myocardial injury were estab-lished by using lipopolysaccharide(LPS).The myocardial H9C2 cells were divided into the Control group,the LPS group,the SUF-L group,the SUF-M group,the SUF-H group,the SUF-H-ComC group and the SUF-H-ML385 group;the LPS group,the SUF-L group,the SUF-M group,the SUF-H group,the SUF-H-ComC group and the SUF-H-ML385 group were the experimental groups.The cells from the experimental groups were respec-tively inoculated and incubated in culture media containing 25 mg/L of LPS,and the culture media were respec-tively added SUF with the terminal dose of 0,5,10,20,20 and 20 μmol/L;the culture media of the SUF-H-ComC was added ComC with the terminal dose of 10 μmol/L,and the culture media of the SUF-H-ML385 was added ML385 with the terminal dose of 5 μmol/L.The cells from the Control group were incubated in normal cul-ture media.The same amount of culture media and CCK-8 reagent without containing myocardial H9C2 cells were assigned as the blank group.The cell viability was determined by CCK-8 method,the levels of reactive oxygen species(ROS),malondialdehyde(MDA),lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),superoxide dismutase(SOD)and gluta-thione peroxidase(GSH-Px)were detected.The Fe2+level of the cells was detected by iron ion colorimetric meth-od.The levels of interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in supernatant fluid of the culture media were detected with the use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The expression levels of adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinas(AMPK),phosphorylated-AMPK(p-AMPK),nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)were detected by means of Western Blot.RESULTS The cell viability of the LPS group was lower than that of the Control group;the levels of ROS,MDA,LDH,Fe2+,IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α of the LPS group were higher than those of the Control group;the levels of SOD and GSH-Px of the LPS group were lower than those of the Control group;the expression levels of p-AMPK/AMPK,Nrf2 and HO-1 proteins of the LPS group were lower than those of the Control group(P＜0.05).As compared with the LPS group,the cell viability of the SUF-L group,the SUF-M group and the SUF-H group was succes-sively increased,the levels of ROS,MDA,LDH,Fe2+,IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α were successively reduced,the levels of SOD and GSH-Px were successively elevated,and the expression levels of p-AMPK/AMPK,Nrf2 and HO-1 proteins were successively increased(P＜0.05).AMPK pathway inhibitor and Nrf2 pathway inhibitor could reverse the viability of SUF-affecting LPS-induced myocardial H9C2 cells,levels of ROS,MDA,LDH,Fe2+,SOD,GSH-Px,IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α and downregulated the expression levels of p-AMPK/AMPK,Nrf2 and HO-1 proteins(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION SUF can improve the sepsis-induced myocardial injury,and the mecha-nism may be associated with activation of AMPK/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathways,inhibition of ferroptosis,oxi-dative stress injury and inflammatory reactions.

Aim To explore the mechanism of clar-ithromycin in treating inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)by inhibiting Kv1.3 channel protein in colonic epithelial cells.Methods A chronic IBD rat model was induced using dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)in vi-vo experiments,with clarithromycin intervention.The physical signs of each group of rats were observed,and the disease activity index(DAI)score and colonic mu-cosal damage index(CMDI)score were calculated.RT-qPCR was used to detect the levels of relevant cyto-kines in colonic tissue of rats.Flow cytometry was em-ployed to detect the relative proportions of immune cells in the peripheral blood and colonic tissue of each group of rats.Lipopolysaccharide(LPS)was used to establish an inflammation model of colon epithelial cells(NCM460)to clarify the inhibitory effect of clar-ithromycin on Kv1.3 channel protein.Results In vi-vo experiments:compared to the model group,the clar-ithromycin intervention group exhibited a reduced de-gree of weight loss(P＜0.01),and a significant de-crease in DAI scores(P＜0.01).There was an in-crease in colon length,a reduction in weight,and a de-crease in CMDI scores(P＜0.05).Levels of TNF-α,IL-1 β,and IL-6 in colon tissue were significantly re-duced(P＜0.01).The numbers of peripheral blood and colonic regulatory T lymphocytes(Th),cytotoxic T lymphocytes(CTL),natural killer cells(NK),B lym-phocytes(B),and dendritic cells(DC)were signifi-cantly decreased(P＜0.05).Clarithromycin reduced the expression of Kv1.3 channel protein in colon tissue(P＜0.05).In vitro experiments:compared to the model group,the clarithromycin group significantly pro-moted the proliferation of NCM460 cells(P＜0.01)and simultaneously significantly reduced the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in cells(P＜0.05).Clarithromycin also reduced the expression of Kv1.3 channel protein in NCM460 cells(P＜0.05).Conclusions Clar-ithromycin may play an immunomodulatory role by in-hibiting the expression of Kv1.3 channel protein,re-ducing inflammation in the body,and playing a role in the treatment of IBD.