ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) and cognitive dysfunction, and its mediating role between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cognitive dysfunction. MethodsA case-control study was conducted from May 2019 to April 2021 at the Shanghai Yangpu District Central Hospital, China. A total of 193 subjects were recruited and divided into two groups based on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA): normal control (NC) group (n=95) and cognitive impairment group (n=98). The prevalence of T2DM was determined on the basis of medical history, while mtDNAcn in peripheral blood samples was quantified using realtime fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction. ResultsUnivariate analyses revealed that the mean mtDNAcn in the cognitive impairment group was 0.76±0.37, significantly lower than that in the NC group (1.06±0.45) (P<0.05). Logistic regression analyses showed that higher mtDNAcn was associated with a reduced risk of cognitive impairment (OR=0.315, 95%CI: 0.125‒0.795). Additionaly, a statistically significant positive correlation was observed between mtDNAcn and the total MoCA score (r=0.381, P<0.01). Morever, T2DM history (OR=2.741, 95%CI: 1.002‒7.497) and elevated glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels (OR=1.796, 95%CI: 1.190‒2.711) were identified as risk factors for cognitive impairment. Mediation analyses indicated that mtDNAcn served as a mediator between T2DM/HbA1c and the risk of cognitive impairment, with proportions of mediating effect of 9.04% and 9.18%, respectively. ConclusionPatients with mild and moderate cognitive impairment have significantly lower mtDNAcn than those with normal cognitive function. Reduced mtDNAcn is an influencing factor for cognitive dysfunction and may play a mediating role in the association between T2DM and mild to moderate cognitive impairment.

Sigma-1 receptor (σ ₁R) has become a focus point of drug discovery for central nervous system (CNS) diseases. A series of novel 1-phenylethan-1-one O-(2-aminoethyl) oxime derivatives were synthesized. In vitro biological evaluation led to the identification of 1a, 14a, 15d and 16d as the most high-affinity (K _i < 4 nmol/L) and selective σ ₁R agonists. Among these, 15d, the most metabolically stable derivative exhibited high selectivity for σ ₁R in relation to σ ₂R and 52 other human targets. In addition to low CYP450 inhibition and induction, 15d also exhibited high brain permeability and excellent oral bioavailability. Importantly, 15d demonstrated effective antipsychotic potency, particularly for alleviating negative symptoms and improving cognitive impairment in experimental animal models, both of which are major challenges for schizophrenia treatment. Moreover, 15d produced no significant extrapyramidal symptoms, exhibiting superior pharmacological profiles in relation to current antipsychotic drugs. Mechanistically, 15d inhibited GSK3β and enhanced prefrontal BDNF expression and excitatory synaptic transmission in pyramidal neurons. Collectively, these in vivo proof-of-concept findings provide substantial experimental evidence to demonstrate that modulating σ ₁R represents a potential new therapeutic approach for schizophrenia. The novel chemical entity along with its favorable drug-like and pharmacological profile of 15d renders it a promising candidate for treating schizophrenia.

Ornithine transcarbamylase(OTC)is a member of the transcarbamylase protein family,commonly found in the mitochondrial matrix of living organisms.It generally functions in a trimeric form and can catalyze the production of L-ornithine to L-citrulline.OTC is mainly expressed in the liver and intestines of mammals,playing an important role in the urea cycle and amino acid homeostasis.This article introduces the research progress of OTC genes,proteins,physiological functions,the impact of OTC deficiency on body health,and the diagnosis and treatment of OTC deficiency.

Objective To explore the application effects of an innovative teaching model(blended 5MP)that organically combines blended teaching and the five-minute teaching method in clinical teaching for operating room nursing students.Methods Using convenience sampling,94 nursing students who interned in operating room of Kunming Children's Hospital from July 2023 to March 2024 were randomly assigned to observation and control groups,with 47 students in each group.For the control group,a traditional blended learning approach was utilized,whereas the observation group implemented a blended 5MP teaching model.Results The observation group's post-class assignment scores,theoretical exam scores,and practical skills assessment scores were all significantly higher than those in the control group,with a statistically significant difference(P<0.05).The observation group also had higher scores in the Self-Assessment of Clinical Reasoning and Reflection Scale,with a statistically significant difference(P<0.05).Furthermore,the observation group reported higher satisfaction rates regarding teaching methods,teaching formats,theoretical instruction,practical instruction,and overall satisfaction compared to the control group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).Conclusion The blended approach combines online and offline instructional modalities,allowing for a more strategic allocation of educational resources.This methodology enables students to thoroughly acquire essential knowledge and skills while simultaneously fostering advanced clinical reasoning and reflective competencies.By adopting this innovative educational model,institutions can significantly enhance the academic experience and professional development of nursing students.

Objective: To investigate the effect of loss of function of lanosterol synthase( LSS) gene on intestinal function in a mouse model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease( NAFLD) induced by a high-fat diet． Methods: LSS gene heterozygous knockout C57 mice ( LSS + / －) were established using the CRISRP / Cas9 system．After being fed a high-fat diet with 60% fat content for 6 months，the fat deposition in liver tissues was detected by HE and Oil red O staining，the morphological changes of small intestine tissue were detected by HE staining．The changes in total cholesterol content in intestinal tissue were detected by kits．The gastrointestinal motility function of mice was detected by phenol red paste．The intestinal permeability was detected by Evans blue staining，and the expression of LSS，tight junction protein ( Claudin) -1，Claudin-5，cluster of differentiation 36 ( CD36) ，and Niemann-Pick type C1-like 1 protein ( NPC1L1) proteins in small intestinal tissues were detected by Western blot． Results : The results of HE and Oil red O staining of liver tissues showed that liver fat deposition in LSS gene heterozygous knockout mice was lower than that in wild-type mice in the high-fat diet group．The total cholesterol content in intestinal tis- sue of LSS gene heterozygous knockout mice decreased ( P ＜0. 01) ，but no morphological differences were ob- served between the two groups of mice by HE staining of intestinal tissues．The gastrointestinal motility function of LSS gene heterozygous knockout mice did not show significant changes．The intestinal permeability of LSS gene het- erozygous knockout mice in the high-fat diet group decreased as detected by Evans blue ( P＜0. 05) ．The expres- sion levels of Claudin-5 protein in the intestinal tissue of LSS gene heterozygous knockout mice in the high-fat diet group increased ( P ＜0. 05 ) ，while the expression of LSS protein in the intestinal tissues of LSS heterozygous knockout mice decreased ( P ＜0. 05) ． Conclusion In the NAFLD model induced by a high-fat diet，LSS gene heterozygous knockout reduces liver fat deposition induced by a high-fat diet and improves intestinal barrier function by regulating cholesterol metabolism in intestinal tissues and up-regulating the expression of Claudin-5．

【Objective】 To explore the value of preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in the prediction of inguinal lymph node metastasis of penile cancer to provide a new idea for the clinical evaluation. 【Methods】 A total of 48 patients with penile cancer who received surgical treatment in our hospital during Jan. 2016 and Dec. 2021 were selected and divided into the metastatic group (n=19) and non-metastatic group (n=29). The number of neutrophils, lymphocytes and platelets were recorded, and NLR and PLR were calculated. The value of NLR and PLR in predicting inguinal lymph node metastasis was analyzed with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The correlation between NLR and PLR was determined with Pearson correlation analysis. 【Results】 The levels of NLR and PLR were significantly higher in the metastatic group than in the non-metastatic group (P<0.05). ROC curve showed that the optimal cut-off value of NLR was 2.39, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.838 (95%CI:0.730-0.947), with sensitivity of 94.7% and specificity of 58.6%, respectively. The optimal cut-off value of PLR was 113.66, the AUC was 0.755 (95%CI:0.618-0.892), with sensitivity of 89.5% and specificity of 58.6%, respectively. The AUC of the two combined together was 0.851 (95%CI:0.747-0.956), with sensitivity of 89.5% and specificity of 69.0%. The Pearson correlation analysis showed that NLR was positively correlated with PLR in patients in both groups (r=0.504, r=0.645, P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 Preoperative NLR and PLR levels are significantly increased in patients with penile cancer,and the combination of the two indexes can predict the possibility of inguinal lymph node metastasis.

ObjectiveTo explore the risk of different levels of pre-pregnancy obesity on trimester-specific thyroid dysfunction. MethodsQuestionnaire information， blood samples， and urine samples from a 2017 pregnancy cohort study in Shanghai， China were collected. A total of 2 455 pregnant women were included in the analysis. Pre-pregnancy BMI was calculated based on the height and self-reported pre-pregnancy weight. Serum TSH， total thyroxine （TT4）， free thyroxine （FT4）， total triiodothyronine （TT3）， free triiodothyronine （FT3）， thyroid globulin antibody（TgAb）， and Thyroid peroxidase antibody （TPOAb） were measured using the electrochemiluminescence method. Urine iodine levels were measured using the acid digestion method. Levels of thyroid function indexes of pregnant women with different degrees of obesity during pre-pregnancy were compared， and trimester-specific thyroid dysfunction was evaluated according to the reference range of trimester-specific thyroid hormone established by this cohort. Multivariate logistic regressions analysis was used to assess the correlation between pre-pregnancy obesity and trimester-specific thyroid dysfunction. ResultsAs the degree of obesity increased， maternal levels of FT3 and TT3 gradually increased during pregnancy （P<0.001， P=0.001）， while FT4 levels gradually decreased （P=0.001）. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that compared with the normal weight group， pregnant women who were overweight or obesity before pregnancy had a significantly higher risk of hypothyroxinemia （OR=3.85， 95%CI： 2.08‒7.14， P<0.001） and high TT3 （OR=2.78， 95%CI： 1.45‒5.26， P=0.002） during pregnancy. ConclusionPre-pregnancy overweight or obesity can increase the risk of thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy.

Background Multiple studies have shown a close relationship between changes in gut microbiota composition and obesity, and research results are influenced by factors such as race and geographical location, but there are few studies on children. Objective To analyze the diversity of gut microbiota related to obesity in a population of 2-6 years old, observe the distribution characteristics and species differences of gut microbiota between obese/overweight and normal weight groups, and explore the association betweenobese/overweight and gut microbiota diversity. Methods Fecal samples were collected from 74 children aged 2-6 years in Shanghai, including 18 obese/overweight individuals, 6 males and 12 females (male to female ratio of 1∶2), and 56 normal weight individuals, 18 males and 38 females (male to female ratio is nearly 1∶2). The 16S rDNA was extracted from bacteria in fecal samples, followed by PCR amplification, cDNA construction, and high-throughput sequencing. Naive Bayes algorithm was used to perform taxonomic analysis (phylum, class, order, family, genus, species) and community diversity analysis (Sobs index, Shannon index, Shannoneven index, Coverage index, PD index, and principal co-ordinates analysis) on representative sequences and abundance of amplicon sequence variants (ASV). Wilcoxon rank sum test, P-value multiple test correction, and analysis of similarities were used to test differences between the two groups to obtain information on the distribution characteristics and species differences of intestinal microbiota in children. Results Seventy-four fecal samples were sequenced, and the sequencing results were subjected to quality control and filtering. A total of 4905306 optimized sequences were obtained, resulting in 1860 ASVs. The diversity data analysis of ASVs generated 889 species annotation results at 8 taxonomic levels. The alpha diversity analysis showed that the richness (Sobs index), diversity (Shannon index), evenness (Shannoneven index), and phylogenetic diversity (PD index) of fecal community of the obese/overweight children were increased compared to those of the normal weight children, but there were no statistical differences between the two groups (P>0.05). The beta diversity analysis showed that there was little difference in the composition of microbial species between the two groups, and no significant clustering separation was observed. The results of species composition analysis at phylum, order, family, and genus levels of 74 samples showed a consistent core microbiota structure in the two groups of gut microbiota, but there were differences in microbiota composition. The differences in microbial community composition between the two groups were manifested at the taxonomic levels of order, family, and genus, among which phylum Firmicutes, order Erysipelotrichales, family Erysipelatocyclostridiaceae, genus Erysipelotrichaceae_ UCG-003 and genus Catenibacterium were significantly enriched in the obese/overweight group and contributed significantly to the phenotypic difference of obese/overweight [linear discriminant analysis (LDA)=3.72, P<0.01; LDA=3.29, P<0.05). Phylum Proteobacteria, order Enterobacterales, family Enterobacteriaceae, genus unclassified was significantly enriched in the normal weight group and contributed significantly to the phenotypic difference of normal body weight (LDA=3.93, P<0.05). Conclusion The richness and diversity of gut microbiota in obese/overweight children aged 2-6 years in Shanghai are increased, but there is no difference compared to normal weight children. There is a difference in the composition of gut microbiota between the obese/overweight group and the normal weight group.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Zuoguiwan on ovarian reserve in the female offspring rat model of prenatal stress （PS） and explore the mechanism based on Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-κB p65 （TLR4/NF-κB p65） signaling pathway. MethodThirty-two pregnant rats were prepared and randomized into four groups （n=8）： control， model， Zuoguiwan （18.9 mg·kg^-1）， and vitamin E （1.44 mg·kg^-1）. Except the control group， the other three groups were subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress （CUMS） from day 11 of pregnancy， and the modeling was accompanied by gavage with corresponding drugs until delivery. The PS model was evaluated by the sucrose preference test， open field test， and serum corticosterone （CORT） level. The estrous cycle was monitored and the morphological changes in the ovarian tissue were observed. The serum levels of estradiol （E₂）， luteinizing hormone （LH）， follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）， and anti-Mullerian hormone （AMH） in the 75-day-old offspring rats were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） to evaluate the ovarian reserve. The ovary and uterus indices were calculated. The serum levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The morphology of the ovarian tissue in the offspring on the day of birth and day 75 after birth was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The transport of NF-κB p65 to the nucleus in the ovaries of the 75-day-old offspring was detected by the immunofluorescence （IF） assay. The expression of TLR4， NF-κB p65 and other related proteins in the ovarian tissue was determined by Western blot. ResultCompared with the control group， the model group showed reduced primordial follicles in the offspring on the day of birth （P<0.01） as well as disturbed estrous cycle， decreased ovary index and uterus index （P<0.01）， reduced corpus luteum， increased atretic follicles （P<0.01）， lowered serum levels of AMH and E₂ （P<0.01）， elevated serum levels of LH， FSH， IL-1β， and TNF-α （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and up-regulated protein levels of TLR4， NF-κB p65， recombinant myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88）， and phosphorylated NF-κB inhibitor （p-IκBα） （P<0.01） in the 75-day-old offspring rats. Compared with the model group， Zuoguiwan and vitamin E increased the primordial follicles in the offspring on the day of birth （P<0.01）. Moreover， they resumed the estrous cycle， increased the ovary and uterine indices （P<0.05， P<0.01） and corpus luteum （P<0.01）， reduced atretic follicles （P<0.01）， elevated the serum levels of AMH and E₂ （P<0.05， P<0.01）， lowered the serum levels of LH， FSH， IL-1β， and TNF-α （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and down-regulated the expression of TLR4， NF-κB p65， MyD88， and p-IκB-α （P<0.05， P<0.01） in the 75-day-old offspring. ConclusionZuoguiwan can improve the ovarian reserve in the offspring rat model of congenital kidney deficiency by regulating the TLR4/NF-κB p65 signaling pathway.

Objective:To analyze the hepatobiliary phase (HBP) image manifestation classification and pathological features of nodules in nodules accompanied by hepatocellular carcinoma (NIN-HCC).Methods:Twenty-five cases cases (27 lesions) with cirrhosis who were confirmed as NIN-HCC by surgical pathology and underwent gadoxetate disodium-enhanced MRI examination before surgery at Nantong Third Hospital affiliated with Nantong University from July 2015 to November 2022 were retrospectively enrolled. The size, signal intensity, enhancement pattern, and pathological features of internal and external nodules were analyzed in NIN-HCC. The lesions score were recorded according to the 2018 version of the Liver Imaging Reporting and Data Systems (LI-RADS) classification criteria. NIN-HCCs were grouped and typed according to the different HBP signal intensities of the inner and outer nodules. The independent-samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test or Fisher's exact probability method were used to compare the differences in imaging features and LI-RADS scores between the groups. The Spearman correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation between the pathological differentiation degree of internal and external nodules and the HBP signal intensity. The Kaplan-Meier curve was used to analyze recurrence-free survival (RFS) following NIN-HCC surgery. Results:The internal nodules of the 27 NIN-HCCs showed altered hypervascularity with a maximum diameter of (13.2±5.5) mm during the arterial phase. 51.9% (14/27) and 48.1% (13/27) showed "fast in and fast out" and fast in and slow out"enhancement patterns. The external nodules showed altered hypovascularity with a maximum diameter of (25.7±7.3) mm, and 13 (48.1%) of them were accompanied to manifest during the arterial phase. NIN-HCC was divided into two groups according to the signal intensity of HBP of the outer nodules with the background liver parenchyma signal intensity as a reference: the hyposignal group ( n=17, 63.0%) and the isosignal group ( n=10, 37.0%). The hyposignal group and the isosignal group were divided into A~C type and D~F type, a total of six types, according to the hypo, iso, and hyper signals of the inner nodules and the signal intensity of the outer nodules as a reference. Within the hyposignal group, 7.4% (2/27) of the inner nodules showed hyposignal (type A), 37.0% (10/27) showed isosignal (type B), and 18.5% (5/27) showed hypersignal (type C). Within the isosignal group, 29.6% (8/27) of the inner nodules showed hyposignal (type D), 7.4% (2/27) showed isosignal (type E), and there was no hypersignal (type F). 40.7% (11/27) of the lesions were LR-4 in LI-RADS score, and 59.3% (16/27) were LR-5. There was no statistically significant difference ( P>0.05) in the maximum diameter, enhancement pattern, and LI-RADS score of internal and external nodules between the hypo and iso signal group. Histologically, NIN-HCC showed fine trabecular/pseudoglandular duct type without microvascular invasion, among which the inner nodules were mainly moderately differentiated HCC, and the outer nodules were mainly well-differentiated HCC. The degree of differentiation between the inner and outer nodules and the HBP signal intensity had no statistically significant difference ( r=0.290, P=0.143; r=0.079, P=0.697). The median RFS follow-up time after NIN-HCC radical resection was 31.7 months, and the cumulative RFS rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 96.0%, 76.0%, and 64.0%, respectively. Conclusions:NIN-HCC can serve as a morphological marker for early-stage diagnosis of multi-step cancer evolution in HCC, with certain imaging and pathological features. HBP imaging classification is helpful to enhance the diagnostic recognition of this disease.