OBJECTIVE To observe the effects of endogenous metabolite mesaconate combined with Sodium lactate Ringer’s injection （LR） on prolonging the golden treatment time window and its resuscitation efficacy in rats with hemorrhagic shock under high-altitude conditions. METHODS Rats were divided into the shock group， LR group， and 5， 20， 50 mg/kg mesaconate+LR groups， with 20 rats in each group， to investigate the effect of additional use of mesaconate on the golden treatment time window. After establishing a model of uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock under high-altitude conditions in all groups by housing in a hypobaric hypoxia chamber combined with splenic artery transection， rats in the shock group received no resuscitation， while rats in the LR group and mesaconate+LR groups underwent low-pressure resuscitation with LR or mesaconate combined with LR. Blood pressure control， fluid infusion volume， blood loss rate and survival status were observed in each group. Rats were further divided into the normal group， shock group and mesaconate （50 mg/kg）+LR group， with 10 or 20 rats in each group， to evaluate the resuscitation effects after extending the golden treatment time window by additionally using mesaconate. Except for the normal group， the other groups underwent the same procedure to establish an uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock model under high-altitude conditions. Rats in the shock group received no resuscitation. In the mesaconate+LR group， after 3 h of low-pressure resuscitation， bleeding control was performed by ligation of the spleen artery， and the infusion volume and blood loss rate were recorded； subsequently， the rats received LR resuscitation with twice the volume of blood loss. Then， blood gas indicators of the mesaconate+LR group were measured at different time points. Survival rates， indicators related to sublingual microcirculatory perfusion， liver and kidney blood flow， indicators related to the function of vital organs， and lung and brain water content were observed in all groups. RESULTS LR infusion alone could effectively maintain mean arterial pressure （MAP） within 50-60 mmHg for approximately 1 h. The administration of mesaconate combined with LR during hypotensive resuscitation could maintain MAP within 50-60 mmHg for over 3 h， with significantly reduced fluid infusion volume and blood loss rate in 50 mg/kg mesaconate+LR group， compared to the LR group （ P ＜0.05）. In the LR group， rats maintained low pressure for up to 1 hour with a survival rate of 52.94%， and no rats survived beyond 2 h. In the 5， 20 and 50 mg/kg mesaconate+LR groups， rats maintained low pressure for up to 1 h with a survival rate exceeding 80%； in the 20 and 50 mg/kg mesaconate+LR groups， rats maintained low pressure for up to 3 h with a survival rate exceeding 70%. After complete resuscitation with mesaconate combined with LR， the 72 h survival rate of rats was 43.75%， and significant improvements in blood gas parameters were observed compared to the end of the shock phase （ P ＜0.05）. Compared to the shock group， the mesaconate+LR group showed significant recovery in sublingual microcirculatory indicators， and liver/kidney blood flow after complete resuscitation （ P ＜0.05）， with significant reductions in heart， liver and kidney function-related indicators and lung water content （ P ＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Mesaconate combined with LR significantly extends the golden treatment time window for hemorrhagic shock in rats under high-altitude conditions， improves blood gas parameters， sublingual microcirculatory perfusion， and liver/kidney blood flow， mitigates vital organ impairment and pulmonary edema， and increases the survival rate of shocked rats.

Acute-on-chronic liver failure （ACLF） is a severe clinical syndrome characterized by acute decompensation of liver function， extrahepatic organ injury， and a high short-term mortality rate， with a complex pathogenesis that has not yet been fully clarified. Animal models of ACLF play a crucial role in disease research， since they not only provide a solid foundation for mechanistic studies， but also offer experimental evidence for clinical practice， thereby helping to promote advances in diagnosis and treatment. This article systematically reviews the commonly used animal models of ACLF， compares the establishment methods， pathophysiological characteristics， advantages， and limitations of different models， and discusses the latest research advances in animal models and innovative therapeutic strategies in the field， in order to provide a reference for further optimization， standardization， and application of animal models for ACLF.

Objective: To explore the developmental trajectories of depression in children and adolescents and their association with family types, and to analyze the role of being an only child in the context, so as to provide a basis for early identification of mental health issues in children and adolescents. Methods: The study was a secondary analysis based on the existing database of the Jiangsu Provincial Student Common Diseases and Health Influencing Factors Monitoring and Intervention Project. A total of 11 502 students who had completed at least two measurements using the Chinese version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) between 2022 and 2024, and had complete information on family type, gender, and age, were selected as the study subjects. Latent class trajectory modeling was used to identify depression developmental trajectories. Multinomial Logistic regression was applied to analyze the association between family type and depression developmental trajectories, and the interaction effect of family type and being an only child was tested. Results: Three types of depression developmental trajectories were identified among children and adolescents: low stable type (91.3%, 10 504 students), moderate rising type (4.3%, 500 students), and high declining type (4.3%, 498 students). Significant differences were observed among the different trajectory groups in terms of gender, age, parental education level, family type, baseline CES-D score, and baseline school type ( χ 2/H=17.48, 139.97, 19.72 , 30.77, 1 081.35, 220.81, all P <0.05). Multinomial Logistic regression analysis showed that, using the low stable type as the reference trajectory group and the nuclear family as the reference family type, after adjusting for confounding factors such as gender, age, and parental education level, single parent families ( OR=1.87, 95%CI= 1.16-3.03) and grandparent headed families ( OR=1.83, 95%CI =1.04-3.21) were significantly associated with the high declining type trajectory (both P <0.05). No significant association was found between family type and the moderate rising type trajectory (all P >0.05). The interaction effect between family type and being an only child was not statistically significant ( LRT=7.71, df=8, P =0.46). Conclusions Depressive symptoms in children and adolescents show heterogeneous developmental patterns during school age. Children and adolescents from single parent and intergenerational families are more likely to follow the high decreasing trajectory.

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:To evaluate the role of the CC chemokine ligand 2/CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCL2/CCR2) signaling pathway in electroacupuncture (EA)-induced reduction of spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats.Methods:Sixty clean-grade healthy adult female Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 210-250 g, were divided into 5 groups ( n=12 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (group S), group SCI, SCI+ Anti-CCL2 group (group SCI+ A), SCI+ EA group (group SCI+ EA), and spinal cord injury+ EA+ rCCL2 group (group SCI+ EA+ R). The SCI model was established using the Allen method in anesthetized animals. Group S only underwent spinous process and laminectomy without damaging the spinal cord. In SCI+ A group, CCL2 neutralizing antibody 50 μg/kg was intrathecally injected at 0, 3 and 6 days after successful development of the SCI model. On the 7th day after the successful development of the SCI model, Jiaji, Dazhui and Mingmen acupoints were stimulated with a depth of 2 mm, voltage of 12-15 mV and frequency of 2 Hz for 30 min once a day for 7 consecutive days in SCI+ EA group. In SCI+ EA+ R group, recombinant rat CCL2 2.5 μg/kg was intrathecally injected at the site of injury at 0, 3 and 6 days after successful development of the SCI model, and the remaining treatments were similar to those in SCI+ EA group. At 1 day before developing the model, 0, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after developing the model, the mechanical paw withdraw threshold (MWT) and thermal paw withdrawal latency (TWL) were measured, and the motor function was assessed by BBB score. The rats were sacrificed after the final behavioral testing, and their spinal cord tissues were obtained for determination of the expression of CCL2 and CCR2 protein and mRNA (by Western blot or quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction), the expression of GFAP (by immunofluorescence), contents of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and IL-6 (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and for examination of the pathological changes (using HE staining). Results:Compared with S group, the MWT and BBB scores were significantly decreased and the TWL was shortened at each time point after developing the model, the expression of CCL2 and CCR2 protein and mRNA and GFAP was up-regulated, and the contents of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were increased in SCI group ( P<0.05). Compared with SCI group, the MWT and BBB scores were significantly increased, and the TWL was prolonged at 7 days after developing the model in SCI+ A group, the MWT and BBB scores were significantly increased, and the TWL was prolonged at 14 days after developing the model in SCI+ EA group, and the expression of CCL2 and CCR2 protein and mRNA and GFAP was significantly down-regulated, and the contents of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were decreased in SCI+ A and SCI+ EA groups ( P<0.05). Compared with SCI+ EA group, the MWT and BBB scores were significantly decreased at 14 days after developing the model, the TWL was shortened, the expression of CCL2 and CCR2 protein and mRNA and GFAP was up-regulated, and the contents of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were increased in SCI+ EA+ R group ( P<0.05). Compared with SCI+ A and SCI+ EA groups, the histopathological injury were significantly attenuated in SCI group, and the histopathological injury was aggravated in SCI+ EA+ R group. Conclusions:The CCL2/CCR2 signaling pathway is involved in the process by which EA reduces SCI, and the mechanism is related to the inhibition of astrocyte activation, thereby reducing the inflammatory response.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on ionotropic purinergic receptor 4 (P2X4R)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway during spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats.Methods:Thirty-six clean-grade healthy adult female Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 210-250 g, were divided into 3 groups ( n=12 each) using a random number table method: sham surgery group (S group), SCI group, and SCI+ EA treatment group (SCI+ EA group). The SCI model was established by the Allen′s method in anesthetized animals. In group S, only the spinous processes and vertebral laminae were resected, but the spinal cord was not injured. On the 7th day after developing the model, EA of Jiaji, Dazhui, and Mingmen lasting 30 min was performed once a day for 7 consecutive days, with a depth of 2 mm, intensity of 12-15 mV, frequency of 2 Hz, in SCI+ EA group. The mechanical paw withdraw threshold (MWT) and thermal paw withdrawal latency (TWL) were measured at 1 day before developing the model and 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after developing the model, and the motor function was assessed using the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) score. The recovery of motor function was assessed using footprint analysis at 28 days after developing the model. After the final behavioral testing, the rats were sacrificed, and spinal cord tissues were harvested to observe the pathological changes of the spinal cord tissues using hematoxylin-eosin staining, to detect the expression of P2X4R and phosphorylated NF-κB p65 (p-NF-κB p65) (by immunohistochemical analysis and Western blot) and to determine contents of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-6 (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Results:Compared with the baseline measured at 1 day before developing the model, the MWT and BBB scores were significantly decreased and the TWL was shortened at each time point after developing the model in SCI group and SCI+ EA group ( P<0.05). Compared with S group, the MWT and BBB scores were significantly decreased and the TWL was shortened at each time point after developing the model, the expression of P2X4R and p-NF-κB p65 in spinal cord tissues was up-regulated, and the contents of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were increased in SCI group ( P<0.05). Compared with SCI group, the MWT and BBB scores were significantly increased and the TWL was prolonged at 14, 21 and 28 days after developing the model, the expression of P2X4R and p-NF-κB p65 in spinal cord tissues was down-regulated, and the contents of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were decreased ( P<0.05), and the pathological damage of spinal cord tissues was alleviated and footprints were reduced in SCI+ EA group. Conclusions:The mechanism by which EA alleviates SCI may be related to the inhibition of the activation of the P2X4R/NF-κB signaling pathway and the reduction in the inflammatory response in rats.

Objective:To analyze the colonization rate and molecular types of Staphylococcus aureus (SA) on the tracheotomy wounds of neonates at early postoperative stage in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods:This was a case series study. Patients who were admitted and underwent tracheotomy in NICU of Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 1 st 2020 to December 31 st 2023 were enrolled. Swabs on the skin around the incision or on the nasal mucosa were collected and cultured at 24, 72 and 168 h after operation. Coagulase test and Staphytect Plus kits were used for SA identification. The nuc gene amplification and molecular types of SA were assessed by PCR. The patients were divided into SA colonization group and non-colonization group based on the presence or absence of SA colonization, and into infection group and non-infection group based on the presence or absence of infection. Demographic data, hospitalization information, colonization and infection status of SA were collected from the digital medical record system of the hospital. Differences between groups were analyzed using the independent sample t test or Fisher exact test. Results:Totally 19 patients were enrolled, among whom 13 were male. The gestation age was 39.0 (38.1, 40.0) weeks, and the birth weight was 3 150 (2 600, 3 400) g. Tracheotomy was done at 8.2 (4.1, 19.6) days after diagnosis and indication confirmed. Corrected gestational age of patients on the operation day was 43.6 (42.2, 45.4) weeks. The NICU stay time was (34.0±3.1) days. SA colonization was confirmed around the incision of 8 patients. Out of the 18 strains of colonized bacteria, 10 were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The most common molecular type of MRSA was ST59-SCCmec Ⅳ-t437 strain (8 strains). A total of 10 patients presented typical clinical manifestations of bacterial infection at the lungs, 3 patients in the blood stream and 2 patients in the central nervous system. Among 10 patients with bacterial infection, 3 patients were MRSA positive by boby fluid culture and affected by the ST59-SCCmec Ⅳ-t437 strain. The infection rate was different between patients with or without SA colonization on the tracheotomy incision (7/8 vs. 3/11, P=0.020). Conclusions:The colonization rate and infection rate are high on the tracheotomy incision in neonates. The major type is MRSA, and the most common molecular strain is ST59-SCCmec Ⅳ-t437 .

Objective To explore the feasibility and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation for unresectable pancreatic cancer.Methods Totally 84 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation for unresectable pancreatic cancer were enrolled,and the technical success rate,complete ablation rate,complication rate,pain relief rate and survival time,etc.were observed.Results The median age of 84 cases was 61.5 years.Totally 86 tumors,including 44.19％(38/86)at the head/neck and 55.81％(48/86)at the body/tail of pancreas were detected,and a total of 85 ablation sessions were performed with the median ablation energy applied per tumor of 9.90(1.08,21.60)kJ and the complete ablation rate of 42.86％(36/84).The technical success rate was 100％(85/85).Thirty-nine complication events occurred in 25 cases,no ablation-related death.Among 34 patients underwent ablation mainly for pain symptoms,the pain score decreased from(6.22±1.12)points before treatment to(1.94±1.64)points after treatment(P＜0.001).During 6.8(3.3,12.9)months' follow-up,the mean survival time was(8.5±6.7)months,and all 47 patients died due to tumor progression.Conclusion Ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation was safe and feasible for unresectable pancreatic cancer.

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.