Objective To gain insights into the biological characteristics of different populations of Culex tritaeniorhynchus within and around the Yellow Sea wetland from the perspective of the occurrence of resistance, we investigated the levels of resistance to deltamethrin and kdr gene mutation in the wetland and its peripheral areas. Methods Specimens were collected from Cx. tritaeniorhynchus populations at two monitoring sites in the Rare Bird National Nature Reserve and Tiaozi Ni Wetland Scenic Area, and also from two populations in Yancheng City and the Liuhe District of Nanjing, and the resistance of these mosquitoes to deltamethrin was determined using the CDC biotest bottle method. For each concentration of deltamethrin assessed, a random subset of exposed specimens was selected for amplification of the kdr gene fragment, followed by Sanger sequencing to identify and analyze resistance-associated mutations. Results The LC50 levels of deltamethrin among mosquitoes from the four populations in Luhe, Yancheng, the Rare Bird National Nature Reserve and the Tiaozi Ni Wetland Scenic Area were 2.048 5, 7.798 2, 3.473 3, and 17.695 5 mg/mL, respectively, with corresponding concentrations of deltamethrin ranging from 0.005 to 5.000,0.050 to 50.000,0.050 to 25.000 and 0.050 to 50.000 mg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the ranges of the KT50 values were 11.76-107.43, 67.05-216.30,29.77-107.43 and 28.40-329.51 min; the 1-h knockdown rates were 34.58%-99.15%, 9.52%-43.80%, 55.09%-73.01%, and 10.09%-68.07%; and the 24-h mortality rates were 12.15%-67.52%,9.52%-79.56%,13.17%-82.21%, and 11.01%-78.99%, respectively. With respect to kdr gene mutation, we assayed a total of 63,70,59, and 57 mosquitoes for the four populations, for which we detected L1014F mutation frequencies of 14.29%, 35.00%, 20.34%, and 31.58%, respectively, with a majority of these mutations being heterozygous for resistance. In addition, five adult mosquitoes were identified has having synonymous mutations at site 1011[i. e. , AAT(asparagine)mutation to AAC(asparagine)]. Conclusions Our findings revealed the clear resistance of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus to deltamethrin in the Yancheng region of the Yellow Sea wetland, and the resistance phenotype and kdr frequency of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in the wetland environment were comparable to those of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in the wetland environment, thereby indicating that the resistance of different populations of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus was homogeneous under the pressure of different insecticide selection within and around the wetland. However, the underlying mechanisms need to be further studied.

ObjectiveThe frequency difference limen (FDL) serves as a fundamental metric utilized for effectively quantifying the precise perceptual capabilities of the central auditory system. However, traditional measurement methods rely heavily on the active behavioral responses of subjects and are consequently highly susceptible to the negative influence of confounding subjective factors. Furthermore, existing research paradigms frequently employ uniform stimulus configurations that overlook critical individual perceptual differences. Based on brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, this comprehensive study aims to establish an objective and quantitative evaluation method for auditory frequency discrimination by systematically analyzing and decoding the specific neural responses elicited at the exact threshold state. MethodsWe designed a personalized rapid serial auditory presentation (RSAP) paradigm customized based on each individual’s precise FDL. A cohort of eleven healthy participants was recruited to evaluate the paradigm using pure-tone sequences at a baseline frequency of 4 000 Hz. This experimental paradigm simulates a realistic auditory perception environment through the continuous presentation of acoustic stimuli, thereby allowing for an in-depth investigation into the specific neural representations evoked by weak frequency deviations at the threshold state. Given that auditory stimulus-evoked response features exhibit complex and differentiated spatiotemporal distribution patterns across multiple frequency domains, this study further deeply integrates the cross-scale feature interaction module with the dynamic spatiotemporal attention allocation strategy, innovatively proposing the Multi-Scale Spatial-Temporal Dual Attention Network (MS-STAMNet). Specifically, the network constructs parallel processing branches with multiple receptive fields and introduces a dynamic adaptive weighting strategy to precisely localize core neural activity signals, further deeply integrating multi-scale information through cross-branch feature information interaction to achieve robust single-trial decoding of weak auditory evoked responses. ResultsThe comprehensive electrophysiological data analysis demonstrated that subtle auditory frequency deviation stimuli presented at the threshold level successfully elicited pronounced N2 and P3 event-related potential features, reflecting pre-attentive mismatch detection and subsequent cognitive evaluation, which were prominently distributed over the frontal, central, and temporal regions of the scalp. In the complex time-frequency domain, the extracted neural response characteristics exhibited distinct, statistically significant event-related synchronization within both the low-frequency δ and θ frequency bands, which was simultaneously accompanied by a widespread, prominent event-related desynchronization within the higher α band. A comparative analysis of model performance demonstrated that MS-STAMNet achieved an average unweighted average recall (UAR) of (69.67±6.12)% and area under the curve (AUC) of 0.761 8±0.07, significantly outperforming the established baseline models such as EEGNet and PLNet. Furthermore, a distinct dissociation phenomenon was verified between neural decoding and behavioral performance through regression analysis (R²=0.016, P=0.709), indicating that this model can effectively capture the implicit features of subtle frequency deviations, even when they fail to trigger explicit conscious responses. Additionally, attention weight visualization analysis further reveals the highly accurate focus of the network on key features concentrated over the bilateral temporal and fronto-parietal regions. ConclusionThis study systematically and comprehensively uncovers the multi-dimensional spatiotemporal evolutionary patterns of complex neural responses processing subtle acoustic variations under long-sequence threshold auditory stimulation. Concurrently, it verifies the efficacy and robustness of the proposed MS-STAMNet architecture in accurately deciphering weak, single-trial electroencephalogram signals amidst complex background noise. Ultimately, these neurophysiological and algorithmic findings lay a solid theoretical and methodological foundation for the objective and quantitative evaluation of individual auditory cognitive capabilities in clinical applications, transcending the fundamental limitations of traditional behavioral paradigms and providing robust technical support for future auditory research and related clinical assessments.

Background: and Purpose Vertebrobasilar fusiform aneurysms (VBFAs) carry substantial morbidity and mortality, but optimal management for unruptured VBFAs remains unclear. We compared the safety and efficacy of conservative management (CM), stent-assisted coiling (SAC), and flow diverters (FDs) in patients with unruptured VBFAs, focusing on long-term prognosis. Methods: This study included data from a nationwide Chinese cohort of patients with vertebrobasilar dissecting aneurysms. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) balanced confounders across groups. The primary outcome was poor prognosis (modified Rankin Scale score >2). Secondary outcomes included aneurysm rupture, ischemic stroke, compression symptoms, and VBFA-related deaths. Logistic regression estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed. Results: Among 1,115 patients with unruptured VBFAs, 838 (median age, 54 years; 655 men) were included. After IPTW, baseline characteristics were balanced. Median follow-up was 54 months. FD was associated with a lower risk of poor prognosis than CM (OR, 0.48 [95% CI, 0.30 to 0.77]; p=0.002), with no difference between CM and SAC. FD also reduced aneurysm rupture (OR, 0.20 [95% CI, 0.07 to 0.60]; p=0.004) and compression symptoms (OR, 0.30 [95% CI, 0.13 to 0.68]; p=0.004) versus CM. Time-to-event analyses further revealed significant differences in vertebral artery lesions and Type I–II VBFAs, whereas no significant differences were observed in basilar or vertebrobasilar junction lesions or in Type III–IV VBFAs. Conclusions Compared with CM, FD was associated with improved long-term outcomes in unruptured VBFAs, particularly in vertebral artery lesions and Type I–II VBFAs, although residual confounding cannot be excluded.

Objective:To investigate the effects of propionic acid produced by Akkermansia muciniphila on the radiosensitivity of colorectal cancer and the underlying mechanism. Methods:Normal human colon mucosal epithelial cells (NCM460) were used to determine the appropriate concentration of propionic acid. Human colorectal cancer cells (HCT-8) were treated with A. muciniphila-conditioned medium or propionic acid, followed by exposure to 6 Gy γ-ray irradiation, and cell survival and proliferation were measured by clone formation assay and Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, respectively. A mouse model of colorectal cancer was established using azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate. The mice were divided into control model group, irradiation group, and irradiation+ propionic acid group. Their body weight, colorectal length, tumor count, and tumor area were recorded. The radiosensitizing effect of propionic acid was assessed with HE staining, immunohistochemical staining, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mechanism was explored by using RT-PCR and flow cytometry. Results:CCK-8 assay showed that 1-mmol/L propionic acid had no significant effect on the proliferation of NCM460 cells ( P>0.05), which was used for subsequent experiments. Pretreated with A. muciniphila-conditioned medium or propionic acid, the survival and proliferation abilities of irradiated HCT cells were significantly decreased ( t=3.14-34.98, P<0.05). Compared with the irradiation group, the colorectal cancer mice in the irradiation+ propionic acid group showed a significantly longer colorectal length ( t=3.50, P<0.05) and a significantly smaller number of tumors ( t=3.48, P<0.05); the two groups had significantly smaller tumor areas than the control model group ( t=5.97, 7.30, P<0.05). HE staining and immunohistochemical staining showed that propionic acid restored colorectal structure, and decreased Ki67 expression in colorectal tissue ( t=14.50, 3.40, P<0.05). Propionic acid treatment significantly reduced the levels of the inflammatory factors interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α, as compared with the mice receiving irradiation alone ( t=4.86, 5.06, P<0.05). Irradiation plus propionic acid treatment significantly increased p53 expression and significantly aggravated G 2/M phase block and cell apoptosis ( t=20.35, 13.05, P<0.05). Conclusions:The A. muciniphila metabolite propionic acid plays a sensitizing role in radiation therapy for colorectal cancer by promoting G 2/M phase block and apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells.

Glaucoma is a group of optic nerve disorders characterized by progressive optic nerve atrophy and visual field defects, which can lead to irreversible blindness. Early diagnosis of glaucoma is essential for preventing visual loss. However, due to the absence of obvious early symptoms, the diagnosis of glaucoma remains challenging. Visual electrophysiological examinations, an objective approach for evaluating visual function, have the potential to be used in the early diagnosis of glaucoma. This review integrates the latest publications to introduce visual electrophysiological examination techniques, including electroretinography(ERG)and visual evoked potential(VEP). It also explores the mechanisms underlying these techniques and their application value in the early diagnosis of glaucoma. In addition, this review summarizes the advantages, limitations, and applicable scenarios of different visual electrophysiological techniques. Finally, the review provides an outlook on the development prospects of visual electrophysiological techniques in the early diagnosis of glaucoma. The findings of this review can assist clinicians in selecting appropriate diagnostic methods, promote the innovation and development of early visual electrophysiological diagnostic techniques for glaucoma, and contribute to reducing the risk of blindness caused by glaucoma.

We propose a strategy to reduce unnecessary prostate biopsies in Chinese patients with total prostate-specific antigen (tPSA) >10 ng ml -1 and Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) scores between 1 and 3. Clinical data derived from 517 patients of The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC (Hefei, China) from January 2020 to December 2023 who met the screening criteria for the study were retrospectively collected. Independent predictors were identified via univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. The diagnostic capacity of clinical variables was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under the curve (AUC). A prostate biopsy strategy was developed via risk stratification. Of the 517 patients, 17/348 (4.9%) with PI-RADS 1-2 were diagnosed with clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa), and 27/169 (16.0%) patients with PI-RADS 3 were diagnosed with csPCa. The appropriate prostate-specific antigen density (PSAD) cut-off values were 0.45 ng ml -2 for PI-RADS 1-2 patients and 0.3 ng ml -2 for PI-RADS 3 patients. The appropriate prostate volume (PV) cut-off values were 40 ml for PI-RADS 1-2 patients and 50 ml for PI-RADS 3 patients. The prostate biopsy strategy based on PSAD and PV developed in this study can reduce unnecessary prostate biopsies in patients with tPSA >10 ng ml -1 and PI-RADS 1-3. In the study, 66.5% (344/517) patients did not need to undergo prostate biopsy, at the expense of missing only 1.7% (6/344) patients with csPCa.
Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging* ; Prostate-Specific Antigen/blood* ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Prostate/diagnostic imaging* ; Unnecessary Procedures/statistics & numerical data* ; Biopsy/statistics & numerical data* ; China ; ROC Curve

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the B_el subtype gene mutation and its genetic mechanism in a family line. METHODS: ABO blood groups were identified by serologic tests. ABO genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primer (PCR-SSP). Sanger sequencing was performed on exons 1-7 of the ABO gene, the flanking intronic region, and exon 7 of the single strand of the gene confirmed the mutation site location. Missense3D software was used to predict the protein structure alteration caused by this mutation. RESULTS: Conventional serologic tests failed to detect erythrocyte B antigen in the proband and her three family members, and only trace amounts of B antigen expression could be detected by the absorption-dispersal test. DNA analysis showed that, on the basis of the normal ABO gene, there was a G>T substitution in the position of exon 7, position 803, which resulted in the change of amino acid 268 from Gly to Val. Further single-stranded sequencing analysis showed that the mutation site was located in the B gene. CONCLUSION In this family line, the proband, her father, her son, and her daughter all have reduced B type glycosyltransferase activity due to the new point mutation (c.803G>T) in exon 7 of the B gene, and the B antigen can only be detected by the absorption-dispersal method, and the point mutation can be stably inherited by offspring.
Point Mutation ; Alleles ; ABO Blood-Group System/genetics* ; Exons ; Introns ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Female ; Glycosyltransferases/genetics*