Objective To establish an acute rejection model of cervical heart transplantation in mice and evaluate the survival and dynamic rejection process post-transplantation. Methods Mice were randomly divided into sham operation group (n=10), syngeneic transplantation group (n=21), and allogeneic transplantation group (n=65). Sham operation, syngeneic cervical heart transplantation, and allogeneic cervical heart transplantation were performed respectively. The survival of recipient mice and grafts, histopathological changes of graft tissues, subpopulations of splenic lymphocytes, and expression of inflammatory factors in serum and grafts were observed. Results The survival rate and graft survival rate of the sham operation group and syngeneic transplantation group were 100% at 7 days after surgery. In the allogeneic transplantation group, 5 cases failed and died on the first day after surgery. The survival rate at 7 days after surgery was 86%, and all surviving mice had grafts that stopped beating at 7 days after surgery. The allogeneic transplantation group showed significant rejection at 7 days after surgery, accompanied by tissue damage and CD8⁺ T cell infiltration. The proportion of CD8⁺ T cells in the spleen continued to rise post-operation, while the proportion of CD4⁺ T cells showed a downward trend. The expression of interferon-γ in serum and grafts peaked at 5 days after surgery, while the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α showed no statistical significance. Conclusions Acute rejection following heart transplantation in mice intensifies between 5 to 7 days after surgery, which may be a critical time window for immunological intervention.

Background The job content of aircraft maintenance workers is complex, with high intensity and high requirements, and they are prone to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), but related research is relatively rare. Objective To investigate the positive rate of WMSDs among aircraft maintenance workers, evaluate ergonomic load, and analyze the risk factors of WMSDs. Methods We used a self-compiled questionnaire for WMSDs and the Quick Exposure Checklist (QEC) to investigate the basic situation, positive rate of WMSDs, and the ergonomic load of 2271 male maintenance workers in 6 departments of an aircraft maintenance company, including airline maintenance, overall overhaul, accessory/landing gear overhaul, engine overhaul, product customization, and power assist. We used a logistic regression model to analyze the risk factors of WMSDs in the neck, shoulder, hand/wrist, and lower back. Results The positive rate of WMSDs in the past 12 months was 70.4% (1598/2271) and the positive rate of WMSDs in different body parts ranged from 6.6% to 49.5%, with the top three parts of lower back, neck, and knee, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in the positive rate among different departments (P<0.05). The average QEC scores for neck, hand/wrist, and back (static) were moderate, while those for shoulder and back (dynamic) were high, and the body part specific positive rate of WMSDs increased with the increase of ergonomic load level. Working years (5-<10 years, ≥20 years), working with back flexed or twisted or side bent (moderately, excessively), high maximum force level exerted by one hand, and feeling difficult (sometimes, often) and stressful (moderately, very) while working were associated with higher risks of lower back pain (OR=1.486, 1.505; 2.151, 3.769; 1.637; 2.110, 2.407; 1.637, 1.794; P<0.05). Working years (15-<20 years, ≥20 years), working with head/neck bent or twisted (occasionally, continuously), feeling difficult (sometimes) and stressful (very) while working were associated with higher risks of neck pain (OR=1.731, 1.586; 3.732, 8.341; 1.633; 1.696; P<0.05). Working years (15-<20 years, ≥20 years), working with hands in a high position (at shoulder or above), very frequent shoulder/arm movements, feeling difficult (sometimes, often) and stressful (moderately, very) while working were associated with higher risks of shoulder pain (OR=1.587, 1.709; 1.299; 1.521; 1.643, 2.239; 1.659, 1.977; P<0.05). Working with wrist at deviated or bent angle, high repetition of similar movements, feeling difficult (sometimes, often) and stressful (moderately, very) while working were associated with higher risks of hand/wrist pain (OR=1.692; 1.670; 1.827, 2.884; 2.190, 2.625; P <0.05) . Physical exercise after work (≥3 times·week⁻¹) was associated with a lower risk of neck pain (OR=0.582, P<0.05). Shift workers were at a lower risk of shoulder pain and hand/wrist pain (OR=0.737 and 0.554, P<0.05). Conclusion The high positive rate of WMSDs symptoms among aircraft maintenance workers is related to individual, occupational ergonomic, and psychological factors, and active prevention and intervention should be taken.

Objective: To investigate the current status of iron metabolism among apheresis donors in Guangzhou and analyze the improvement effects of health education on iron deficiency in frequent apheresis donors. Methods: Using a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM), a 180-day follow-up was conducted on 261 eligible apheresis donors at the Guangzhou Blood Center from January to July 2024. Hemoglobin (Hb), serum ferritin (SF), unsaturated iron-binding capacity (UIBC), total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and transferrin saturation (TS) were selected as outcome variables. The effects of gender, age group, and number of donations within 180 days on these outcomes were analyzed and modeled. A general linear model (GLM) with repeated measures was applied to 55 donors who received health education interventions, comparing changes in Hb and iron metabolism-related indicators before and after follow-up and health education. Results: No significant difference in Hb levels was observed between first-time and regular apheresis donors, but SF levels were significantly higher in first-time donors (F=6.195, P<0.05). The GLMM revealed that female donors exhibited more significant reductions in Hb (T=-12.546) and SF (T=-5.829)(P<0.05 for both). Age group showed no interactive effects on Hb or SF changes. While number of donations within 180 days had no interactive effect on Hb, SF levels significantly decreased with increased number of donations (using ≥9 donations as the reference group; P<0.05 for all groups). After health education, Hb levels remained unchanged, but SF increased compared to pre-intervention levels (mean difference: -18.571, P<0.05), though a declining trend persisted compared to baseline (mean difference from baseline to post-intervention: 23.068,P<0.05). Conclusion: Female and number of donations are primary factors contributing to SF reduction in apheresis donors. Health education interventions promote SF recovery. Extending donation intervals and reinforcing iron deficiency-related health education may improve iron status in donors.

Objective: To analyze the current status and influencing factors of postpartum depression symptoms among elderly multipara, so as to provide a basis for health management among elderly pregnant women. Methods: Multipara aged ≥35 years who underwent 42-day postpartum check-ups in Hangzhou Gynecology and Gynecology Hospital from October 2023 to October 2024 were selected as survey subjects using convenience sampling method. Demographic information, sleep quality and feeding methods data were collected using questionnaires. The postpartum depressive symptoms, parenting stress, and social support levels were assessed using the Chinese version of the Simplified Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Parenting Stress Inventory-Short Form, and Perceived Social Support Scale, respectively. Factors affecting postpartum depression symptoms among elderly multipara were analyzed through multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 355 elderly multipara were surveyed. The average age was (38.19±2.10) years. There were 228 cesarean deliveries (64.23%) in this pregnancy. There were 21 cases (5.92%) of unplanned pregnancy and 21 cases (5.92%) of preterm birth. The parenting stress score was (72.56±11.08) points, and the social support score was (60.42±8.50) points. Postpartum depression symptoms was detected in 106 elderly multipara, with a detection rate of 29.86%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that monthly household income per capita (≥5 000 yuan, OR=0.470, 95%CI: 0.281-0.785), unplanned pregnancy (yes, OR=2.619, 95%CI: 1.427-4.809), preterm delivery (yes,OR=4.105, 95%CI: 1.848-9.113), poor sleep quality (yes, OR=3.556, 95%CI: 1.659-7.595), feeding methods (mixed feeding, OR=1.483, 95%CI: 1.030-2.135; artificial feeding, OR=4.510, 95%CI: 2.018-10.070), parenting stress (OR=1.206, 95%CI: 1.162-1.441), and social support (OR=0.255, 95%CI: 0.111-0.420) were factors affecting postpartum depression symptoms among elderly multipara. Conclusion The detection rate of postpartum depression symptoms among elderly multiparas is relatively high, is associated with family economic status, pregnancy planning status, preterm delivery, sleep quality, feeding methods, parenting stress, and social support levels.

OBJECTIVE: To identify protein markers that may be associated with ulcerative colitis (UC) by analyzing differential proteins in the salivary exosomes from newly diagnosed patients with active UC and healthy controls (HC), and to investigate the function of salivary exosome-specific high-expression proteins in UC patients and their potential role in the pathogenesis of UC. METHODS: All patients and healthy controls were recruited from Peking University People' s Hospital. Whole saliva was obtained from 37 patients with newly diagnosed active ulcerative colitis (n=37) and apparently healthy controls (n=10). Salivary exosomes were extracted from samples, and the proteins within the exosomes were identified by liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS). The differentially expressed protein genes underwent gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis using the DAVID tool. In vitro, macrophages were co-cultured with salivary exosomes from UC group and those from HC group, respectively, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to detect levels of CD80⁺ and CD86⁺. Additionally, ELISA was performed to measure secretion levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the cell supernatant. RESULTS: A total of 259 proteins were co-expressed in saliva exosomes from UC group and HC group, among which 11 proteins were highly expressed in the UC group, including PDIA4, A2M, EEF2, C3, PSMA2, PSMB6, PSMA1, IGHG1, IGHG3, IGHG4 and SERPING1, while 4 proteins were lowly expressed in UC group, including TCN1, SLPI and SERPING. Functional analysis of these 15 proteins, along with 129 specific proteins found only in the UC patients and 69 specific proteins found only in HC patients, respectively, was conducted using GO/KEGG. The results revealed that in the UC group, proteasome-related proteins such as PSMA1, PSMA2 and PSMB6 expressions were increased in salivary exosomes while many key molecules involved in complement cascade pathways, such as C3 were up-regu-lated. In vitro co-culture experiments demonstrated that compared with healthy controls, the salivary exosomes of the UC patients in active stage could play a pro-inflammatory role by promoting the transformation of macrophages into M1 type cells that secrete inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. CONCLUSION Salivary exosomes in the UC patients may have the function of promoting inflammation. Analysis of protein levels in the saliva of the UC patients and healthy controls revealed significant differences in the expression levels of 15 co-expressed proteins between the two groups. Among them, C3, PSMA2, PSMB6 and PSMA1 were found to be mainly related to immune and inflammatory reactions in the UC group. These findings suggest that proteins with high specific expression in salivary exosomes of the UC patients have the potential to be used as a disease marker for UC diagnosis and may contribute to the pathogenesis of UC.
Humans ; Colitis, Ulcerative/metabolism* ; Exosomes/metabolism* ; Saliva/metabolism* ; Biomarkers/analysis* ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Middle Aged

The liver regenerative capacity is crucial for patients with end-stage liver disease following partial hepatectomy (PHx). The specific bacteria and mechanisms regulating liver regeneration post-PHx remain unclear. This study demonstrated dynamic changes in the abundance of Parabacteroides distasonis (P. distasonis) post-PHx, correlating with hepatocyte proliferation. Treatment with live P. distasonis significantly promoted hepatocyte proliferation and liver regeneration after PHx. Targeted metabolomics revealed a significant positive correlation between P. distasonis and β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHB), as well as hyodeoxycholic acid and 3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid in the gut after PHx. Notably, treatment with BHB, but not hyodeoxycholic acid or 3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, significantly promoted hepatocyte proliferation and liver regeneration in mice after PHx. Moreover, STAT3 inhibitor Stattic attenuated the promotive effects of BHB on cell proliferation and liver regeneration both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, P. distasonis upregulated the expression of fatty acid oxidation-related proteins, and increased BHB levels in the liver, and then BHB activated the STAT3 signaling pathway to promote liver regeneration. This study, for the first time, identifies the involvement of P. distasonis and its associated metabolite BHB in promoting liver regeneration after PHx, providing new insights for considering P. distasonis and BHB as potential strategies for promoting hepatic regeneration.

Although a single nucleotide polymorphism for N-acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10) has been identified in patients with early-onset stroke, the role of NAT10 in ischemic injury and the related underlying mechanisms remains elusive. Here, we provide evidence that NAT10, the only known RNA N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C) modification "writer", is increased in the damaged cortex of patients with acute ischemic stroke and the peri-infarct cortex of mice subjected to photothrombotic (PT) stroke. Pharmacological inhibition of NAT10 with remodelin on Days 3-7 post-stroke or astrocytic depletion of NAT10 via targeted virus attenuates ischemia-induced infarction and improves functional recovery in PT mice. Mechanistically, NAT10 enhances ac4C acetylation of the inflammatory cytokine tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (Timp1) mRNA transcript, which increases TIMP1 expression and results in the accumulation of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) and progression of astrocyte autophagy. These findings demonstrate that NAT10 regulates astrocyte autophagy by targeting Timp1 ac4C after stroke. This study highlights the critical role of ac4C in the regulation of astrocyte autophagy and proposes a promising strategy to improve post-stroke outcomes via NAT10 inhibition.

The prefrontal cortex (PFC) plays a pivotal role in orchestrating higher-order emotional and cognitive processes, a function that depends on the precise modulation of synaptic activity. Although pharmacological studies have demonstrated that dopamine signaling through dopamine D1 receptor (DRD1) in the PFC is essential for these functions, the cell-type-specific and molecular mechanisms underlying the neuromodulatory effects remain elusive. Using cell-type-specific knockout mice and patch-clamp recordings, we investigated the regulatory role of DRD1 on neurons and astrocytes in synaptic transmission and plasticity. Furthermore, we explored the mechanisms by which DRD1 on astrocytes regulate synaptic transmission and plasticity at the cellular level, as well as emotional and cognitive functions at the behavioral level, through two-photon imaging, microdialysis, high-performance liquid chromatography, transcriptome sequencing, and behavioral testing. We found that conditional knockout of the Drd1 in astrocytes (CKO^AST) increased glutamatergic synaptic transmission and long-term potentiation (LTP) in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), whereas Drd1 deletion in pyramidal neurons did not affect synaptic transmission. The elevated level of d-serine in the mPFC of CKO^AST mice increased glutamatergic transmission and LTP through NMDA receptors. In addition, CKO^AST mice exhibited abnormal emotional and cognitive function. Notably, these behavioral changes in CKO^AST mice could be reversed through the administration of d-serine degrease to the mPFC. These results highlight the critical role of the astrocytic DRD1 in modulating mPFC synaptic transmission and plasticity, as well as higher brain functions through d-serine, and may shed light on the treatment of mental disorders.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of high-intensity interval training(HIIT)on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced septic myocardial injury in mice and the roles of NLRP3 inflammasome and macrophage M1 polarization in the process.C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into 4 groups:control(CON)group,LPS(L)group,HIIT+saline injection(E)group,and HIIT+LPS(EL)group.Six weeks of HIIT intervention was followed by intraperitoneal injection of LPS,and cardiac function indexes were measured by echocardiography 12 hours post the injection.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to evaluate the morphology and pathological characteristics of myocardium for assessing myocardial damage score;enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to test the content of myocardial damage indicators(AST,CK-MB,LDH);RT-PCR was used to detect the relative mRNA levels of NLRP3 inflammasome(NLRP3,Caspase-1),atrial natriuretic peptide(ANP),brain natriuretic peptide(BNP),myeloperoxidase(MPO)and macrophage M1-associated inflammasome factors(IL-1β,TNF-α,IL-6);Western blot was applied to measure the protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain(ASC)in cardiac tissues;immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the protein expression of NLRP3 inflammasome,ASC,IL-18 and iNOS.Compared with the CON group,mice in the LPS group showed obvious decrease in body weight,a significant decrease in EF and FS,a significant increase in LVESD and LVEDD,obvious pathological damage in myocardial tissue,a significant increase in myocardial damage fraction,a significant increase in serum myocardial damage indexes,and a significant increase in the expression levels of BNP,MPO,NLRP3 inflammasome,iNOS,IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α.HIIT treatment could reverse these changes mentioned above in model mice.In conclusion,6 weeks of HIIT inhibits the activation of LPS-induced NLRP3 inflammasome and suppressed macrophage M1-type polarization,thereby combating septic myocardial injury.

Objective:To summarize clinical features of Kaposi′s sarcoma with a single skin lesion as the initial manifestation, and to analyze causes of its misdiagnosis.Methods:Data were retrospectively collected from 12 patients with Kaposi′s sarcoma with a single skin lesion as the initial manifestation in the People′s Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from January 2020 to January 2022. Clinical and histopathological features and causes of misdiagnosis were analyzed.Results:Among the 12 patients, 10 were males and 2 were females; 9 were of Uyghur nationality, and 3 were of Kazakh nationality; their ages ranged from 20 to 76 years, and 10 patients were aged ≥ 60 years. Skin lesions were mostly located on the feet (8 cases), including the lateral edge of the foot (3 cases), the sole of the foot (2 cases), the ankle (1 case), the dorsal side of the third toe (1 case), and the interdigital regions between the third and fourth toes (1 case) ; skin lesions were also observed on the fibular side of the right lower limb (2 cases), on the right side of the dorsal tongue (1 case), and on the dorsal side of the right little finger (1 case). The skin lesions manifested as purple-red nodules in 9 cases, dark-red nodules in 2 cases, and purple-red plaques in 1 case, with maximum diameters of 0.5 - 3.0 (1.9 ± 0.83) cm. Skin lesions were accompanied by pain in 6 cases and by pruritus in 1 case. Histopathologically, skin lesions manifested as the proliferation of vascular endothelial cells, which could form obvious vascular cavity, or presented as a large number of proliferative spindle cells depending on the degree of tumor differentiation; immunohistochemical study showed that all the 12 patients were positive for human herpes virus 8; immunohistochemical staining of CD34 and CD31 was performed in 11 and 4 patients respectively, all the 11 patients were positive for CD34, and all the 4 patients were positive for CD31. Among the 11 patients presenting with nodules, 6 were initially misdiagnosed with skin infection, 2 with hemangioma, 2 with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, and 1 with dermatofibroma; the 1 patient presenting with plaques was initially misdiagnosed with psoriasis; 8 patients were first diagnosed in the department of dermatology, 3 in the department of burns, and 1 was first diagnosed in the department of maxillofacial surgery.Conclusion:The Kaposi′s sarcoma initially manifesting as a single skin lesion was more common in males aged over 60 years, usually occurred on the feet, especially on the lateral edge of the foot, and mainly manifested as purple-red nodules; half of the patients were accompanied by pain; it was frequently misdiagnosed as skin infection in clinical practice, but histopathological examination could be helpful for its differential diagnosis.