Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social impairments, repetitive behaviors, and restricted interests. Studies have shown that it is more prevalent in males than females. Although this issue has attracted academic attention since the 20th century, the specific mechanisms underlying the gender differences in ASD remain unclear. This paper reviews the impact of gender differences in ASD, focusing on the female protective effect, DNA methylation, hormone levels, and clinical manifestations. It also discusses corresponding treatment options, particularly suggesting improvements in the diagnostic process, which is often overlooked, in order to provide valuable references for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of ASD.
Humans ; Autism Spectrum Disorder/genetics* ; Female ; Male ; DNA Methylation ; Sex Factors ; Sex Characteristics

Microplastics pose a serious threat to the environment and human health,but the circulating distribution and transport processes of microplastics in organisms have not been fully assessed.Therefore,it is of great significance to construct a probe that can image trace microplastics and visually monitor their circulation and transport in vivo.Afterglow semiconducting polymers are attractive for applications in biological imaging as they do not contain heavy metal ions,are easy to biodegrade and allow high signal-to-noise ratio afterglow imaging without continuous excitation.In this study,with styrene as reaction monomer,polyvinylpyrrolidone as surfactant,and sodium persulfate as initiator,afterglow polystyrene microspheres for in vivo imaging of microplastics were prepared.During the polymerization process,poly[(9,9-di(2-ethylhexyl)-9H-fluo-rene-2,7-vinylene)-co-(1-methoxy-4-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-2,5-phenylenevinylene)](PF-MEHPPV)and photosensitizer silicon 2,3-naphthalocyanine bis(trihexylsilyloxide)(NCBS)were co-doped into polystyrene microspheres.The prepared afterglow polystyrene microspheres exhibited an afterglow duration of 96 h and a tissue penetration depth of 1.8 cm.It was found that co-doping of PF-MEHPPV and NCBS had little effect on the particle size and Zeta potential of the microspheres,and allowed to monitor the afterglow luminescence signal in vivo for 24 h.Imaging of mouse organs after anatomy showed that the afterglow signal was still observed in the stomach of mice 48 h after gavage.This study provided a new method for imaging and tracing microplastics in vivo.

To maintain the precision and stability of the efficacy of classical formulas, this study compared the origins and specifications of Bupleuri Radix and revealed the precise application regularity of Bupleurum chinense(Beichaihu) and Bupleurum scorzonerifolium(Nanchaihu) in classical formulas. The efficacy and indications of formulas with Bupleuri Radix as the sovereign drug in the Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases(Shang Han Za Bing Lun) were investigated. The difference in the efficacy of Bupleuri Radix as well as the differences in the chemical composition, and liver-protecting and lipid-lowering effects of the decoctions of Beichaihu and Nanchaihu were analyzed with LC-MS technology based on the CCl_4-induced liver injury model in mice and sodium oleate-induced HepG2 hyperlipidemia cell model. The results showed that seven classical formulas with Bupleuri Radix as the sovereign drug in the Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases were mainly used in the treatment of digestive, metabolic, immune, circulatory, and other diseases. Bupleuri Radix mainly played the functions of protecting the liver, benefiting the gallbladder, and lowering the lipid, and had different focuses in different formulas. There were 14 differential components in the decoctions of Beichaihu and Nanchaihu, and the chemical structures of 11 components were identified, including 10 saponins and one flavonoid. The results of the liver-protecting efficacy experiment showed that compared with the Nanchaihu decoction, Beichaihu decoction could reduce the serum aspartate aminotransferase(AST) activity in liver injury model mice(P<0.01). The results of the lipid-lowering efficacy experiment proved that Beichaihu and Nanchaihu decoctions both showed highly significant differences in lowering the total cholesterol(TC) and triglyceride(TG) content in HepG2 cells(P<0.01), and Nanchaihu decoction was superior to Beichaihu decoction in lowering the lipid. The results of this study preliminarily proved that there were differences in chemical composition, and liver-protecting and lipid-lowering effects of Beichaihu and Nanchaihu decoctions, indicating that it was necessary to determine the precise origin of Bupleuri Radix in the clinical formulation of traditional Chinese medicine. The study provides a scientific basis for both precise clinical medication and purpose-based accurate quality evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine in clinical application.
Animals ; Mice ; Liver ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Bupleurum

Objective: To identify the clinically relevant factors of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) in children and establish a predictive model followed by verifying its feasibility. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed in a total of 111 children with nephrotic syndrome admitted to Children's Hospital of ShanXi from January 2016 to December 2021. The clinical data of general conditions, manifestations, laboratory tests, treatment, and prognosis were collected. According to the steroid response, patients were divided into SSNS and steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) group. Single factor Logistic regression analysis was used for comparison between the 2 groups, and variables with statistically significant differences were included in multivariate Logistic regression analysis. The multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the related variables of children with SRNS. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), the calibration curve and the clinical decision curve were used to evaluate its effectiveness of the variables. Results: Totally 111 children with nephrotic syndrome was composed of 66 boys and 45 girls, aged 3.2 (2.0, 6.6) years. There were 65 patients in the SSNS group and 46 in the SRNS group.Univariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the 6 variables, including erythrocyte sedimentation rate, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, suppressor T cells, D-dimer, fibrin degradation products, β2-microglobulin, had statistically significant differences between SSNS and SRNS groups (85 (52, 104) vs. 105 (85, 120) mm/1 h, 18 (12, 39) vs. 16 (12, 25) nmol/L, 0.23 (0.19, 0.27) vs. 0.25 (0.20, 0.31), 0.7 (0.6, 1.1) vs. 1.1 (0.9, 1.7) g/L, 3.1 (2.3, 4.1) vs. 3.3 (2.7, 5.8) g/L, 2.3 (1.9,2.8) vs. 3.0 (2.5, 3.7) g/L, χ²=3.73, -2.42, 2.24, 3.38, 2.24,3.93,all P<0.05), were included in the multivariate Logistic regression analysis. Finally, we found that 4 variables including erythrocyte sedimentation rate, suppressor T cells, D-dimer and β2-microglobulin (OR=1.02, 1.12, 25.61, 3.38, 95%CI 1.00-1.04, 1.03-1.22, 1.92-341.04, 1.65-6.94, all P<0.05) had significant correlation with SRNS. The optimal prediction model was selected. The ROC curve cut-off=0.38, with the sensitivity of 0.83, the specificity of 0.77 and area under curve of 0.87. The calibration curve showed that the predicted probability of SRNS group occurrence was in good agreement with the actual occurrence probability, χ²=9.12, P=0.426. The clinical decision curve showed good clinical applicability. The net benefit is up to 0.2. Make the nomogram. Conclusions: The prediction model based on the 4 identified risk factors including erythrocyte sedimentation rate, suppressor T cells, D-dimer and β2-microglobulin was suitable for the early diagnosis and prediction of SRNS in children. The prediction effect was promising in clinical application.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Child ; Nephrotic Syndrome/diagnosis* ; Retrospective Studies ; Models, Statistical ; Prognosis ; Steroids/therapeutic use*

We wished to establish an expert consensus on late stage of critical care (CC) management. The panel comprised 13 experts in CC medicine. Each statement was assessed based on the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) principle. Then, the Delphi method was adopted by 17 experts to reassess the following 28 statements. (1) ESCAPE has evolved from a strategy of delirium management to a strategy of late stage of CC management. (2) The new version of ESCAPE is a strategy for optimizing treatment and comprehensive care of critically ill patients (CIPs) after the rescue period, including early mobilization, early rehabilitation, nutritional support, sleep management, mental assessment, cognitive-function training, emotional support, and optimizing sedation and analgesia. (3) Disease assessment to determine the starting point of early mobilization, early rehabilitation, and early enteral nutrition. (4) Early mobilization has synergistic effects upon the recovery of organ function. (5) Early functional exercise and rehabilitation are important means to promote CIP recovery, and gives them a sense of future prospects. (6) Timely start of enteral nutrition is conducive to early mobilization and early rehabilitation. (7) The spontaneous breathing test should be started as soon as possible, and a weaning plan should be selected step-by-step. (8) The waking process of CIPs should be realized in a planned and purposeful way. (9) Establishment of a sleep-wake rhythm is the key to sleep management in post-CC management. (10) The spontaneous awakening trial, spontaneous breathing trial, and sleep management should be carried out together. (11) The depth of sedation should be adjusted dynamically in the late stage of CC period. (12) Standardized sedation assessment is the premise of rational sedation. (13) Appropriate sedative drugs should be selected according to the objectives of sedation and drug characteristics. (14) A goal-directed minimization strategy for sedation should be implemented. (15) The principle of analgesia must be mastered first. (16) Subjective assessment is preferred for analgesia assessment. (17) Opioid-based analgesic strategies should be selected step-by-step according to the characteristics of different drugs. (18) There must be rational use of non-opioid analgesics and non-drug-based analgesic measures. (19) Pay attention to evaluation of the psychological status of CIPs. (20) Cognitive function in CIPs cannot be ignored. (21) Delirium management should be based on non-drug-based measures and rational use of drugs. (22) Reset treatment can be considered for severe delirium. (23) Psychological assessment should be conducted as early as possible to screen-out high-risk groups with post-traumatic stress disorder. (24) Emotional support, flexible visiting, and environment management are important components of humanistic management in the intensive care unit (ICU). (25) Emotional support from medical teams and families should be promoted through"ICU diaries"and other forms. (26) Environmental management should be carried out by enriching environmental content, limiting environmental interference, and optimizing the environmental atmosphere. (27) Reasonable promotion of flexible visitation should be done on the basis of prevention of nosocomial infection. (28) ESCAPE is an excellent project for late stage of CC management.
Humans ; Consensus ; Critical Care/methods* ; Intensive Care Units ; Pain/drug therapy* ; Analgesics/therapeutic use* ; Delirium/therapy* ; Critical Illness

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy and safety of different induction regimens of same total dosage of azacitidine (Aza), including standard dose (standard dose group) and low-dose long-term (adjusted dose group), in the treatment of elderly acute myeloid leukemia (AML). METHODS: A total of 103 elderly patients with AML (non-acute promyelocytic leukemia) from January 2020 to June 2021 were enrolled. Aza was administered at the standard dose of 75 mg/(m²·d) for 7 days in the standard dose group (50 cases), while at 100 mg/d for 7-12 days in the adjusted dose group (53 cases). The administration days in adjusted dose group was calculated based on the total standard dose of the patient's single course of treatment. The efficacy and safety between standard dose group and adjusted dose group were compared. Subgroup analysis were performed in the two groups for Aza alone, Aza combined with BCL-2 inhibitor, and Aza combined with low-dose chemotherapy for efficacy and safety. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in overall response rate (ORR), incidence of adverse reaction, and 1-year overall survival (OS) rate between standard dose group and adjusted dose group (P >0.05). The ORR of combination was higher than that of Aza alone (P < 0.05), while there was no significant difference in ORR between Aza combined with BCL-2 inhibitor and Aza combined with low-dose chemotherapy (P >0.05). The combination of BCL-2 inhibitor did not increase the incidence of adverse reactions compared wtih Aza alone. There was a higher risk of myelosuppression and pulmonary infection with a combination of low-dose chemotherapy than with a combination of BCL-2 inhibitor and Aza alone (P <0.05). No significant difference was observed in 1-year OS between Aza alone, Aza combined with BCL-2 inhibitor, and Aza combined with low-dose chemotherapy (P >0.05). CONCLUSIONS Both two induction regimens can be used in elderly AML patients who cannot tolerate intensive chemotherapy with similar overall effectiveness and safety. Aza combined with low-dose chemotherapy may result in increased ORR and an increased incidence of serious adverse reactions, and may not result in longer survival compared with Aza alone. Aza combined with BCL-2 inhibitor not only has similar effect in complete remission, objective response rate, and OS compared with Aza combined with low-dose chemotherapy, but also has higher safety.
Humans ; Aged ; Azacitidine/therapeutic use* ; Prospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/etiology* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2

Aim To explore the protective effect of Zishen Huoxue Prescription on OGD/R-induced primary hippocampal neuron damage in rats and the possible mechanism. Methods After the isolated primary hippocampal neurons were identified by immunofluorescence, OGD/R induced neuronal damage, and the changes of autophagic flux at different re-oxygenation time were observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. After OGD/R-induced primary hippocampal neurons were intervened with serum containing Zishen Huoxue Prescription, cell viability was detected by CCK-8, cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry, autophagosomes were detected by transmission electron microscopy, and autophagy-related protein expressions were detected by Western blot. Results 10% Zishen Huoxue Prescription-containing serum could significantly improve cell viability and reduce the proportion of cell apoptosis, increase the number of autophagosomes in neurons, and up-regulate the expression of autophagy-related protein PINK1, Parkin, and pATG16L1. Conclusions Zishen Huoxue Prescription can effectively resist OGD/R-induced apoptosis of primary hippocampal neurons in rats, and its effect may be related to the regulation of PINK1-Parkin pathway to promote mitophagy.

Aim To elucidate the molecular mechanism of Sophora tonkinensis Gagnep in improving acute pharyngitis based on network pharmacology, animal experiments and quantitative real-time PCR.Methods The active components and targets of Sophora tonkinensis Gagnep were collected from the database of traditional Chinese medicinal systems databases and analysis platform(TCMSP). Targets related to acute pharyngitis were acquired through GeneCards, OMIM, DrugBank and Disgenet databases. After the common targets of the two were screened, the STRING database was used to construct the protein interaction network, and the Metascape platform was used for pathway analysis. At the same time, Cytoscape software was used to construct a network of "herbal-disease-component-target" and "herbal-disease-component-target-pathway" network. The acute pharyngitis models in rats were established to study the effect of water extract of Sophora tonkinensis Gagnep on acute pharyngitis in rats. Quantitative real-time PCR technology was used to study the effect of Sophora tonkinensis Gagnep on key gene targets in key pathways of pharyngeal tissues in rats with acute pharyngitis. Results In this experiment, 509 related targets of 21 active components of Sophora tonkinensis Gagnep were obtained, 2 167 related targets of acute pharyngitis were obtained, and 194 common targets of Sophora tonkinensis Gagnep and acute pharyngitis were obtained. KEGG pathway analysis screened 344 related signaling pathways, indicating that IL-17 signaling pathway, NF-kappa B signaling pathway and leukocyte transendothelial migration pathway might play a key role in the improvement of acute pharyngitis by Sophorae tonkinensis Gagnep. Animal experiments showed that the low dose group of Sophora tonkinensis Gagnep water extract had better therapeutic effect on acute pharyngitis. The results of quantitative real-time PCR showed that the low-dose group of Sophora tonkinensis Gagnep significantly down-regulated the expression levels of ITGB2, PIK3CA, PIK3CD and PTPN11 genes in leukocyte transendothelial migration pathway(P<0.05). Conclusions The above results show that Sophora tonkinensis Gagnep has the characteristics of multi-component, multi-target and multi-pathway synergy in improving acute pharyngitis, which provides a theoretical basis for further study on the complex mechanism of Sophora tonkinensis Gagnep in improving acute pharyngitis.

Aim To investigate the mechanism of Sophorae tonkinensis radix et rhizome (ST) induced nephrotoxicity based on network toxicology and experimental verification. Methods Through network toxicology the target of toxic components of ST was predicted, nephrotoxicity-related target genes were located, the intersection of targets was taken, the STRING platform was imported to map the target protein interactions, MetaScape database was used for GO and KEGG analysis, BioGPS database for screening the key expressed genes in rat nephrotoxicity and the component-target-pathway network was constructed. The mechanism of ST induced nephrotoxicity was verified through animal experiments, and qRT-PCR was applied to detect mRNA expression level of key genes in kidney tissue. Results Twenty toxic components of ST were screened from network toxicology, mainly including matrine, sophoridine, maackiain. A total of 135 targets were involved, and HSP90AA1, SRC, MAPK1, MAPK3, AKT1 were the main targets. A total of 169 related signaling pathways were yielded by KEGG analysis, and the mechanism of nephrotoxicity might be related to cancer pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, HIF-1 signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway. PPARA, RAF1, MAP2K1, SRC, AKT1 and MAPK3 were screened from BioGPS database. The results of animal experiments showed that BUN and SCr level increased (P <0. 01) in rats with high-dose group, and the kidney tissue was significantly damaged. qRT-PCR results indicated that the expression of PPARA, RAF1, MAP2K1, MAPK3 mRNA increased, the expression of AKT1 mRNA decreased in the high-dose group of ST (P <0. 05). Conclusions The mechanism of Sophorae tonkinensis radix et rhizome induced nephrotoxicity is found to be related to the combined action of multiple components, multiple targets and multiple pathways, which also provides a theoretical basis for the in-depth exploration of the toxicology.