AIM:To investigate the effects of high-altitude hypoxic exposure on retinal injury and the associated changes in oxidative stress-related indicators in rats. METHODS: Twenty-four healthy male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into a plain group and a high-altitude group, with 12 rats(24 eyes)in each group. Rats in the plain group were housed under normoxic conditions in an SPF-grade animal facility, whereas rats in the high-altitude group were placed in a special environmental chamber simulating an altitude of 6 000 m for 7 d. Optical coherence tomography(OCT)was used to assess retinal layer architecture and quantify retinal thickness. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was performed to observe retinal histopathological changes. Immunofluorescence(IF)was used to detect the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α)in retinal tissue. Transmission electron microscopy(TEM)was applied to examine the ultrastructure of retinal ganglion cells(RGCs). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to measure the levels of malondialdehyde(MDA), total superoxide dismutase(T-SOD), and reduced glutathione(GSH)in retinal tissue. In addition, intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels in retinal tissue were assessed using the 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate(DCFH-DA)fluorescent probe. RESULTS: OCT examination revealed disorganized retinal architecture in the high-altitude group, with increased inner and middle ring thickness and decreased outer ring thickness compared with the plain group(all P<0.05). HE staining showed varying degrees of retinal layer damage, blurred layer boundaries, loosely arranged RGCs, and partial cellular necrosis in the high-altitude group. IF analysis demonstrated significantly increased HIF-1α expression in the inner nuclear layer of the high-altitude group(P<0.01). TEM revealed mitochondrial swelling, disrupted cristae, and reduced matrix electron density in RGCs of the high-altitude group. ELISA and fluorescence probe assays showed significantly elevated MDA levels and ROS fluorescence intensity, accompanied by decreased T-SOD and GSH levels in the retinal tissue of the high-altitude group(all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Exposure to a high-altitude hypoxic environment induces marked morphological and ultrastructural damage in the rat retina and significantly enhances oxidative stress, suggesting that oxidative stress may play a critical role in retinal injury induced by high-altitude hypoxia.

Objective: To fabricate a hydrogel loaded with inositol hexaphosphate-zinc and preliminarily evaluate its performance in self-mineralization and osteoinduction, thereby providing a theoretical basis for the development of bone regeneration materials. Methods: The hydrogel framework (designated DF0) was formed by copolymerizing methacryloyloxyethyltrimethylammonium chloride and four-armed poly(ethylene glycol) acrylate, followed by sequentially loading inositol hexaphosphate anions via electrostatic interaction and zinc ions via chelation. The hydrogel loaded only with inositol hexaphosphate anions was named DF1, while the co-loaded hydrogel was named DF2. The self-mineralization efficacy of the DF0 , DF1 and DF2 hydrogels was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). The biocompatibility was assessed via live/dead cell staining and a CCK-8 assay. The osteoinductive capacity of the DF0 , DF1 and DF2 hydrogels on MC3T3-E1 cells was assessed via alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Alizarin Red S (ARS) staining. In the aforementioned cell experiments, cells cultured in standard medium served as the control group Results: The DF0, DF1, and DF2 hydrogels were successfully synthesized. Notably, DF1 and DF2 exhibited distinct self-mineralization within 6 days. Results from TEM, EDS, and SAED confirmed that the mineralization products were amorphous calcium phosphate in group DF1, and amorphous calciumzinc phosphate in group DF2. Biocompatibility tests revealed that none of the hydrogels (DF0, DF1, and DF2) adversely affected cell viability or proliferation. In osteogenic induction experiments, both ALP and ARS staining were intensified in the DF1 and DF2 groups, with the most profound staining observed in the DF2 group. Conclusion The developed inositol hexaphosphate-zinc hydrogel (DF2) demonstrates the dual capacity to generate calcium-phosphate compounds through self-mineralization while exhibiting excellent osteoinductive properties. This biocompatible, dual-promoting osteogenic hydrogel presents a novel strategy for bone regeneration.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of Qihuang needle therapy for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) children with sleep disorder. METHODS: A total of 60 ASD children with sleep disorder were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. Both groups were treated with structured education intervention, 60 min each time, once a day, 6 times a week. Qihuang needle therapy was applied at Yintang (GV24⁺), Baihui (GV20) and bilateral Jueyinshu (BL14), Xinshu (BL15) in the observation group, multi-direction needling was delivered and without needle retaining. The treatment was given 2 times a week, each treatment was delivered at interval of 2 days at least. Behavioral intervention was adopted in the control group. Treatment for consecutive 12 weeks was required in both groups. Before and after treatment, the scores of children's sleep habits questionnaire (CSHQ), the autism behavior checklist (ABC), the childhood autism rating scale (CARS), and the childhood autism behavior scale (CABS) were observed in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the scores of CSHQ, ABC, CARS and CABS were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.01), and the above scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Qihuang needle therapy can effectively treat ASD with sleep disorder, improve the core symptoms of ASD and the sleep quality.
Humans ; Autism Spectrum Disorder/physiopathology* ; Male ; Female ; Child ; Sleep Wake Disorders/physiopathology* ; Child, Preschool ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture Points ; Treatment Outcome ; Sleep ; Needles

BACKGROUND: Electroacupuncture (EA) treatment is efficacious in patients with respiratory disorders, although the mechanisms of its action in lung-function protection are poorly understood. This study aimed to explore the neuroanatomical mechanisms of EA stimulation at the BL13 acupoint (Feishu, EA-BL13) improvement in asthma. METHODS: Allergic asthma was induced by intranasal 2.0% ovalbumin (OVA) instillation combined with intraperitoneal injection of the 10.0% OVA. The levels of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hematoxylin and eosin and periodic acid-schiff stain were used to evaluate inflammatory cell infiltration and mucus secretion. Cellular oncogene fos induction in neurons after EA stimulation was detected by immunofluorescent staining. The messenger RNA expression levels of adrenergic receptors were quantified with real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: EA improved airway inflammation and mucus secretion mainly by activating somatosensory-sympathetic pathways ( P <0.001). Briefly, the intermediolateral (IML) nuclei of the spinal cord received signals from somatic EA stimulation and then delivered the information via the sympathetic trunk to the lung. Excited sympathetic nerve endings in lung tissue released large amounts of catecholamines that specifically activated the β2 adrenergic receptor (β2AR) on T cells ( P <0.01) and further decreased the levels of IL-4 and IL-5 ( P <0.001) through the cyclic adenosine monophosphate/protein kinase A signaling pathway. CONCLUSION This study provided a new explanation and clinical basis for the use of EA-BL13 as a treatment for allergic asthma in both the attack and remission stages and other respiratory disorders related to airway inflammation.
Electroacupuncture/methods* ; Animals ; Asthma/immunology* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Inflammation/therapy* ; Interleukin-4/metabolism* ; Interleukin-5/metabolism*

The hippocampus, a major component of the limbic system, is the most important region related to emotion regulation and memory processing. Cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms observed in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients may be attributed to hippocampal damage caused by amyloid β-protein (Aβ). Our previous studies have demonstrated that a steroid sulfatase inhibitor DU-14 can enhance hippocampal synaptic plasticity and spatial memory abilities in a chronic AD murine model by counteracting the toxic effects of Aβ. However, limited experimental evidence exists regarding the efficacy of steroid sulfatase inhibitor on depressive symptoms in AD animal models. In this study, we investigated the effects of DU-14 on depressive symptoms and theta-band neuronal oscillations in rats with intrahippocampal injection of Aβ_1-42 using various behavioral tests such as sucrose preference test, tail suspension test, forced swimming test, and in vivo hippocampal local field potential (LFP) recording. The results demonstrated that, in comparison to the control group: (1) rats in the Aβ group exhibited a decrease in sucrose preference, indicating a loss of interest in pleasurable activities; (2) rats in the Aβ group displayed aggravated depressive-like behavior characterized by prolonged immobility time during tail suspension and forced swimming tests; (3) Aβ disrupted the induction of theta rhythm via tail pinch stimulation, and resulted in a significant reduction in peak power of theta rhythm. In contrast to the Aβ group, pretreatment with DU-14 resulted in: (1) a significant improvement in Aβ-induced anhedonia, as evidenced by increased sucrose preference; (2) significant alleviation of Aβ-induced despair and depressive-like behaviors, reflected by reduced immobility time during tail suspension and forced swimming tests; (3) successful mitigation of Aβ-mediated inhibition on bilateral hippocampal theta rhythm. These findings indicate that steroid sulfatase inhibitor DU-14 can counteract neurotoxicity induced by Aβ, and prevent Aβ-induced depressive-like behavior and suppression of theta rhythm.
Animals ; Amyloid beta-Peptides/toxicity* ; Rats ; Depression/physiopathology* ; Theta Rhythm/drug effects* ; Hippocampus/physiopathology* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Alzheimer Disease/physiopathology* ; Steryl-Sulfatase/antagonists & inhibitors* ; Peptide Fragments ; Behavior, Animal/drug effects*

Aim To investigate the effect of icariin(ICA)on chronic ulcerative colitis(UC)in mice.Methods Male SPF-grade C57BL/6J mice were ran-domly divided into the control group,model group,low-dose ICA group,and high-dose ICA group.Except for the control group,the rest of the mice were established as chronic UC models.Expressions of tight junction proteins,inflammatory factors,fibrosis markers,macro-phage markers,and MAPK signaling pathways in the colonic epithelium of each group were determined by Western blot,qPCR,immunohistochemistry;the degree of intestinal damage and fibrosis was detected by HE and Masson staining;the co-localization of different macrophage markers with related factors was examined by immunofluorescence.Results Treatment of ICA significantly improved the general condition of chronic UC mice,decreased the infiltration of M1-type macro-phages and the secretion of pro-inflammatory factors,inhibited the MAPK signaling pathway,reduced the co-localization expression of M1-type macrophages with the MAPK signaling pathway,and downregulated the infiltration of M2-type macrophages and the secretion of pro-fibrotic factors in the colon.Conclusion ICA mitigates the inflammatory damage and fibrosis of colon in chronic UC mice.

Objective:To investigate the effect of deubiquitinating enzymes(DUBs) USP2 on depressive-like behavior and hippocampal NF-κB expression in mice.Methods:(1) USP2 silencing experiment: Two USP2 silencing interference sequences with the highest knockdown efficiency were screened and cloned into a lentivirus vector. Mice were microinjected with lentivirus vector into both sides of hippocampus to silence the USP2 gene, and depressive behavior and USP2 protein expression in hippocampal tissue were observed. (2) Venlafaxine intervention experiment: total 32 healthy male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into virus control group, Venlafaxine group, USP2 silencing group, and USP2 silencing+ Venlafaxine group according to the random number table method, with 8 mice in each group. Mice were injected with lentivirus into both side of the hippocampus, and 7 days later, they were given intraperitoneal injection of Venlafaxine (5 mg/kg, once a day, for a total of 14 days). After the administration, the depressive behavior of mice was detected by forced swimming test(FST) and tail suspension test(TST), and the expression levels of USP2, p-IκBα, IκBα, p-NF-κB p65, and NF-κB p65 in the hippocampus of mice were detected by Western blot.SPSS 25.0 and GraphPad Prism 8.0 were used for data processing and chart drawing.The t-test was used for comparison between two groups, One-way ANOVA was used for comparison among multiple groups, and Tukey HSD or LSD- t was used for post hoc pairwise comparison when there was homogeneity of variance. Results:(1)The results of the USP2 silencing experiment showed that both screened USP2 silencing sequences had good gene knockout effects. The expression levels of USP2 protein in the hippocampus of mice injected with USP2 silencing virus were lower than those of the negative control virus groups (both P<0.05). The immobility time of mice in the FST and TST was higher than that of the negative control virus group (both P<0.05). (2)Venlafaxine intervention experiment: There were statistically significant differences in immobility time among the four groups of mice in the FST and TST ( F=8.90, 4.41, both P<0.05). The immobility time of FST and the immobility time of TST in the USP2 silencing+ Venlafaxine group ((48.13±12.76) s, (77.38±12.35) s) were lower than those in the USP2 silencing group((129.88±11.67)s, (148.29±15.31)s) (both P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in the expression levels of USP2, p-IκBα, and p-NF-κB p65 proteins in the hippocampal tissues of the four groups of mice ( F=8.39, 5.78, 21.32, all P<0.05).The expression level of USP2 protein in the USP2 silencing group(0.49±0.07) was lower than that in the USP2 silencing+ Venlafaxine group(0.79±0.08) and virus control group(1.00±0.07)(both P<0.05), while the expression levels of p-IκBα, p-NF-κB p65 protein (1.63±0.18, 2.14±0.24) were higher than those in the virus control group (1.00±0.06, 1.00±0.04) and the USP2 silencing+ Venlafaxine group (0.70±0.23, 0.68±0.09) (both P<0.05). Conclusion:USP2 scilencing can induce depressive-like behaviors in mice. Venlafaxine ameliorates USP2 silencing-induced depressive-like behaviors, which may be associated with the hippocampal NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the association between urinary arsenic, selenium, and chromium levels and the risk and predisposing factors of diabetes mellitus in people with previous endemic arsenic exposure.Methods:From September to December 2024, 240 residents in the drinking-water-borne endemic arsenic disease area in Hohhot were taken as the study subjects. They were divided into an exposed group ( n = 91) and a non-exposed group ( n = 149) based on whether they had suffered from arsenism in the past. The exposed group was further divided into diabetes and non diabetes subgroups ( n = 54, 37) based on the prevalence of diabetes, and the diabetes subgroup was further divided into type 1 and type 2 diabetes subgroups ( n = 23, 31) based on the type of diabetes. Questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate the basic situation, measure fasting blood glucose, and determine the levels of arsenic, selenium, and chromium in urine by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the risk factors of diabetes mellitus. Results:The difference of prevalence of diabetes mellitus was statistically significant between the exposed group and non-exposed group [59.3% (54/91) vs. 41.6% (62/149), χ2 = 7.11, P = 0.008]. The levels of urinary arsenic, selenium, and chromium in the exposed group were higher than those in the non-exposed group ( t = - 2.00, - 2.14, - 2.18, P < 0.05). There were statistically significant differences in urinary arsenic level, body mass index (BMI), the distribution of age, smoking status, and gender between the diabetes patients and non-diabetes patients in the exposed group ( t = 2.20, 3.57, χ2 = 10.76, 5.23, 4.01, P < 0.05). The difference of urinary arsenic levels were statistically significant between patients with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes in the exposed group ( t = - 2.06, P = 0.048). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that BMI, age, sex, smoking, and urinary arsenic levels were risk factors for diabetes ( P < 0.05). For every 1-unit increase in urinary arsenic, fasting blood glucose levels increased by 0.057 times (95% CI: 0.018 - 0.103, P = 0.029). Conclusions:There is a significant correlation between the urine arsenic level of people with previous endemic arsenic exposure and diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes. Men, smoking, overweight, age ≥65 years, and high urinary arsenic level are risk factors for diabetes.

In recent years,more and more researches has focused on the correlation between cognitive activity and physiological variables.The change of pupil is regarded as an important target in the cognitive process,and has become a hot research field.This review focuses on the three key brain regions that regulate pupil change,and reflects the neurophysiological mechanism behind pupil change by elaborating the neural pathways related to pupil change and cognitive performance.Based on recent studies on pupil change in cognitive diseases,it aims to promote the application of pupil change in the field of cognitive science in the future.