Objective To investigate the changes in eosinophil counts and the activation of microglial cells in the brain tissues of mice at different stages of Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection, and to examine the role of microglia in regulating the progression of angiostrongyliasis and unravel the possible molecular mechanisms. Methods Fifty BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the control group and the 7-d, 14-d, 21-day and 25-d infection groups, of 10 mice in each group. All mice in infection groups were infected with 30 stage III A. cantonensis larvae by gavage, and animals in the control group was given an equal amount of physiological saline. Five mice were collected from each of infection groups on days 7, 14, 21 d and 25 d post-infection, and 5 mice were collected from the control group on the day of oral gavage. The general and focal functional impairment was scored using the Clark scoring method to assess the degree of mouse neurological impairment. Five mice from each of infection groups were sacrificed on days 7, 14, 21 d and 25 d post-infection, and 5 mice from the control group were sacrificed on the day of oral gavage. Mouse brain tissues were sampled, and the pathological changes of brain tissues were dynamically observed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Immunofluorescence staining with eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) was used to assess the degree of eosinophil infiltration and the counts of microglial cells in mouse brain tissues in each group, and the morphological parameters of microglial cells (skeleton analysis and fractal analysis) were quantified by using Image J software to determine the morphological changes of microglial cells. In addition, the expression of M1 microglia markers Fcγ receptor III (Fcgr3), Fcγ receptor IIb (Fcgr2b) and CD86 antigen (Cd86), M2 microglia markers Arginase 1 (Arg1), macrophage mannose receptor C-type 1 (Mrc1), chitinase-like 3 (Chil3), and phagocytosis genes myeloid cell triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (Trem2), CD68 antigen (Cd68), and apolipoprotein E (Apoe) was quantified using real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) assay in the mouse cerebral cortex of mice post-infection. Results A large number of A. cantonensis larvae were seen on the mouse meninges surface post-infection, and many neuronal nuclei were crumpled and deeply stained, with a large number of bleeding points in the meninges. The median Clark scores of mouse general functional impairment were 0 (interquartile range, 0), 0 (interquartile range, 0.5), 6 (interquartile range, 1.0), 14 (interquartile range, 8.5) points and 20 (interquartile range, 9.0) points in the control group and the 7-d, 14-d, 21-d and 25-d groups, respectively (H = 22.45, P < 0.01), and the median Clark scores of mouse focal functional impairment were 0 (interquartile range, 0), 2 (interquartile range, 2.5), 7 (interquartile range, 3.0), 18 (interquartile range, 5.0) points and 25 (interquartile range, 6.5) points in the control group and the 7-d, 14-d, 21-d and 25-d groups, respectively (H = 22.72, P < 0.01). The mean scores of mice general and focal functional impairment were all higher in the infection groups than in the control group (all P values < 0.05). Immunofluorescence staining showed a significant difference in the eosinophil counts in mouse brain tissues among the five groups (F = 40.05, P < 0.000 1), and the eosinophil counts were significantly higher in mouse brain tissues in the 14-d (3.08 ± 0.78) and 21-d infection groups (5.97 ± 1.37) than in the control group (1.00 ± 0.28) (both P values < 0.05). Semi-quantitative analysis of microglia immunofluorescence showed a significant difference in the counts of microglial cells among the five groups (F = 17.66, P < 0.000 1), and higher Iba1 levels were detected in mouse brain tissues in 14-d (5.75 ± 1.28), 21-d (6.23 ± 1.89) and 25-d infection groups (3.70 ± 1.30) than in the control group (1.00 ± 0.30) (all P values < 0.05). Skeleton and fractal analyses showed that the branch length [(162.04 ± 34.10) μm vs. (395.37 ± 64.11) μm; t = 5.566, P < 0.05] and fractal dimension of microglial cells (1.30 ± 0.01 vs. 1.41 ± 0.03; t = 5.266, P < 0.05) were reduced in mouse brain tissues in the 21-d infection group relative to the control group. In addition, there were significant differences among the 5 groups in terms of M1 and M2 microglia markers Fcgr3 (F = 48.34, P < 0.05), Fcgr2b (F = 55.46, P < 0.05), Cd86 (F = 24.44, P < 0.05), Arg1 (F = 31.18, P < 0.05), Mrc1 (F = 15.42, P < 0.05) and Chil3 (F = 24.41, P < 0.05), as well as phagocytosis markers Trem2 (F = 21.19, P < 0.05), Cd68 (F = 43.95, P < 0.05) and Apoe (F = 7.12, P < 0.05) in mice brain tissues. Conclusions A. cantonensis infections may induce severe pathological injuries in mouse brain tissues that are characterized by massive eosinophil infiltration and persistent activation of microglia cells, thereby resulting in progressive deterioration of neurological functions.

Perineural invasion (PNI) by tumor cells is a key phenotype of highly-invasive oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Since Schwann cells (SCs) and fibroblasts maintain the physiological homeostasis of the peripheral nervous system, and we have focused on cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) for decades, it's imperative to elucidate the impact of CAFs on SCs in PNI⁺ OSCCs. We describe a disease progression-driven shift of PNI^- towards PNI⁺ during the progression of early-stage OSCC (31%, n = 125) to late-stage OSCC (53%, n = 97), characterized by abundant CAFs and nerve demyelination. CAFs inhibited SC proliferation/migration and reduced neurotrophic factors and myelin in vitro, and this involved up-regulated ER stress and decreased MAPK signals. Moreover, CAFs also aggravated the paralysis of the hind limb and PNI in vivo. Unexpectedly, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) was exclusively expressed on CAFs and up-regulated in metastatic OSCC. The LIF inhibitor EC330 restored CAF-induced SC inactivation. Thus, OSCC-derived CAFs inactivate SCs to aggravate nerve injury and PNI development.
Schwann Cells/metabolism* ; Mouth Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Humans ; Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts/metabolism* ; Animals ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/metabolism* ; Neoplasm Invasiveness/pathology* ; Male ; Female ; Mice ; Cell Movement/physiology* ; Cell Proliferation/physiology* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Leukemia Inhibitory Factor/metabolism* ; Middle Aged

Objective:To compare the importance of 11 common influencing factors for fall and fall-induced injury reported previously in the elderly.Methods:The data were collected from the follow-up of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) between 2011 and 2018. Binary logistic regression model and negative binomial regression model were used to test the significance of correlations between 11 factors and the incidence of fall and fall-induced injury during this period. The absolute value of the β^ was used to evaluate importance of 11 influencing factors. Results:This study included 9 279, 6 153, 4 142, 4 148, and 3 583 old persons. The cumulative incidence rates of fall in the 2 nd, 3 rd, 4 th, 5 th, and 7 th years were 19.4% (95% CI: 18.6%-20.2%), 22.1% (95% CI: 21.0%-23.1%), 31.9% (95% CI: 30.4%-33.3%), 35.1% (95% CI: 33.6%-36.5%), and 43.2% (95% CI: 41.6%-44.8%), respectively. The cumulative incidence rates of fall-induced injury were 8.4% (95% CI: 7.8%-8.9%), 9.4% (95% CI: 8.7%-10.1%), 15.1% (95% CI: 14.0%-16.2%), 16.2% (95% CI: 15.1%-17.3%), and 22.0% (95% CI: 20.6%-23.3%). The results of multivariate logistic regression and negative binomial regression analyses showed that in the 11 factors, only gender, history of fall, and depressive symptoms were identified as common risk factors for fall and fall-induced injury in the elderly in all the follow up visits (all P<0.05); the history of fall had the highest absolute value of β^ in all models, while gender ranked second except for the 5-year fall-induced injury model. Conclusions:Of the 11 influencing factors for fall and fall-induced injury reported by previous literature, only gender, history of falls, and depressive symptoms were identified as common risk factors for fall and fall-induced injury in the eldely in the 2 nd, 3 rd, 4 th, 5 th, and 7 th years follow-up visits. History of fall and gender were important influencing factors for fall and fall-induced injury in the elderly.

The accumulation and spread of prion-like proteins is a key feature of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. In a process known as 'seeding', prion-like proteins such as amyloid beta, microtubule-associated protein tau, α-synuclein, silence superoxide dismutase 1, or transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 kDa, propagate their misfolded conformations by transforming their respective soluble monomers into fibrils. Cellular and molecular evidence of prion-like propagation in NDs, the clinical relevance of their 'seeding' capacities, and their levels of contribution towards disease progression have been intensively studied over recent years. This review unpacks the cyclic prion-like propagation in cells including factors of aggregate internalization, endo-lysosomal leaking, aggregate degradation, and secretion. Debates on the importance of the role of prion-like protein aggregates in NDs, whether causal or consequent, are also discussed. Applications lead to a greater understanding of ND pathogenesis and increased potential for therapeutic strategies.
Humans ; Prions ; Neurodegenerative Diseases/pathology* ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; Alzheimer Disease ; alpha-Synuclein ; tau Proteins ; Parkinson Disease

Objective:To explore the factors that promote and hinder exercise adherence in long dialysis duration hemodialysis patients, and to provide a reference for improving their exercise levels.Methods:From March to May 2023, a qualitative research method using phenomenon approach was conducted and 15 patients with peritoneal dialysis for at least 10 years at the People′s Liberation Army Central Command Headquarters Hospital (Hankou Hospital) were selected for in-depth interviews using purposive sampling method. The data were analyzed using Colaizzi 7-step method and the main themes were extracted.Results:Among the 15 interviewers, there were 5 males and 10 females, aged 39-76 years old.Conclusions:The exercise level of long dialysis duration hemodialysis patients is influenced by multiple factors. Medical staff should correct their cognitive biases and change their behavioral attitudes, strengthen external supportive environments and reduce subjective normative pressures, gradually provide more objective support, thereby promoting the exercise training of long dialysis duration hemodialysis patients.

The visual impairment and blindness caused by myopia have become a global burden, and the World Health Organization has included the prevention and control of myopia in the global program for preventing blindness. In China, the development of myopia is showing a trend with higher incidence, younger age, and higher refractive errors. Moving forward the port of prevention and control myopia has become an important strategy to address the current predicament. Premyopia refers to the stage in children where the refractive power is ≤+0.75 D and >-0.50 D, and there are multiple risk factors during this stage that can potentially lead to myopia. Currently, the incidence of premyopia and its transformation into myopia is high, and the key prevention and control measures include building a predictive model for the transformation of premyopia into myopia, emphasizing the reduction of exposure to risk factors, using low-concentration atropine eye drops, red light therapy, and optical defocus intervention. This article provides a comprehensive review of the current situation regarding the incidence of premyopia and its transformation into myopia, as well as the research progress on existing prevention and control measures, with the aim of providing relevant references for the prevention and control of myopia during the premyopia stage.

Objective:To compare the curative effects between modified double-reverse traction technique and traditional open reduction in the treatment of tibial plateau fractures.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the data of 70 patients with Schatzker type Ⅳ-Ⅴ tibial plateau fracture who had undergone surgical treatment at The Third Department of Orthopaedics, Zhongshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2017 to December 2022. The patients were divided into an observation group treated with modified double-reverse traction and a control group treated with traditional open reduction. In the observation group of 37 cases, there were 20 males and 17 females with an age of (44.6±13.5) years, and 9 cases of type Ⅳ and 28 cases of type V by the Schatzker classification; in the control group of 33 cases, there were 18 males and 15 females with an age of (45.9±13.7) years, and 10 cases of type Ⅳ and 23 cases of type Ⅴ by the Schatzker classification. The 2 groups were compared in terms of operation time, length of main incision, intraoperative blood loss, Rasmussen imaging score before discharge, and knee function score of American Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), fracture healing and complications at 6 months postoperatively.Results:There was no significant difference in the preoperative general data between the 2 groups, showing group comparability ( P>0.05). All patients were followed up for (14.3±1.4) months. The observation group was significantly better than the control group in operation time [(113.9±11.4) min versus (151.82±10.37) min], length of main incision [4 (4, 5) cm versus 6 (6, 7) cm], intraoperative blood loss [30 (20, 35) mL versus 55 (50, 65) mL], VAS [0 (0, 0) point versus 0 (0, 1) points] and HSS score [(89.8±3.1) points versus (86.0±3.5) points] ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in Rasmussen imaging score before discharge, or fracture healing rate or complication rate at 6 months postoperatively ( P>0.05). Conclusion:In the treatment of Schatzker type Ⅳ-Ⅴ tibial plateau fractures, modified double-reverse traction technique is worthy of clinical application and promotion, because it is advantageous over traditional open reduction in terms of shorter operation time, smaller surgical incision, less intraoperative blood loss, less postoperative pain and better knee function.

Objective:To report the results of national surveillance on the distribution and antimicrobial resistance profile of clinical Gram-negative bacteria isolates from bloodstream infections in China in 2022.Methods:The clinical isolates of Gram-negative bacteria from blood cultures in member hospitals of national bloodstream infection Bacterial Resistant Investigation Collaborative System（BRICS）were collected during January 2022 to December 2022. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were conducted by agar dilution or broth dilution methods recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute（CLSI）. WHONET 5.6 and SPSS 25.0 software were used to analyze the data.Results:During the study period，9 035 strains of Gram-negative bacteria were collected from 51 hospitals，of which 7 895（87.4%）were Enterobacteriaceae and 1 140（12.6%）were non-fermenting bacteria. The top 5 bacterial species were Escherichia coli（ n=4 510，49.9%）， Klebsiella pneumoniae（ n=2 340，25.9%）， Pseudomonas aeruginosa（ n=534，5.9%）， Acinetobacter baumannii complex（ n=405，4.5%）and Enterobacter cloacae（ n=327，3.6%）. The ESBLs-producing rates in Escherichia coli， Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus spp. were 47.1%（2 095/4 452），21.0%（427/2 033）and 41.1%（58/141），respectively. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli（CREC）and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae（CRKP）were 1.3%（58/4 510）and 13.1%（307/2 340）；62.1%（36/58）and 9.8%（30/307）of CREC and CRKP were resistant to ceftazidime/avibactam combination，respectively. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii（CRAB）complex was 59.5%（241/405），while less than 5% of Acinetobacter baumannii complex was resistant to tigecycline and polymyxin B. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa（CRPA）was 18.4%（98/534）. There were differences in the composition ratio of Gram-negative bacteria in bloodstream infections and the prevalence of main Gram-negative bacteria resistance among different regions，with statistically significant differences in the prevalence of CRKP and CRPA（ χ2=20.489 and 20.252， P<0.001）. The prevalence of CREC，CRKP，CRPA，CRAB，ESBLs-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were higher in provinicial hospitals than those in municipal hospitals（ χ2=11.953，81.183，10.404，5.915，12.415 and 6.459， P<0.01 or <0.05），while the prevalence of CRPA was higher in economically developed regions（per capita GDP ≥ 92 059 Yuan）than that in economically less-developed regions（per capita GDP <92 059 Yuan）（ χ2=6.240， P=0.012）. Conclusions:The proportion of Gram-negative bacteria in bloodstream infections shows an increasing trend，and Escherichia coli is ranked in the top，while the trend of CRKP decreases continuously with time. Decreasing trends are noted in ESBLs-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Low prevalence of carbapenem resistance in Escherichia coli and high prevalence in CRAB complex have been observed. The composition ratio and antibacterial spectrum of bloodstream infections in different regions of China are slightly different，and the proportion of main drug resistant bacteria in provincial hospitals is higher than those in municipal hospitals.

Objective:To report the results of national surveillance on the distribution and antimicrobial resistance profile of clinical Gram-positive bacteria isolates from bloodstream infections in China in 2022.Methods:The clinical isolates of Gram-positive bacteria from blood cultures in member hospitals of National Bloodstream Infection Bacterial Resistant Investigation Collaborative System（BRICS）were collected during January 2022 to December 2022. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were conducted by agar dilution or broth dilution methods recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute（CLSI）. WHONET 5.6 and SPSS 25.0 software were used to analyze the data.Results:A total of 3 163 strains of Gram-positive pathogens were collected from 51 member units，and the top five bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus（ n=1 147，36.3%），coagulase-negative Staphylococci（ n=928，29.3%）， Enterococcus faecalis（ n=369，11.7%）， Enterococcus faecium（ n=296，9.4%）and alpha-hemolyticus Streptococci（ n=192，6.1%）. The detection rates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus（MRSA）and methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococci（MRCNS）were 26.4%（303/1 147）and 66.7%（619/928），respectively. No glycopeptide and daptomycin-resistant Staphylococci were detected. The sensitivity rates of Staphylococcus aureus to cefpirome，rifampin，compound sulfamethoxazole，linezolid，minocycline and tigecycline were all >95.0%. Enterococcus faecium was more prevalent than Enterococcus faecalis. The resistance rates of Enterococcus faecium to vancomycin and teicoplanin were both 0.5%（2/369），and no vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium was detected. The detection rate of MRSA in southern China was significantly lower than that in other regions（ χ2=14.578， P=0.002），while the detection rate of MRCNS in northern China was significantly higher than that in other regions（ χ2=15.195， P=0.002）. The detection rates of MRSA and MRCNS in provincial hospitals were higher than those in municipal hospitals（ χ2=13.519 and 12.136， P<0.001）. The detection rates of MRSA and MRCNS in economically more advanced regions（per capita GDP≥92 059 Yuan in 2022）were higher than those in economically less advanced regions（per capita GDP<92 059 Yuan）（ χ2=9.969 and 7.606， P=0.002和0.006）. Conclusions:Among the Gram-positive pathogens causing bloodstream infections in China， Staphylococci is the most common while the MRSA incidence decreases continuously with time；the detection rate of Enterococcus faecium exceeds that of Enterococcus faecalis. The overall prevalence of vancomycin-resistant Enterococci is still at a low level. The composition ratio of Gram-positive pathogens and resistant profiles varies slightly across regions of China，with the prevalence of MRSA and MRCNS being more pronounced in provincial hospitals and areas with a per capita GDP≥92 059 yuan.

Aim To investigate the effect of theaflavin on oxidized low density lipoprotein(ox-LDL)-induced foam cell formation and oxidative stress in THP-1 macrophages and its mechanism.Methods THP-1 derived macro-phages were pretreated with 50 μmol/L theaflavin and(or)10 μmol/L nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(NRF2)inhibitor ML385,then 100 mg/L ox-LDL was added to the cells for 24 h to establish the foam cell model.The effect of theaflavin on THP-1 macrophages viability was evaluated by CCK-8 assay and LDH release.The expression of inflamma-tory cytokines interleukin-6(IL-6),interleukin-1 β(IL-1β),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were analyzed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)and Western blot.The release of inflammatory cytokines were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Intracellular lipid accumulation was detected by Oil red O staining,and lipid absorption was observed by DiL-labeled oxidized low density lipoprotein(DiL-ox-LDL)staining.Re-active oxygen species(ROS)level was detected by DCFH-DA probe.The expression of lipid uptake,cholesterol efflux and oxidative stress-related proteins were detected by Western blot and RT-qPCR.Results Treatment with 100 mg/L ox-LDL significantly decreased cell viability and cholesterol efflux-related protein expressions,increased lipid uptake,ac-cumulation and lipid uptake-related protein expressions,and significantly promoted inflammation and ROS level,as well as the expressions of myeloperoxidase(MPO),NADPH oxidase 2(NOX2)in THP-1 macrophages(all P＜0.05).After pretreatment with theaflavin,cell viability was increased,intracellular lipid uptake,accumulation and lipid uptake-related protein expressions were significantly reduced,cholesterol efflux-related protein expressions were significantly increased,the expression and release of IL-6,IL-1β and TNF-α were significantly decreased,ROS level was significantly decreased,and the expression of MPO and NOX2 were decreased(all P＜0.05).Pretreatment with theaflavin effectively alleviated intracellular oxidative stress by altering the expression of NRF2,heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)and Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(KEAP1)in NRF2 signaling pathway,and enhanced the translocation of NRF2 into the nucleus.After pretreat-ment with ML385,the expression levels of NRF2,HO-1,KEAP1 and CD36 were significantly decreased.Conclusion Theaflavin can significantly inhibit ox-LDL-induced foam cell formation,inflammation,and oxidative stress through NRF2/HO-1 signaling pathway in THP-1 macrophages.