Depression is a severe mental illness. Although existing antidepressant medications have shown efficacy in many patients, a significant proportion show poor responses to current treatments, necessitating the need for novel therapeutic approaches. Photobiomodulation (PBM), an emerging physical therapy, has recently shown promising efficacy in the treatment of depression, as indicated by two systematic reviews, and is characterized by high safety and good tolerability. However, challenges remain in areas such as light delivery techniques and optimization of treatment parameters. This review summarizes the antidepressant mechanisms of PBM, various methods of light transmission, and recent research progress on its application in the treatment of depression. It also discusses issues related to safety, tolerability, and impact of specific parameters, aiming to provide insights and recommendations for future research on PBM as a therapy for depression.

Objective:To develop a method of employing flow cytometry to directly detect the γ-H2AX expression levels in peripheral blood lymphocytes of mice through fixation and lysis and to evaluate the feasibility of applying this method to research on the radiation-related biological effects and the efficacy evaluation of radioprotective drugs.Methods:A total of 41 male C57BL/6J mice were used. First, 21 mice were randomly divided into 7 groups according to different radiation doses (0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 Gy) with 3 mice in each group. Blood samples were collected from the tail vein of mice at 1, 4, 8, and 24 h after irradiation and immediately fixed with formaldehyde. Red blood cells (RBC) were lysed with Triton X-100, and γ-H2AX was labeled with specific antibodies. DRAQ5 dye was used to further exclude debris and anucleate cells. The mean fluorescence intensity of γ-H2AX in lymphocyte populations was directly analyzed by flow cytometry through forward and side scatter, and dose-effect curves after irradiation were established. Then, the other 20 mice were divided into radiation alone groups and radiation combined with WR-2721 administration groups at 4 and 6 Gy, respectively, with 5 mice in each group. Blood samples were collected from the tail vein of mice at 1, 4, 8, and 24 h after irradiation to detect the average fluorescence intensity of γ-H2AX in lymphocytes, which was used to evaluate the degree of DNA damage in mice and the therapeutic effect of WR-2721.Results:The expression of γ-H2AX in peripheral blood lymphocytes of mice significantly increased with the increase of radiation doses, and reached a peak at 1-2 h and then decreased. The dose-effect relationship was significant ( R2 = 0.9914). At 24 h after 4 and 6 Gy irradiation, compared with the radiation alone groups, the average fluorescence intensity of γ-H2AX in the radiation combined with WR-2721 administration groups was lower (144.8 ± 8.0 and 109.5 ± 9.7, vs. 178.0 ± 18.5 and 136.6 ± 5.4), with statistically significant difference ( t = 3.78, 5.48, P < 0.05). The average fluorescence intensity of γ-H2AX at 24 h after irradiation was consistent with the lowest values of the three blood cell lines at 7 or 14 d after irradiation. Conclusions:The application of flow cytometry with a fixation/dissolution protocol to directly detect the mean fluorescence intensity of γ-H2AX in peripheral blood lymphocytes of mice has significant application value in radiation biology effect research, radiation protection drug screening, and efficacy evaluation.

Helicobacter pylori (Hp) is currently classified as a class I carcinogen that can cause gastric cancer, research in recent years on how Hp infection causes the occurrence and progression of gastric cancer has attracted much attention. As the primary virulence factor of Hp, cytotoxicity-associated gene A (CagA) has been extensively studied and reported to function as a key excreted toxin for Hp to induce gastric infection, colonization and promote inflammatory-carcinogenic transformation of host cells. Patients infected with CagA-positive strains have a higher risk of developing tumors compared to those infected with CagA-negative strains. Based on previous studies, this article further elaborates on the import process, biological activity, and related molecular mechanisms of virulence protein CagA in the occurrence and development of gastric cancer induced by Hp infection.

Animal experiments are an essential component of life sciences and medical research. However, the external validity and reliability of individual animal studies are frequently challenged by inherent limitations such as small sample sizes, high design heterogeneity, and poor reproducibility, which impede the effective translation of research findings into clinical practice. Systematic reviews and meta-analysis represent a key methodology for integrating existing evidence and enhancing the robustness of conclusions. Currently, however, the application of systematic reviews and meta-analysis in the field of animal experiments lacks standardized guidelines for their conduct and reporting, resulting in inconsistent quality and, to some extent, diminishing their evidence value. To address this issue, this paper aims to systematically delineate the reporting process for systematic reviews and meta-analysis of animal experiments and to propose a set of standardized recommendations that are both scientific and practical. The article's scope encompasses the entire process, from the preliminary preparatory phase [including formulating the population， intervention， comparison and outcome （PICO） question, assessing feasibility, and protocol pre-registration] to the key writing points for each section of the main report. In the core methods section, the paper elaborates on how to implement literature searches, establish eligibility criteria, perform data extraction, and assess the risk of bias, based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis （PRISMA) statement, in conjunction with relevant guidelines and tools such as Animal Research： Reporting of in Vivo Experiments （ARRIVE) and a risk of bias assessment tool developed by the Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory Animal Experimentation (SYRCLE). For the presentation of results, strategies are proposed for clear and transparent display using flow diagrams and tables of characteristics. The discussion section places particular emphasis on how to scientifically interpret pooled effects, thoroughly analyze sources of heterogeneity, evaluate the impact of publication bias, and cautiously discuss the validity and limitations of extrapolating findings from animal studies to clinical settings. Furthermore, this paper recommends adopting the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology to comprehensively grade the quality of evidence. Through a modular analysis of the entire reporting process, this paper aims to provide researchers in the field with a clear and practical guide, thereby promoting the standardized development of systematic reviews and meta-analysis of animal experiments and enhancing their application value in scientific decision-making and translational medicine.

Objective:To explore the mediating role of dietary health beliefs in the relationship between family functioning and the frequency of sugar-containing food intake among adolescents with dental caries, in order to clarify the underlying mechanism through which dietary health beliefs influence caries-related dietary behaviors via family factors.Methods:Using convenience sampling method, we selected adolescents patients diagnosed with dental caries and their parents who visited the Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from July to September 2023 as the research subjects. Conducted a cross-sectional survey using a general information questionnaire, Family Functioning Scale, Adolescent Dietary Health Belief Scale, and Sugar-Sweetened Diet Intake Frequency Scale. Mediation analysis was conducted.Results:A total of 475 questionnaires were distributed, and 460 valid responses were obtained, yielding a valid response rate of 96.84%. Among the 460 adolescent patients, 306 were female and 154 were male, with a mean age of (13.42 ± 1.17) years old. The mother's age was (40.28 ± 4.24) years old, and the father's age was (42.12 ± 4.48) years old. The score for the frequency of sugar-containing food intake was 15.95 ± 5.34, the dietary health belief score was 75.57 ± 18.62, and the family functioning score was 174.24 ± 25.39. Family functioning was positively correlated with dietary health beliefs ( r = 0.428, P<0.05), and negatively correlated with the frequency of sugar-containing food intake ( r = -0.225, P<0.05). Dietary health beliefs were negatively correlated with the frequency of sugar-containing food intake ( r = -0.332, P<0.05). The mediating effect of dietary health beliefs on the relationship between family functioning and sugar-containing food intake frequency was -0.332, accounting for 43.92% of the total effect. Conclusions:Dietary health beliefs play a partial mediating role between family function and the frequency of sugary diet intake. It is suggested that family function construction should be strengthened to improve adolescents' health beliefs and reduce the incidence of dental caries.

Depression is a severe mental illness. Although existing antidepressant medications have shown efficacy in many patients, a significant proportion show poor responses to current treatments, necessitating the need for novel therapeutic approaches. Photobiomodulation (PBM), an emerging physical therapy, has recently shown promising efficacy in the treatment of depression, as indicated by two systematic reviews, and is characterized by high safety and good tolerability. However, challenges remain in areas such as light delivery techniques and optimization of treatment parameters. This review summarizes the antidepressant mechanisms of PBM, various methods of light transmission, and recent research progress on its application in the treatment of depression. It also discusses issues related to safety, tolerability, and impact of specific parameters, aiming to provide insights and recommendations for future research on PBM as a therapy for depression.

Objective To observe the value of 18F-prostate specific membrane antigen(PSMA)-1007 PET/MRI for diagnosing seminal vesicle invasion(SVI)of prostatic cancer(PCa).Methods Totally 92 male patients with PCa who underwent radical prostatectomy were retrospectively enrolled and divided into positive group(n=26)and negative group(n=66)based on postoperative pathology showed SVI or not.PET/MRI parameters,including maximum standard uptake value(SUVmax),minimum apparent diffusion coefficient(ADCmin),mean apparent diffusion coefficient(ADCmean),SUVmax/ADCmin,SUVmax/ADCmean,PSMA tumor volume(PSMA-TV)and total lesion PSMA(TL-PSMA)were compared between groups.The receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn,and the efficacy of each parameter for diagnosing SVI was analyzed.Results Among 92 cases of PCa,18F-PSMA-1007 PET/MRI showed 30 cases with SVI and 62 cases without SVI,with accuracy of 73.91％,sensitivity of 61.54％,specificity of 78.79％,positive predictive value of 53.33％and negative predictive value of 83.87％.Significant differences of ADCmin,PSMA-TV and TL-PSMA were found between groups(all P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of SUVmax,ADCmin,ADCmean,SUVmax/ADCmin,SUVmax/ADCmean,PSMA-TV and TL-PSMA for diagnosing SVI of PCa was 0.554,0.341,0.396,0.603,0.581,0.755 and 0.705,respectively.The AUC of PSMA-TV was higher than other parameters except for TL-PSMA,with sensitivity of 84.60％and specificity of 56.10％.Conclusion 18 F-PSMA-1007 PET/MRI was helpful for diagnosing SVI of PCa.

Objective:To explore the mediating role of dietary health beliefs in the relationship between family functioning and the frequency of sugar-containing food intake among adolescents with dental caries, in order to clarify the underlying mechanism through which dietary health beliefs influence caries-related dietary behaviors via family factors.Methods:Using convenience sampling method, we selected adolescents patients diagnosed with dental caries and their parents who visited the Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from July to September 2023 as the research subjects. Conducted a cross-sectional survey using a general information questionnaire, Family Functioning Scale, Adolescent Dietary Health Belief Scale, and Sugar-Sweetened Diet Intake Frequency Scale. Mediation analysis was conducted.Results:A total of 475 questionnaires were distributed, and 460 valid responses were obtained, yielding a valid response rate of 96.84%. Among the 460 adolescent patients, 306 were female and 154 were male, with a mean age of (13.42 ± 1.17) years old. The mother's age was (40.28 ± 4.24) years old, and the father's age was (42.12 ± 4.48) years old. The score for the frequency of sugar-containing food intake was 15.95 ± 5.34, the dietary health belief score was 75.57 ± 18.62, and the family functioning score was 174.24 ± 25.39. Family functioning was positively correlated with dietary health beliefs ( r = 0.428, P<0.05), and negatively correlated with the frequency of sugar-containing food intake ( r = -0.225, P<0.05). Dietary health beliefs were negatively correlated with the frequency of sugar-containing food intake ( r = -0.332, P<0.05). The mediating effect of dietary health beliefs on the relationship between family functioning and sugar-containing food intake frequency was -0.332, accounting for 43.92% of the total effect. Conclusions:Dietary health beliefs play a partial mediating role between family function and the frequency of sugary diet intake. It is suggested that family function construction should be strengthened to improve adolescents' health beliefs and reduce the incidence of dental caries.

Objective:To develop a method of employing flow cytometry to directly detect the γ-H2AX expression levels in peripheral blood lymphocytes of mice through fixation and lysis and to evaluate the feasibility of applying this method to research on the radiation-related biological effects and the efficacy evaluation of radioprotective drugs.Methods:A total of 41 male C57BL/6J mice were used. First, 21 mice were randomly divided into 7 groups according to different radiation doses (0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 Gy) with 3 mice in each group. Blood samples were collected from the tail vein of mice at 1, 4, 8, and 24 h after irradiation and immediately fixed with formaldehyde. Red blood cells (RBC) were lysed with Triton X-100, and γ-H2AX was labeled with specific antibodies. DRAQ5 dye was used to further exclude debris and anucleate cells. The mean fluorescence intensity of γ-H2AX in lymphocyte populations was directly analyzed by flow cytometry through forward and side scatter, and dose-effect curves after irradiation were established. Then, the other 20 mice were divided into radiation alone groups and radiation combined with WR-2721 administration groups at 4 and 6 Gy, respectively, with 5 mice in each group. Blood samples were collected from the tail vein of mice at 1, 4, 8, and 24 h after irradiation to detect the average fluorescence intensity of γ-H2AX in lymphocytes, which was used to evaluate the degree of DNA damage in mice and the therapeutic effect of WR-2721.Results:The expression of γ-H2AX in peripheral blood lymphocytes of mice significantly increased with the increase of radiation doses, and reached a peak at 1-2 h and then decreased. The dose-effect relationship was significant ( R2 = 0.9914). At 24 h after 4 and 6 Gy irradiation, compared with the radiation alone groups, the average fluorescence intensity of γ-H2AX in the radiation combined with WR-2721 administration groups was lower (144.8 ± 8.0 and 109.5 ± 9.7, vs. 178.0 ± 18.5 and 136.6 ± 5.4), with statistically significant difference ( t = 3.78, 5.48, P < 0.05). The average fluorescence intensity of γ-H2AX at 24 h after irradiation was consistent with the lowest values of the three blood cell lines at 7 or 14 d after irradiation. Conclusions:The application of flow cytometry with a fixation/dissolution protocol to directly detect the mean fluorescence intensity of γ-H2AX in peripheral blood lymphocytes of mice has significant application value in radiation biology effect research, radiation protection drug screening, and efficacy evaluation.

Objective To observe the value of 18F-prostate specific membrane antigen(PSMA)-1007 PET/MRI for diagnosing seminal vesicle invasion(SVI)of prostatic cancer(PCa).Methods Totally 92 male patients with PCa who underwent radical prostatectomy were retrospectively enrolled and divided into positive group(n=26)and negative group(n=66)based on postoperative pathology showed SVI or not.PET/MRI parameters,including maximum standard uptake value(SUVmax),minimum apparent diffusion coefficient(ADCmin),mean apparent diffusion coefficient(ADCmean),SUVmax/ADCmin,SUVmax/ADCmean,PSMA tumor volume(PSMA-TV)and total lesion PSMA(TL-PSMA)were compared between groups.The receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn,and the efficacy of each parameter for diagnosing SVI was analyzed.Results Among 92 cases of PCa,18F-PSMA-1007 PET/MRI showed 30 cases with SVI and 62 cases without SVI,with accuracy of 73.91％,sensitivity of 61.54％,specificity of 78.79％,positive predictive value of 53.33％and negative predictive value of 83.87％.Significant differences of ADCmin,PSMA-TV and TL-PSMA were found between groups(all P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of SUVmax,ADCmin,ADCmean,SUVmax/ADCmin,SUVmax/ADCmean,PSMA-TV and TL-PSMA for diagnosing SVI of PCa was 0.554,0.341,0.396,0.603,0.581,0.755 and 0.705,respectively.The AUC of PSMA-TV was higher than other parameters except for TL-PSMA,with sensitivity of 84.60％and specificity of 56.10％.Conclusion 18 F-PSMA-1007 PET/MRI was helpful for diagnosing SVI of PCa.