Objective　To further enrich the resources and Ceratopogonidae species in Beijing, an investigation and collection of biting midges in Lianshihu Wetland Park, Beijing, were carried out, leading to the description of two new species of the genus Dasyhelea in Beijing. Methods　In September 2019, biting midges were collected in Lianhu Wetland Park, Beijing, using the net sweeping methods. The specimens were preserved in 75% alcohol for identification according to their morphological characteristics such as antennae and terminalia. Results　A total of five species of biting midges belonging to the genus Dasyhelea were collected, including two new species: Dasyhelea extraneus Liu et Yu, sp. nov. and D. bibacula Liu et Yu, sp. nov. The main distinguishing characteristics of the two new species are as follows: In Dasyhelea extraneus, there is a tuberculate process in the middle of the posterior margin of the ninth sternite of the terminalia, the parameral lobes are fused into a bony strip with a short median process, and the aedeagal mesophallus has an obvious median process. In Dasyhelea bibacula, the posterior margin of the tergite of the terminalia is bluntly rounded, the aedeagal mesophallus is penholder-like, the ends of the two lateral branches are curved and fist-like, and the end of the median process of the parameral lobe is bluntly rounded. Conclusions　This study describes two new species of the genus Dasyhelea in Beijing, enriching the midge resources in Beijing. The type specimens of the two new species are currently preserved at Nanchang Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Danggui Shaoyaosan on ferroptosis in the rat model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） and explore the underlying mechanism based on the nuclear factor E₂-related factor 2 （Nrf2）/solute carrier family 7 member 11 （SLC7A11）/glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4） signaling pathway. MethodsThe sixty SD rats were randomly grouped as follows： control， model， Yishanfu （0.144 g·kg^-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （2.44， 4.88， and 9.76 g·kg^-1， respectively） Danggui Shaoyaosan. A high-fat diet was used to establish the rat model of NAFLD. After 12 weeks of modeling， rats were treated with corresponding agents for 4 weeks. Then， the body weight and liver weight were measured， and the liver index was calculated. At the same time， serum and liver samples were collected. The levels or activities of total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， and Fe²⁺ in the serum and TC， TG， free fatty acids （FFA）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， glutathione peroxidase （GPX）， and Fe²⁺ in the liver were measured. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and oil red O staining were employed to observe the pathological changes in the liver. Immunofluorescence was used to assess the reactive oxygen species （ROS） content in the liver. Mitochondrial morphology was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The protein levels of Nrf2， SLC7A11， GPX4， transferrin receptor 1 （TFR1）， and divalent metal transporter 1 （DMT1） in the liver were determined by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group showed increases in the body weight， liver weight， liver index， levels or activities of TC， TG， ALT， AST， and Fe²⁺ in the serum， levels of TC， TG， FFA， MDA， Fe²⁺， and ROS in the liver， and protein levels of TFR1 and DMT1 in the liver （P<0.01）， and decreases in the activities of SOD， GPX and the protein levels of Nrf2， SLC7A11， and GPX4 in the liver （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Meanwhile， the liver tissue in the model group presented steatosis， iron deposition， mitochondrial shrinkage， and blurred or swollen mitochondrial cristae. Compared with the model group， all doses of Danggui Shaoyaosan reduced the body weight， liver weight， liver index， levels or activities of TC， TG， ALT， AST， and Fe²⁺ in the serum， levels of TC， TG， FFA， MDA， Fe²⁺， and ROS in the liver， and protein levels of TFR1 and DMT1 in the liver （P<0.01）， while increasing the activities of SOD and GPX and the protein levels of Nrf2， SLC7A11， and GPX4 in the liver （P<0.01）. Furthermore， Danggui Shaoyaosan alleviated steatosis， iron deposition， and mitochondrial damage in the liver. ConclusionDanggui Shaoyaosan may inhibit lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis by activating the Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway to treat NAFLD.

Objective: To analyze the time varying characteristics of weight among Han primary and secondary school students in Xinjiang from 1985 to 2019, so as to provide a scientific basis for formulating nutrition policies for adolescents in ethnic minority areas. Methods: Weight data of Han primary and secondary school students aged 7-18 in Xinjiang from the National Student Physical Fitness and Health Survey from 1985 to 2019 were selected. Statistical analysis was conducted by using general linear model test, one way ANOVA and t-test. The weight development trends in 2025 and 2030 were predicted through time series analysis. Results: From 1985 to 2019, the weight of Han Chinese boys and girls from primary and secondary schools in Xinjiang showed a continuous upward trend (boys: B =0.25,girls: B =0.16, P <0.01). There were statistically significant differences in weight between boys and girls aged 7-18 in different years (boys: F =102.35-142.05, girls: F =98.03-140.59, P <0.01). Compared with 1985, the weight of urban boys and girls increased by 11.92 and 7.95 kg in 2019, as well as rural boys and girls by 11.36 and 5.61 kg, and the average weight gain of urban students was greater than that of rural students. From 1985 to 2019, the weight of urban boys and girls were higher than that of rural boys and girls (boys: t =30.12-37.55, girls: t =30.12-38.64, P <0.01). In 2005, the weight difference between urban and rural boys and girls was the largest, at 4.23 and 2.32 kg. The average weight of boys and girls in the age groups of 7-18 would continue to increase in 2025 and 2030; compared with 2019, the 7-year old age group for boys and the 17-year old age group for girls would have the largest growth in 2030 by 2.29 and 3.75 kg. Conclusions From 1985 to 2019, the weight of students aged 7-18 in Xinjiang showed an upward trend, and the weights of both boys and girls would gradually increase in 2025 and 2030. Attention should be paid to students physical health and adopt comprehensive measures to prevente overweight and obesity.

OBJECTIVES: Wild-caught Microtus fortis (M. fortis) at the age of 9-15 months can develop epithelial ovarian cancers similar to human epithelial ovarian cancers under natural conditions during experimental animal breeding, but its pathological types and biological characteristics remain unclear. This study aims to analyze the biological characteristics of spontaneous ovarian cancer in M. fortis, intending to develop M. fortis as an animal model for human epithelial ovarian cancer. METHODS: The female M. fortis (9-15 months old) with spontaneous ovarian cancer were selected as the experimental group, and healthy M. fortis from the same litter were selected as the control group. The ovarian pathological changes of the two groups were observed by dissection. Blood routine and biochemical indicators were measured by biochemical analysis. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe the pathological changes in the ovarian cancer tissue of M. fortis. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the protein expression of common ovarian cancer markers, and real-time RT-PCR was used to analyze the transcription levels of ovarian cancer-related genes. RESULTS: Spontaneous ovarian cancer in M. fortis mainly affects both ovaries, with tumors appearing solid or cystic. HE staining and histopathological analysis confirmed that the ovarian tumors originated from ovarian surface epithelium. Compared to the control group, the experimental group showed significantly decreased hemoglobin (P<0.01), hematocrit (P<0.05), albumin (P<0.05), and blood glucose levels (P<0.01), while lymphocyte percentage (P<0.05), monocyte percentage (P<0.05), cholesterol (P<0.01), and progesterone (P<0.01) levels were significantly increased. Expression of ovarian cancer-related genes, including ID3, CDC42, RHOA, RB1CC1, NF1, PIN1, MIB1, PDS5A, MCM7, and MLH1, was significantly downregulated (all P<0.05), while PAX8 gene expression was significantly upregulated (P<0.05). Immunohistochemical results showed that Wilms' tumor gene 1 (WT1) protein was mainly distributed throughout the cell, with significantly higher expression in ovarian cancer M. fortis. Tumor protein 53 (TP53) was expressed in both healthy and ovarian cancer M. fortis and was distributed throughout the cell. Hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 beta (HNF1B) and progesterone receptor (PR) protein were highly expressed in the ovarian tissue of healthy M. fortis but were significantly reduced in the ovarian cancer M. fortis, though both were located in the cytoplasm. CONCLUSIONS Spontaneous ovarian cancer in M. fortis is serous ovarian cancer. Compared to healthy M. fortis, significant differences were observed in ovarian tissue morphology, biochemical indicators, ovarian cancer-related gene expression, and protein expression, which show similarity to the biological characteristics of human serous ovarian cancer. This suggests that M. fortis could be an ideal animal model for studying human serous ovarian cancer.
Female ; Ovarian Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Animals ; Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial ; Disease Models, Animal ; Humans ; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial/metabolism* ; Ovary/pathology*

Abuse of amphetamine-based stimulants is a primary public health concern. Recent studies have underscored a troubling escalation in the inappropriate use of prescription amphetamine-based stimulants. However, the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the impact of acute methamphetamine exposure (AME) on sleep homeostasis remain to be explored. This study employed non-human primates and electroencephalogram (EEG) sleep staging to evaluate the influence of AME on neural oscillations. The primary focus was on alterations in spindles, delta oscillations, and slow oscillations (SOs) and their interactions as conduits through which AME influences sleep stability. AME predominantly diminishes sleep-spindle waves in the non-rapid eye movement 2 (NREM2) stage, and impacts SOs and delta waves differentially. Furthermore, the competitive relationships between SO/delta waves nesting with sleep spindles were selectively strengthened by methamphetamine. Complexity analysis also revealed that the SO-nested spindles had lost their ability to maintain sleep depth and stability. In summary, this finding could be one of the intrinsic electrophysiological mechanisms by which AME disrupted sleep homeostasis.
Animals ; Methamphetamine ; Electroencephalography ; Male ; Sleep/drug effects* ; Central Nervous System Stimulants ; Delta Rhythm/drug effects* ; Sleep Stages/drug effects*

Echinocandin B (ECB) is a key precursor of the antifungal drug anidulafungin. It is a secondary metabolite of Aspergillus nidulans, and its titer in fermentation is significantly affected by the ECB synthesis pathway and cell morphology. In this study, the key genes related to the transcription activation, hydroxylation, and cell morphology during ECB biosynthesis were investigated to increase the fermentation titer of ECB and to change the cell morphology of Aspergillus nidulans to reduce the viscosity of the fermentation broth. The results indicated that after overexpression of ecdB and ecdK, the ECB titer increased by 25.8% and 23.7%, respectively, compared with that of the wild-type strain, reaching (2 030.5±99.2) mg/L and (1 996.4±151.4) mg/L. However, the deletion of fksA associated with cell wall synthesis resulted in damage to the cell wall, affecting strain growth and product synthesis. The engineered strain overexpressing ecdB was fermented in a 50-L bioreactor, in which the ECB titer reached 2 234.5 mg/L. The findings laid a research foundation for the subsequent metabolic engineering of this strain.
Fermentation ; Aspergillus nidulans/genetics* ; Echinocandins/genetics* ; Bioreactors/microbiology* ; Fungal Proteins/biosynthesis* ; Metabolic Engineering

Objective To compare the induction effects of direct treatment with low-temperature plasma(LTP)and treatment with plasma-activated medium(PAM)on immunogenic cell death(ICD)of melanoma cells.Methods After direct treatment of melanoma cell line B16F10 with LTP and treatment of it with PAM for 24 hours,cell viability was detected by MTT assay.Flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis and the expression of calreticulin(CRT)on the cell surface.The adenosine triphosphate(ATP)content in the culture medium was detected by an ATP detection kit.The content of high-mobility group box 1(HMGB1)in the cell culture medium was detected by ELISA.B16F10 cells treated with LTP were co-cultured with immature dendritic cells(DC)DC2.4 cell line,and flow cytometry was used to detect DC surface molecules CD80 and CD86.Results Compared with the control group,both direct treatment and indirect treatment could lead to a decrease in the viability of B16F10 cells,an increase in the apoptosis rate,an increase in intracellular ROS,an increase in CRT expression,and an increase in the secretion of ATP and HMGB1(P＜0.05).At the same treatment time,the expression of CRT and the release of ATP in B16F10 cells directly treated with LTP were higher than those indirectly treated with PAM(P＜0.05).Compared with the DC2.4 group,the expression proportion of the DC cell maturation marker molecule CD80 was significantly increased in LTP-120s group,LTP-180s group,PAM-120s group,and PAM-180s group.The expression proportion of the DC cell maturation marker molecule CD86 was significantly increased in LTP-120s group,LTP-180s group,and PAM-180s group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion Both direct treatment with LTP and indirect treatment with PAM can induce ICD in melanoma cells.The direct treatment with LTP has a better induction effect.

Objective:To explore the short-term clinical effects of deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomosis in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).Methods:A prospective exploratory study was conducted on the treatment of AD patients using the cervical deep lymph node-venous anastomosis technique in Scar and Wound Treatment Department, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from September to October 2024. The patients underwent high-frequency ultrasound to locate deep cervical lymph nodes and the external jugular vein. Under general anesthesia, bilateral deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomoses were performed. Indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography was conducted via subcutaneous injection behind the ear to visualize lymph nodes in levels Ⅱ and Ⅲ. After making a skin incision along the posterior margin of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the external jugular vein, internal jugular veins, and associated lymph nodes were exposed. Adjacent veins were selected for anastomosis of lymph node. Using microsurgical techniques, end-to-side or end-to-end anastomosis was completed for lymph nodes in levels Ⅱ and Ⅲ. Preoperative assessments included the mini-mental state examination (MMSE, a higher score indicates better cognitive function), Alzheimer’s disease assessment scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog, a higher score indicates greater impairment of cognitive function), Alzheimer’s disease cooperative study scale for activities of daily living (ADCS-ADL, a higher score indicates better ability to perform daily activity), and neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI, a higher score indicates more severe behavioral and emotional symptom). Postoperative follow-up included the same scales to observe changes in cognitive function, activities of daily living, and emotional communication.Results:Four patients (1 male, 3 females, aged 58-79 years) with AD were included. All were diagnosed based on cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers. All patients successfully underwent bilateral deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomoses. On average, 4.3 (2-7 per person) anastomoses were performed per patient. Surgical procedures lasted an average of 6.5 h (5.5-8.5 h) with minimal blood loss (less than 50 ml). Patients resumed normal activity within 6 hours postoperatively and were discharged after an average of 4.1 d (3.5-5.0 d). Postoperative complications included one case each of aspiration pneumonia, lower limb venous thrombosis, and transient delirium, all of whom resolved without long-term effects. Clinical symptoms, including memory decline, mood swings, and anxiety, showed varying degrees of improvement. Patients reported enhanced quality of life, emotional stability, and social engagement, confirming the procedure’s safety and potential cognitive benefits. At one month postoperatively, the MMSE scores of the four patients increased by an average of 0.8 points compared to preoperative levels. Additionally, the two patients who completed the ADAS-Cog assessments showed a decrease in their scores (reduced by 1.0 points and 11.3 points, respectively, compared to preoperative scores), indicating a certain degree of improvement in cognitive function during this period. The ADCS-ADL and NPI scores of four patients varied significantly, without showing any clear pattern.Conclusion:Lymphovenous anastomosis of the deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomosis may provide a new surgical intervention approach for AD, but further large-scale studies and long-term follow-up are needed to validate its safety and effectiveness.

Diabetic retinopathy(DR)is a kind of microvascular disease caused by the long-term influence of diabetes mellitus(DM),and it is one of the main cause of global visual impairment and blindness.Its typical characteristics include microaneurysms,hard exudates,macular edema(DME)and neovascularization.Its pathogenesis is diverse,and the root cause is oxidative stress and advanced glycosylation end products.The nuclear red blood cell related factor 2(Nrf2)signa-ling pathway plays an important role in preventing various diseases.As one of the characteristics of DM,hyperglycemia will activate the generation of reactive oxygen species(ROS)in mitochondria.These oxidative stress factors activate the nucle-ar transcription factor κB pathway,becoming the main inducement of various complications of DM.This pathway will in-duce increased transcription of proinflammatory cytokines,including tumor necrosis factor-alpha,transforming growth fac-tor-beta and interleukin-1.The active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine have significant antioxidant,anti-inflam-matory,anti-apoptotic and angiogenesis-promoting effects,and can block the progression of DR through various mecha-nisms.In this article,the research status of traditional Chinese medicine targeting the Nrf2 signaling pathway in the preven-tion and treatment of DR is reviewed to guide clinical and scientific research.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of three-dimensional visualization technology in the precise diagnosis and treatment of locally advanced differentiated thyroid cancer(DTC).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 196 patients with locally advanced DTC treated at the 960th Hospital of the PLA from December 2021 to August 2023. The cohort included 71 male and 125 female patients, with a mean age of 43.7 years (rangd from 18 to 77 years). All patients underwent neck-enhanced CT scans and were divided into two groups: the study group( n=102), which underwent preoperative three-dimensional visualization of CT data, and the control group( n=94), which did not. Baseline data for both groups were matched using SPSS27.0 with 1∶1 propensity score matching (PSM) and the caliper value was 0.02. A total of 49 patients were included in each group, including 35 first-time surgeries and 14 reoperation. Among the 70 first-time surgeries, 29 patients underwent robotic surgery and 41 underwent open surgery. Among the 28 reoperations, 4 underwent robotic surgery and 24 underwent open surgery. In the study group, three-dimensional visual models were used to comprehensively evaluate the tumor and metastatic lesion size, spatial location, and adjacent relationship with surrounding organs, surgical treatments were guided by these models, whereas the control group relied on two-dimensional imaging for guidance. The clinical data were statistically analyzed using SPSS27.0. Results:All operations were successfully completed. There were no statistical differences in baseline data between the two groups( P>0.05). Among first-time surgeries, the study group showed shorter operation times [175(145, 200) min vs 205(182, 249) min, P<0.001], a lower incidence of postoperative chyle leak (0 vs 8.57%, P=0.027), a higher rate of robotic surgery (48.57% vs 34.28%, P=0.225), a greater number of harvested lymph nodes [46(40, 62) vs 37(28, 56), P=0.032], a greater number of cervical lymph node metastasis[15(7, 22) vs 5(1, 14), P=0.004] and a larger diameter of metastasis lymph nodes[12(10, 16) mm vs 4(1, 10) mm, P<0.001]. There were no significant differences in intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage days and incidence of hypoparathyroidism( P>0.05). During the reoperation, the study group had shorter operation times[103.5(95.0, 122.5) min vs 146.50(133.25, 172.25) min, P<0.001], less intraoperative blood loss[12.50(8.75, 22.50) mL vs 30.00(17.50, 35.00) mL, P=0.021], fewer postoperative drainage days[5.00(4.00, 6.00) d vs 6.00(5.00, 7.25) d, P=0.016] and a lower incidence of hypoparathyroidism(7.14% vs 42.86%, P=0.038).The robotic surgery rate was higher in the study group (21.42% vs 7.14%, P=0.596). There were no significant differences in lymph node dissection numbers, metastatic lymph node counts, or chyle leak incidences between the two groups ( P>0.05). No acute bleeding or incision infection occurred in any patient postoperatively. Conclusion:Three-dimensional visualization technology is an effective preoperative assessment method for evaluating the resectability of tumors and metastases lesions in locally advanced DTC. It enhances the accuracy and safety of surgery for locally advanced DTC.