With the rapid development of sequencing technologies, the detection of alternative polyadenylation (APA) in mammals has become more precise. APA precisely regulates gene expression by altering the length and position of the poly(A) tail, and is involved in various biological processes such as disease occurrence and embryonic development. The research on APA in mammals mainly focuses on the following aspects:(1) identifying APA based on transcriptome data and elucidating their characteristics; (2) investigating the relationship between APA and gene expression regulation to reveal its important role in life regulation;(3) exploring the intrinsic connections between APA and disease occurrence, embryonic development, differentiation, and other life processes to provide new perspectives and methods for disease diagnosis and treatment, as well as uncovering embryonic development regulatory mechanisms. In this review, the classification, mechanisms and functions of APA were elaborated in detail and the methods for APA identifying and APA data resources based on various transcriptome data were systematically summarized. Moreover, we epitomized and provided an outlook on research on APA, emphasizing the role of sequencing technologies in driving studies on APA in mammals. In the future, with the further development of sequencing technology, the regulatory mechanisms of APA in mammals will become clearer.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the effects of 4-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on synaptic plasticity in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of rats exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), and to explore its potential mechanisms. MethodsA total of 48 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control (C), model (M), control plus HIIT (HC), and model plus HIIT (HM). Rats in groups M and HM underwent 8 weeks of CUMS to establish depression-like behaviors, while groups HC and HM received HIIT intervention beginning from the 5th week for 4 consecutive weeks. The HIIT protocol consisted of repeated intervals of 3 min at high speed (85%-90% maximal training speed, S_max) alternated with one minute at low speed (50%-55% S_max), with 3 to 5 sets per session, conducted 5 d per week. Behavioral assessments and tail-vein blood lactate levels were measured at the end of the 4th and 8th weeks. After the intervention, rat PFC tissues were collected for Golgi staining to analyze synaptic morphology. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were employed to detect brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1), lactate, and glutamate levels in the PFC, as well as serotonin (5-HT) levels in serum. Additionally, Western blot analysis was conducted to quantify the expression of synaptic plasticity-related proteins, including c-Fos, activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc), and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 1 (NMDAR1). ResultsCompared to the control group (C), the CUMS-exposed rats (group M) exhibited significant reductions in sucrose preference rates, number of grid crossings, frequency of upright postures, and entries into and duration spent in open arms of the elevated plus maze, indicating marked depressive-like behaviors. Additionally, the group M showed significantly reduced dendritic spine density in the PFC, along with elevated levels of c-Fos, Arc, NMDAR1 protein expression, and increased concentrations of lactate and glutamate. Conversely, BDNF and MCT1 contents in the PFC and 5-HT levels in serum were significantly decreased. Following HIIT intervention, rats in the group HM displayed considerable improvement in behavioral indicators compared with the group M, accompanied by significant elevations in PFC MCT1 and lactate concentrations. Furthermore, HIIT notably normalized the expression levels of c-Fos, Arc, NMDAR1, as well as glutamate and BDNF contents in the PFC. Synaptic spine density also exhibited significant recovery. ConclusionFour weeks of HIIT intervention may alleviate depressive-like behaviors in CUMS rats by increasing lactate levels and reducing glutamate concentration in the PFC, thereby downregulating the overexpression of NMDAR, attenuating excitotoxicity, and enhancing synaptic plasticity.

The Department of Thoracic Surgery of Shanghai Chest Hospital has performed esophageal function testing for over 30 years, being the only department of its kind in China with this capability. The pressure testing and 24-hour pH/impedance monitoring of the esophagus is of great help to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of benign and malignant esophageal diseases related to it. Thanks to the esophageal function test, in addition to the routine various endoscopic anti-reflux procedures, our hospital has taken the lead in China in recent years to carry out a series of clinical and research work for benign esophageal diseases, such as the development of magnetic ring, double nedoscopic combination and new anti-reflux endoscopic techniques. In recent years, we have carried out high-resolution esophageal manometry and 24-hour pH/impedance monitoring for patients with interstitial pneumonia and pulmonary fibrosis suspected to be caused by gastroesophageal acid reflux. We can better assess the correlation between gastroesophageal reflux and pulmonary fibrosis, and to provide the different clinical treatments and even surgical interventions. The Bravo capsule is used more often in the United States, and it has obvious advantages over traditional approach for acid measurement. We strongly call for the collaboration between industry and academic institutions in this field, and the development of our own related products with independent intellectual property rights.

Objective To analyze the lung function condition and the prevalence of pulmonary ventilation disorders in the occupational population of Wuhan, and to explore their influencing factors. Methods Physical examination data from the Wuhan Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases were used in this study, and finally 9499 people were selected as the study subjects. The linear regression model and logistic regression model were used to analyze the influencing factors of pulmonary ventilation function and pulmonary dysfunction. The restricted cubic spline was used to explore the nonlinear relationship. Results The prevalence of pulmonary ventilation disorders was 1.7%, and the lung function indexes FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC were significantly lower in the population aged >27 years than in the population aged <27 years (P<0.001). The lung function indexes FVC and FEV1 were significantly lower in females than in males (P<0.001). The lung function indexes FVC and FEV1 were significantly lower in underweight occupational groups than in normal-weight groups (P<0.001), and FVC and FEV1 were significantly lower in dust-exposed occupational groups than in groups without dust exposure(P<0.05). Restricted cubic spline plots showed a nonlinear relationship between age and lung function indexes FVC and FEV1 (P_nonlinear< 0.05). Age and BMI were the risk factors for pulmonary ventilation disorders. Conclusion Age, gender, BMI, and dust exposure are risk factors for decreased FVC and FEV1. Age is the risk factor for decreased FEV1/FVC. Age and BMI are the risk factors for pulmonary ventilation disorders.

Aquaporin 5(AQP5),as the main water transport protein in the body,can regulate lung diseases by regulating airway mucus secretion,pulmonary inflammation,and lung function.Programmed cell death(PCD)plays a crucial role in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).AQP5 may affect the development of COPD by regulating PCDs.This article reviews the molecular regulatory mechanism of AQP5 on apoptosis,autophagy,iron death and pyroptosis in PCDs in recent years,and further discusses its effect on COPD in order to provide theoretical support for clinical prevention and treatment of COPD.

Objective To investigate the influence of individual factors and labor organization factors on work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in automobile manufacturing workers, and to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of WMSDs in automobile manufacturing workers. Methods In April 2020, 5564 workers in an automobile factory were selected by cluster sampling method. The prevalence of WMSDs was investigated by using the Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire, and the influence of individual factors and labor organization factors on WMSDs was investigated by using generalized estimation equation. Results The prevalence rate of WMSDs was 79.00% (4396/5564), and the prevalence rate of multisite WMSDs was 67.95% (3781/5564). The analysis of generalized estimation equation showed that doing the same job every day (OR= 1.478, P < 0.05), age ≥40 years (OR=1.416, P< 0.05), personnel shortage (OR= 1.356, P < 0.05), and work length of 6～10 years and 11～15 years (OR= 1.349, P< 0.05) were the main risk factors for WMSDs in automobile manufacturing workers. Shift work and working time > 40 hours per week increased the risk of WMSDs (P< 0.05). Male and adequate rest time were protective factors for WMSDs. The job correlation matrix showed that WMSDs in most parts had a positive correlation. Conclusions The prevalence of multisite WMSDs of workers in automobile manufacturing industry is high, and unreasonable labor organization is the main risk factor of WMSDs. Appropriate work breaks can effectively reduce the risk of WMSDs, and effective intervention measures should be carried out to prevent the occurrence of WMSDs in workers in automobile manufacturing industry. The generalized estimation equation can better analyze the influencing factors of WMSDs.

italic>Salvia miltiorrhiza, a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine, has been widely recognized for its blood-activating and stasis-removing properties in the clinical treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The synthesis and regulatory mechanism of tanshinones, the key active constituents of Salvia miltiorrhiza, have been a hot topic of research. The paper summarized the research findings on the regulation of tanshinone biosynthesis by transcription factors such as AP2/ERF, bHLH, MYB, bZIP, and WRKY in recent years. The review identifies the existing issues in the transcriptional regulation studies of Salvia miltiorrhiza and discusses the research direction of transcription factors in the regulation of tanshinone biosynthesis, providing a theoretical basis for the further discovery and utilization of functional genes involved in the regulation of tanshinone bioactive constituents.

Objective To investigate the ameliorative effect of sulforaphane on inflammatory response and airway remodeling in rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).Methods Seventy-five SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group,the model group,and the low-,medium-,and high-dose groups of sulforaphane,with 15 rats in each group.Except for the normal group,the COPD model was prepared in the remaining group using aroma smoke inhalation combined with intratracheal droplet lipopolysaccharide(LPS)method.After the successful modelling,the rats were administered the drug by gavage for 28 days.At the end of the administration,the general conditions of the rats in each group were observed,and the lung function[forced vital capacity(FVC),peak expiratory flow-rate(PEF),forceful expiratory volume in 1 second(FEV1)]was examined,and the pathological changes of the lung tissues were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining method,and the indexes of airway remodeling(thickness of the bronchial wall,thickness of the smooth muscle)were measured;the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to examine the lung function of the rats.The levels of inflammatory factors[tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α),interleukin 1β(IL-1β)]were detected in lung tissue by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),and changes in the protein expressions of Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4),myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88),and nuclear transcription factor κB(NF-κB)were detected in lung tissue by Western Blot.Results(1)The rats in the model group had dry and lack of glossy fur,obvious coughing and nose scratching,shortness of breath,slow movement,and preferred to arch their backs and lie curled up;the rats in the low-,medium-and high-dose groups of sulforaphane showed significant improvement in shortness of breath,coughing,and other abnormal manifestations.(2)HE staining showed that the airway wall and smooth muscle of rats in the model group were thickened,the airway epithelium was damaged,and alveolar destruction,fusion,and massive infiltration of inflammatory cells were seen;the histopathological changes in the lungs of rats in the low-,medium-and high-dose groups of sulforaphane improved to varying degrees,with the airway wall becoming thinner,the degree of alveolar destruction being reduced,and the infiltration of inflammatory cells being reduced.(3)Compared with the normal group,FVC,PEF and FEV1 were significantly reduced in the model group(P＜0.05),and the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β,bronchial wall thickness,smooth muscle thickness,and the expression levels of TLR4,MyD88 and NF-κB were significantly increased in the model group(P＜0.05);and in comparison with the model group,the levels of FVC,PEF,and FEV1 were significantly increased in the rats in the sulforaphane low-,medium-,and high-dose groups(P＜0.05),and the levels of TNF-α,IL-1β,bronchial wall thickness,smooth muscle thickness,and the expression levels of TLR4,MyD88,and NF-κB were significantly decreased(P＜0.05)compared with the model group.Conclusion Sulforaphane helps to inhibit the inflammatory response,attenuate airway remodeling,and improve the pathological injury and lung function of lung tissue in rats with COPD,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of TLR4,MyD88,and NF-κB protein expressions.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of Yiqi Huayu Decoction(mainly composed of Astragali Radix,Dioscoreae Rhizoma,Poria,fried Euryales Semen,Ecliptae Herba,Rosae Laevigatae Fructus,charred Crataegi Fructus,Ligustri Lucidi Fructus,Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,and Leonuri Herba)combined with Calcium Dobesilate in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy(DN)with qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome,and to observe the effect of the therapy on vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-1).Methods Ninety patients with DN of qi deficiency and blood stasis type were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group,with 45 patients in each group.All patients received basic hypoglycemic therapy and treatment for controlling blood pressure and regulating lipid metabolism disorders.Moreover,the patients in the control group were given Calcium Dobesilate orally,and the patients in the observation group were given Yiqi Huayu Decoction combined with Calcium Dobesilate.The course of treatment lasted for 3 months.The changes of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,renal function parameters and serum VEGF and IGF-1 levels in the two groups of patients were observed before and after the treatment,and the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated after treatment.Results(1)After 3 months of treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was 91.11%(41/45),and that of the control group was 75.56%(34/45).The intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the therapeutic effect of the observation group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P＜0.05).(2)After one month and 3 months of treatment,the TCM syndrome scores of both groups were significantly lower than those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the scores after 3 months of treatment in the two groups were significantly lower than those after one month of treatment(P＜0.05).The intergroup comparison showed that the reduction of TCM syndrome scores of the observation group was significantly superior to that of the control group after one month and 3 months of treatment(P＜0.01).(3)After treatment,the levels of renal function parameters such as serum creatinine(Scr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),and glomerular filtration rate(GFR)in the two groups of patients were significantly improved compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the observation group's effect on the improvement of all renal function parameters was significantly superior to that of the control group(P＜0.01).(4)After treatment,the serum VEGF and IGF-1 levels in the two groups of patients were significantly lower than those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the observation group's effect on the decrease of serum VEGF and IGF-1 levels was significantly superior to that of the control group(P＜0.01).(5)In the course of treatment,no significant adverse reactions occurred in the two groups of patients,with a high degree of safety.Conclusion Yiqi Huayu Decoction combined with Calcium Dobesilate exerts certain therapeutic effect in treating DN patients with qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome.The combined therapy can effectively down-regulate the serum levels of VEGF and IGF-1,significantly improve the renal function,and alleviate the clinical symptoms of the patients,with a high degree of safety.

Epilepsy is a common neurological disease,has the characteristics of recurrent attacks and long-term treatment,thus bringing great pressure to patients and their families.Therefore,it is particularly important to do a good job of disability assessment.In recent years,with the development of the discipline,academic organizations such as the International League Against Epilepsy(ILAE)and China Association Against Epilepsy(CAAE)have successively updated the definition and diagnostic criteria of epilepsy and seizures.However,some items of epilepsy in the current Criteria for Disability Rating of Military Personnel(Trial)issued by People's Liberation Army(PLA)in 2011 can no longer meet the latest guidelines at home and abroad.Therefore,we suggest that the items related to epilepsy in the Criteria for Disability Rating of Military Personnel(Trial)should be revised to ensure that the disability evaluation being completed fairly and successfully.