ObjectiveThe controllability changes of structural brain network were explored based on the control and brain network theory in young smokers, this may reveal that the controllability indicators can serve as a powerful factor to predict the sleep status in young smokers. MethodsFifty young smokers and 51 healthy controls from Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology were enrolled. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was used to construct structural brain network based on fractional anisotropy (FA) weight matrix. According to the control and brain network theory, the average controllability and the modal controllability were calculated. Two-sample t-test was used to compare the differences between the groups and Pearson correlation analysis to examine the correlation between significant average controllability and modal controllability with Fagerström Test of Nicotine Dependence (FTND) in young smokers. The nodes with the controllability score in the top 10% were selected as the super-controllers. Finally, we used BP neural network to predict the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) in young smokers. ResultsThe average controllability of dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus, supplementary motor area, lenticular nucleus putamen, and lenticular nucleus pallidum, and the modal controllability of orbital inferior frontal gyrus, supplementary motor area, gyrus rectus, and posterior cingulate gyrus in the young smokers’ group, were all significantly different from those of the healthy controls group (P<0.05). The average controllability of the right supplementary motor area (SMA.R) in the young smokers group was positively correlated with FTND (r=0.393 0, P=0.004 8), while modal controllability was negatively correlated with FTND (r=-0.330 1, P=0.019 2). ConclusionThe controllability of structural brain network in young smokers is abnormal. which may serve as an indicator to predict sleep condition. It may provide the imaging evidence for evaluating the cognitive function impairment in young smokers.

This study aims to comprehensively analyze the material basis of toad visceral oil(hereafter referred to as toad oil), and explore the pharmacological effect of toad oil on atopic dermatitis(AD). Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-linear ion trap/orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS) were employed to comprehensively identify the chemical components in toad oil. The animal model of AD was prepared by the hapten stimulation method. The modeled animals were respectively administrated with positive drug(0.1% hydrocortisone butyrate cream) and low-and high-doses(1%, 10%) of toad oil by gavage. The effect of toad oil on AD was evaluated with the AD score, ear swelling rate, spleen index, and pathological section results as indicators. A total of 99 components were identified by UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS, including 14 bufadienolides, 7 fatty acids, 6 alkaloids, 10 ketones, 18 amides, and other compounds. After methylation of toad oil samples, a total of 20 compounds were identified by GC-MS. Compared with the model group, the low-and high-dose toad oil groups showed declined AD score, ear swelling rate, and spleen index, alleviated skin lesions, and reduced infiltrating mast cells. This study comprehensively analyzes the chemical composition and clarifies the material basis of toad oil. Meanwhile, this study proves that toad oil has a good therapeutic effect on AD and is a reserve resource of traditional Chinese medicine for external use in the treatment of AD.
Animals ; Dermatitis, Atopic/immunology* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice ; Male ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Humans ; Bufonidae ; Oils/administration & dosage* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Female ; Mice, Inbred BALB C

A 14-year-old boy was admitted to the hospital due to a single episode of afebrile seizure and four hours of impaired consciousness. Three months prior to admission, he had a history of bilateral uveitis. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed a mild elevation in white blood cell count. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging and contrast-enhanced scans showed multiple abnormal signals in both cerebral hemispheres, with punctate and nodular enhancement. Susceptibility-weighted imaging revealed multiple punctate hemorrhages within lesions in the bilateral frontal and left parietal lobes, suggestive of vasculitis. Brain biopsy demonstrated inflammatory granulomatous lesions. No secondary causes were identified, and the final diagnosis was granulomatous primary central nervous system vasculitis. The patient's condition improved after treatment with methylprednisolone sodium succinate and mycophenolate mofetil. This report describes a rare case of granulomatous central nervous system vasculitis in a child and provides valuable insights for the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
Humans ; Male ; Vasculitis, Central Nervous System/diagnosis* ; Adolescent ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Granuloma/diagnosis*

OBJECTIVE: High-altitude hypoxia exposure often damages hippocampus-dependent learning and memory. Nogo-A is an important axonal growth inhibitory factor. However, its function in high-altitude hypoxia and its mechanism of action remain unclear. METHODS: In an in vivo study, a low-pressure oxygen chamber was used to simulate high-altitude hypoxia, and genetic or pharmacological intervention was used to block the Nogo-A/NgR1 signaling pathway. Contextual fear conditioning and Morris water maze behavioral tests were used to assess learning and memory in rats, and synaptic damage in the hippocampus and changes in oxidative stress levels were observed. In vitro, SH-SY5Y cells were used to assess oxidative stress and mitochondrial function with or without Nogo-A knockdown in Oxygen Glucose-Deprivation/Reperfusion (OGD/R) models. RESULTS: Exposure to acute high-altitude hypoxia for 3 or 7 days impaired learning and memory in rats, triggered oxidative stress in the hippocampal tissue, and reduced the dendritic spine density of hippocampal neurons. Blocking the Nogo-A/NgR1 pathway ameliorated oxidative stress, synaptic damage, and the learning and memory impairment induced by high-altitude exposure. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate the detrimental role of Nogo-A protein in mediating learning and memory impairment under high-altitude hypoxia and suggest the potential of the Nogo-A/NgR1 signaling pathway as a crucial therapeutic target for alleviating learning and memory dysfunction induced by high-altitude exposure. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT available in www.besjournal.com.
Animals ; Oxidative Stress ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Rats ; Nogo Proteins/genetics* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Hypoxia/metabolism* ; Altitude ; Synapses ; Humans ; Altitude Sickness/metabolism*

Background::Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and diameter, stiffness, and wave reflections, are independent and important clinical biomarkers and risk predictors for cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of the present study was to establish nationwide reference values of carotid properties for healthy Chinese adults and to explore potential clinical determinants.Methods::A total of 3053 healthy Han Chinese adults (1922 women) aged 18-79 years were enrolled at 28 collaborating tertiary centers throughout China between April 2021 and July 2022. The real-time tracking of common carotid artery walls was achieved by the radio frequency (RF) ultrasound system. The IMT, diameter, compliance coefficient, β stiffness, local pulse wave velocity (PWV), local systolic blood pressure, augmented pressure (AP), and augmentation index (AIx) were then automatically measured and reported. Data were stratified by age groups and sex. The relationships between age and carotid property parameters were analyzed by Jonckheere-Terpstra test and simple linear regressions. The major clinical determinants of carotid properties were identified by Pearson’s correlation, multiple linear regression, and analyses of covariance.Results::All the parameters of carotid properties demonstrated significantly age-related trajectories. Women showed thinner IMT, smaller carotid diameter, larger AP, and AIx than men. The β stiffness and PWV were significantly higher in men than women before forties, but the differences reversed after that. The increase rate of carotid IMT (5.5 μm/year in women and 5.8 μm/year in men) and diameter (0.03 mm/year in both men and women) were similar between men and women. For the stiffness and wave reflections, women showed significantly larger age-related variations than men as demonstrated by steeper regression slopes (all P for age by sex interaction <0.05). The blood pressures, body mass index (BMI), and triglyceride levels were identified as major clinical determinants of carotid properties with adjustment of age and sex. Conclusions::The age- and sex-specific reference values of carotid properties measured by RF ultrasound for healthy Chinese adults were established. The blood pressures, BMI, and triglyceride levels should be considered for clinical application of corresponding reference values.

Objective To establish age estimation models of northern Chinese Han adults using cranial suture images obtained by CT and multiplanar reformation(MPR),and to explore the applicability of cranial suture closure rule in age estimation of northern Chinese Han population.Methods The head CT samples of 132 northern Chinese Han adults aged 29-80 years were retrospectively collected.Volume reconstruction(VR)and MPR were performed on the skull,and 160 cranial suture tomography images were generated for each sample.Then the MPR images of cranial sutures were scored according to the closure grading criteria,and the mean closure grades of sagittal suture,coronal sutures(both left and right)and lambdoid sutures(both left and right)were calculated respectively.Finally taking the above grades as independent variables,the linear regression model and four machine learning models for age estimation(gradient boosting regression,support vector regression,decision tree regression and Bayesian ridge regression)were established for northern Chinese Han adults age estimation.The accu-racy of each model was evaluated.Results Each cranial suture closure grade was positively correlated with age and the correlation of sagittal suture was the highest.All four machine learning models had higher age estimation accuracy than linear regression model.The support vector regression model had the highest accuracy among the machine learning models with a mean absolute error of 9.542 years.Conclusion The combination of skull CT-MPR and machine learning model can be used for age esti-mation in northern Chinese Han adults,but it is still necessary to combine with other adult age estima-tion indicators in forensic practice.

Hip fracture in the elderly is characterized by high incidence, high disability rate, and high mortality and has been recognized as a public health issue threatening their health. Surgery is the preferred choice for the treatment of elderly patients with hip fracture. However, lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT) has an extremely high incidence rate during the perioperative period, and may significantly increase the risk of patients′ death once it progresses to pulmonary embolism. In response to this issue, the clinical guidelines and expert consensuses all emphasize active application of comprehensive preventive measures, including basic prevention, physical prevention, and pharmacological prevention. In this prevention system, basic prevention is the basis of physical and pharmacological prevention. However,there is a lack of unified and definite recommendations for basic preventive measures in clinical practice. To this end, the Orthopedic Nursing Professional Committee of the Chinese Nursing Association and Nursing Department of the Orthopedic Branch of the China International Exchange and Promotive Association for Medical and Health Care organized relevant nursing experts to formulate Expert consensus on perioperative basic prevention for lower extremity deep venous thrombosis in elderly patients with hip fracture ( version 2024) . A total of 10 recommendations were proposed, aiming to standardize the basic preventive measures for lower extremity DVT in elderly patients with hip fractures during the perioperative period and promote their subsequent rehabilitation.

Objective We aimed to investigate the effects of Biejiajian Pills on MHCC-97H hepatoma cells and whether Biejiajian Pills regulate the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway through miR-885-5p.Methods SPF SD rats (n = 10) were randomly divided into the blank group and the Biejiajian Pills (1.1 g/kg) group to prepare blank and Biejiajian Pills-containing serum. MHCC-97H cells in the logarithmic growth phase were divided into the model group, blank serum groups with different concentrations (5％, 10％, 15％, and 20％), the serum containing Biejiajian Pills group, and the blank group without cells. Cell proliferation was detected by the CCK-8 assay, and the optimal intervention time and concentration of drug-containing serum were screened. MHCC-97H cells were divided into the blank control group (no intervention), the Biejiajian Pills-containing serum group (20％ Biejiajian Pills-containing serum), the miR-885-5p mimics group (transfected with miR-885-5p mimics), the miR-NC group (transfected with miR-885-5p NC), and the Biejiajian Pills-containing serum + miR-885-5p mimics group (treated with 20％ Biejiajian Pills-containing serum and transfected with miR-885-5p mimics). Cells in each group were cultured for 72 hours. A dual luciferase reporter assay was conducted to verify the targeting relationship between miR-885-5p and EGFR. Cell proliferation was detected by the CCK-8 assay, cell migration and invasion abilities were detected by the cell scratch assay and the Transwell invasion assay. Annexin V-APC/PI double staining was performed to detect the apoptosis level, and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis was conducted to determine the mRNA expression levels of miR-885-5p, EGFR, MEK, and ERK1/2. The expression levels of EGFR, p-EGFR, MEK, p-MEK, ERK1/2, p-ERK1/2, matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1), and CyclinD1 were determined by Western blotting analysis. The subcutaneous tumor model of MHCC-97H hepatoma cells in nude mice was established by subcutaneous injection to observe the inhibitory effect of Biejiajian Pills of different doses(0.55,1.1,2.2 g/kg).Results The optimal concentration and intervention time of Biejiajian Pills-containing serum were 20％ and 72 hours, respectively. Meanwhile, the dual luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-885-5p could directly target EGFR. No statistical significances between the blank control group and the miR-NC group were observed (P>0.05). Compared with the blank control group, the proliferation rates of MHCC-97H hepatoma cells in the Biejiajian Pills-containing serum group, the miR-885-5p mimics group, and the Biejiajian Pills-containing serum + miR-885-5p mimics group were significantly decreased (P<0.01), and their migration and invasion abilities were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). At the same time, the protein expression levels of CyclinD1 and MMP1, which are closely related to cell proliferation and invasion, were significantly downregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). The proportions of late apoptotic cells and the proportion of total apoptotic cells were significantly increased (P<0.01). In the Biejiajian Pills-containing serum group, the miR-885-5p mimics group, and the Biejiajian Pills-containing serum + miR-885-5p mimics group, miR-885-5p mRNA was significantly upregulated (P<0.01) and EGFR, MEK, and ERK1/2 were significantly downregulated at the mRNA level (P<0.05, P<0.01). EGFR, MEK, and ERK1/2 phosphorylation was inhibited (P<0.01), and the Biejiajian Pills-containing serum + miR-885-5p mimics group showed the best effect (P<0.05, P<0.01). The subcutaneous liver tumor model in nude mice verified that Biejiajian Pills can inhibit tumor growth in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion Biejiajian Pills can promote apoptosis of MHCC-97H hepatoma cells and inhibit their proliferation, invasion, and migration. The mechanism may be related to the targeted regulation of the EGFR/MAPK/ERK signaling pathway by miR-885-5p.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic relapsing intestinal inflammation and encompasses ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). IBD has emerged as a global healthcare problem. Clinically efficacious therapeutic agents are deficient. This study concentrates on models of ulcerative colitis with the objective of discovering novel therapeutic strategies. Previous investigations have established that schisandrin A demonstrates anti-inflammatory effects in vitro, concurrently enhancing the transcriptional activity of farnesoid X receptor (FXR). FXR inversely modulates the transcriptional activity of NF-κB, which has an important role in regulating inflammatory responses. Consequently, the current study was to explore the safeguarding influence of schisandrin A on ulcerative colitis and delineate the mechanism by which it regulates this effect through the FXR signaling pathway. The effect of schisandrin A on the mRNA levels of inflammatory factors was evaluated in RAW264.7 cells. The dual luciferase reporter gene assay was used to verify the relationship between schisandrin A and FXR targeting. The animal experiments were performed in accordance with the regulations of the Animal Ethics Committee of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (approval No. PZSHUTCM2304250005). Acute ulcerative colitis was induced in wild-type or FXR knockout C57BL/6 mice by drinking 3% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) for 7 days, and schisandrin A was administered via gavage for a continuous treatment period of 7 days. The body weight and faecal were monitored daily. The mRNA levels of inflammatory factors in colon tissue and FXR target genes were measured by RT-qPCR. The findings revealed that schisandrin A, in vitro, impeded the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced elevation in mRNA levels of inflammatory factors and schisandrin A could augment transcriptional activity of FXR. In wild-type mice, schisandrin A significantly improved weight loss, colon shortening, loose stools and blood in stools in mice with acute ulcerative colitis, and schisandrin A significantly reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory factors genes and significantly increased the expression of FXR target genes in colon tissues. In FXR knockout mice, the administration of schisandrin A failed to yield ameliorative effect on acute ulcerative colitis in mice. In conclusion, schisandrin A can reduce intestinal inflammation through the FXR signaling pathway to alleviate acute ulcerative colitis in mice. Implications arise that Schisandra lignans could serve as lead compounds for drug development aimed at inflammatory bowel disease.