Objective To investigate alteration in brain gray matter volume in kidney transplant recipients(KTRs)and its correlation with post-traumatic stress symptoms(PTSS)in KTRs so as to provide neuro-imaging evidence for early detection and intervention of PTSS in KTRs.Methods Forty-six KTRs and 46 age-,sex-,and education-matched heath control(HCs)underwent brain MRI scanning with 3D T1-weighted structural images.Voxel-based morphometry(VBM)was applied to compare the gray matter volume between the two groups.For regions with significant differences in gray matter volume between KTRs and HCs,we analyzed the correlations with the Impact of Event Scale-Revised(IES-R)scores,which assess the severity of PTSS.Results Compared to HCs,KTRs showed significant reductions in gray matter volume in the bilateral precentral gyrus,middle frontal gyrus,supplementary motor area,medial paracingulate gyrus,and bilateral middle temporal gyrus(all P＜0.05,TFCE-FWE correction).The gray matter volume of the left middle frontal gyrus in KTRs was negatively correlated with their IES-R scores(r=-0.235,P=0.022).Conclusion KTRs exhibit abnormal gray matter volume,and the gray matter volume of the left middle frontal gyrus is correlated with the severity of PTSS.

Objective To investigate alteration in brain gray matter volume in kidney transplant recipients(KTRs)and its correlation with post-traumatic stress symptoms(PTSS)in KTRs so as to provide neuro-imaging evidence for early detection and intervention of PTSS in KTRs.Methods Forty-six KTRs and 46 age-,sex-,and education-matched heath control(HCs)underwent brain MRI scanning with 3D T1-weighted structural images.Voxel-based morphometry(VBM)was applied to compare the gray matter volume between the two groups.For regions with significant differences in gray matter volume between KTRs and HCs,we analyzed the correlations with the Impact of Event Scale-Revised(IES-R)scores,which assess the severity of PTSS.Results Compared to HCs,KTRs showed significant reductions in gray matter volume in the bilateral precentral gyrus,middle frontal gyrus,supplementary motor area,medial paracingulate gyrus,and bilateral middle temporal gyrus(all P＜0.05,TFCE-FWE correction).The gray matter volume of the left middle frontal gyrus in KTRs was negatively correlated with their IES-R scores(r=-0.235,P=0.022).Conclusion KTRs exhibit abnormal gray matter volume,and the gray matter volume of the left middle frontal gyrus is correlated with the severity of PTSS.

Objective:To identify and validate secreted effector proteins of Chlamydia psittaci ( C. psittaci) through bioinformatic prediction and experimental verification, and to characterize their subcellular localization in host cells. Methods:Potential effector proteins were predicted using bioinformatics tools. Candidate effectors were fused to β-lactamase through the constructed expression vectors, and these vectors were transformed into C. psittaci. The secretion of these candidate effectors was evaluated by β-lactamase translocation assays. Eukaryotic expression vectors of confirmed effectors were transfected into host cells to determine their intracellular localization patterns. Results:Bioinformatic analysis identified 29 candidate effector proteins. Experimental validation confirmed the secretion of five effectors, with four exhibiting cytoplasmic localization and one displaying nuclear localization in host cells.Conclusion:This study characterizes five novel C. psittaci secreted effector proteins, providing critical insights for investigating the molecular pathogenesis of psittacosis.

Background The decline of physical activity in the elderly due to aging may increase the risk of sarcopenia. Currently, there is a lack of evidence from large natural populations on the relationship between PA and sarcopenia. Objective To explore the relationship between PA and sarcopenia in the elderly aged 60 years and above in 10 provinces (autonomous regions) of China. Methods Data were retrieved from the 2022—2023 round of the China Development and Nutrition Health Impact Cohort. Personal basic information and PA data were collected by questionnaire survey. Skeletal muscle mass was measured by bio-electrical impedance analysis, muscle strength was measured using a grip dynamometer, and physical performance was reflected by 6-meter walk speed. The Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 criteria were used to diagnose sarcopenia. Light physical activity (LPA) duration, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) duration, and total physical activity volume were calculated. A total of 3326 residents aged ≥60 years with complete data were selected as the survey participants. Multiple logistic regression models and restricted cubic splines (RCS) were used to assess the association between PA duration/volume and sarcopenia. Results In 10 provinces (autonomous regions) of China, the prevalence of sarcopenia in the elderly aged 60 years and above was 5.5% (95%CI: 4.7%, 6.2%). The logistic regression analysis showed that compared with the elderly reporting 0-7.0 h·week⁻¹ in LPA duration, the risk of sarcopenia in the elderly with LPA duration of >14.0-21.0 h·week⁻¹ was reduced by 51% (OR=0.49, 95%CI: 0.26, 0.96). Compared with the elderly with total physical activity ≥15.0 metabolic equivalent of task (MET)-h·week⁻¹, those with <7.5 MET-h·week⁻¹ had a 2.24-fold increased risk of sarcopenia (OR=2.24, 95%CI: 1.17, 4.29). The RCS results found that LPA duration and total physical activity volume each showed a nonlinear dose-response relationship with the risk of sarcopenia (P_overall<0.05, P_non-linear<0.05). Compared with the elderly with an LPA duration of 0 h· week⁻¹, the risk of sarcopenia in the elderly with an LPA duration of 12.6 h· week⁻¹ was the lowest (OR=0.42, 95%CI: 0.21, 0.83). Compared with the elderly with a total physical activity volume of 15.0 MET-h· week⁻¹, the elderly with a total physical activity volume of 46.0 MET-h· week⁻¹ had the lowest risk of sarcopenia (OR=0.57, 95%CI: 0.38, 0.84). There was no statistically significant association between weekly MVPA duration and the risk of sarcopenia (P>0.05). Conclusion Increasing weekly LPA duration and total physical activity volume would help to reduce the risk of sarcopenia.

Objective:To identify and validate secreted effector proteins of Chlamydia psittaci ( C. psittaci) through bioinformatic prediction and experimental verification, and to characterize their subcellular localization in host cells. Methods:Potential effector proteins were predicted using bioinformatics tools. Candidate effectors were fused to β-lactamase through the constructed expression vectors, and these vectors were transformed into C. psittaci. The secretion of these candidate effectors was evaluated by β-lactamase translocation assays. Eukaryotic expression vectors of confirmed effectors were transfected into host cells to determine their intracellular localization patterns. Results:Bioinformatic analysis identified 29 candidate effector proteins. Experimental validation confirmed the secretion of five effectors, with four exhibiting cytoplasmic localization and one displaying nuclear localization in host cells.Conclusion:This study characterizes five novel C. psittaci secreted effector proteins, providing critical insights for investigating the molecular pathogenesis of psittacosis.

OBJECTIVE To explore the effect and mechanism of Prunus mume against hepatic fibrosis(HF).METHODS Male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group(n=10)and modeling group(n=50).The modeling group established HF model using carbon tetrachloride.The modeled rats were randomly divided into model group(normal saline),positive control group[colchicine,0.09 mg/(kg·d)],and P.mume low-dose,medium-dose and high-dose groups[1.35,2.70,5.40 g/(kg·d)],with 9 rats in each group.They were given the corresponding drug/normal saline intragastrically,once a day,for 8 consecutive weeks.After the last medication,the liver index was calculated,while liver function indexes,liver fiber indexes,oxidative stress indicators and inflammatory factors of rats were measured.HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes in liver tissue of rats;Masson staining was used to observe the degree of HF in liver tissue of rats;transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of liver tissue in rats;TUNEL staining was used to detect liver cell apoptosis in each group of rats.Western blot method was used to detect the protein expressions of transforming growth factor-[31(TGF-[3i)and platelet-derived growth factor(PDGF)in liver tissue of rats.RESULTS Compared with normal control group,the levels of alanine transaminase,alkaline phosphatase,aspartate transaminase,total bilirubin,malondialdehyde,procollagen type Ⅲ protein,IV-type pre collagenase,laminin,hyaluronic acid,interleukin-6,tumor necrosis factor-α,as well as the protein expressions of TGF-β1and PDGF in model group were increased significantly,while the levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were significantly reduced(P＜0.01);the HE,Masson staining and transmission electron microscopy observation results showed obvious HF characteristics in rats of model group.Compared with model group,varying degrees of improvement in above indexes were observed in P.mume groups,and the above indicators of rats in P.mume medium-dose and high-dose groups were reversed significantly(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).CONCLUSIONS P.mume has an anti-HF effect,which may be achieved through mechanisms such as antioxidation,anti-inflammation,reduction of collagen production,inhibition of PDGF protein expression,and regulation of TGF-β1 signaling pathway.

【Objective】 To explore the correlation between abnormal thalamic functional connectivity (FC) and memory loss in maintenance hemodialysis patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). 【Methods】 An auditory verbal learning test (AVLT-H) was conducted on 22 patients with ESRD and 28 age-, sex-, and education-matched healthy controls (HC) to evaluate memory function. After that, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data were gathered, and a whole-brain FC analysis centered on the thalamus was executed to discern variations in thalamic FC between the two groups. Finally, Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses were carried out. 【Results】 Compared to the HC group, the ESRD group exhibited notably lower scores in IR-S (P=0.002), SR-S (P<0.001), and LR-S (P=0.005). Concurrently, the ESRD group demonstrated diminished FC of the right thalamus with the left superior frontal gyrus, the left parietal lobule, the right suproccipital gyrus, the right anterior cuneus, and the right middle frontal gyrus (P<0.05, TFCE correction). Additionally, reduced FC were observed between the left thalamus and the left gyrus rectus, the left parietal lobule, and the right parietal lobule in the ESRD group (P<0.05, TFCE correction). Moreover, the FC values between the left thalamus and the left gyrus rectus in the ESRD group displayed significant negative correlations with IR-S (r=-0.499), SR-S (r=-0.458), and LR-S (r=-0.455) (all P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 Memory impairment is evident in ESRD patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis, and it appears to be intricately linked to anomalous FC within the left thalamus and the left gyrus rectus. These findings offer potential imaging markers for monitoring memory dysfunction in individuals with ESRD.

【Objective】 To investigate dynamic regional homogeneity (dReHo) abnormality in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients by using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). 【Methods】 A total of 26 ESRD patients and 26 healthy controls (HC) matched in gender, education level and age were included. Rs-fMRI scanning was performed in all subjects. All the subjects were tested by using auditory verbal learning test Huashan version (AVLT-H) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) to assess cognitive function before collection of MRI data. T-test was used to observe the difference in dReHo at global level between the two groups. Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses were made to estimate the correlation between abnormal brain regions and clinical scales. 【Results】 Compared with HC group, the dReHo value in ESRD patients reduced on the bilateral superior margin gyrus, left insula, left posterior central gyrus, and left putamen (P<0.05, replacement test correction). The dReHo values of left superior margin gyrus (r=-0.534, P=0.005) and left insula in ESRD patients (r=-0.422, P=0.032) were negatively correlated with the LR-S score, and the dReHo value of the left margin was negatively correlated with the SR-S score (r=-0.468, P=0.016). 【Conclusion】 There are abnormal dReHo values in several brain regions in ESRD patients during resting state, which is related to the patients’ cognitive function. The variation of dReHo value provides a new objective imaging basis for evaluating the cognitive function of ESRD patients.