ObjectiveTo explore the efficacy and mechanisms of Sini San in the treatment of depression and liver injury based on gut microbiota. MethodsThirty-two male Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into a normal group， model group （M）， Sini San group （MS， 2.5 g·kg^-1）， and fluoxetine group （MF， 2 mg·kg^-1）. Except for the normal group， rats in the other three groups were subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress （CUMS）. After 8 weeks， the open-field test and sucrose preference test were conducted. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect serum corticosterone （CORT）， adrenocorticotropic hormone （ACTH）， corticotropin-releasing factor （CRF）， lipopolysaccharide （LPS）， Zonulin， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， γ-aminobutyric acid （GABA） levels in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex， and brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） levels in the hippocampus. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect hippocampal BDNF mRNA expression. Serum alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） levels were measured using the ultraviolet lactate dehydrogenase method. The ultrastructure of the intestinal epithelium was observed by electron microscopy， and gut microbiota in rat feces were analyzed using 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the sucrose preference of rats in the model group was significantly reduced （P0.01）， whereas it was significantly increased in the Sini San group compared with the model group （P0.05）. Compared with the normal group， hippocampal GABA protein levels and BDNF mRNA expression in the model group were significantly decreased （P0.05）， and compared with the model group， both were significantly increased in the Sini San group （P0.05， P0.01）. Compared with the normal group， serum LPS and Zonulin levels in the model group were significantly increased （P0.05， P0.01）， and compared with the model group， Zonulin levels in the Sini San group were significantly decreased （P0.05）. No obvious changes were observed in the ultrastructure of the jejunal mucosa among groups. Compared with the normal group， widened and blurred tight junctions， sparse and shortened microvilli， and mitochondrial swelling with cristae disruption in epithelial cells were observed in the ileal and colonic mucosa of the model group， which were markedly improved in the Sini San and fluoxetine groups. The results of 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing showed that Sini San improved CUMS-induced dysbiosis of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria. Correlation analysis indicated that Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria were significantly correlated with depression-related indicators， liver function， and intestinal mucosal permeability. ConclusionSini San exerts antidepressant and hepatoprotective effects by improving Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria and inhibiting the increase in intestinal mucosal permeability in CUMS rats.

ObjectiveTo explore the efficacy and mechanisms of Sini San in the treatment of depression and liver injury based on gut microbiota. MethodsThirty-two male Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into a normal group， model group （M）， Sini San group （MS， 2.5 g·kg^-1）， and fluoxetine group （MF， 2 mg·kg^-1）. Except for the normal group， rats in the other three groups were subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress （CUMS）. After 8 weeks， the open-field test and sucrose preference test were conducted. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect serum corticosterone （CORT）， adrenocorticotropic hormone （ACTH）， corticotropin-releasing factor （CRF）， lipopolysaccharide （LPS）， Zonulin， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， γ-aminobutyric acid （GABA） levels in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex， and brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） levels in the hippocampus. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect hippocampal BDNF mRNA expression. Serum alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） levels were measured using the ultraviolet lactate dehydrogenase method. The ultrastructure of the intestinal epithelium was observed by electron microscopy， and gut microbiota in rat feces were analyzed using 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the sucrose preference of rats in the model group was significantly reduced （P<0.01）， whereas it was significantly increased in the Sini San group compared with the model group （P<0.05）. Compared with the normal group， hippocampal GABA protein levels and BDNF mRNA expression in the model group were significantly decreased （P<0.05）， and compared with the model group， both were significantly increased in the Sini San group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the normal group， serum LPS and Zonulin levels in the model group were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and compared with the model group， Zonulin levels in the Sini San group were significantly decreased （P<0.05）. No obvious changes were observed in the ultrastructure of the jejunal mucosa among groups. Compared with the normal group， widened and blurred tight junctions， sparse and shortened microvilli， and mitochondrial swelling with cristae disruption in epithelial cells were observed in the ileal and colonic mucosa of the model group， which were markedly improved in the Sini San and fluoxetine groups. The results of 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing showed that Sini San improved CUMS-induced dysbiosis of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria. Correlation analysis indicated that Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria were significantly correlated with depression-related indicators， liver function， and intestinal mucosal permeability. ConclusionSini San exerts antidepressant and hepatoprotective effects by improving Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria and inhibiting the increase in intestinal mucosal permeability in CUMS rats.

BackgroundPrevious studies have identified a close relationship among psychological neglect and abuse， negative affect， different stages of adolescence， and suicidal ideation. However， the mechanisms underlying the impact of psychological abuse and neglect on suicidal ideation among left-behind adolescents remain unclear， and this field of research is still in its relative infancy. ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between psychological neglect/abuse and suicidal ideation among left-behind adolescents， as well as the mediating role of negative affect and the moderating effect of different stages of adolescence， so as to provide insights for preventing and intervening suicidal ideation in this population. MethodsFrom November 2021 to May 2022， a cluster random sampling technique was utilized to select 2 309 left-behind adolescents in western China. Assessments were conducted using the Child Psychological Abuse and Neglect Scale （CPANS）， the Positive and Negative Suicide Ideation （PANSI） and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule for Children （PANAS-C）. Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated across all samples， and Process 4.1 was employed to test the mediating role of negative affect and the moderating role of different stages of adolescence in the pathway linking psychological abuse/neglect to suicidal ideation. ResultsA total of 2 119 left-behind adolescents （mean age： 14.94±1.20 years） completed the study， with males comprising 51.34% （1 088/2 119） and females 48.66% （1 031/2 119）.Among left-behind adolescents， scores on CPANS psychological neglect subscale showed positive correlations with both psychological abuse subscale scores and PANAS-C negative affect subscale scores （r=0.446， 0.496， P<0.01）. Additionally， CPANS psychological neglect and psychological abuse subscale scores were also positively correlated with PANSI scores （r=0.487， 0.508， P<0.01）. Furthermore， PANAS-C negative affect subscale scores demonstrated a positive correlation with PANSI scores （r=0.499， P<0.01）. Negative affect partially mediated the relationship between psychological abuse/psychological neglect and suicidal ideation， with effect sizes of 0.166 （95% CI： 0.141~0.191） and 0.131 （95% CI： 0.112~0.152）. Different stages of adolescence moderated the latter part （negative emotion → suicidal ideation） of the indirect mediation path from psychological neglect to suicidal ideation through negative affect （β=-0.066， P<0.01）. ConclusionBoth psychological neglect and psychological abuse may influence suicidal ideation among left-behind adolescents via negative affect. Moreover， different stages of adolescence may moderate the indirect path from psychological neglect to suicide ideation through negative affect.

Objective:To investigate the additional value of 99Tc m-hydrazinonicotinamide (HYNIC)-Tyr3-octreotide (TOC) SPECT/CT imaging in the diagnosis and treatment of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs). Methods:A total of 54 patients (28 males and 26 females, age: (52.6±11.7) years) who underwent enhanced CT (MR) and 99Tc m-HYNIC-TOC SPECT/CT in People′s Hospital of Zhengzhou University between December 2017 and June 2023 were analyzed retrospectively. Surgical pathology or biopsy was the gold standard of patients′ diagnosis (primary tumors), and comprehensive evaluation based on pathology, imaging and follow-up results was used as the diagnostic criteria of lesions. McNemar χ2 test was used to compare the diagnostic efficacy of different imaging methods. Results:Pathological results showed that 43 of the 54 patients were with GEP-NETs and 11 were with non-neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). The sensitivities of enhanced CT and enhanced MR in the diagnosis of patients with GEP-NETs were 65.1%(28/43) and 60.0%(15/25) respectively, which increased to 93.0%(40/43) and 92.0%(23/25) with the addition of 99Tc m-HYNIC-TOC imaging ( χ2 values: 8.64, 4.90, P values: 0.002, 0.021). There were 22 and 15 patients showing atypical enhancement on enhanced CT and enhanced MR respectively. The sensitivities of these two methods for GEP-NETs in patients with atypical enhancement were 54.5%(12/22) and 8/15 respectively, which increased to 95.5%(21/22) and 14/15 with the addition of 99Tc m-HYNIC-TOC imaging ( χ2 values: 5.82, 4.17, P values: 0.012, 0.031). Compared with enhanced CT, the detection rates of liver and bone metastatic lesions were improved significantly from 90.8%(158/174) and 55.2%(32/58) to 96.6%(168/174) and 87.9%(51/58) with the addition of 99Tc m-HYNIC-TOC imaging ( χ2 values: 5.79, 9.82, P values: 0.013, 0.001). Compared with enhanced MR, the detection rate of bone metastases was improved significantly from 56.0%(14/25) to 88.0%(22/25) with the addition of 99Tc m-HYNIC-TOC imaging ( χ2=4.08, P=0.039). After 99Tc m-HYNIC-TOC imaging, stages were changed in 7.0%(3/43) of patients and a greater number or extent of metastases were detected in 11.6%(5/43) of patients. 99Tc m-HYNIC-TOC imaging detected additional recurrent or metastatic lesions in 40.0%(8/20) of patients during follow-up compared to enhanced CT. Conclusion:99Tc m-HYNIC-TOC imaging can provide an added value for diagnosing GEP-NETs with atypically enhanced CT(MR), and in the detection of liver metastasis and early bone metastasis, thus helping the optimization of clinical treatment strategies.

Objective:To explore the characteristics of the brain functional networks in children with spastic cerebral palsy (SCP) while at rest and to correlate them with motor functioning.Methods:Thirty-six children with SCP were enrolled as the SCP group, while thirty-four age-matched healthy children were recruited as the control group (the HC group). Functional near-infrared spectroscopy was used to detect changes in the concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin in the children′s cerebral cortex while at rest. The left prefrontal cortex (LPFC), right prefrontal cortex (RPFC), left motor cortex (LMC), and right motor cortex (RMC) were selected as regions of interest. Phase locking values (PLVs) were used to evaluate the strength of functional connectivity (FC) among these brain regions, and graph theory methods were applied to analyze the topological properties of the brain networks. Motor functioning was assessed using the gross motor function measure (GMFM).Results:The analyses of FC strength revealed that the SCP group had significantly weaker FC among all of the regions of interest while at rest compared to the HC group. Their PLVs for LPFC-RPFC, LPFC-RMC, RPFC-RMC and LMC-RMC connectivity were all significantly smaller. Graph theory analysis showed that the SCP group had significantly lower global efficiency (GE) and smaller clustering coefficients (CCs) and network density (D), while their characteristic path lengths were significantly longer. According to the correlation analysis, the PLVs for LMC-RMC connections in the SCP group were positively correlated with their scores on dimensions D and E of the GMFM ( r=0.496 and r=0.579 respectively). GE ( r=0.587 and r=0.642) and CC ( r=0.318 and r=0.759) showed similar significant positive correlations with GMFM dimensions D and E. Conclusions:At rest, the functional networks in the brains of children with SCP exhibit abnormalities closely associated with their motor dysfunction.

The scientific interpretation of the theory of medicinal properties of TCM is a research hotspot in the modernization of TCM. It is of great value to clarify the property and degree of cold and heat in Chinese materia medica for guiding clinical precise medication. In recent years, the research on the cold and heat properties of Chinese materia medica has been carried out at the animal, cell and molecular levels. Based on the objective material basis of medicinal properties, from the perspective of biological effects such as thermodynamics and multiomics; with the help of infrared thermal imaging and other technologies for analysis; forming a variety of research models such as "property-structure relationship". Related research has developed from a single material component or index to a new model that tends to integrate multi-source information and multi-dimensional data. However, how to deal with the problems of large sample size, strong redundancy, high heterogeneity, and how to integrate multi-dimensional information are still research difficulties. With its powerful computing and learning ability, machine learning can show good discrimination and prediction ability in the study of cold and hot properties of Chinese materia medica, and play an important role in the study of cold and hot properties of Chinese materia medica. At present, the most widely used algorithms are linear discriminant analysis, Logistic discriminant analysis, support vector machine, decision tree, random forest and so on. The data dimension of the existing research needs to be enriched, the algorithm has room for further optimization, and a more detailed discriminant model of cold and hot properties of Chinese materia medica needs to be established.

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic value of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) for biopsy-negative esophageal strictures suspected for malignancy.Methods:Patients who underwent EUS-FNA for esophageal strictures with negative endoscopic biopsies in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from January 2014 to March 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. The final diagnosis was based on the pathological outcomes of EUS-FNA or surgery, complemented by follow-up data. Diagnostic efficacy and complication rates of EUS-FNA were analyzed.Results:A total of 64 patients were included in this study,with 54 ultimately diagnosed with malignant lesions and 10 with benign lesions. Malignant lesions were diagnosed by EUS-FNA in 50 cases, suspected malignant lesions in 3 cases, and no clear basis for malignancy was observed in 11 cases. The diagnostic accuracy of EUS-FNA was 98.4% (63/64), with the malignant tumor detection rate of 98.1% (53/54). No post-procedure complications such as bleeding, perforation, or infection were observed in any patient.Conclusion:EUS-FNA is safe and effective for the diagnosis of biopsy-negative suspected malignant esophageal stricture with a high malignant lesion detection rate.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics and genetic alterations of undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver (UESL).Methods:Three cases of UESL diagnosed in the Department of Pathology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from 2020 to 2023 were retrospectively collected. The clinical, histomorphological, immunohistochemical, and genetic profiles were reviewed and analyzed.Results:The cohort comprised of three patients, including one male and two females, aged 7, 9, and 15 years, respectively. Tumor locations were in the right lobe of the liver in two cases, and in both the right and left lobes in one case. One case exhibited tumor rupture with hemorrhage. Gross examination revealed solid tumors in gray-red fleshy appearance, with areas of hemorrhage and necrosis. Microscopically, the tumor was composed of irregularly shaped spindle and polygonal cells arranged in bundles or sheets with varying density, scattered within a myxoid matrix containing giant tumor cells and eosinophilic globules. The tumor cells were positive for Vimentin, CD56, CD68, and bcl-2, with a Ki-67 index of 30%-80%. INI1 expression was retained, while p53 exhibited a mutant pattern. CKpan, CK7, CK19, EMA, HepPar-1, Arginase-1, AFP, CD34, S-100, Myogenin, and MyoD1 were negative. All three cases harbored TP53 missense mutations. Case 1 also showed MDM2 copy number amplification (class Ⅰ mutation), and case 2 exhibited a frameshift mutation in exon 10 of TSC2 (class Ⅱ mutation). Additionally, several class Ⅲ mutations were identified in all three cases. Germline testing for tumor-related genetic variants in case 2 revealed a missense mutation in exon 12 of DICER1, an in-frame insertion mutation in exon 8 of MSH2, and a missense mutation in exon 30 of TSC2.Conclusion:UESL is a rare malignant mesenchymal tumor of the liver, predominantly affecting children, with distinctive clinicopathological features and genetic alterations. TP53 mutations may play a key role in the pathogenesis of this tumor.

This study investigated the full-genome molecular characteristics of a rotavirus vaccine-derived strain,G1P[8]geno-type A group rotavirus RVA/Human-wt/CHN/HN1140/2021/G1P[8](referred to as HN1140).The gene fragments of the HN1140 strain were amplified with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)combined with whole-genome primers to obtain the full genome sequence.Genotyping was performed with the online genotyping tool RotaC 2.0,and similarity and genetic evolution analyses for each gene segment were conducted in DNAstar5.1 and MEGA11.0 software.The genotype of the HN1140 strain was deter-mined to be G1-P[8]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A3-N2-T6-E2-H3.Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that all 11 genomic segments clus-tered closely with the RotaTeq vaccine strains,sharing 99.7%-100%nucleotide sequence similarity.Notably,VP1,VP2,VP6,and NSP2-NSP5 segments showed 100%nucleotide identity with RotaTeq strains.Comparative genomic analysis identified 13 nucleotide and 8 amino acid substitutions between HN1140 and RotaTeq strains,localized within the VP7,VP4,VP1,VP2,VP3,and NSP1 segments.The HN1140 strain exhibited the genotype G1-P[8]-A3-T6-H3,which was consistent with the typical profile of a vaccine-derived reassortant.This strain demonstrated high genetic similarity to RotaTeq vaccine strains,with nucleotide sequence identity ranging from 99.7%to 100%.These findings suggested that HN1140 evolved from RotaTeq vaccine strains through genetic reassortment.