ObjectiveTo clarify whether METTL14 mediates the core role of acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) in promoting myelination and improving behavior in young autistic rats through gene intervention technology. MethodsThe ASD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of valproic acid (VPA) in pregnant rats. Male offspring were intracerebroventricularly injected with adenovirus-packaged METTL14 shRNA (sh-METTL14) or its control (sh-NC) on postnatal day 1, with a model group set as well. Subsequently, the juvenile rats were divided into model group, acupuncture group, acupuncture+sh-NC group, and acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group. The acupuncture group received acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) from postnatal day 7, once daily for 21 consecutive days. Neurobehavioral changes were evaluated by behavioral tests; METTL14 knockdown efficiency and the expression of METTL14, METTL3, and PTEN were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot (WB); PTEN m⁶A levels were measured by RNA immunoprecipitation-qPCR (RIP-qPCR); myelin ultrastructure, expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) and neurofascin 155 (NF155), and dendritic spine density were observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and primary neuron culture. ResultsBehaviorally, knockdown of METTL14 significantly counteracted the beneficial effects of acupuncture in improving self-grooming, open field exploration, three-chamber social interaction, and Morris water maze learning and memory (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the acupuncture+sh-NC group, the acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group showed significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression of hippocampal METTL14 (P<0.01), and the upregulating effects of acupuncture on METTL3 and PTEN expression were reversed (P<0.01). Meanwhile, knockdown of METTL14 significantly inhibited the acupuncture-induced increase in PTEN m⁶A levels (P<0.01). Morphologically, knockdown of METTL14 attenuated the improvement of myelin structure by acupuncture, reversed the downregulation of MBP and upregulation of NF155 induced by acupuncture, and blocked the increase in dendritic spine density (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionMETTL14 is a key molecule mediating the therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Neiguan. Acupuncture at Neiguan upregulates METTL14, thereby enhancing m⁶A methylation modification of PTEN mRNA to stabilize its expression, ultimately promoting myelin development and improving behavioral symptoms in ASD juvenile rats. This preliminarily reveals the modern biological connotation of “opening Xuanfu and dredging myelin”.

Objective To explore the prevalence of depressive symptoms in postoperative patients with ovarian cancer and to analyze its influencing factors from multiple dimensions, including clinical characteristics, psychological factors, and laboratory indicators. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted, which enrolled 235 postoperative patients with ovarian cancer. Depressive status was assessed using the patient health questionnaire, and the demographic, pathological, and medical record data of the patients were collected using the generalized anxiety disorder scale, Pittsburgh sleep quality index, European organization for research and treatment of cancer quality of life questionnaire core 30, and ECOG performance status score. Peripheral blood tumor marker (CA125), routine blood test, lymphocyte subsets, and serum cytokine levels were measured. Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis were used for statistical analysis. Results The prevalence of depression in postoperative patients with ovarian cancer was 39.15% (92/235). Univariate analysis showed that ECOG score ≥ 2 points, pain, anxiety, poor sleep quality, low quality of life, low life satisfaction, tumor recurrence, six or more cycles of chemotherapy, as well as higher levels of CA125, NLR, and NAR, and lower hemoglobin levels were significantly associated with depression (all P<0.05). Multivariate binary Logistic regression analysis showed that anxiety (OR=1.975, 95%CI: 1.231-3.170), sleep efficiency (OR=4.181, 95%CI: 1.211-14.43), sleep latency (OR=34.806, 95%CI: 4.258-284.542), ECOG performance status score, cognitive function (OR=0.918, 95%CI: 0.868-0.97), and life satisfaction were independent risk factors for depression (all P<0.05). Laboratory indicators were not independent influencing factors in the multivariate Logistic regression model. Conclusion Depression in postoperative patients with ovarian cancer is influenced by physiological, psychological, and social factors. Clinical management should focus on patients with anxiety, sleep disorders, poor physical condition, and low life satisfaction, and a comprehensive prevention and treatment strategy centered on psychological intervention and taking into account symptom management and social support should be implemented.

ObjectiveTo clarify whether METTL14 mediates the core role of acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) in promoting myelination and improving behavior in young autistic rats through gene intervention technology. MethodsThe ASD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of valproic acid (VPA) in pregnant rats. Male offspring were intracerebroventricularly injected with adenovirus-packaged METTL14 shRNA (sh-METTL14) or its control (sh-NC) on postnatal day 1, with a model group set as well. Subsequently, the juvenile rats were divided into model group, acupuncture group, acupuncture+sh-NC group, and acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group. The acupuncture group received acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) from postnatal day 7, once daily for 21 consecutive days. Neurobehavioral changes were evaluated by behavioral tests; METTL14 knockdown efficiency and the expression of METTL14, METTL3, and PTEN were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot (WB); PTEN m⁶A levels were measured by RNA immunoprecipitation-qPCR (RIP-qPCR); myelin ultrastructure, expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) and neurofascin 155 (NF155), and dendritic spine density were observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and primary neuron culture. ResultsBehaviorally, knockdown of METTL14 significantly counteracted the beneficial effects of acupuncture in improving self-grooming, open field exploration, three-chamber social interaction, and Morris water maze learning and memory (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the acupuncture+sh-NC group, the acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group showed significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression of hippocampal METTL14 (P<0.01), and the upregulating effects of acupuncture on METTL3 and PTEN expression were reversed (P<0.01). Meanwhile, knockdown of METTL14 significantly inhibited the acupuncture-induced increase in PTEN m⁶A levels (P<0.01). Morphologically, knockdown of METTL14 attenuated the improvement of myelin structure by acupuncture, reversed the downregulation of MBP and upregulation of NF155 induced by acupuncture, and blocked the increase in dendritic spine density (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionMETTL14 is a key molecule mediating the therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Neiguan. Acupuncture at Neiguan upregulates METTL14, thereby enhancing m⁶A methylation modification of PTEN mRNA to stabilize its expression, ultimately promoting myelin development and improving behavioral symptoms in ASD juvenile rats. This preliminarily reveals the modern biological connotation of “opening Xuanfu and dredging myelin”.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of aspirin curcumin ester （CA） on the activation and glucose metabolism reprogramming of the mouse microglia （BV2） model of inflammation induced by high glucose/β-amyloid （Aβ）_1-42， and to explore the potential mechanism of CA in reducing neuroinflammatory response in the brain. MethodsThe BV2 activation model was constructed by high glucose combined with Aβ_1-42 oligomers. BV2 cells were treated with Aβ_1-42 oligomers （10 μmol·L^-1） in a high glucose （50 mmol·L^-1） environment and allocated into normal， high glucose， Aβ， and high glucose + Aβ groups. The cell morphology of each group was observed under a bright field. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was adopted to assess the mRNA levels of inflammatory factors including tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and interleukin-1β （IL-1β） as well as glycolysis-related glucose transporter type 1 （GLUT1）， hexokinase 2 （HK2）， phospofructokinase-2/fructose-2，6-bisphosphatase 3 （PFKFB3）， and pyruvate kinase M2 （PKM2）. To reveal the effects of CA on inflammatory response and glucose metabolism in BV2 cells exposed to high glucose/Aβ_1-42， this study established the BV2 cell model of inflammatory activation by high glucose and Aβ_1-42 oligomer intervention. The cells were allocated into normal， model （50 mmol·L^-1 glucose + 10 μmol·L^-1 Aβ_1-42）， CA （10 μmol·L^-1）， 2DG （0.2 mmol·L^-1）， and DADA （1 mmol·L^-1） groups. Cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） was used to detect cell survival rate. The cell morphology of each group was observed under a bright field. The expression of inflammatory factors TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β and glycolysis-related key enzymes GLUT1， HK2， PFKFB3， and PKM2 at the mRNA level in each group was measured by real-time PCR. The protein levels of GLUT1， HK2， PFKFB3， and PKM2 were determined by Western blot. The glycolysis rate in each group was measured by seahorse. LC-MS was employed to identify the glucose metabolism intermediates. The morphology of mitochondria in cells was observed by electron microscopy. ResultsConstruction of the BV2 cell model： Compared with the normal group， the Aβ group and the high glucose + Aβ group showed more amoeboid-shaped cells and cell aggregation. The high glucose + Aβ group exhibited increased the mRNA levels of TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， as well as those of key glycolytic enzymes GLUT1， HK2， PFKFB3， and PKM2 （P<0.01）. The Aβ group also showed significantly increased mRNA levels of PKM2 and PFKFB3 （P<0.01）. Effects of CA on the inflammatory response and glucose metabolism in BV2 cells exposed to high glucose/Aβ_1-42： Compared with the normal group， the model group exhibited amoeboid-shaped cells and cell aggregation， upregulated mRNA levels of TNF-α， IL-1β， IL-6， iNOS， GLUT1， HK2， PFKFB3， and PKM2 （P<0.01） and protein levels of GLUT1， HK2， and PFKFB3 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， an increased basal glycolysis rate （P<0.01）， a decreased compensatory glycolysis rate （P<0.01）， increased glycolytic intermediates and reduced TCA cycle intermediates. In addition， the mitochondria in the model group exhibited a decreased number （P<0.05）， impaired crista integrity （P<0.01）， an increased proportion of vacuolization （P<0.01）， and abnormal mitochondrial morphology. Compared with those in the model group， the number of amoeboid-shaped BV2 cells reduced in the CA and 2DG groups， while most BV2 cells in the DADA group became elongated spindle-shaped. All the three treatment groups showed downregulated mRNA levels of TNF-α， IL-1β， IL-6， GLUT1， HK2， PFKFB3， and PKM2 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， downregulated protein levels of GLUT1， HK2， and PFKFB3 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and slow compensatory glycolysis and basal glycolysis （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Glycolytic intermediates were decreased and TCA cycle intermediates were increased in the CA and 2DG groups. Mitochondrial morphology largely returned to the normal level in all the three treatment groups， with an increase in mitochondrial number （P<0.05）， improved crista integrity （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and a decreased proportion of vacuolization （P<0.05）. ConclusionAβ_1-42 oligomers can activate BV2 cells and enhance glycolytic activity in the high glucose environment. CA can reduce the expression of inflammatory factors and inhibit the activation of BV2 cells by regulating the glucose metabolism reprogramming in BV2 cells.

The objective assessment of hearing loss is one of the critical components in forensic clini-cal research.Auditory brainstem response(ABR)is an important method for objectively assessing hearing levels.It is divided into various types based on different stimulus signals,each with its own characteris-tics and applications.Among them,narrow-band Chirp ABR,due to its frequency specificity,fulfills the basic requirements for objective assessment of forensic audiology,promising to be an important method of objective hearing assessment in forensic medicine.This article reviews the development history,charac-teristics and clinical applications of Chirp ABR,and envisions its application prospects in forensic audi-tory identification.

Aim To investigate the effect of adenovirus(ADV)-mediated Profurin(PF)expression on the plaque stability of ApoE-/-mice.Methods ApoE-/-mice were fed with high-fat diet for 8 weeks,and then treated with ADV-mediated PF intervention,followed by high-fat diet for 4 weeks.Aortic roots were isolated for atherosclerotic plaque area analysis and immunohistochemical analysis.Plasma phospholipid transfer protein(PLTP)activity was detec-ted by fluorescence donor essay,plasma total cholesterol(TC)and triglyceride(TG)were measured by enzyme assay kits,and fast protein liquid chromatography was used for lipoprotein profile analysis.Results Compared with the con-trol group,the plasma TC and TG levels,PLTP activity and circulating tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-6(IL-6)levels in ADV-PF group were significantly decreased(P＜0.01).In the ADV-PF group,there was no significant change in atherosclerotic lesions on the inner surface of the full-length aorta,but the plaque area and lipid area in the aortic root were reduced(P＜0.01),the content of macrophages was significantly decreased(P＜0.01),and the smooth muscle cells and collagen area were not significantly different.The content of matrix metalloproteinase-9 in plaque was signifi-cantly decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusion Overexpression of PF can alleviate atherosclerosis and reduce the levels of circulating inflammatory factors to a certain extent,and effectively improve the plaque stability of ApoE-/-mice.

To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the mechanosensitive ion channel PI-EZO2 in osteoarthritis(OA),we developed a lentiviral vector for endogenous PIEZO2 overexpression and established a stable PIEZO2-high-expressing immortalized human primary chondrocyte line.By map-ping the open reading frame of the PIEZO2 locus and designing sequence-specific sgRNA,we employed the CRISPR/Cas9 synergistic activation mediator(SAM)system to precisely integrate transcriptional ac-tivation elements into the PIEZO2 promoter region.Lentiviral-mediated targeted genomic integration en-sured endogenous PIEZO2 overexpression,confirmed by mCherry fluorescence tracing coupled with flow cytometric sorting,which revealed membrane-specific localization of PIEZO2 protein(localization effi-ciency:78.49％).Quantitative PCR demonstrated a 17-fold upregulation of PIEZO2 mRNA,while Western blotting validated enhanced membrane-localized protein expression.Strikingly,PIEZO2-overex-pressing chondrocytes exhibited hallmark OA metabolic phenotypes compared to wild-type controls:typeⅡ collagen mRNA expression decreased to 50％of baseline levels,whereas matrix metalloproteinase 13(MMP13)mRNA surged by 20-fold.These alterations recapitulated the pathological matrix metabolic phenotype observed in biomechanical OA models induced by cyclic mechanical stress(10％strain,0.5 Hz,8 h/day for 2 consecutive days).Collectively,we successfully generated a human chondrocyte model with stable PIEZO2 overexpression,which faithfully mirrors mechanotransduction-driven OA progression.This engineered cellular system provides a robust platform for dissecting PIEZO2-mediated mechanosig-naling networks and advancing targeted therapeutic discovery.

The life view of physique-qi-spirit trinity is the core theory for explaining the physiological activities of human body and the evolution of disease pathology in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),and will bring about an overview of TCM tumorigenesis.This paper explores the biological basis of tumor from the perspective of disorders of physique,qi and spirit:there is a correlation between qi-physique transformation and energy and substance metabolism,and between spirit-emotion and neuromodulation;the nerve-metabolism pathway contributes to partial biological basis of tumor from the perspective of disorders of physique,qi and spirit.Furthermore,it puts forward the strategies for prevention and treatment with TCM through the simultaneous regulation of physique,qi and spirit:eliminating the mass to inhibit the tumor,and improving physique to preserve life in the view of treating physique;replenishing qi to strengthen the body,and ventilating qi to remove toxins in the view of treating qi;regulating the spirit to treat cancer through comprehensive therapy in the view of treating spirit.The exploration on the biological basis of tumor from the perspective of disorders of physique,qi and spirit will further embody the unique advantages of TCM theories in understanding malignant tumors,and will provide useful references for the model of synergistic prevention and treatment of malignant tumors with TCM.

ObjectiveThis study leverages structural data from antigen-antibody complexes of the influenza A virus neuraminidase (NA) protein to investigate the spatial recognition relationship between the antigenic epitopes and antibody paratopes. MethodsStructural data on NA protein antigen-antibody complexes were comprehensively collected from the SAbDab database, and processed to obtain the amino acid sequences and spatial distribution information on antigenic epitopes and corresponding antibody paratopes. Statistical analysis was conducted on the antibody sequences, frequency of use of genes, amino acid preferences, and the lengths of complementarity determining regions (CDR). Epitope hotspots for antibody binding were analyzed, and the spatial structural similarity of antibody paratopes was calculated and subjected to clustering, which allowed for a comprehensively exploration of the spatial recognition relationship between antigenic epitopes and antibodies. The specificity of antibodies targeting different antigenic epitope clusters was further validated through bio-layer interferometry (BLI) experiments. ResultsThe collected data revealed that the antigen-antibody complex structure data of influenza A virus NA protein in SAbDab database were mainly from H3N2, H7N9 and H1N1 subtypes. The hotspot regions of antigen epitopes were primarily located around the catalytic active site. The antibodies used for structural analysis were primarily derived from human and murine sources. Among murine antibodies, the most frequently used V-J gene combination was IGHV1-12*01/IGHJ2*01, while for human antibodies, the most common combination was IGHV1-69*01/IGHJ6*01. There were significant differences in the lengths and usage preferences of heavy chain CDR amino acids between antibodies that bind within the catalytic active site and those that bind to regions outside the catalytic active site. The results revealed that structurally similar antibodies could recognize the same epitopes, indicating a specific spatial recognition between antibody and antigen epitopes. Structural overlap in the binding regions was observed for antibodies with similar paratope structures, and the competitive binding of these antibodies to the epitope was confirmed through BLI experiments. ConclusionThe antigen epitopes of NA protein mainly ditributed around the catalytic active site and its surrounding loops. Spatial complementarity and electrostatic interactions play crucial roles in the recognition and binding of antibodies to antigenic epitopes in the catalytic region. There existed a spatial recognition relationship between antigens and antibodies that was independent of the uniqueness of antibody sequences, which means that antibodies with different sequences could potentially form similar local spatial structures and recognize the same epitopes.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the short-term efficacy and safety of low-dose venetoclax combined with CHG (cytarabine+homoharringtonine+G-CSF) priming regimen in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) ineligible for intensive chemotherapy. METHODS: The data of 14 patients with AML or high-risk MDS admitted to the department of hematology/oncology of the First Hospital of Tsinghua University and 2 cooperative institutions from July 2022 to August 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients were treated with low-dose venetoclax combined with CHG priming regimen and the early induction (one course) efficacy and adverse reactions were observed. RESULTS: Among the 14 patients, 10 were males and 4 were females, with a median age of 69.5 (46-83) years. After 1 cycle of induction chemotherapy, the complete remission (CR) rate was 64.3% (9/14) and overall response rate (ORR) was 78.6% (11/14). Among the 10 patients with adverse prognosis according to cytogenetics and molecular genetics, the CR rate was 50.0% (5/10), and ORR was 70.0% (7/10). In 7 patients with TP53 mutation, the CR rate was 42.9% (3/7) and ORR was 71.4% (5/7). In the 6 patients with complex karyotype, CR rate was 33.3% (2/6) and ORR was 66.7% (4/6). While the CR rate and ORR of 8 non-complex karyotype patients were both 87.5% (7/8), and the difference in CR rate between patients with complex karyotype and non-complex karyotype was statistically significant ( P < 0.05). The adverse reactions of chemotherapy were tolerable, without early treatment-related deaths. CONCLUSION Low-dose venetoclax combined with CHG priming regimen can be used as an effective treatment for AML and high-risk MDS patients who are ineligible for intensive chemotherapy, and it is safe and worthy of clinical application.
Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy* ; Aged ; Male ; Female ; Sulfonamides/therapeutic use* ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes/drug therapy* ; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic/therapeutic use* ; Aged, 80 and over ; Retrospective Studies ; Cytarabine/administration & dosage* ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use* ; Homoharringtonine/therapeutic use*