Animal experiments are an essential component of life sciences and medical research. However, the external validity and reliability of individual animal studies are frequently challenged by inherent limitations such as small sample sizes, high design heterogeneity, and poor reproducibility, which impede the effective translation of research findings into clinical practice. Systematic reviews and meta-analysis represent a key methodology for integrating existing evidence and enhancing the robustness of conclusions. Currently, however, the application of systematic reviews and meta-analysis in the field of animal experiments lacks standardized guidelines for their conduct and reporting, resulting in inconsistent quality and, to some extent, diminishing their evidence value. To address this issue, this paper aims to systematically delineate the reporting process for systematic reviews and meta-analysis of animal experiments and to propose a set of standardized recommendations that are both scientific and practical. The article's scope encompasses the entire process, from the preliminary preparatory phase [including formulating the population， intervention， comparison and outcome （PICO） question, assessing feasibility, and protocol pre-registration] to the key writing points for each section of the main report. In the core methods section, the paper elaborates on how to implement literature searches, establish eligibility criteria, perform data extraction, and assess the risk of bias, based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis （PRISMA) statement, in conjunction with relevant guidelines and tools such as Animal Research： Reporting of in Vivo Experiments （ARRIVE) and a risk of bias assessment tool developed by the Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory Animal Experimentation (SYRCLE). For the presentation of results, strategies are proposed for clear and transparent display using flow diagrams and tables of characteristics. The discussion section places particular emphasis on how to scientifically interpret pooled effects, thoroughly analyze sources of heterogeneity, evaluate the impact of publication bias, and cautiously discuss the validity and limitations of extrapolating findings from animal studies to clinical settings. Furthermore, this paper recommends adopting the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology to comprehensively grade the quality of evidence. Through a modular analysis of the entire reporting process, this paper aims to provide researchers in the field with a clear and practical guide, thereby promoting the standardized development of systematic reviews and meta-analysis of animal experiments and enhancing their application value in scientific decision-making and translational medicine.

Palmatine, the main effective ingredient of Fibraurea recisa, is a typical berberine isoquinoline alkaloid with extensive anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities. In this work, the studies of metabolomics and transcriptomics were utilized to detect differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that are significantly associated with the synthesis of palmatine. In addition, eight of these DEGs were verified by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). A total of 106 alkaloids were detected in the metabolomics study, including 23 isoquinoline alkaloids. Palmatine ranked in the top ten of differential metabolites in the group of root vs leaf, and its relative content in root was about 47.5 times higher than that in leaf. In the transcriptomics study, a total of 188 genes were annotated to the pathway of isoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis. Among them, there were 36 DEGs were significantly different. In the comparison group of root and leaf, a total of 33 DEGs were significantly different, and 30 DEGs were annotated on the biosynthetic pathway of palmatine. Finally, the results of the correlation analysis between metabolomics and transcriptomics showed that the expression patterns of four gene sequences were screened to be significantly correlated with palmatine. The results of qRT-PCR experiments showed that the expression trends of eight DEGs were consistent with the results of transcriptomic. This study not only enriched the omics data of F. recisa, but also established the foundation for the study of the synthetic biology of palmatine. It further provided a reference for the analysis of the key enzyme genes on the biosynthetic pathway of other isoquinoline alkaloids.

italic>Cynanchum wallichii and Cynanchum otophyllum belong to the genus Cynanchum in the family Apocynaceae, and are important medicinal plants. In this study, we sequenced and assembled the chloroplast genomes of C. wallichii and C. otophyllum, and performed a phylogenetic analysis of the structural characteristics of their chloroplast genomes and their phylogenetic positions. The results showed that the chloroplast genomes of both C. wallichii and C. otophyllum had a typical tetrad structure, with 133 genes annotated, and the total GC contents of both were similar. Codon preference analysis showed that the relative synonymous codon usage in the chloroplast genomes of C. wallichii and C. otophyllum differed slightly, but the differences were not significant, and there was a strong A or U preference at the third codon position. In both chloroplast genomes, 91 and 103 simple sequence repeats were detected respectively, and the largest proportion of A/T type repeats. Nucleotide polymorphism analysis showed that the nucleotide diversity of the intergenic sequences in the chloroplast genome of genus Cynanchum were generally higher than those of the common gene sequences. A pair of primers was designed based on the high variation region of the chloroplast genome to identify C. wallichii and C. otophyllum. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the C. wallichii and Cynanchum thesioides were the closest relatives, while the C. otophyllum, Cynanchum bungei and Cynanchum wilfordii formed a stable monophyletic clade within the genus Cynanchum, and the three species were closely related. The comparative analysis of the chloroplast genomic characteristics and phylogeny of C. wallichii and C. otophyllum will provide a theoretical basis for the species identification of the two plants and for the study of genetic diversity and phylogeny of the genus Cynanchum.

Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of scrub typhus disease and to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of scrub typhus disease. Methods Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the population and regional distribution of scrub typhus. Seasonal characteristics were analyzed using concentration method and circular distribution method, and incidence trend was analyzed using joinpoint regression model. Results The annual incidence rate of scrub typhus was 0.95/100 000 from 2010 to 2022. The incidence rate of male was 0.77/100 000, lower than that of female 1.12/100 000 (χ²=18.89, P<0.05). The incidence rate of the 60-74 years old group was 3.38/100,000, and the total number of cases in the age group 45-74 years was 416 (74.95%). Occupational distribution was mainly among farmers, with 448 cases (80.72%). The top three regions with the highest number of reported cases (in order: Donghai County, Ganyu District, and Guannan County) reported a total of 416 cases, accounting for 74.95%. Concentration ratio was M=0.9408, and the incidence of scrub typhus disease was strictly seasonal. Circular distribution results showed a^-=-62.3728, S=20.8960. The circular distribution results indicated that the peak day was October 19th, and the peak period was between October 7 to December 19. The average annual percentage change (AAPC) of the incidence rate from 2010 to 2022 was 13.70%, 95% CI (-8.62%~41.48%), and the incidence rate showed an upward trend (t=1.15, P=0.249). Conclusion The incidence of scrub typhus disease is strictly seasonal, and the incidence rate over the years shows an upward trend. It is necessary to strengthen monitoring and take various intervention measures to reduce the risk of scrub typhus disease.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) diseases are common clinical conditions. The number of patients with TMJ diseases is large, and the etiology, epidemiology, disease spectrum, and treatment of the disease remain controversial and unknown. To understand and master the current situation of the occurrence, development and prevention of TMJ diseases, as well as to identify the patterns in etiology, incidence, drug sensitivity, and prognosis is crucial for alleviating patients′suffering.This will facilitate in-depth medical research, effective disease prevention measures, and the formulation of corresponding health policies. Cohort construction and research has an irreplaceable role in precise disease prevention and significant improvement in diagnosis and treatment levels. Large-scale cohort studies are needed to explore the relationship between potential risk factors and outcomes of TMJ diseases, and to observe disease prognoses through long-term follw-ups. The consensus aims to establish a standard conceptual frame work for a cohort study on patients with TMJ disease while providing ideas for cohort data standards to this condition. TMJ disease cohort data consists of both common data standards applicable to all specific disease cohorts as well as disease-specific data standards. Common data were available for each specific disease cohort. By integrating different cohort research resources, standard problems or study variables can be unified. Long-term follow-up can be performed using consistent definitions and criteria across different projects for better core data collection. It is hoped that this consensus will be facilitate the development cohort studies of TMJ diseases.

Objective:To explore the genetic basis for a Chinese pedigree affected with co-morbid Ornithine carbamoyl transferase deficiency (OTCD) and MECP2 duplication syndrome.Methods:A proband who was admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Gansu Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital on December 19, 2017 was selected as the study subject. High-throughput sequencing and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) were carried out for her pedigree, and short tandem repeat-based linkage analysis and chromosome copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq) were used for the prenatal diagnosis.Results:The proband, a 3-day-old female, was found to harbor heterozygous deletion of exons 7-9 of the OTC gene. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the variant was classified as likely pathogenic (PVS1+ PM2_Supporting+ PP4). The proband was diagnosed with OTCD, which was in keeping with her acute encephalopathy and metabolic abnormalities (manifesting as hyperammonemia, decreased blood citrulline, and increased urine orotic acid). Prenatal diagnosis was carried out for the subsequent pregnancy. The fetus did not harbor the exons 7-9 deletion of the OTC gene, but was found to carry a duplication in Xq28 region (which encompassed the whole region of MECP2 duplication syndrome) and was positive for the SRY sequence. The same duplication was also found in the proband and her mother. Considering the possible existence of X-chromosome inactivation, the proband was diagnosed with two X-linked recessive disorders including OTCD and MECP2 duplication syndrome, and the fetus was determined as a male affected with the MECP2 duplication syndrome. Conclusion:Discoveries of the pathogenic variants underlying the OTCD and MECP2 duplication syndrome have enabled clinical intervention, treatment, genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for this pedigree.

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 investigate the changes and clinical significance of serum soluble intercellular ad-hesion molecule-1(sICAM-1),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and soluble across a membrane protein(sFas)in acute leukemia.Methods A total of patients with acute leukemia admitted to the People's Hospital of Anyue County from May 2020 to May 2022 were selected as the observation group,and 65 healthy people who underwent physical examination in the hospital during the same period were selected as the control group.All patients were treated with chemotherapy after admission,and followed up by telephone and outpa-tient for 1 year.The levels of serum sICAM-1,VEGF and sFas were compared between the two groups,and the levels of serum sICAM-1,VEGF and sFas were compared between the patients with different efficacy and different prognosis.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was established to evaluate the predic-tive value of related indicators for the efficacy and prognosis of acute leukemia.Results Compared with con-trol group,the levels of serum sICAM 1,VEGF,sFas in the observation group were increased(P＜0.05).Compared with the non-complete remission(CR)patients,the serum VEGF level in CR patients was signifi-cantly increased(P＜0.05).Compared with the good prognosis patients,the levels of serum sICAM-1,VEGF and sFas in the poor prognosis patients were increased(P＜0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of VEGF in evaluating the efficacy of acute leukemia was 0.778.The AUC for evalua-ting the prognosis of acute leukemia with sICAM-1,VEGF,and sFas alone and in combination were 0.793,0.729,0.666,and 0.889,respectively.Conclusion The levels of serum sICAM-1,VEGF and sFas are in-creased in patients with acute leukemia.The combination of sICAM-1,VEGF and sFas has certain clinical ref-erence value in evaluating the efficacy and prognosis of acute leukemia.

Objective To establish a real-time fluorescent recombinase polymerase amplification(RPA)technology for the detection of the virulence gene exoS of Pseudomonas aeruginosa,and evaluate the specifici-ty,sensitivity and practicability of the method.Methods According to the specific conserved region of the vir-ulence gene exoS of Pseudomonas aeruginosa,the specific primers and probes of RPA were designed,and the extracted target DNA was detected to determine the specificity and sensitivity of RPA.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(qPCR)was established to detect the target DNA,and the detection limits of different detec-tion methods for Pseudomonas aeruginosa were compared.The feasibility of RPA in detecting Pseudomonas aeruginosa was further confirmed by the performance verification test of clinical samples.Results The estab-lished RPA detection method had good specificity.Only Pseudomonas aeruginosa had specific amplification curve,but no specific amplification curve for other bacteria.The sensitivity of RPA was 5×102 cfu/mL,which was consistent with the detection limit of qPCR and the results were reliable.The detection time of RPA method was only 30 min,which was significantly lower than that of the traditional method.Conclusion The RPA method for the detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa established in this study has high specificity and sensitivity,and significantly shortens the detection time compared with the traditional detection method.It can be used for the rapid detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in clinical specimens.

Objective To investigate the distribution of the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)constitution types in the patients with nonspecific low back pain(NLBP)and to explore the correlation of the thickness of ligamentum flavum with the age,body mass index(BMI),gender,the presence of diabetes mellitus,and the grading of hypertension.Methods Sixty patients with NLBP admitted to Guangdong Second Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital from January 2023 to June 2023 were selected as the study subjects.The TCM constitution types of the patients were identified,the thickness of the ligamentum flavum at lumbar vertebrae 4/5 segment(L4/5)disc level was measured by computerized tomography(CT)scanning,and the patients'age,genders,TCM constitution types,BMI,the presence or absence of diabetes mellitus,and hypertension grading were recorded.Correlation analysis and linear regression analysis were used for the exploration of the relevant influencing factors for the thickness of the ligamentum flavum of patients with NLBP.Results(1)The average thickness of ligamentum flavum in the 60 patients with NLBP was(2.60±0.72)mm.(2)The TCM constitutions of NLBP patients were classified into four types,of which blood stasis constitution was the most common,accounting for 21 cases(35.0%),followed by 19 cases(31.7%)of damp-heat constitution,12 cases(20.0%)of phlegm-damp constitution,and 8 cases(13.3%)of qi deficiency constitution.(3)The results of correlation analysis showed that BMI,gender,TCM constitution type and the presence or absence of diabetes mellitus had no influence on the thickness of ligamentum flavum in NLBP patients(P＞0.05),while the age and hypertension grading had an influence on the thickness of ligamentum flavum(P＜0.01).(4)The results of linear regression analysis showed that the age had an influence on the thickness of the ligamentum flavum(b = 0.034,t = 6.282,P＜0.01),while the influence of the hypertension grading had no influence on the thickness of the ligamentum flavum(P＞0.05).Conclusion The TCM constitution type of NLBP patients is predominated by blood stasis constitution,the thickness of ligamentum flavum is significantly affected by the age,and hypertension may be a potential factor affecting the thickness of ligamentum flavum.