Background: Adrenocortical hormones, particularly 11-oxygenated androgens, are pivotal in female reproductive health and fertility. Standardized detection kits and population-specific reference intervals are lacking in China, hindering related clinical applications. Methods: A HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) pipeline was developed, rigorously validated, and applied to simultaneously quantify corticosterone, cortisone, cortisol, 18-OH cortisol, androstenedione (A4), 11β-hydroxyandrostenedione (11-OH A4), dehydroepiandrosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in serum samples from 455 reproductive-aged women (18–45 yrs) in Guangxi, China. Age-dependent concentration trends were analyzed, and reference intervals stratified by age (2.5th to 97.5th percentiles) were established. Correlations with body-composition metrics, ethnicity, and the menstrual cycle were investigated. Results: The HPLC-MS/MS method demonstrated high precision (intra- and inter-assay CVs < 15%), accuracy, and sensitivity. All eight hormones exhibited significant age-related declines (P < 0.001 for seven hormones; P = 0.001 for 11-OH A4). Notably, 11-OH A4 levels were significantly lower in the 35–45-yr (3.05 nmol/L) and 25–34-yr (3.09 nmol/L) age groups than in the 18–24-yr (3.57 nmol/L) age group, whereas no significant difference was observed between the 35–45-yr and 25–34-yr age groups. Weak negative correlations were observed between the body mass index and corticosterone and cortisone levels, whereas ethnicity and the menstrual cycle showed no significant associations with hormone levels. Conclusions We developed an HPLC-MS/MS-based method for simultaneously quantifying eight adrenocortical hormones, including 11-OH A4, and defined age-specific reference intervals for reproductive-aged Chinese women. These findings advance the clinical utility of adrenocortical hormones in diagnosing and managing reproductive disorders.

Objective To understand mosquito density, species composition, and seasonal variations around the Beijing Capital International Airport(BCIA)and provide scientific evidence for mosquito-borne disease prevention and control. Methods Meteorological data were collected from 2016 to 2022, and mosquito density was monitored at seven surveillance sites around the BCIA from May to October each year using CO2-baited mosquito traps to analyze the relationship between mosquito density and meteorological factors. Results In total,68 518 female mosquitoes were captured, with a mosquito density of 10.20 per light · hour. The dominant species was Culex pipiens pallens(73.90%), followed by Aedes albopictus(9.71%)and Ae. vexans(9.29%);the mosquito density was highest in 2016(14.8 per light·hour)and lowest in 2022(4.46 per light·hour). Significant statistical differences were observed in mosquito density among different species(F=18.118, P<0.05). The density of Cx. pipiens pallens and other mosquito species showed a mutually exclusive trend; the peak of mosquito density varied based on years and habitats, with significant statistical differences in mosquito density among different habitats(F=8.504, P<0.05). The highest mosquito density was observed near the Wenyu River(21.50 per light·hour), whereas the lowest was recorded at the BCIA construction site(2.44 per light· hour). The monthly average temperature(r=0.595), monthly average highest temperature(r=0.575), and monthly average lowest temperature(r=0.624)showed moderate positive correlations, whereas the monthly average air pressure(r=-0.484)showed a moderate negative correlation. The monthly average minimum temperature was included in the regression model(F=25.575, P<0.000), and the equation Y=1.029X4-8.181 was used. The monthly average air pressure 2 months prior(b=-2.418, β=-1.619, P<0.05)and the monthly average relative humidity(b=-0.739, β=-1.201, P<0.05)significantly negatively predicted the mosquito density. Notably, the regression equation used was y=2526.170+(-2.418)X9+(-0.739)X13. The exposure-response analysis revealed that the density of mosquitoes was not linearly related to the average monthly air pressure, rainfall, and duration of sunshine. Conclusions The dominant mosquito species around the BCIA was Cx. pipiens pallens, Ae. albopictus, and Ae. vexans. During the control of Cx. pipiens pallens, the impact on other mosquito species must also be considered. Environmental management, breeding sites, and scientific use of pesticides should be prioritized based on the activity periods of mosquitoes. Further studies on mosquitoes and meteorological factors should be conducted to provide references and novel avenues for mosquito control.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by persistent inflammation and joint damage, accompanied by the accumulation of plasma cells, which contributes to its pathogenesis. Understanding the genetic alterations occurring during plasma cell differentiation in RA can deepen our comprehension of its pathogenesis and guide the development of targeted therapeutic interventions. Here, our study elucidates the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying plasma cell differentiation by demonstrating that PRDX1 interacts with DOK3 and modulates its degradation by the autophagy-lysosome pathway. This interaction results in the inhibition of plasma cell differentiation, thereby alleviating the progression of collagen-induced arthritis. Additionally, our investigation identifies Salvianolic acid B (SAB) as a potent small molecular glue-like compound that enhances the interaction between PRDX1 and DOK3, consequently impeding the progression of collagen-induced arthritis by inhibiting plasma cell differentiation. Collectively, these findings underscore the therapeutic potential of developing chemical stabilizers for the PRDX1-DOK3 complex in suppressing plasma cell differentiation for RA treatment and establish a theoretical basis for targeting PRDX1-protein interactions as specific therapeutic targets in various diseases.

Patients suffering from nerve injury often experience exacerbated pain responses and complain of memory deficits. The dorsal hippocampus (dHPC), a well-defined region responsible for learning and memory, displays maladaptive plasticity upon injury, which is assumed to underlie pain hypersensitivity and cognitive deficits. However, much attention has thus far been paid to intracellular mechanisms of plasticity rather than extracellular alterations that might trigger and facilitate intracellular changes. Emerging evidence has shown that nerve injury alters the microarchitecture of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and decreases ECM rigidity in the dHPC. Despite this, it remains elusive which element of the ECM in the dHPC is affected and how it contributes to neuropathic pain and comorbid cognitive deficits. Laminin, a key element of the ECM, consists of α-, β-, and γ-chains and has been implicated in several pathophysiological processes. Here, we showed that peripheral nerve injury downregulates laminin β1 (LAMB1) in the dHPC. Silencing of hippocampal LAMB1 exacerbates pain sensitivity and induces cognitive dysfunction. Further mechanistic analysis revealed that loss of hippocampal LAMB1 causes dysregulated Src/NR2A signaling cascades via interaction with integrin β1, leading to decreased Ca²⁺ levels in pyramidal neurons, which in turn orchestrates structural and functional plasticity and eventually results in exaggerated pain responses and cognitive deficits. In this study, we shed new light on the functional capability of hippocampal ECM LAMB1 in the modulation of neuropathic pain and comorbid cognitive deficits, and reveal a mechanism that conveys extracellular alterations to intracellular plasticity. Moreover, we identified hippocampal LAMB1/integrin β1 signaling as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of neuropathic pain and related memory loss.
Animals ; Laminin/genetics* ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Neuralgia/metabolism* ; Cognitive Dysfunction/etiology* ; Male ; Peripheral Nerve Injuries/metabolism* ; Extracellular Matrix/metabolism* ; Integrin beta1/metabolism* ; Pyramidal Cells/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction

AIM To establish the HPLC characteristic chromatograms for Yixin Fumai Granules,and to determine the contents of sodium danshensu,protocatechualdehyde,chlorogenic acid,calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside,ferulic acid,rosalinic acid,salvianolic acid A,salvianolic acid B,schisandrol A.METHODS The analysis was performed on a 35 ℃ thermostatic Acutfex PA-C18 column(4.6 mm ×250 mm,5 μm),with the mobile phase comprising of acetonitrile-0.1％phosphoric acid flowing at 1.0 mL/min in a gradient elution manner,and the detection wavelengths were set at 210,250,280,320 nm.Subsequently,cluster analysis and principal component analysis were performed.RESULTS There were 11 characteristic peaks in the characteristic chromatograms for 15 batches of samples with the similarities of more than 0.980.Nine constituents showed good linear relationships within their own ranges(r≥0.999 6),whose average recoveries were 97.60％-107.02％with the RSDs of 0.78％-1.87％.Various batches of samples were clustered into 4 categories,2 principal components demonstrated the accumulative variance contribution rate of 89.454％.CONCLUSION This sensitive and reproducible method can provide a reference for the quality evaluation and control of Yixin Fumai Granules.

Objective To observe the effects of Ditan Yizhi Decoction on Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and mitochondrial autophagy in vascular dementia(VD)rats.Methods Totally 70 male SD rats were randomly selected as the sham-operation group,with only the common carotid artery isolated and not ligated,and the rest of the rats were used to prepare a rat model of VD by the modified bilateral common carotid artery permanent ligature method.The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into model group,donepezil group,agonist group and Ditan Yizhi Decoction low-,medium-and high-dosage groups and were given corresponding interventions for 4 weeks.Morris water maze experiment was used to assess the learning and memory ability of rats,HE staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the morphology of hippocampal tissue,transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of hippocampal neuron,Western blot was used to detect the expressions of PINK1,Parkin,p62,Beclin-1,LC3BⅡ/Ⅰ,β-catenin,GSK-3β,p-GSK-3β protein.Results Compared with the sham-operation group,rats in the model group had a prolonged escape latency(P<0.01),a reduced number of crossing platforms(P<0.01);neuronal gaps in the CA1 area of the hippocampus were enlarged,with irregular cell morphology and blurred borders,neuronal solidification,Nissl bodies dissolution and fragmentation,reduced quantity,mitochondrial cristae disorder,and disruption of the structure of the bilayer membrane,with a greater number of autophagosomes in the surroundings;the expressions of PINK1,Parkin,Beclin-1,LC3BⅡ/I,β-catenin,p-GSK-3β/GSK-3β protein were significantly increased(P<0.01),and p62 protein expression was significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the escape latency of rats in donepezil group,agonist group and Ditan Yizhi Decoction low-,medium-and high-dosage groups were significantly shortened(P<0.01),and the number of crossing platforms significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01);the number of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region increased,with normal morphology and orderly arrangement,Nissl bodies were abundant,and transmission electron microscopy showed that mitochondrial morphology recovered,rupture decreased,and autophagosomes around mitochondria decreased,the protein expressions of PINK1,Parkin,Beclin-1,LC3BⅡ/Ⅰ,β-catenin and p-GSK-3β/GSK-3β in hippocampal tissue were significantly decreased(P<0.01),the protein expression of p62 significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Ditan Yizhi Decoction can improve learning memory ability and neuronal morphology in VD rats,and its mechanism may be related to the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to inhibit mitophagy.

Objective To observe the effects of Ditan Yizhi Decoction on mitochondrial dynamics-mediated glucose metabolism in vascular dementia(VaD)rats based on the ROS/Drp1 axis;To explore its mechanism in treating VaD.Methods Ten male SD rats were randomly selected from 70 as the sham-operation group,and VaD models were prepared using the modified bilateral common carotid artery permanent ligation method for the remaining rats.The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into model group,positive drug group(donepezil hydrochloride),inhibitor group(Mdivi-1)and Ditan Yizhi Decoction low-,medium-and high-dosage groups(12.86,25.725,51.45 g/kg),and intervened with corresponding method for 4 consecutive weeks.Morris water maze experiment was used to assess the learning memory ability of rats,HE and Nissl staining were used to observe the morphology of hippocampal tissue,transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the mitochondrial ultrastructure of hippocampal neurons,DHE fluorescent probe was used to detect the content of ROS in hippocampal neurons,Western blot was used to detect the expressions of Drp1,p-Drp1,Mfn2,Opa1,HK1,PKM2,GLUT1 and LDHA,the contents of serum IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α were detected by ELISA.Results Compared with the sham-operation group,rats in the model group had a prolonged escape latency(P<0.01)and a reduced number of crossing platforms(P<0.01);neuronal gaps in the CA1 region of the hippocampus were enlarged,with irregular cell morphology and blurred borders,neuronal consolidation,lysis and fragmentation of Nissl bodies and reduced number of Nissl bodies,swelling and deformation of mitochondria,disorganization of the cristae,and disruption of the bilayer membrane structure;the content of ROS in CA1 region of the hippocampus was elevated,the protein expressions of Mfn2 and Opa1 significantly decreased(P<0.01),the expressions of p-Drp1,HK1,PKM2,GLUT1,LDHA proteins significantly increased(P<0.01),and serum contents of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the escape latency was significantly shortened in Ditan Yizhi Decoction groups,positive drug group and inhibitor group(P<0.01),and the number of crossing platforms increased(P<0.05,P<0.01);the number of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region increased,with normal morphology,orderly arrangement,abundant Nissl bodies,recovered mitochondrial morphology,and decreased rupture;the ROS content in hippocampal CA1 region decreased(P<0.01),while the expressions of Mfn2 and Opa1 proteins increased(P<0.01),the expressions of p-Drp1,HK1,PKM2,GLUT1 and LDHA proteins decreased(P<0.01),and the serum contents of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion Ditan Yizhi Decoction can improve cognitive impairment and neuronal morphology in VaD rats,and the mechanism maybe related to regulation of mitochondrial dynamics through the ROS/Drp1 axis,attenuating glycometabolic disorders,and reducing inflammatory response.

Cervical spinal cord injury without fracture-dislocation (CSCIWFD) is referred to as a special type of cervical spinal cord injury characterized by traumatic spinal cord dysfunction and no significant bony structural abnormalities on imagines. Duo to the high risk of missed diagnosis during the initial consultation, CSCIWFD may lead to progressive neurological deterioration or even complete paralysis, severely impacting patients′ prognosis. Currently, there are no established consensuses over the diagnosis and treatment of CSCIWFD, such as the lack of evidence-based standards for indications of non-surgical treatment and risk of secondary neurological injury, as well as debates over the optimal timing for surgical intervention and indications for different surgical approaches. To address these issues, the Spine Trauma Group of the Orthopedic Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts in the relevant fields to formulate Diagnosis and treatment guideline for acute cervical spinal cord injury without fracture- dislocation in adults ( version 2025) . Based on evidence-based medicine and the principles of scientific rigor and clinical applicability, the guidelines proposed 11 recommendations covering terminology, diagnosis, evaluation treatment, and rehabilitation, etc., aiming to standardize the management of CSCIWFD.

Vertebral refracture following percutaneous vertebral augmentation (PVA) is commonly seen in elderly patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures (OTLCF). It can lead to recurrent pain, loss of vertebral height, progression of kyphosis, and even neurological dysfunction, significantly impairing patients′ quality of life. Current diagnosis and treatment face multiple challenges, including high misdiagnosis rate, difficulty in choosing between surgical and non-surgical treatment options, lack of standardized surgical protocols, interference from intralesional bone cement during procedures, inadequate stability of internal fixation in osteoporotic bone, and suboptimal compliance of anti-osteoporotic therapy. Establishing a standardized diagnostic and therapeutic framework is urgently needed. To standardize the management process and improve outcomes for vertebral refractures after PVA in elderly OTLCF patients, Spinal Trauma Group of the Orthopedic Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts in the field to develop Guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of vertebral refracture after percutaneous vertebral augmentation in elderly patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures ( version 2025), based on current literature and clinical experience, and adhering to principles of scientific rigor and clinical applicability. A total of 11 recommendations were proposed, encompassing diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of vertebral refracture after PVA in elderly patients with OTLCF, aiming to provide a foundation for a standardized management.

Focusing on effective methods and strategies for diabetes prevention in primary healthcare settings globally, this study constructs a comprehensive clinical prevention framework tailored for community health institutions. The framework encompasses continuous prevention services across the entire diabetes cycle, targeting all population segments—including healthy individuals, those with prediabetes, early-stage diabetes, and individuals in clinical or rehabilitation phases—to establish a systematic five-level prevention system. Through comprehensive and systematic implementation of preventive activities at all levels, this approach aims to achieve universal, systematic, and sustainable diabetes prevention and control, thereby offering insights for integrated diabetes management.