This study investigated the types and distribution of rodents,and the infection status of eight pathogens in the high-altitude areas of western Sichuan,to provide a basis for control of rodent-borne diseases and pathogen surveillance in rodents in the area.From August to November of 2023,rodents were captured through the night method in high-altitude areas of western Sichuan.Nucleic acids were collected from the rodents'livers and lungs,and eight important pathogens were detected:Dabie bandavirus,Han-tavirus,Bartonella,Francisella tularensis,Anaplasma phagocytophilum,Rickettsia mooseri,Orientia tsutsugamushi,and Leptospira interrogans.The chi-square test was used to compare the composition ratios of rodent species and the difference in pathogen positivity rates among groups.A total of 114 rodents of nine species were captured.The dominant species in this area were Apodemus agrarius(22.81%),Apodemus chevrieri(18.42%),Niviventer confucianus(17.54%),Apodemus latronum(16.67%),and Apodemus peninsu-lae(13.16%).Other rodent species included Rattus nitidus(4.39%),Neodon irene(4.39%),Chodsigoa hypsibia(1.75%),and Nivi-venter excelsior(0.88%).Statistically significant differences in rodent species composition were observed among regions,altitudes,and habitats(χ2Region=112.358,P<0.05;χ2Altitude=96.843,P<0.05;χ2Habitat=48.842,P<0.05).The liver and lung pathogen results showed that the positivity rate of Bartonella was highest(29/114),whereas those of the other seven pathogens were 0%-4.39%.Five rodents were co-infected with two or more pathogens,and the composite positivity rate was 4.36%(5/114).Statistically significant differences in the positivity rates were observed for Leptospira interrogans among species(χ2=6.568,P=0.028)and Anaplasma phagocytophilum among habitats(χ2=7.596,P=0.027);however,no significant differences in the positivity rates of other pathogens were found among rodent species,regions,altitudes,habitats,and sexes(P>0.05).Thus,rodent species were abundant in the high-altitude areas of western Sichuan and carried a variety of pathogens.Multiple pathogens showed compound infections,among which the positivity rate of Bartonella was relatively high.The total infection rate of pathogens in living areas was relatively high,and the risk of pathogenesis to the population is greater.Therefore,rodent control and disease monitoring efforts should be strengthened.

This study investigated the types and distribution of rodents,and the infection status of eight pathogens in the high-altitude areas of western Sichuan,to provide a basis for control of rodent-borne diseases and pathogen surveillance in rodents in the area.From August to November of 2023,rodents were captured through the night method in high-altitude areas of western Sichuan.Nucleic acids were collected from the rodents'livers and lungs,and eight important pathogens were detected:Dabie bandavirus,Han-tavirus,Bartonella,Francisella tularensis,Anaplasma phagocytophilum,Rickettsia mooseri,Orientia tsutsugamushi,and Leptospira interrogans.The chi-square test was used to compare the composition ratios of rodent species and the difference in pathogen positivity rates among groups.A total of 114 rodents of nine species were captured.The dominant species in this area were Apodemus agrarius(22.81%),Apodemus chevrieri(18.42%),Niviventer confucianus(17.54%),Apodemus latronum(16.67%),and Apodemus peninsu-lae(13.16%).Other rodent species included Rattus nitidus(4.39%),Neodon irene(4.39%),Chodsigoa hypsibia(1.75%),and Nivi-venter excelsior(0.88%).Statistically significant differences in rodent species composition were observed among regions,altitudes,and habitats(χ2Region=112.358,P<0.05;χ2Altitude=96.843,P<0.05;χ2Habitat=48.842,P<0.05).The liver and lung pathogen results showed that the positivity rate of Bartonella was highest(29/114),whereas those of the other seven pathogens were 0%-4.39%.Five rodents were co-infected with two or more pathogens,and the composite positivity rate was 4.36%(5/114).Statistically significant differences in the positivity rates were observed for Leptospira interrogans among species(χ2=6.568,P=0.028)and Anaplasma phagocytophilum among habitats(χ2=7.596,P=0.027);however,no significant differences in the positivity rates of other pathogens were found among rodent species,regions,altitudes,habitats,and sexes(P>0.05).Thus,rodent species were abundant in the high-altitude areas of western Sichuan and carried a variety of pathogens.Multiple pathogens showed compound infections,among which the positivity rate of Bartonella was relatively high.The total infection rate of pathogens in living areas was relatively high,and the risk of pathogenesis to the population is greater.Therefore,rodent control and disease monitoring efforts should be strengthened.

Endosomes are characterized by the presence of various phosphoinositides that are essential for defining the membrane properties. However, the interplay between endosomal phosphoinositides metabolism and innate immunity is yet to be fully understood. Here, our findings highlight the evolutionary continuity of RAB-10/Rab10's involvement in regulating innate immunity. Upon infection of Caenorhabditis elegans with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an increase in RAB-10 activity was observed in the intestine. Conversely, when RAB-10 was absent, the intestinal diacylglycerols (DAGs) decreased, and the animal's response to the pathogen was impaired. Further research revealed that UNC-16/JIP3 acts as an RAB-10 effector, facilitating the recruitment of phospholipase EGL-8 to endosomes. This leads to a decrease in endosomal phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2) and an elevation of DAGs, as well as the activation of the PMK-1/p38 MAPK innate immune pathway. It is noteworthy that the dimerization of UNC-16 is a prerequisite for its interaction with RAB-10(GTP) and the recruitment of EGL-8. Moreover, we ascertained that the rise in RAB-10 activity, due to infection, was attributed to the augmented expression of LET-413/Erbin, and the nuclear receptor NHR-25/NR5A1/2 was determined to be indispensable for this increase. Hence, this study illuminates the significance of endosomal PI(4,5)P2 catabolism in boosting innate immunity and outlines an NHR-25-mediated mechanism for pathogen detection in intestinal epithelia.
Animals ; Caenorhabditis elegans/genetics* ; Endosomes/immunology* ; Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins/immunology* ; Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Diphosphate/immunology* ; Immunity, Innate ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa/immunology* ; rab GTP-Binding Proteins/genetics* ; Diglycerides/metabolism*

The pathogenesis and progression of depression are closely associated with functional dysregula-tion in the brain's reward and emotion-modulating circuits.As the central hub of the reward system,the nucleus accumbens(NAc)forms aberrant neural circuits with multiple brain regions-including the ventral tegmental area(VTA),medial prefrontal cortex(mPFC),amygdala(AMY),hippocampus(HIP),and paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus(PVT)-which have been empirically linked to depressive symptomatology.Acupuncture,with its multi-target therapeutic profile,aligns well with the multifactorial and multisystem dysregulation characteristic of depressive disorders.This review systematically examines the functional alterations of the NAc-centered neural circuitry in depression and explores the potential mechanisms of acupuncture intervention.Evidence suggests that acupuncture holistically ameliorates depression by:modulating dopaminergic transmission in the VTA-NAc pathway,enhancing neurotransmitter equilibrium in the mPFC-NAc circuit,bidirectionally regulating emotional stability via the AMY-NAc loop,attenuating HIP-NAc glutamatergic hyperactivity,and optimizing excitatory signaling in the thalamus-NAc circuit.Furthermore,this synthesis emphasizes a systems-level integration of circuit mechanisms,highlighting both the clinical applicability of acupuncture in depression treatment and recent advances in mechanistic research.The findings provide robust theoretical foundations and practical guidance for clinical practice,bridging translational neuroscience with therapeutic innovation.

Objective:To evaluate the accuracy of L-shaped reduction malarplasty under the guidance of virtual surgical planning (VSP).Methods:The data of adult female patients who were diagnosed with zygomatic protrusion or hypertrophy at Department of Orthognathic and Temporo-mandibular Joint Surgery, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, from January 2018 to December 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. L-shaped reduction malarplasty with or without bone resection and with the mortice and tenon joint structure on the zygomatic arch was conducted either by digital procedures comprising VSP and three-dimensional printing titanium templates (digtal surgery group) or by conventional method (control group). The incidence of postoperative complications and the patient postoperative satisfaction [using a Likert scale with a score ranging from 1 to 5, representing very dissatisfied, dissatisfied, average, satisfied and very satisfied, satisfaction rate = (very satisfied + satisfied)/ total number of patients × 100%] were statistically analyzed in the two groups. The differences in the postoperative symmetry of the zygomatic complex between the digital group and the control group were analyzed by three-dimensional cephalometry. The accuracy of VSP in L-shaped reduction malarplasty was evaluated by comparing the preoperative design model with the actual postoperative model in the digital group. The statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS 24.0 software. The chi-square test was used in the comparison of surgical complications and patient satisfaction rates. The symmetry of bilateral landmarks in the three-dimensional direction between the two groups was evaluated using the independent t-test, and the pre- and post-operative measurements in the digital group were compared using paired t-test. Results:A total of 78 patients were included, with 36 in the digital group, aged (25.2±3.6) years, and 42 in the control group, aged (24.3±2.8) years. Satisfactory reduction of zygomatic protrusion or hypertrophy was recognized among all patients. Compared with the control group, the digital group had lower percentage of complications [25% (9/36) vs. 55% (23/42)] and higher postoperative satisfaction [78% (28/36) vs. 48% (20/42)], both of which were statistically significant (all P<0.01). Regarding the symmetry of bilateral zygomatic complexes, the average deviations of ΔZb (bottom point of zygoma) in the digital group in the horizontal, vertical, and sagittal directions [(1.05±0.24), (1.05±0.24), (1.00±0.88) mm] were significantly smaller than those in the control group [(2.03±0.58), (1.32±0.68), (1.47±0.47) mm], with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). The bone segment movements of virtual plans and actual result in the digital surgery group were measured and showed no obvious difference for the inward movement [(5.42±0.98) mm vs. (5.33±0.93) mm] and the sagittal overlap [(4.87±1.21) mm vs. (4.77±1.32) mm] at the zygoma roots, along with the step length at the long-arm of the L-shaped osteotomy line [(2.43±1.11) mm vs. (2.39±0.89) mm] (all P>0.05). The mean differences of facial width and protrusion measurements between virtual simulations and actual result in the digital group ranged from (1.13±0.47) mm to (2.07±0.88) mm, with no significant differences( P>0.05). Meanwhile, the high resemblance between virtual plans and actual result was depicted via superimposition models, with a deviation controlled within ±0.5 mm. Conclusion:The application of VSP in reduction malarplasty significantly improved surgical accuracy and reduced difficulties in the operation, which would improve patients’ postoperative satisfaction.

The pathogenesis and progression of depression are closely associated with functional dysregula-tion in the brain's reward and emotion-modulating circuits.As the central hub of the reward system,the nucleus accumbens(NAc)forms aberrant neural circuits with multiple brain regions-including the ventral tegmental area(VTA),medial prefrontal cortex(mPFC),amygdala(AMY),hippocampus(HIP),and paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus(PVT)-which have been empirically linked to depressive symptomatology.Acupuncture,with its multi-target therapeutic profile,aligns well with the multifactorial and multisystem dysregulation characteristic of depressive disorders.This review systematically examines the functional alterations of the NAc-centered neural circuitry in depression and explores the potential mechanisms of acupuncture intervention.Evidence suggests that acupuncture holistically ameliorates depression by:modulating dopaminergic transmission in the VTA-NAc pathway,enhancing neurotransmitter equilibrium in the mPFC-NAc circuit,bidirectionally regulating emotional stability via the AMY-NAc loop,attenuating HIP-NAc glutamatergic hyperactivity,and optimizing excitatory signaling in the thalamus-NAc circuit.Furthermore,this synthesis emphasizes a systems-level integration of circuit mechanisms,highlighting both the clinical applicability of acupuncture in depression treatment and recent advances in mechanistic research.The findings provide robust theoretical foundations and practical guidance for clinical practice,bridging translational neuroscience with therapeutic innovation.

Objective:To evaluate the accuracy of L-shaped reduction malarplasty under the guidance of virtual surgical planning (VSP).Methods:The data of adult female patients who were diagnosed with zygomatic protrusion or hypertrophy at Department of Orthognathic and Temporo-mandibular Joint Surgery, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, from January 2018 to December 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. L-shaped reduction malarplasty with or without bone resection and with the mortice and tenon joint structure on the zygomatic arch was conducted either by digital procedures comprising VSP and three-dimensional printing titanium templates (digtal surgery group) or by conventional method (control group). The incidence of postoperative complications and the patient postoperative satisfaction [using a Likert scale with a score ranging from 1 to 5, representing very dissatisfied, dissatisfied, average, satisfied and very satisfied, satisfaction rate = (very satisfied + satisfied)/ total number of patients × 100%] were statistically analyzed in the two groups. The differences in the postoperative symmetry of the zygomatic complex between the digital group and the control group were analyzed by three-dimensional cephalometry. The accuracy of VSP in L-shaped reduction malarplasty was evaluated by comparing the preoperative design model with the actual postoperative model in the digital group. The statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS 24.0 software. The chi-square test was used in the comparison of surgical complications and patient satisfaction rates. The symmetry of bilateral landmarks in the three-dimensional direction between the two groups was evaluated using the independent t-test, and the pre- and post-operative measurements in the digital group were compared using paired t-test. Results:A total of 78 patients were included, with 36 in the digital group, aged (25.2±3.6) years, and 42 in the control group, aged (24.3±2.8) years. Satisfactory reduction of zygomatic protrusion or hypertrophy was recognized among all patients. Compared with the control group, the digital group had lower percentage of complications [25% (9/36) vs. 55% (23/42)] and higher postoperative satisfaction [78% (28/36) vs. 48% (20/42)], both of which were statistically significant (all P<0.01). Regarding the symmetry of bilateral zygomatic complexes, the average deviations of ΔZb (bottom point of zygoma) in the digital group in the horizontal, vertical, and sagittal directions [(1.05±0.24), (1.05±0.24), (1.00±0.88) mm] were significantly smaller than those in the control group [(2.03±0.58), (1.32±0.68), (1.47±0.47) mm], with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). The bone segment movements of virtual plans and actual result in the digital surgery group were measured and showed no obvious difference for the inward movement [(5.42±0.98) mm vs. (5.33±0.93) mm] and the sagittal overlap [(4.87±1.21) mm vs. (4.77±1.32) mm] at the zygoma roots, along with the step length at the long-arm of the L-shaped osteotomy line [(2.43±1.11) mm vs. (2.39±0.89) mm] (all P>0.05). The mean differences of facial width and protrusion measurements between virtual simulations and actual result in the digital group ranged from (1.13±0.47) mm to (2.07±0.88) mm, with no significant differences( P>0.05). Meanwhile, the high resemblance between virtual plans and actual result was depicted via superimposition models, with a deviation controlled within ±0.5 mm. Conclusion:The application of VSP in reduction malarplasty significantly improved surgical accuracy and reduced difficulties in the operation, which would improve patients’ postoperative satisfaction.

Objective To explore the role of zinc finger protein 36 (ZFP36) in regulating osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and preosteoblasts. Methods ZFP36 expression was observed in primary mouse BMSCs and mouse preosteoblasts (MC3T3-E1 cells) during induced osteogenic differentiation. Zfp36-deficient cell models were constructed in the two cells using RNA interference technique and the changes in differentiation capacities of the transfected cells into osteoblasts were observed. Transcriptome sequencing was used to investigate the potential mechanisms of ZFP36 for regulating osteoblast differentiation of the two cells. U0126, a ERK/MAPK signal suppressor, was used to verify the regulatory mechanism of Zfp36 in osteogenic differentiation of Zfp36-deficient cells. Results During the 14-day induction of osteogenic differentiation, both mouse BMSCs and MC3T3-E1 cells exhibited increased expression of ZFP36, and its mRNA expression reached the peak level on Day 7 (P<0.0001). The Zfp36-deficient cell models showed reduced intensity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and alizarin red staining with significantly lowered expressions of the osteogenic marker genes including Alpl, Sp7, Bglap and Ibsp (P<0.01). Transcriptome sequencing verified the reduction of bone mineralization-related gene expressions in Zfp36-deficient cells and indicated the involvement of ERK signaling in the potential regulatory mechanism of Zfp36. Immunoblotting showed that pERK protein expression increased significantly in Zfp36-deficient cells compared with the control cells. In Zfp36-deficient MC3T3-E1 cells, inhibition of activated ERK/MAPK signaling with U0126 resulted in obviously enhanced ALP staining and significantly increased expressions of osteoblast differentiation markers Runx2 and Bglap (P<0.05). Conclusions ZFP36 is involved in the regulation of osteoblast differentiation of mouse BMSCs and preosteoblasts, and ZFP36 deficiency causes inhibition of osteoblast differentiation of the cells by activating the ERK/MAPK signaling pathway.

Objective:To analyze the association between zygomatic change and bone setback or resection and propose a quantitative guidance for L-shaped reduction malarplasty by linear regression analysis based on computed tomographic (CT) scan images.Methods:A retrospective observational study was conducted on patients who underwent L-shaped reduction malarplasty with mortice and tenon joint at the zygomatic arch in Department of Orthognathic and Temporomandibular Joint Surgery, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University from January 2017 to September 2022. Bone setback and resection were performed in cases required a classical L-shaped osteoectomy with oblique bone resection (Group Ⅰ). Bone setback was performed in cases required a modified L-shaped osteotomy without bone resection (Group Ⅱ). Wound healing and the occurrence of complications were followed up after operation. The amount of bone setback and resection were calculated by using preoperative and postoperative CT scan images. The unilateral width changes of the anterior, middle, and posterior zygomatic regions(ΔZBP-MFP, ΔZMP-MFP, ΔZAP-MFP, respectively) as well as zygomatic protrusion change(Δzygomatic protrusion) were also evaluated. SPSS 20.0 software was used for statistical analysis. The measurement data was expressed as Mean±SD. Zygomatic width and protrusion change of the two groups was compared by independent t-test. Comparison of complication rates between the two groups was performed using the χ2 test. Correlation analysis using Pearson correlation coefficients was performed between bone resection or setback and zygomatic width or protrusion change. Linear regression analysis was also performed. Results:A total of 80 patients were enrolled. Group Ⅰ consisted of 40 patients [6 males and 34 females; aged (25.2±3.8) years, ranging from 19 to 33 years] who underwent a classical L-shaped osteotomy with both bone setback and resection, while Group Ⅱ consisted of 40 patients [10 males and 30 females; aged (26.0±3.0) years, ranging from 20 to 35 years] who underwent a modified L-shaped osteotomy with bone setback but without bone resection. All patients healed uneventfully during the follow-up period[(12.5±3.3) months, ranging from 5 to 20 months]. There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications such as infection, transient paresthesia, severe swelling and hematoma between the two groups ( P>0.05). No severe complications, such as facial asymmetry, sagging cheek, bone nonunion, were observed. All patients significantly improved facial contours. There was a statistically significant difference (all P<0.01) in ΔZBP-MFP [ (2.52±0.76) mm vs. (1.85±0.40) mm], ΔZMP-MFP [ (3.30±0.54) mm vs. (2.94±0.51) mm] and Δzygomatic protrusion [ (4.42±1.20) mm vs. (3.59±0.84) mm] between Group Ⅰ and Group Ⅱ. No statistical difference was found in ΔZAP-MFP ( P>0.05). Significant correlation was observed between the bone setback or resection and the changes of anterior, middle zygomatic width as well as protrusion in both the two groups ( r=0.60-0.92, all P<0.01), and the linear regression equation was established. The correlation between bone setback or resection and the posterior zygomatic width change was not significant ( P>0.05). Conclusion:There are linear correlations between the unilateral anterior, middle zygomatic width change, zygomatic protrusion change and the unilateral bone setback or resection. The linear regression equations can be used as a quantitative guidance for preoperative surgical planning.

Objective:To evaluate the stability of the zygomatic complex in reduction malarplasty (RM) with different fixation method.Methods:The clinical data of patients with zygomatic arch protrusion at the Department of Orthognathic and Temporomandibular Joint Surgery, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University from January 2018 to January 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. All patients underwent L-shaped osteotomy reduction malarplasty which were divided into zygomatic body fixation (ZBF) and zygomatic arch fixation (ZAF) according to fixation technique. As for ZBF, there were 4 different groups including two bicortical screws (2LS), an L-shaped plate with one bicortical screw (LPLS), an L-shaped plate with short-wing on the zygoma (LPwZ) and an L-shaped plate with short-wing on the maxilla (LPwM). As for ZAF, there were 3 different groups including mortice-tenon (MT), 3-hole plate (3HP) and short screw (SS). CT imaging data of two postoperative periods (1 week later; 6 months later) were collected. ITK-SNAP and 3D Slicer software were applied to evaluate the difference in the displacement distance of relevant landmarks of the zygomatic complex, so as to compare the postoperative stability of RM under different fixation methods. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics, version 25.0, and Kruskal-Wallis method was used to compare the difference of relevant landmarks displacement distance between ZBF group and ZAF group. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:60 patients (120 zygomatic arches) who were composed of 21 men and 39 women, aged (27.1±4.9) years were included. There were 30 samples in each group of ZBF and 40 samples in each group of ZAF. Compared with the single L-shaped plate (LPwZ, LPwM) group, the displacement distance of zygomatic complex in 2LS and LPLS groups was shorter ( P<0.05). The three fixation method of zygomatic arch (MT, 3HP, SS) had similar effects on the displacement of zygomatic complex ( P>0.05). Conclusion:After RM, the "two-bridge" fixation method (2LS and LPLS) provides better stability than the single L-shaped plate. The stability of all ZAF is similar when combined with 2LS or LPLS.