Ghrelin is a hormone produced by the stomach that regulates energy metabolism after acting on the central nervous system.Cocaine amphetamine-regulated transcriptional peptide(CART)neurons participate in the regulation of feeding behavior and energy balance.It is known that CART neurons are influenced by hormones to regulate energy homeostasis,but whether ghre-lin exerts its pro-appetite function by influencing CART neurons is unknown.Therefore,this study focuses on the role of VMHCART neurons in the regulation of feeding and relative body weight by ghrelin.Firstly,the whole brain expression of CART was determined by immunofluorescence.Then the effect of intraperitoneal injection of ghrelin on the expression of DMHCART neurons was evalua-ted.Finally,the ghrelin was delivered to DMH and the changes of food intake and relative body weight of mice were measured.CART immunoreactive neurons were detected in medial preoptic nucleus(MPA),arcuate nucleus(ARC),dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus(DMH),thalamic pa-raventricular nucleus(PVT)and raphe nucleus(ROb).Compared with the control group,periph-eral injection of ghrelin significantly increased the expression of DMHC ART immunoreactive neurons(P=0.037 3).DMH long-term injection of ghrelin resulted in an increase in body weight(P=0.004 0)and feed intake(P=0.023 1).The results provide anatomical evidence for the whole brain distribution of CART,which proves that ghrelin affects feed intake and body weight of mice through CART neurons in DMH,suggesting that specific neuron types and regional specificity are involved in ghrelin regulation of feed intake and energy homeostasis.

Vesicular glutamate transporter 2(VGlut2)is expressed in the PVN of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus(PVNVG1ut2)as an excitatory neurotransmitter,which regulates food intake and energy metabolism and plays an important role in maintaining homeostasis.However,it is not clear that the upstream and downstream projection network of PVNVGut2 neurons hinders the anal-ysis of glutamatergic neuron circuit function.Anterograde and retrograde tracer viruses were injec-ted into the PVN of VGlut2 mice by stereotactic brain injection technique to find the input and output nuclei of PVNVGlut2 neurons.Anterograde tracing results showed that PVNVGlut2 neurons pro-jected to the downstream medial amygdala(MeAD)and arcuate nucleus(ARC).Retrograde trac-ing results showed that PVNVGlut2 received input from the prefrontal nucleus(Pr),the reticular tegmental nucleus(RtTg),and the hypoglossal nucleus(12N).In addition,VGlut2 was found to be co-expressed with neuronal nitric oxide synthase(nNOS)neurons in the PVN.The anatomical net-work of PVNVG1ut2 neurons was analyzed by virus tracking tool,which laid the anatomical founda-tion for further study on the functional regulation of PVNVGlut2.

Background The safety of drinking water is closely related to people's health. In recent years, relevant studies have identified some health related problems with drinking water in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The complex and diverse natural environment embraced by the vast jurisdiction of the region may lead to uneven drinking water quality across the region. Objective To evaluate eight chemicals including arsenic, cadmium, chromium (hexavalent), lead, mercury, fluoride, trichloromethane, and carbon tetrachloride in urban drinking water in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in 2021, and to provide reference for optimizing urban water supply system and ideas for further developing strategies to promote population health. Methods A total of 1228 monitoring sites were set up in urban areas of Inner Mongolia, and water samples were collected once in dry season (May) and once in wet season (August−September). Eight chemicals of interest in drinking water were detected according to the Standard examination methods for drinking water, and assessed for health risks using the health risk assessment model recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and following the Technical guide for environmental health risk assessment of chemical exposure. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the concentrations of eight chemicals in urban drinking water by water seasons and water sample types. Results In 2021, a total of 2381 samples of urban drinking water were tested in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, including 1195 samples in wet season and 1186 samples in dry season; 389 samples of finished water and 1992 samples of tap water. The positive rates of arsenic and fluoride were 26.25% and 96.77%, respectively. The positive rates of cadmium, chromium (hexavalent), lead, mercury, trichloromethane, and carbon tetrachloride were 6.22%, 16.63%, 6.09%, 16.67%, 18.98%, and 8.36%, respectively. The exceeding standard rate of fluoride was 4.87%. Trichloromethane and carbon tetrachloride were qualified in all samples. There were statistical differences in the concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, chromium (hexavalent), lead, and carbon tetrachloride in urban drinking water between water seasons (Z=−3.847, P<0.05; Z=2.464, P=0.014; Z=−3.129, P=0.002; Z=4.341, P<0.05; Z=4.342, P<0.05). Only fluoride concentration was found statistically different among different water sample types (Z=−2.287, P=0.022). The non-carcinogenic risks of ingestion and dermal exposure to each chemical in drinking water by water seasons and water sample types were all less than 1, but the P₉₅ total non-carcinogenic risks of oral exposure were greater than 1. The P₉₅ carcinogenic risks of oral exposure to some chemicals in drinking water by water seasons and water sample types were>10⁻⁴, which suggested carcinogenic risks, while the carcinogenic risks of dermal explore to chemicals were all less than 10⁻⁶. Conclusion In 2021, urban drinking water in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is generally safe, but arsenic, cadmium, chromium (hexavalent), lead, mercury, and fluoride still exceed the national limits, posing certain health risks.

Pelagic cephalopods have evolved a series of fascinating traits,such as excellent visual acuity,high-speed agility,and photophores for adaptation to open pelagic oceans.However,the genetic mechanisms underpinning these traits are not well understood.Thus,in this study,we obtained high-quality genomes of two purpleback flying squid species(Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis and Sthenoteuthis sp.),with sizes of 5450 Mb and 5651 Mb,respectively.Comparative genomic analyses revealed that the S-crystallin subfamily SL20-1 associated with visual acuity in the purple-back flying squid lineage was significantly expanded,and the evolution of high-speed agility for the species was accompanied by significant positive selection pressure on genes related to energy meta-bolism.These molecular signals might have contributed to the evolution of their adaptative preda-tory and anti-predatory traits.In addition,the transcriptomic analysis provided clear indications of the evolution of the photophores of purpleback flying squids,especially the recruitment of new genes and energy metabolism-related genes which may have played key functional roles in the pro-cess.

Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of low-dose valganciclovir for preventing CMV infection after renal transplantation.Methods:Patients undergoing the first renal transplantation from January 2015 to January 2017 were selected. Recipients were divided into two groups according to anti-CMV prophylactic strategy. Recipients in test group (valganciclovir group, n=85) received oral valganciclovir 450 mg once daily and those in control group (ganciclovir group, n=81) had oral ganciclovir 1g thrice daily. Both drugs were prescribed within 10 days after transplantation and maintained for 3 months. Dose adjustments were based upon renal function. All recipients were followed up for 12 months posttransplantation. CMV-DNA, renal function, blood routine and liver function were regularly monitored. The incidence of CMV infection/disease, the median time to CMV infection onset, the incidence of opportunistic infections (OI) and acute rejection, graft or recipient survival and drug safety were evaluated.Results:A total of 166 renal recipients were admitted. Fewer recipients in test group (12, 14.1 %) than in control group (26, 32.1 %) had CMV infection ( P=0.006). The median time to CMV infection onset was longer in test group than in control group: 140.5 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 77.3-198.5 days) versus 47.5 days (IQR: 36.8-67.8 days) respectively ( P=0.014). The CMV disease rate was lower in test group ( P=0.080). The incidence of OI decreased significantly in test group (10.6 % vs 21.0 %, P=0.037). No patients in test group suffered allograft loss while 6 recipients (7.4 %) in control group ( P=0.032). Other adverse and side effects of both regimens were comparable. Conclusions:Low-dose valganciclovir regimen is both safe and efficacious in preventing CMV infection among kidney transplant recipients during the first year posttransplantation.

Objective To explore the relationship between accessory renal artery(ARA)and essential hypertension,and the possible mechanism using CT angiography(CTA).Methods The patients who underwent CTA examination on renal artery were reviewed retrospectively in our hospital.A variety of CTA reconstruction techniques were used to observe the type and number of ARA,as well as the diameter of ARA and the main renal artery.Results A total of 126 ARA(66 left ARA and 60 right ARA)were found in 253 patients. 10% of the patients had more than two ARAs.In 164 patients with essential hypertension,ARA detection rate was 40.2%(66/164).In the non-hypertension patients,the proportion of ARA was 31.5%(28/89).There was higher proportion of young(P=0.002)and male (P=0.022)patients in ARA hypertension group compared with ARA non-hypertension group.There were no significant differences on the prevalence of type(P=0.826)and number of ARA(P=0.501)between these two groups.In all of the patients with single ARA,no significant differences were detected on the ratios of diameter of ARA and main renal artery between the two groups(P=0.32). However,in ARA hypertension group,the diameter of main renal artery on the ARA side was significantly smaller than that on the opposite side(P=0.01).In non-hypertension ARA group,no statistical difference was found between the diameter of bilateral main renal arteries(P=0.06).Conclusion ARA is more prevalent in essential hypertensive patients,especially in young male.The decrease of the diameter of main renal artery in the ARA side may be a possible mechanism for essential hypertension.

Objective:To study the clinicopathological features and differential diagnosis of metaneph-ric adenoma (MA).Methods:The clinicopathological data of 16 cases with MA diagnosed and treated in Peking University First Hospital from 2004 to 2016 were retrospectively analyzed,and the clinical characteristics,pathologic parameters,differential diagnosis,treatment options and prognosis of MA were analyzed with literature review.Results:The patients included 10 females and 6 males.The age of pa-tients ranged from 14 to 83 years (mean =33.7 years).The partial nephrectomy was carried out for most patients.All cases were located in renal codex with 3 growing into the renal sinus.Histologically,the tumor was composed of tubules,papillary or glomeruloid structures and psammoma bodies were focally seen.Immunohistochemical study showed that all the cases expressed vimentin,and 94% cases ex-pressed CD57,63% WT1,75% AE1 /AE3,19% cytokeratin 7 (CK7 )and 13%α-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR),and negative expressions for MA included CD10,neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and CD56.Follow-up information from 1 to 125 months was available in all the patients;and none of the patients showed any evidence of recurrence and metastasis.Conclusion:The benign tumor characteris-tics of MA are not obvious for preoperative imaging diagnosis,and the diagnosis of MA should be based on the unique pathological features.Positive immunostain of CD57 is a useful indicator for MA diagnosis and differential diagnosis.The partial nephrectomy surgical treatment can achieve good clinical cure with good prognosis.

Objective:The goal of this study was to analyze the clinical significance of relationship between myocardial collateral and the levels of hypoxia‐inducible factor 1‐alpha (HIF‐1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF‐A) in patients with coronary chronic total occlusion lesion .Methods:89 patients with coronary chronic total occlusion lesion confirmed by clin‐ical data and coronary angiography were identified .The levels of HIF‐1αand VEGF‐A were measured by ELISA ,and the rela‐tive expression of VEGF‐A of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) were measured by real‐time PCR .The results were statistically analyzed by the statistical programme for social sciences (SPSS version 18 .0) and software SAS JMP 9 .0 .Results:Compared to Rentrop 0‐1 grade group (18/38 ,47 .4% ) ,Rentrop 2 (11/31 ,35 .5% ) and Rentrop 3 (3/20 ,15 .0% ) grade group had fewer diabetes mellitus .Rentrop 2 [(6 .67 ± 1 .41) mmol/L] and Rentrop 3 [(5 .48 ± 1 .26) mmol/L] grade group had low‐er fasting blood glucose than Rentrop 0‐1 grade group [(7 .24 ± 1 .39) mmol/L] .Rentrop 2 (12/31 ,38 .7% ) and Rentrop 3 (3/20 ,15 .0% ) grade group had fewer clinical heart failure (NYHA Ⅱ ~ Ⅳ grade) than Rentrop 0‐1 grade group (20/38 , 52 .6% ) .Rentrop 2 [(85 .5 ± 27 .7) pg/mL ,(139 .5 ± 42 .1) pg/mL] and Rentrop 3 [(103 .3 ± 30 .2) pg/mL ,(162 .6 ± 43 .3) pg/mL] grade group had higher levels of HIF‐1αand VEGF‐A than Rentrop 0‐1 grade group [(42 .0 ± 16 .1) pg/mL ,(76 .5 ± 32 .2) pg/mL] .Rentrop 2 (1 .31 ± 0 .46) and Rentrop 3 (1 .38 ± 0 .44) grade group had higher level of relative expression of VEGF‐A in PBMC than Rentrop 0‐1 grade group (1 .00 ± 0 .28) .Conclusions:Chronic and consistent ischemia and hypoxia in‐duced the increase of expression of HIF‐1αand VEGF‐A is important for establishment of coronary collateral ,increasing blood supply and improving the heart function and prognosis .

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with immediate severe coronary artery spasm(CAS) af‐ter stent implantation .Methods:The clinical data of 6918 patients who received percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI) from Jan 2012 to Dec 2013 in Zhongshan Hospital ,Fudan University were retrospectively analyzed .And 102 patients with immediate severe CAS after stent implantation were identified and 204 age‐and gender‐matched patients without immediate severe CAS af‐ter stent implantation were selected as control subjects .The general information ,blood indexes ,number and length of stents in the two groups were compared .Results:Compared with the control group ,the ratios of males ,smoking and dyslipidemia were higher in CAS group (P<0 .05) .Patients with CAS had higher neutrophil count and higher level of high sensitive C‐reactive protein(P<0 .05) and received more and longer stents implantation than the control group(P<0 .05 or 0 .01) .Conclusions:Male patients and patients with history of smoking are prone to have immediate severe CAS after stent implantation .Moreover , patients with more and longer stents implantation are prone to have immediate severe CAS .Inflammation may play an important role in the development of CAS after stent implantation .

OBJECTIVETo analyze the detection rate and gene distribution characteristic of deletional α-thalassemia in Guangxi area, and to provide theoretic basis for thalassemia gene diagnosis and genetic counseling.

METHODSThe regular gene diagnosis of 3 types of α-thal (-- (SEA),- α(3.7),- α(4.2)) was performed by gap-PCR, multiple ligation probe and gene sequencing for globin α or β were used to detect those samples whose genotype and phenotype were not consistent. And the distribution characteristic of α-thalassemia gene in Guangxi area was then analyzed.

RESULTSOut of 51 191 suspected thalassemia patients, there were 19 853 cases of deletional a-thalassemia, accounted for 39.9% in total positive rate, including 19 780 cases of regular types(--(SEA), - α(3.7), - α(4.2)), 61 cases of Thailand-type deletion, 9 cases of triplet type (Hong Kong) (ααα(HK)), 1 case of 21.9 kb deletion type and 2 cases of 809 bp deletion type.

CONCLUSIONTypes of deletional a-thalassemia were complex and accounted for large proportion in Guangxi area. Special gene diagnoses were needed for those couples whose genotype and phenotype were not consistent, in order to provide reliable basis for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis.