Mitofusin 2 (MFN2) residing on the outer mitochondrial membrane is a pivotal factor participating in mitochondrial fusion and maintaining mitochondrial morphology. Due to its multifaceted cellular functions, MFN2 is implicated in the pathogenesis of diverse maladies, notably type 2 Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, which has catalyzed a surge in pharmaceutical endeavors directed towards MFN2. This article reviews the function of MFN2 and its role in a variety of diseases, outlines the current status of drug discovery against MFN2, and summarizes potential drug molecules currently in preclinical research, aiming to provide some reference for the research and development of drugs and therapies targeting MFN2.

To understand the progress of, summarize the lessons learned from and analyze the challenges in the national schistosomiasis elimination program of China in 2024, this article presented the endemic situation of schistosomiasis and national schistosomiasis surveillance results in the People’s Republic of China in 2024. By the end of 2024, Shanghai Municipality, Zhejiang Province, Fujian Province, Guangdong Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region continued to consolidate schistosomiasis elimination achievements, and 7 provinces of Jiangsu, Sichuan, Yunnan, Hubei, Hunan, Anhui and Jiangxi maintained the criteria of schistosomiasis transmission interruption. A total of 450 counties (cites, districts) were found to be endemic for schistosomiasis in China in 2024, including 26 061 endemic villages covering 73 630 500 residents at risk of infections. Among the 450 counties (cities, districts) endemic for schistosomiasis, 388 (86.22%) achieved the criteria of schistosomiasis elimination and 62 (13.78%) achieved the criteria of transmission interruption. In 2024, a total of 4 102 624 individuals received immunological tests for schistosomiasis in China, with 44 823 sero-positives identified (1.09% seroprevalence), and a total of 169 722 individuals received parasitological examinations, with 1 egg-positives detected. A total of 27 321 cases with advanced schistosomiasis were documented in China by the end of 2024. In 2024, a total of 575 686 bovines were raised in schistosomiasis-endemic villages of China, and 113 842 bovines received immunological tests, with 235 sero-positives detected (0.21% seroprevalence), while no egg-positives were identified among the 167 475 bovines receiving parasitological examinations. In 2024, snail survey was performed covering an area of 680 498.27 hm² in China, and 190 778.66 hm² snail habitats were identified, including 59.09 hm² emerging snail habitats and 704.23 hm² reemerging snail habitats. In 2024, a total of 19 665 schistosomiasis patients receiving chemotherapy with praziquantel in China, and expanded chemotherapy was given to humans at 571 722 person-times and to bovines at 306 740 herd-times. In addition, snail control with chemical treatment covered 117 111.37 hm² snail habitats across China in 2024, and the actual area of chemical treatment was 66 562.95 hm², while environmental improvements were performed in snail habitats covering an area of 1 374.26 hm². The national schistosomiasis surveillance results showed that the mean prevalence rates of Schistosoma japonicum infections were both 0 among humans and bovines in China in 2024, and no S. japonicum infection was detected in snails. These data demonstrated that the prevalence of schistosomiasis remained at a low level in China in 2024; however, the areas of snail habitats remained high and the number of fenced cattle showed a slight increase. To address these risks, it is imperative to maintain the integrated strategy with an emphasis on management of the source of S. japonicum infection and intensified snail control in high-risk areas, and to reinforce schistosomiasis surveillance and forecast and snail control in high-risk areas.

Objective To investigate the correlation between insulin resistance and interleukin-6 (IL-6), chemerin, total cholesterol (TC)/high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio, triglyceride (TG)/HDL-C ratio, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)/HDL-C ratio and insulin resistance in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and to provide scientific basis for T2DM prevention and control. Methods A total of 355 obese T2DM patients in Songjiang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine were selected from January 2021 to December 2023. IL-6, chemerin and lipids were detected, and the assessment of insulin resistance was conducted through the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Results Among the 355 obese T2DM patients, there were 280 cases of insulin resistance, with the incidence rate of 78.87%. The BMI, IL-6, chemerin, TC/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C, and TG/HDL-C in the insulin resistance group were higher than those in the non-insulin resistance group (P<0.05). The above insulin resistant patients were divided into 4 subgroups by means of insulin resistance, and there were significant differences in BMI, IL-6, chemerin, and TG/HDL-C among the subgroups (P<0.05). IL-6, chemerin, and TG/HDL-C were positively correlated with HOMA-IR in obese T2DM patients (P<0.05), while TC/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C had no significant correlation with HOMA-IR (P>0.05). BMI, IL-6, chemerin, and TG/HDL-C were all influencing factors of insulin resistance in obese T2DM patients (P<0.05). Conclusion IL-6, chemerin and TG/HDL-C are correlated with insulin resistance in obese patients with T2DM and are influencing factors for the occurrence of insulin resistance.

Humans ; Aged ; Lung Diseases ; Pneumonia/drug therapy* ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones/therapeutic use* ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/drug therapy* ; Administration, Inhalation ; Community-Acquired Infections/drug therapy*

Objective:To evaluate the effect of sleep deprivation on the expression of sirtuin 6 (SIRT6) in the cerebellum of immature mice.Methods:Fifty SPF healthy male C57BL/6 mice, aged 4 weeks, weighing 14-16 g, were divided into 2 groups ( n=25 each) using a random number table method: control group (Con group) and sleep deprivation group (SD group). The chronic sleep deprivation model was prepared by using the multi-platform water environment method, with 20 h of sleep deprivation per day for 10 consecutive days. After sleep deprivation, a balance beam experiment was performed to test the balance and coordination ability of mice. The mice were sacrificed after anesthesia and cerebellar lobular IV-VI (4-6 cb) tissues were taken for microscopic examination of the ultrastructure (with a transmission electron microscope) and for determination of the dendritic spine density of cerebellar 4-6cb Purkinje neurons (by Golgi staining), co-expression of SIRT6 and Calbindin D-28k (CbD-28k) and expression of glucose transporter Glut3 of cerebellar 4-6cb (by immunofluorescence staining). Results:Compared with group Con, the duration of passage through the balance beam was significantly prolonged, and the number of posterior foot slips was increased, the synaptic gap of cerebellar 4-6cb neurons was increased, the thickness of postsynaptic density was increased, the density of dendritic spines of Purkinje cells and the number of positive cells co-expressing SIRT6 and CbD-28k were decreased, and the expression of Glut3 was down-regulated in group SD ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism by which sleep deprivation decreases the abilities of balance and coordination is related to down-regulating SIRT6 expression in cerebellar Purkinje cells and decreasing neuronal glucose metabolism, thus damaging the synaptic plasticity of cerebellum in immature mice.

Objective:To investigate the mechanism of Hongteng Decoction in inhibiting the adenomyosis (ADS) fibrosis by observing the effects on the key proteins of epithelial mesenchymal transformation (EMT), fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transformation (FMT) and Hippo pathway in uterine tissue of mice with ADS.Methods:ICR mice were divided into blank group, model group, Hongteng Decoction group, and verteporfin group according to random number table method, with 8 mice in each group. The day of birth of the mice was day 0, and from day 1, mice in model group, Hongteng Decoction group and verteporfin group were given 1 mg/kg tamoxifen solvent for gavage for 5 days. On the 42nd day after molding, HE staining verified that the molding was successful. Starting from the 43rd day, mice in the Hongteng Decoction group were given TCM solution of Hongteng Decoction 16.5 g/kg everyday, and intraperitoneally injected with 0.9%NaCl solution (100 μl/10 g) every 3 days. Mice in the verteporfin group were intraperitoneally injected with verteporfin solution of 100 mg/kg every 3 days, and intragastric with water of 100 μl/10 g everyday. Mice in blank group and model group were intragastric with constant volume of water daily and intraperitoneally injected with 0.9%NaCl solution every 3 days. The drugs were administered for 60 days. The fibrosis degree of mice in each group was evaluated by Masson staining. The expressions of E-cadherin, Vimentin, α-SMA, YAP and Snail in uterine tissue of mice in each group were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.Results:Compared with the model group, the Masson staining expression in Hongteng Decoction group significantly decreased ( P<0.05). Immunohistochemical and Western blot analysis showed that the expression of E-cadherin in uterine tissue of mice in Hongteng Decoction group significantly increased ( P<0.05), while the expressions of Vimentin, α-SMA and YAP significantly decreased ( P<0.01, P<0.05) compared with the model group. Conclusion:Hongteng Decoction can inhibit the occurrence of EMT and FMT in ADS, thereby inhibiting fibrosis, and its mechanism is related to the regulation of Hipoo/YAP pathway.

To understand the progress of national schistosomiasis elimination program of China in 2023 and summarize the lessons and experiences, data on the endemic status of schistosomiasis and national schistosomiasis surveillance results in the People’s Republic of China were collected and analyzed at a national level. By the end of 2023, Shanghai Municipality, Zhejiang Province, Fujian Province, Guangdong Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region continued to consolidate the achievements of schistosomiasis elimination, and Sichuan and Jiangsu provinces maintained the criteria of transmission interruption, while Yunnan and Hubei provinces were identified to achieve the criteria of transmission interruption in 2020, and Anhui, Jiangxi and Hunan provinces achieved the criteria of transmission interruption in 2023. A total of 451 counties (cites, districts) were found to be endemic for schistosomiasis in China in 2023, including 26 250 endemic villages covering 73 034 500 residents at risk of infections. Among the 451 endemic counties (cities, districts), 78.49% (354/451) achieved the criteria of schistosomiasis elimination and 21.51% (97/451) achieved the criteria of transmission interruption, respectively. In 2023, a total of 4 216 643 individuals received immunological tests, with 47 794 sero-positives identified, and a total of 184 216 individuals received parasitological examinations, with 4 egg-positives detected. A total of 27 768 cases with advanced schistosomiasis were documented in China by the end of 2023. In 2023, 539 548 bovines were raised in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of China, and 125 440 bovines received immunological tests, with 124 sero-positives detected, while no egg-positives were identified among the 133 508 bovines receiving parasitological examinations. In 2023, snail survey was performed at an area of 641 339.53 hm² and 184 819.77 hm² snail habitats were identified, including 51.53 hm² emerging snail habitats and 642.25 hm² reemerging snail habitats. In 2023, there were 20 198 schistosomiasis patients receiving praziquantel chemotherapy, and 598 183 person-time individuals and 283 954 herdtime bovines were given expanded chemotherapy. In 2023, snail control with chemical treatment was performed in 116 347.95 hm² snail habitats, and the actual area of chemical treatment was 65 690.89 hm², while environmental improvements were performed in snail habitats covering an area of 1 334.62 hm². The national schistosomiasis surveillance results showed that the mean prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum infections were both zero among humans and bovines in 2023, and no S. japonicum infection was detected in snails. These data demonstrated that transmission interruption of schistosomiasis had been achieved across all endemic provinces in China in 2023, and the endemic status of schistosomiasis tended to be stable, while advanced cases were predominant among all schistosomiasis cases. However, the areas of snail habitats remained high and cattle re-raising was very common in some regions. Intensified schistosomiasis surveillance and forecast and snail control in high-risk areas are needed.

A 29-year-old man visited Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University in December 2021. The patient presented with recurrent coughing, sputum, and wheezing, high level of serum total IgE, positive aspergillus fumigatus-specific IgE and extremely severe mixed ventilatory dysfunction. These features and thoracic CT results scan showed bronchiectasis and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. In consideration of his clinical characteristics, including low levels of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), and nasal nitric oxide (nNO), persistent cough after birth, consanguineous marriage of his parents, etc. we ratiocinated a possibility of hereditary diseases, especially primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). From this perspective, whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed and the diagnosis of PCD was ultimately confirmed.

Objective To investigate the correlation between serum microRNA(miR)-24-3p,microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4(MARK4)level expression and cardiac function in serum of patients with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease(CHD).Methods From August 2021 to April 2023,138 CHD patients who visited Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital were collected as the study subjects(CHD group).According to the New York Heart Association(NYHA)grading,patients in the CHD group were separated into grade Ⅱ(n=39),grade Ⅲ(n=68),and grade Ⅳ(n=31).Additionally,123 individuals who underwent physical examinations were selected as the health group during the same period.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(qRT-PCR)method was applied to detect the expression levels of miR-24-3p and MARK4.Cardiac function indicators in the CHD and health groups were detected.Pearson method was applied to analyze the correlation among serum miR-24-3p,MARK4,and cardiac function indicators.Results Compared with the healthy group,the levels of MARK4(1.19±0.21 vs 1.00±0.20),left ventricular end-systolic dimension(LVESd),left ventricular enddiastolic dimension(LVEDd),interventricular septal thickness(IVS),left ventricular end-diastolic volume(LVEDv),left ventricular end-systolic volume(LVESv),and left ventricular mass(LV mass)in the CHD group were increased(t=7.462,18.242,23.888,9.941,2.812,12.520,11.029),while the levels of miR-24-3p(0.62±0.11 vs 1.00±0.18),left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),and cardiac output(CO)were reduced(t=20.821,10.212,18.188),and the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).As cardiac function grading increased,MARK4 expression levels(1.09±0.19,1.18±0.17,1.32±0.22),LVESd,LVEDd,IVS,LVEDv,LVESv and LV mass were increased(F=13.025,10.606,11.920,57.956,29.680,21.253,12.954),and miR-24-3p expression levels(0.84±0.15,0.61±0.11,0.37±0.08),LVEF and CO were decreased(F=139.227,9.720,13.411),and the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed a negative correlation between miR-24-3p and MARK4 expression in the serum of patients with CHD(r=-0.540,P＜0.05).The relative expression of miR-24-3p in the serum of patients with CHD was negatively correlated with LVESd,LVEDd,IVS,LVEDv,LVESv and LV mass(r=-0.656,-0.636,-0.617,-0.576,-0.492,-0.687,all P＜0.05),but positively correlated with LVEF and CO(r=0.570,0.683,all P＜0.05).The relative expression level of MARK4 was positively correlated with LVESd,LVEDd,IVS,LVEDv,LVESv,and LV mass(r=0.503,0.542,0.508,0.624,0.516,0.560,all P＜0.05),but negatively correlated with LVEF and CO(r=-0.594,-0.525,all P＜0.05).Conclusion The expression of miR-24-3p in the serum of CHD patients was decreased,while the expression of MARK4 was increased.There was an obvious correlation between the two and cardiac function indicators.

The study presents a method for the personalized biomechanical modeling of the human head and validates the generated model.Based on the TUST 50th percentile head biomechanical model,the method utilizes head CT data of the target model,and employs three-dimensional point cloud registration and free-form deformation techniques to rapidly develop a personalized head finite element model with detailed brain tissue structures.By reconstructing classic cadaver tests,it is found that the personalized head biomechanical model created by the proposed method shows a good consistency with the results of cadaver tests in kinematic and biomechanical responses.Furthermore,no significant differences are observed when compared with the head biomechanical model developed using reverse engineering method,thus verifying the effectiveness of the developed model.Consequently,the proposed method can be used to quickly construct personalized head biomechanical models with detailed anatomical structures,providing a fundamental computational analysis tool for researches in injury biomechanics,clinical medicine,and forensic identification.