Objective To explore the possible effects and the underlying molecular mechanisms of xueshuantong[The main active component is panax notoginseng(PNS)]on the cognitive function and neural excitability of mice with Alzheimer's disease(AD).Methods The APP/PS1 mice were used as an animal model for AD research,at the stage when amyloid protein was not detected in mice(2 months of age).Mice in the xueshuantong group(APP/PS1+PNS)were administered by gavage once a day at a dose of 60 mg/kg for six months(for 8 months of age).The mice of the control group were given 0.9%sodium chloride(APP/PS1+Vehicle)intragastric treatment of the same volume,while the wild-type mice of the same age were given 0.9%sodium chloride intragastric treatment as the normal control group(WT+Vehicle)(15 mice in each group,n=15).After six months,the cognitive function of the mice was evaluated by the Novel Object Recognition(NOR)task and Morris Water Maze(MWM)test.The activity of BACE1,the distribution and expression of Nav1.1α,as well as the expression and enzymatic hydrolysis of Navβ2(Navβ2 full-length and Navβ2-CTF fragments)in cortex and hippocampus were detected by EEG,Western blot and cell surface biotinylation assay,respectively.Results The NOR task showed that compared with the mice in the APP/PS1+Vehicle group,the Discrimination index(DI)of mice in the APP/PS1 group was significantly increased after xueshuantong administration(P<0.05).The MWM test found that,the escape latency of the mice in the xueshuantong group was shortened followed six months in gastric administration(P<0.05),while the stay time in the target quadrant and the number of platforms significantly increased(P<0.05)after the removal of the platform.The results of EEG recording showed that xueshuantong reduced the frequency of spike-wave discharges in APP/PS1 mice(P<0.05).Furthermore,xueshuantong significantly reduced the expression of BACE1(P<0.05).In the APP+PNS group,the expression of Navβ2 full-length was increased(P<0.05),as well as corrected the abnormal distribution of Nav1.1α inside and outside of neurons(P<0.05).Conclusion Treatment with xueshuantong can significantly improve the learning and memory ability and correct the abnormal excitability of the brain in AD model mice.The mechanism may be related to the inhibition of BACE1 activity,the reduction of APP/PS1-induced excessive enzyme digestion of Navβ2,the correction of the abnormal expression and distribution of Nav1.1α in cortical and hippocampal neurons,as well as the subsequent regulation of neuronal excitability.

Interactions between brain-resident and peripheral infiltrated immune cells are thought to contribute to neuroplasticity after cerebral ischemia. However, conventional bulk sequencing makes it challenging to depict this complex immune network. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we mapped compositional and transcriptional features of peri-infarct immune cells. Microglia were the predominant cell type in the peri-infarct region, displaying a more diverse activation pattern than the typical pro- and anti-inflammatory state, with axon tract-associated microglia (ATMs) being associated with neuronal regeneration. Trajectory inference suggested that infiltrated monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) exhibited a gradual fate trajectory transition to activated MDMs. Inter-cellular crosstalk between MDMs and microglia orchestrated anti-inflammatory and repair-promoting microglia phenotypes and promoted post-stroke neurogenesis, with SOX2 and related Akt/CREB signaling as the underlying mechanisms. This description of the brain's immune landscape and its relationship with neurogenesis provides new insight into promoting neural repair by regulating neuroinflammatory responses.
Humans ; Ischemic Stroke ; Brain/metabolism* ; Macrophages ; Brain Ischemia/metabolism* ; Microglia/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; Neuronal Plasticity/physiology* ; Infarction/metabolism*

Objective:To compare the effects of leukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma (Lp-PRP) and leukocyte-rich platelet-rich plasma (Lr-PRP) on dorsal wound healing in rats.Methods:Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into Lp-PRP group, Lr-PRP group and control group, each containing twelve rats. Venous blood was drawn and the Lp-PRP and Lr-PRP were prepared separately using a centrifugal method. Circular full-thickness skin defect wounds (15 mm in diameter) were created on the backs of the rats in the three groups. The wounds were then treated with 100 μl Lp-PRP, Lr-PRP and saline, respectively. At 7 and 14 days post-operation, the wounds were photographed, and Image J software was used to calculate the wound area rate (postoperative wound area/wound area at modeling time × 100%). At 14 days post-operation, the total neo-epithelium length and collagen deposition rate of the wounds were evaluated using HE and Masson staining, respectively. At 7 days post-operation, the relative expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the wounds was detected by Western blotting, and the number of CD31 positive microvessels in the wounds was examined by immunohistochemistry. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 28.0. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the three groups, and Tukey’s test was used for pairwise comparisons. A significance level of P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:Blood analysis revealed that the platelet concentrations in the prepared Lp-PRP and Lr-PRP were 4.1 times and 4.5 times that of whole blood, respectively ( P<0.01), with no significant difference between the two PRPs ( P>0.05). The leukocyte concentration in Lp-PRP was undetectable, while in Lr-PRP, it was 3.5 times that of whole blood ( P<0.01). The wound area rate at 7 and 14 days post-operation, the total neo-epithelium length and collagen deposition rate at 14 days post-operation, as well as the relative expression of VEGF and the number of CD31-positive microvessels at 7 days post-operation in the Lp-PRP and Lr-PRP groups were superior to those in the control group (all P<0.01). However, there was no significant difference between the two PRP groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion:Both Lp-PRP and Lr-PRP promote dorsal wound healing in rats by enhancing re-epithelialization, collagen deposition, and angiogenesis. The impacts of Lp-PRP and Lr-PRP on promoting wound healing are comparable and not influenced by the presence of leukocytes in PRPs.

Objective:To compare the effects of leukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma (Lp-PRP) and leukocyte-rich platelet-rich plasma (Lr-PRP) on dorsal wound healing in rats.Methods:Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into Lp-PRP group, Lr-PRP group and control group, each containing twelve rats. Venous blood was drawn and the Lp-PRP and Lr-PRP were prepared separately using a centrifugal method. Circular full-thickness skin defect wounds (15 mm in diameter) were created on the backs of the rats in the three groups. The wounds were then treated with 100 μl Lp-PRP, Lr-PRP and saline, respectively. At 7 and 14 days post-operation, the wounds were photographed, and Image J software was used to calculate the wound area rate (postoperative wound area/wound area at modeling time × 100%). At 14 days post-operation, the total neo-epithelium length and collagen deposition rate of the wounds were evaluated using HE and Masson staining, respectively. At 7 days post-operation, the relative expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the wounds was detected by Western blotting, and the number of CD31 positive microvessels in the wounds was examined by immunohistochemistry. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 28.0. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the three groups, and Tukey’s test was used for pairwise comparisons. A significance level of P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:Blood analysis revealed that the platelet concentrations in the prepared Lp-PRP and Lr-PRP were 4.1 times and 4.5 times that of whole blood, respectively ( P<0.01), with no significant difference between the two PRPs ( P>0.05). The leukocyte concentration in Lp-PRP was undetectable, while in Lr-PRP, it was 3.5 times that of whole blood ( P<0.01). The wound area rate at 7 and 14 days post-operation, the total neo-epithelium length and collagen deposition rate at 14 days post-operation, as well as the relative expression of VEGF and the number of CD31-positive microvessels at 7 days post-operation in the Lp-PRP and Lr-PRP groups were superior to those in the control group (all P<0.01). However, there was no significant difference between the two PRP groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion:Both Lp-PRP and Lr-PRP promote dorsal wound healing in rats by enhancing re-epithelialization, collagen deposition, and angiogenesis. The impacts of Lp-PRP and Lr-PRP on promoting wound healing are comparable and not influenced by the presence of leukocytes in PRPs.

In order to explore the role of pre-basic course teaching in the standardized training of residents in clinical pathology, we have independently designed and constructed a pre-basic course teaching system mainly focusing on anatomy and histoembryology, consisting of two levels of theoretical teaching (small lectures by students and systematic lectures by instructors) and two dimensions of practical training (sample collection teaching and case teaching). This teaching model centering on participatory lecturing, practice, summarization, assessment, and feedback has been demonstrated effective. The results showed that the theoretical and practical assessment scores of the experimental group [(458.80±17.60) and (415.40±19.30), respectively] were significantly higher than those of the control group [(444.50±20.90) and (398.80±23.70), respectively]. Among 28 students of grades 2019 to 2021 surveyed for teaching effectiveness, 96.43% were satisfied with the teaching model. The established teaching model provides new ideas for the reform of teaching methods in the standardized training of residents in clinical pathology.

Objective To investigate the effect of circular RNA(circRNA)ACAP2 on myocardial injury in MI rats by regulating the miR-421/B cell translocation gene 2(BTG2)axis.Methods A rat MI model and an H9c2 myocardial cell model were constructed.A total of 80 rats were divided into sham operation group,MI group,small interfering RNA-negative control(si-NC)group,si-circACAP2 group,overexpression control(pcDNA3.1)group,pCDNA3.1-circACAP2 group,pCDNA3.1-circACAP2+mimic NC group,and pCDNA3.1-circACAP2+miR-421 mimic group,with 10 rats in each group.H9c2 cells were divided into hypoxia group,hypoxia+si-NC group,hypoxia+si-circACAP2 group,hypoxia+pcDNA3.1 group,hypoxia+pcDNA3.1 circACAP2 group,hypoxia+pcDNA3.1 circACAP2+mimic NC group,hypoxia+pcDNA3.1 circACAP2+miR-421 mimic group,and control group.LVEF,LVFS,myocardial infarction,pathological chan-ges of myocardial tissue,and circACAP2,miR-421 and BTG2 mRNA expression,LDH,CK-MB activity,H9c2 cardiomyocyte viability and apoptosis,BTG2 protein expression in myocardial tis-sue,and BTG2 protein expression in H9c2 cardiomyocytes were detected in each group.Results Compared with the sham operation group,higher mRNA levels of circACAP2(1.84±0.21 vs 1.00±0.10)and BTG2(1.68±0.17 vs 1.00±0.10),larger infarct size,stronger activities of CK-MB and LDH,while decreased expression of miR-421(0.49±0.05 vs 1.00±0.11)and LVFS and LVEF values were observed in the MI group(P＜0.05).Compared with the si-NC group,the si-circACAP2 group had alleviated myocardial injury,increased LVFS and LVEF values,and decreased infarct size and CK-MB and LDH activities(P＜0.05).Significantly increased cell via-bility,and reduced apoptotic rate and CK-MB and LDH activities were observed in the hypoxia+si-circACAP2 group than the hypoxia+si-NC group(P＜0.05).Compared with the pcDNA3.1 group,myocardial injury was aggravated,LVFS and LVEF were decreased,and infarct size and CK-MB and LDH activities were increased in the pcDNA3.1-circACAP2 group(P＜0.05);Com-pared with the hypoxia+pcDNA3.1 group,the hypoxia+PCDNA3.1-circACAP2 group signifi-cantly decreased cell viability,and enhanced apoptotic rate and CK-MB and LDH activities(P＜0.05).Conclusion circACAP2 is up-regulated in MI rats and H9c2 cells,and silencing circACAP2 may improve cardiac function,reduce myocardial injury,and increase cardiomyocyte viability by regulating miR-421/BTG2 axis.

Objective:To explore the characteristics of self-referential network (SRN) functional connectivity in subjective cognitive decline (SCD) patients with normal and impaired metacognition.Methods:Seventy-one subjects were selected from Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database, with 25 cognitively normal controls and 46 SCD patients. The metacognitive level of SCD patients was assessed by Everyday Cognition Scale (ECog), and then, they were divided into a metacognitively normal group ( n=25, metacognitive scores>-0.074) and a metacognitively impaired group ( n=21, metacognitive scores≤-0.074). Results of Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Montreal Cognitive Scale (MoCA), Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE), Rey Auditory Word Learning Test (RAVLT), Logical Memory Scale, expressions of pathological markers (cerebrospinal fluid β-amyloid protein [Aβ], total tau protein [t-tau] and phosphorylated tau protein [p-tau]), brain glucose metabolism, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) were collected and compared among the 3 groups. Independent component analysis (ICA) was used to extract SRN and analyze the different brain regions among the 3 groups; Pearson correlation was used to analyze the correlations of SRN functional connectivity changes with cognitive scales and pathological markers. Results:No significant differences in demographic characteristics (age and gender), scores of GDS, MoCA and MMSE, or levels of Aβ, t-tau, p-tau and brain glucose metabolism were noted among the 3 groups ( P>0.05). The metacognitive scores in metacognitively impaired group were significantly lower than those in metacognitively normal group and cognitively normal controls ( P<0.05). Significant difference in the functional connectivity of bilateral anterior cingulate gyrus and bilateral orbitofrontal cortex was noted among the 3 groups (TFCE-FWE correction, P<0.01, voxel>100); compared with the cognitively normal controls, the metacognitively impaired group showed significantly decreased functional connectivity of bilateral orbitofrontal cortex, while the metacognitively normal group showed enhanced functional connectivity of bilateral orbitofrontal cortex (TFCE-FWE correction, P<0.01, voxel>100); compared with the metacognitively normal group, the metacognitively impaired group had statistically decreased functional connectivity of bilateral orbitofrontal cortex (TFCE-FWE correction, P<0.01, voxel>100). Further correlation analysis showed that difference value of functional connectivity of bilateral orbitofrontal cortex between metacognitively impaired group and cognitively normal controls was negatively correlated with RAVLT-immediate scores ( r=-0.445, P=0.043); difference value of functional connectivity of bilateral orbitofrontal cortex between metacognitively impaired group and metacognitively normal group was negatively correlated with RAVLT-immediate scores ( r=-0.463, P=0.034). Conclusion:SCD patients with different metacognitive levels have characteristic SRN functional connectivity changes; impaired metacognition may be an early feature of Alzheimer's disease.

The cisplatin-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) has been accepted as a standard treatment for most locally advanced cervical cancer. Compared with radiation therapy alone, CCRT can increase tumor control and survival rates, whereas it also can increase the incidence of acute hematological toxicity, which results in the treatment interruption or delay, and may even affect clinical efficacy and prognosis of patients. Therefore, how to reduce the incidence and severity of acute hematological toxicity induced by CCRT is a hot spot of clinical research. Previous studies have demonstrated that the occurrence of hematological toxicity is associated with the volume and dose of irradiated pelvic bone marrow. With the development of modern radiotherapy technology, precise radiotherapy technologies, such as intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT), not only guaranteed the enough dose for tumor, but also realized the protection of normal tissues. This article will focus on the feasibility of bone marrow sparing during CCRT for cervical cancer, and summarize the research progress in recent years.

Objective:To explore the effect of distal veins on the survival of a dorsal four-territory perforator flap in rats.Methods:A total of 32 SD rats were randomly divided into the control group and the experimental group, with 16 rats in each group. The multi-territory perforator flap including the bilateral iliolumbar and bilateral posterior intercostal angiosomes was cut from the back of each rat, with the size of 6 cm×7 cm. The right iliolumbar artery and vein were preserved in the control group, while the right iliolumbar artery and the right posterior intercostal vein were preserved in the experimental group. In both groups, incisions were made between the right iliolumbar angiosome and the right posterior intercostal angiosome. Finally, the flap was sutured back to their orthotopic site. At 6 hours and 1, 3, 5, 7 days after surgery, the blood perfusion at the bilateral iliolumbar and the left posterior intercostal vascular territories were measured. On the seventh day after surgery, the percentage of the survived area of the flaps were evaluated, arteriography was performed to observe the dilation of arteries within the flap, the intraluminal diameter of the choke artery in the choke 2 area was measured using hematoxylin and eosin staining, and the relative expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was detected by Western blotting. SPSS 28.0 was used for statistical analysis, and measurement data were presented as Mean±SD. Independent sample t-test was used to compare data across two groups. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:(1) At 6 hours and 1, 3, 5, 7 days after surgery, the experimental group displayed higher blood perfusion than the control group at the bilateral iliolumbar and the left posterior intercostal vascular territories (all P<0.01). (2) On the 7th day after surgery, the artery dilation of the experimental group was more obvious than that of the control group; the percentage of the survived flap area in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group [(87.6±3.2)% vs. (65.3±3.0)%, P<0.01]; the intraluminal diameter of the choke artery was greater in the experimental group than that in the control group[(49.3±3.1) μm vs. (35.1±2.3) μm, P<0.01]; and the relative expression of eNOS in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group (0.87±0.07 vs. 0.50±0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion:The distal vein (right posterior intercostal vein) of dorsal four-territory perforator flap of SD rats directly guided the pedicle artery blood supply to promote the expression of eNOS, dilated the arteries in each zone of the flap, increased the blood supply to the distal artery of the flap, and ultimately enhanced the flap survival area.

Objective:To explore the effect of distal veins on the survival of a dorsal four-territory perforator flap in rats.Methods:A total of 32 SD rats were randomly divided into the control group and the experimental group, with 16 rats in each group. The multi-territory perforator flap including the bilateral iliolumbar and bilateral posterior intercostal angiosomes was cut from the back of each rat, with the size of 6 cm×7 cm. The right iliolumbar artery and vein were preserved in the control group, while the right iliolumbar artery and the right posterior intercostal vein were preserved in the experimental group. In both groups, incisions were made between the right iliolumbar angiosome and the right posterior intercostal angiosome. Finally, the flap was sutured back to their orthotopic site. At 6 hours and 1, 3, 5, 7 days after surgery, the blood perfusion at the bilateral iliolumbar and the left posterior intercostal vascular territories were measured. On the seventh day after surgery, the percentage of the survived area of the flaps were evaluated, arteriography was performed to observe the dilation of arteries within the flap, the intraluminal diameter of the choke artery in the choke 2 area was measured using hematoxylin and eosin staining, and the relative expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was detected by Western blotting. SPSS 28.0 was used for statistical analysis, and measurement data were presented as Mean±SD. Independent sample t-test was used to compare data across two groups. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:(1) At 6 hours and 1, 3, 5, 7 days after surgery, the experimental group displayed higher blood perfusion than the control group at the bilateral iliolumbar and the left posterior intercostal vascular territories (all P<0.01). (2) On the 7th day after surgery, the artery dilation of the experimental group was more obvious than that of the control group; the percentage of the survived flap area in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group [(87.6±3.2)% vs. (65.3±3.0)%, P<0.01]; the intraluminal diameter of the choke artery was greater in the experimental group than that in the control group[(49.3±3.1) μm vs. (35.1±2.3) μm, P<0.01]; and the relative expression of eNOS in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group (0.87±0.07 vs. 0.50±0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion:The distal vein (right posterior intercostal vein) of dorsal four-territory perforator flap of SD rats directly guided the pedicle artery blood supply to promote the expression of eNOS, dilated the arteries in each zone of the flap, increased the blood supply to the distal artery of the flap, and ultimately enhanced the flap survival area.