Objective To investigate the ultrasonographic characteristics of acute Stanford type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) involving the renal arteries and their relationship with renal function. Methods Patients with ATAAD admitted to Deyang People's Hospital from February 2013 to May 2023 were selected for the study. Based on whether the renal arteries were involved in the dissection, the patients were divided into two groups: a renal artery involvement group and a renal artery non-involvement group. General data and ultrasound characteristics of the two groups were compared. Logistic regression analysis and model correction were performed to analyze the relationship between ultrasound characteristics and renal function involvement in ATAAD patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the predictive value of ultrasound characteristics for renal artery involvement in ATAAD patients. Additionally, patients in the renal artery involvement group were divided into normal renal function and abnormal renal function subgroups based on serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Scr) levels. Clinical data of the two subgroups were compared, and a log-binomial model was used to analyze the risk effects of ultrasound characteristics for abnormal renal function. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to assess the correlation between ultrasound characteristics of renal artery involvement and renal function indicators. Results A total of 163 patients were included, consisting of 106 males and 57 females, with a mean age of (50.06±10.46) years (ranging from 20 to 85 years). Significant differences in gender, Scr, and BUN were observed between the renal artery involvement group and the renal artery non-involvement group (P<0.001). Compared to the renal artery non-involvement group, the renal artery involvement group had an increased ascending aorta diameter, a greater proportion of ascending aortic dilation and poor renal perfusion (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis indicated that ascending aorta diameter, ascending aortic dilation, and poor renal perfusion were independent factors for renal artery involvement (P<0.05). Ultrasonographic characteristics showed good predictive ability for renal artery involvement in ATAAD patients. Furthermore, the combination of the three characteristics yielded a higher predictive value for renal artery involvement. Compared to the normal renal function group, the abnormal renal function group had higher BUN and Scr levels, increased ascending aortic diameter, a greater proportion of ascending aortic dilation and poor renal perfusion (P<0.05). The log-binomial model analysis revealed that the risk ratios for ascending aortic diameter, ascending aortic dilation, and poor renal perfusion were statistically significant both before and after adjustment (P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis revealed that ascending aortic diameter, ascending aortic dilation, and poor renal perfusion were strongly correlated with renal function parameters (P<0.05). Conclusion Ultrasound characteristics of ATAAD involving the renal arteries are associated with renal function. Ascending aorta diameter, ascending aortic dilation, and poor renal perfusion are independent risk factors for abnormal renal function.

ObjectiveTo explore the molecular mechanism of aerobic exercise to improve hippocampal neuronal degeneration by regulating tryptophan metabolic pathway. Methods60 SPF-grade C57BL/6J male mice were divided into a young group (2 months old, n=30) and a senile group (12 months old, n=30), and each group was further divided into a control group (C/A group, n=15) and an exercise group (CE/AE group, n=15). An aerobic exercise program was used for 8 weeks. Learning memory ability was assessed by Y-maze, and anxiety-depression-like behavior was detected by absent field experiment. Hippocampal Trp levels were measured by GC-MS. Nissl staining was used to observe the number and morphology of hippocampal neurons, and electron microscopy was used to detect synaptic ultrastructure. ELISA was used to detect the levels of hippocampal Trp,5-HT, Kyn, KATs, KYNA, KMO, and QUIN; Western blot was used to analyze the activities of TPH2, IDO1, and TDO enzymes. ResultsGroup A mice showed significant decrease in learning and memory ability (P<0.05) and increase in anxiety and depressive behaviors (P<0.05); all of AE group showed significant improvement (P<0.05). Hippocampal Trp levels decreased in group A (P<0.05) and increased in AE group (P<0.05). Nidus vesicles were reduced and synaptic structures were degraded in group A (P<0.05), and both were significantly improved in group AE (P<0.05). The levels of Trp, 5-HT, KATs, and KYNA were decreased (P<0.05) and the levels of Kyn, KMO, and QUIN were increased (P<0.05) in group A. The activity of TPH2 was decreased (P<0.05), and the activities of IDO1 and TDO were increased (P<0.05). The AE group showed the opposite trend. ConclusionThe aging process significantly reduces the learning memory ability and increases the anxiety-depression-like behavior of mice, and leads to the reduction of the number of nidus vesicles and degenerative changes of synaptic structure in the hippocampus, whereas aerobic exercise not only effectively enhances the spatial learning memory ability and alleviates the anxiety-depression-like behavior of aging mice, but also improves the morphology and structure of neurons in hippocampal area, which may be achieved by the mechanism of regulating the tryptophan metabolic pathway.

ObjectiveTo explore the sequential effects of hypoxic exercising on miR-27/PPARγ and lipid metabolism target gene and protein expression levels in the obesity rats’ liver. Methods13-week-old male diet-induced obesity rats were randomly divided into three groups (n＝10): normal oxygen concentration quiet group (N), hypoxia quiet group (H), hypoxic exercise group (HE). Exercise training on the horizontal animal treadmill for 1 h/d, 5 d/week for a total of 4 week, and the intensity of horizontal treadmill training was 20 m/min (hypoxic concentration was 13.6%). Comparison of the weights of perirenal fat and epididymal fat in rats across different groups and calculation of Lee’s index based on body weight and body length of rats in each group were done. And the serum concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were detected. RT-PCR and Western Blot were used to detect the levels of miR-27, PPARγ, CYP7A1 and CD36. ResultsHypoxic exercise decreased the expression levels of miR-27 in the obese rats’ liver, however, the expression level of PPARγ was gradually increased. The expression levels of miR-27 in HE group were significantly lower than N group (P<0.05). The expression levels of PPARγ mRNA in N group were significantly lower than H group (P<0.05), especially lower than HE group (P<0.01). The protein expression of PPARγ protein in N group was significantly lower than that other groups (P<0.01). The expression of lipid metabolism-related genes and proteins increased in the obese rats’ liver. The expression of CYP7A1 mRNA in N group was significantly lower than H group (P<0.05), especially lower than HE group (P<0.01). The expression of CYP7A1 protein in the obese rats’ liver in N group was extremely lower than H group and HE group (P<0.01). The protein expression of CD36 in N group was significantly lower than that in HE group (P<0.05). Hypoxia exercise improved the related physiological and biochemical indexes of lipid metabolism disorder. The perirenal fat weight of obese rats in HE group was extremely lower than N group and H group (P<0.01), and the perirenal fat weight in N group was significantly higher than H group (P<0.05). The epididymal fat weight in N group was significantly higher than H group (P<0.05), and extremely higher than HE group (P<0.01). The Lee’s index in HE group was extremely lower than N group and H group (P<0.01). The serum concentration of TC in obese rats in HE group was extremely lower than N group and H group (P<0.01). The serum concentration of TG in HE group was extremely lower than N group and H group (P<0.01). The serum concentration of LDL-C in N group was extremely higher than HE group (P<0.01). The serum concentration of HDL-C in N group was extremely lower than H group (P<0.01). ConclusionHypoxia and hypoxia exercise may negatively regulate the levels of PPARγ by inhibiting miR-27 in the obese rats’ liver, thereby affecting the expression of downstream target genes CYP7A1 and CD36, and promoting cholesterol, fatty acid oxidation and HDL-C transport in the liver, and ultimately the lipid levels in obese rats were improved. The effect of hypoxia exercise on improving blood lipid is better than simple hypoxia intervention.

Neuroscience is a significant frontier discipline within the natural sciences and has become an important interdisciplinary frontier scientific field. Brain is one of the most complex organs in the human body, and its structural and functional analysis is considered the “ultimate frontier” of human self-awareness and exploration of nature. Driven by the strategic layout of “China Brain Project”, Chinese scientists have conducted systematic research focusing on “understanding the brain, simulating the brain, and protecting the brain”. They have made breakthrough progress in areas such as the principles of brain cognition, mechanisms and interventions for brain diseases, brain-like computation, and applications of brain-machine intelligence technology, aiming to enhance brain health through biomedical technology and improve the quality of human life. Due to limited understanding and comprehension of neuroscience, there are still many important unresolved issues in the field of neuroscience, resulting in a lack of effective measures to prevent and protect brain health. Therefore, in addition to actively developing new generation drugs, exploring non pharmacological treatment strategies with better health benefits and higher safety is particularly important. Epidemiological data shows that, exercise is not only an indispensable part of daily life but also an important non-pharmacological approach for protecting brain health and preventing neurodegenerative diseases, forming an emerging research field known as motor neuroscience. Basic research in motor neuroscience primarily focuses on analyzing the dynamic coding mechanisms of neural circuits involved in motor control, breakthroughs in motor neuroscience research depend on the construction of dynamic monitoring systems across temporal and spatial scales. Therefore, high spatiotemporal resolution detection of movement processes and movement-induced changes in brain structure and neural activity signals is an important technical foundation for conducting motor neuroscience research and has developed a set of tools based on traditional neuroscience methods combined with novel motor behavior decoding technologies, providing an innovative technical platform for motor neuroscience research. The protective effect of exercise in neurodegenerative diseases provides broad application prospects for its clinical translation. Applied research in motor neuroscience centers on deciphering the regulatory networks of neuroprotective molecules mediated by exercise. From the perspectives of exercise promoting neurogenesis and regeneration, enhancing synaptic plasticity, modulating neuronal functional activity, and remodeling the molecular homeostasis of the neuronal microenvironment, it aims to improve cognitive function and reduce the incidence of Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. This has also advanced research into the molecular regulatory networks mediating exercise-induced neuroprotection and facilitated the clinical application and promotion of exercise rehabilitation strategies. Multidimensional analysis of exercise-regulated neural plasticity is the theoretical basis for elucidating the brain-protective mechanisms mediated by exercise and developing intervention strategies for neurological diseases. Thus,real-time analysis of different neural signals during active exercise is needed to study the health effects of exercise throughout the entire life cycle and enhance lifelong sports awareness. Therefore, this article will systematically summarize the innovative technological developments in motor neuroscience research, review the mechanisms of neural plasticity that exercise utilizes to protect the brain, and explore the role of exercise in the prevention and treatment of major neurodegenerative diseases. This aims to provide new ideas for future theoretical innovations and clinical applications in the field of exercise-induced brain protection.

Objective To investigate the independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of chronic active antibody-mediated rejection (caAMR) after kidney transplantation. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 61 patients who underwent renal biopsy and were diagnosed with caAMR. The patients were divided into caAMR group (n=41) and caAMR+TCMR group (n=20) based on the presence or absence of concurrent acute T cell-mediated rejection (TCMR). The patients were followed up for 3 years. The value of 24-hour urinary protein and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at the time of biopsy in predicting graft loss was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The independent risk factors affecting caAMR prognosis were analyzed using the LASSO-Cox regression model. The correlation between grouping, outcomes, and Banff scores was compared using Spearman rank correlation matrix analysis. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to evaluate the renal allograft survival rates of each subgroup. Results The 3-year renal allograft survival rates for the caAMR group and the caAMR+TCMR group were 83% and 79%, respectively. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for predicting 3-year renal allograft loss was 0.83 ［95% confidence interval (CI) 0.70-0.97］ for eGFR and 0.78 (95% CI 0.61-0.96) for 24-hour urinary protein at the time of biopsy. LASSO-Cox regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that eGFR≤25.23 mL/(min·1.73 m²) and the presence of donor-specific antibody (DSA) against human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I might be independent risk factors affecting renal allograft prognosis, with hazard ratios of 7.67 (95% CI 2.18-27.02) and 5.13 (95% CI 1.33-19.80), respectively. A strong correlation was found between the Banff chronic lesion indicators of renal interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (P<0.05). Conclusions The presence of HLA class I DSA and eGFR≤25.23 mL/(min·1.73 m²) at the time of biopsy may be independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of caAMR.

Piper nigrum L. is an evergreen climbing vine, which belongs to the genus Piperia in the Piperaceae family. Piper nigrum L., which known as the “king of spices”, is used as both food and medicine. The main active substances in Piper nigrum L. are alkaloids mainly composed of amides, and essential oil, as well as phenolic compounds. In this paper, the chemical compositions, especially amide alkaloids, and their biological activities of Piper nigrum L. were summarized. These studies showed that Piper nigrum L., as a medicinal and food plant, had a wide range of biological activities and was deserved further research and in-depth utilization.

Objective: To explore the effects of Cldn14 gene knockout on renal metabolism and stone formation in rats，so as to provide reference for research in the field of urinary calium metabolism and stone formation. Methods: Cldn14 gene knockout homozygous rats and wild-type rats of the same age were randomly divided into 4 groups：wild-type control (WC) group，wild-type ethylene glycol (WE) group，gene knockout control (KC) group and gene knockout ethylene glycol (KE) group，with 10 rats in each group.The WE and KE groups were induced with ethylene glycol + ammonium chloride to form kidney stones，while the WC and KC groups received normal saline gavage.After 4 weeks of standard maintenance feeding，the urine samples were collected to detect the venous blood.The kidneys were collected for HE，Pizzolatto's staining and transmission electron microscopy.The protein in renal tissues was extracted to detect the expressions of Claudin16 and Claudin19. Results: Crystal deposition was observed in the renal tubular lumen of the WE and the KE groups，and more crystals were detected in the KE group.The WE group had a large number of intracytoplasmic black crystalline inclusions observed in renal tubular epithelial cells under transmission electron microscope，followed by the KE and KC groups.Compared with WC and WE groups，KC and KE groups had significantly decreased serum calcium and magnesium levels but significantly increased urinary calcium level.In addition，the urinary calcium level was higher in the WE group than in the WC group and higher in the KE group than in the KC group.The KE group had lower level of Claudin16，but there was no significant difference in the level of Claudin19 among the 4 groups(P>0.05). Conclusion: Knockout of Cldn14 gene alone cannot effectively reduce urinary calcium excretion or reduce the risk of stone formation in rats，which may be related to the decrease of Claudin16 level.

ObjectiveTo investigate the anti-inflammatory effect and mechanism of Danggui Shaoyaosan （DSS） in ameliorating vascular dementia （VaD）. MethodsSeventy 8-week-old C57BL/6J male mice were randomized into 7 groups： control， model， sham， positive control （donepezil， 10 mg·kg^-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （12， 24， 36 g·kg^-1， respectively） DSS groups （n=10）. After drug administration， behavioral tests and cerebral blood flow detection were carried out. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to assess the levels of interferon （IFN）-α， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α， interleukin （IL）-6， and CXC motif chemokine ligand 10 （CXCL10） in the brain tissue. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe the changes in hippocampal morphology. Transcriptomics was used to predict the potential signaling mechanisms of DSS in ameliorating neuroinflammation， and Western blot and Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） were conducted to verify the expression changes of related genes. ResultsCompared with the control group and the sham group， the model group showed deceases in recognition index in the new object recognition test， movement distance and time in the target quadrant， and number of crossings in the Morris water maze test （P<0.01）. In addition， the model group showed slow cerebral blood flow and down-regulated protein levels of postsynaptic density protein 95 （PSD95） and occludin （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and there was no significant difference between the control group and the sham group. Compared with the model group， the DSS at each dose increased the new object recognition index， the distance and time in the target quadrant， the number of crossings， and cerebral blood flow （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In terms of brain tissue injury-related protein expression and inflammatory factor content， the medium-dose DSS group had the best effect， with higher protein levels of PSD95 and occludin （P<0.05） and lower levels of IFN-α， TNF-α， and IL-6 （P<0.01） than the model group. The hippocampus of model mice showed pathological manifestations such as cell loss and disarrangement， which were alleviated after administration of DSS at each dose. Transcriptomic results indicated that interferon regulatory factor 7 （IRF7）， signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3）， and bone marrow stromal cell antigen 2 （BST2） were differentially expressed genes （down-regulated） in control group and medium-dose DSS group compared with the model group. The KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that RIG-Ⅰ-like receptor signaling pathway， Toll-like receptor signaling pathway， cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway， and downstream stimulator of interferon genes （STING） were both upstream signaling pathways affecting IFN expression. Real-time PCR results indicated that the mRNA levels of cyclic good manufacturing practice（GMP）-adenosine monophosphate（AMP） synthase （cGAS）， STING， IRF7， STAT3， and BST2 in the model group were higher than those in the sham group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The mRNA levels of all the genes in the medium-dose DSS group were down-regulated compared with those in the model group after administration （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Western blot results indicated that the relative expression levels of cGAS， STING， p-IRF7， p-STAT3， and BST2 in the model group were higher than those in the sham group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The protein levels of cGAS， STING， p-IRF7， p-STAT3， and BST2 in the medium-dose DSS group were decreased compared with those in the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionDSS ameliorates cognitive impairment in the VaD model mice by inhibiting the cGAS-STING/IRF7/STAT3-mediated neuroinflammation.

ObjectiveTo investigate the anti-inflammatory effect and mechanism of Danggui Shaoyaosan （DSS） in ameliorating vascular dementia （VaD）. MethodsSeventy 8-week-old C57BL/6J male mice were randomized into 7 groups： control， model， sham， positive control （donepezil， 10 mg·kg^-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （12， 24， 36 g·kg^-1， respectively） DSS groups （n=10）. After drug administration， behavioral tests and cerebral blood flow detection were carried out. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to assess the levels of interferon （IFN）-α， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α， interleukin （IL）-6， and CXC motif chemokine ligand 10 （CXCL10） in the brain tissue. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe the changes in hippocampal morphology. Transcriptomics was used to predict the potential signaling mechanisms of DSS in ameliorating neuroinflammation， and Western blot and Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） were conducted to verify the expression changes of related genes. ResultsCompared with the control group and the sham group， the model group showed deceases in recognition index in the new object recognition test， movement distance and time in the target quadrant， and number of crossings in the Morris water maze test （P<0.01）. In addition， the model group showed slow cerebral blood flow and down-regulated protein levels of postsynaptic density protein 95 （PSD95） and occludin （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and there was no significant difference between the control group and the sham group. Compared with the model group， the DSS at each dose increased the new object recognition index， the distance and time in the target quadrant， the number of crossings， and cerebral blood flow （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In terms of brain tissue injury-related protein expression and inflammatory factor content， the medium-dose DSS group had the best effect， with higher protein levels of PSD95 and occludin （P<0.05） and lower levels of IFN-α， TNF-α， and IL-6 （P<0.01） than the model group. The hippocampus of model mice showed pathological manifestations such as cell loss and disarrangement， which were alleviated after administration of DSS at each dose. Transcriptomic results indicated that interferon regulatory factor 7 （IRF7）， signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3）， and bone marrow stromal cell antigen 2 （BST2） were differentially expressed genes （down-regulated） in control group and medium-dose DSS group compared with the model group. The KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that RIG-Ⅰ-like receptor signaling pathway， Toll-like receptor signaling pathway， cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway， and downstream stimulator of interferon genes （STING） were both upstream signaling pathways affecting IFN expression. Real-time PCR results indicated that the mRNA levels of cyclic good manufacturing practice（GMP）-adenosine monophosphate（AMP） synthase （cGAS）， STING， IRF7， STAT3， and BST2 in the model group were higher than those in the sham group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The mRNA levels of all the genes in the medium-dose DSS group were down-regulated compared with those in the model group after administration （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Western blot results indicated that the relative expression levels of cGAS， STING， p-IRF7， p-STAT3， and BST2 in the model group were higher than those in the sham group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The protein levels of cGAS， STING， p-IRF7， p-STAT3， and BST2 in the medium-dose DSS group were decreased compared with those in the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionDSS ameliorates cognitive impairment in the VaD model mice by inhibiting the cGAS-STING/IRF7/STAT3-mediated neuroinflammation.

ObjectivePrimary liver cancer, predominantly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is a significant global health issue, ranking as the sixth most diagnosed cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Accurate and early diagnosis of HCC is crucial for effective treatment, as HCC and non-HCC malignancies like intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) exhibit different prognoses and treatment responses. Traditional diagnostic methods, including liver biopsy and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), face limitations in applicability and objectivity. The primary objective of this study was to develop an advanced, light-weighted classification network capable of distinguishing HCC from other non-HCC malignancies by leveraging the automatic analysis of brightness changes in CEUS images. The ultimate goal was to create a user-friendly and cost-efficient computer-aided diagnostic tool that could assist radiologists in making more accurate and efficient clinical decisions. MethodsThis retrospective study encompassed a total of 161 patients, comprising 131 diagnosed with HCC and 30 with non-HCC malignancies. To achieve accurate tumor detection, the YOLOX network was employed to identify the region of interest (ROI) on both B-mode ultrasound and CEUS images. A custom-developed algorithm was then utilized to extract brightness change curves from the tumor and adjacent liver parenchyma regions within the CEUS images. These curves provided critical data for the subsequent analysis and classification process. To analyze the extracted brightness change curves and classify the malignancies, we developed and compared several models. These included one-dimensional convolutional neural networks (1D-ResNet, 1D-ConvNeXt, and 1D-CNN), as well as traditional machine-learning methods such as support vector machine (SVM), ensemble learning (EL), k-nearest neighbor (KNN), and decision tree (DT). The diagnostic performance of each method in distinguishing HCC from non-HCC malignancies was rigorously evaluated using four key metrics: area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUC), accuracy (ACC), sensitivity (SE), and specificity (SP). ResultsThe evaluation of the machine-learning methods revealed AUC values of 0.70 for SVM, 0.56 for ensemble learning, 0.63 for KNN, and 0.72 for the decision tree. These results indicated moderate to fair performance in classifying the malignancies based on the brightness change curves. In contrast, the deep learning models demonstrated significantly higher AUCs, with 1D-ResNet achieving an AUC of 0.72, 1D-ConvNeXt reaching 0.82, and 1D-CNN obtaining the highest AUC of 0.84. Moreover, under the five-fold cross-validation scheme, the 1D-CNN model outperformed other models in both accuracy and specificity. Specifically, it achieved accuracy improvements of 3.8% to 10.0% and specificity enhancements of 6.6% to 43.3% over competing approaches. The superior performance of the 1D-CNN model highlighted its potential as a powerful tool for accurate classification. ConclusionThe 1D-CNN model proved to be the most effective in differentiating HCC from non-HCC malignancies, surpassing both traditional machine-learning methods and other deep learning models. This study successfully developed a user-friendly and cost-efficient computer-aided diagnostic solution that would significantly enhances radiologists’ diagnostic capabilities. By improving the accuracy and efficiency of clinical decision-making, this tool has the potential to positively impact patient care and outcomes. Future work may focus on further refining the model and exploring its integration with multimodal ultrasound data to maximize its accuracy and applicability.