Establishment of rat models of liver transplantation provides an ideal animal model for resolving the problems of postoperative complications and perioperative treatment of liver transplantation. With in-depth study of the establishment of rat models of liver transplantation, classic "two-cuff" technique has been gradually employed. However, poor surgical field, vascular torsion, biliary tract injury and long anhepatic phase remain unresolved in the process of liver transplantation using traditional techniques. At present, the rat models of liver transplantation at home and abroad are modified mainly from the reconstruction of four vital anatomic structures including the suprahepatic inferior vena cava, portal vein, infrahepatic inferior vena cava and bile duct. Therefore, the latest progress in the reconstruction of the suprahepatic inferior vena cava, portal vein, infrahepatic inferior vena cava and bile duct was reviewed, aiming to provide reference for the establishment of rat models of liver transplantation and promote further development of liver transplantation techniques.

Objective:To learn about the clinical manifestations, laboratory characteristics and treatment of patients with acute and chronic brucellosis.Methods:Clinical data of 153 brucellosis patients admitted to the Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University from 2012 to 2022 were retrospectively collected, including general information, epidemiological characteristics, clinical manifestations, laboratory test results, imaging examination results, treatment and prognosis. According to the course of disease < 180 d and ≥180 d, these patients were divided into acute brucellosis group and chronic brucellosis group, and the clinical data of the two groups of patients were compared and analyzed.Results:A total of 153 patients with brucellosis were included, including 119 in the acute brucellosis group and 34 in the chronic brucellosis group. The age was (46.2 ± 13.8) years old, with 115 males (75.2%) and 38 females (24.8%), and 85 patients (55.6%) were occupational exposed. Complications occurred in 90 patients (58.8%), and the incidence of complications in the acute brucellosis group was lower than that in the chronic brucellosis group [76.5% (26/34) vs 53.8% (64/119), χ 2 = 5.62, P = 0.018]. The most common clinical manifestations were fever and arthralgia, with 128 cases (83.7%) and 124 cases (81.0%), respectively. The incidence of fever in the acute brucellosis group was higher than that in the chronic brucellosis group [87.4% (104/119) vs 70.6% (24/34), χ 2 = 5.46, P = 0.019], while the incidence of arthralgia was lower than that in the chronic brucellosis group [77.3% (92/119) vs 94.1% (32/34), χ 2 = 4.83, P = 0.027]. In laboratory tests, the positive rate of blood culture was 59.5% (91/153), and it was higher in the acute brucellosis group than that in the chronic brucellosis group [67.2% (80/119) vs 32.4% (11/34), P < 0.05]. The incidence of elevated procalcitonin [PCT, 58.6% (58/99) vs 24.1% (7/29), χ 2 = 10.65, P = 0.001] and the incidence of liver dysfunction [33.9% (40/118) vs 15.2% (5/33), χ 2 = 4.33, P = 0.037] in the acute brucellosis group were higher than those in the chronic brucellosis group. In the imaging examination, 61 patients (39.9%) experienced bone destruction, and the incidence of bone destruction in the chronic brucellosis group was higher than that in the acute brucellosis group [55.9% (19/34) vs 35.3% (42/119), χ 2 = 4.68, P = 0.031]. All patients were treated with antibiotics, with a median of 3 and 4 types of antibiotics used in the acute and chronic brucellosis groups, respectively. The overall incidence of adverse drug reactions was 5.2% (8/153). After treatment, 65 cases (42.5%) recovered, 70 cases (45.8%) improved, and 18 cases (11.8%) did not recover. Conclusions:The main clinical manifestations of brucellosis patients are fever and arthralgia, with a high incidence of complications. All patients are treated with combined antibiotics therapy. Patients in acute brucellosis group have a higher incidence of fever, positive blood culture, elevated PCT and abnormal liver function, while patients in chronic brucellosis group have a higher incidence of complications, arthralgia and bone destruction.

In order to study the effect of antimicrobial drug reduction on the resistance of E.coli and diversity of antibiotic resistance genes(ARGs)and mobile genetic elements(MGEs)in the intes-tinal microbiota of dairy cows in dairy farms in Hebei Province,and to evaluate the implementation effect of antimicrobial drug reduction actions,anal swab samples and fecal samples were collected from three qualified dairy farms and two non-standard dairy farms in different regions of Hebei Province,and E.coli was isolated from the anal swab samples and tested for their resistance to 16 antimicrobial drugs,and the differences in the drug resistance rate of E.coli in the two types of dairy farms were analyzed.SYBR fluorescent dye method was used to detect ARGs and MGEs in dairy feces,their relative abundance was calculated,the differences and correlation between the two types of dairy farms were analyzed.The results showed that a total of 192 ARGs and 7 MGEs were detected in 15 samples,and the relative abundance of ARGs was the highest in β-lactam resistance genes,followed by tetracycline resistance genes.The detection of ARGs and MGEs in some stand-ard dairy farms was lower than that in non-standard farms,suggesting that the large use of antimi-crobial drugs may be related to the production and transmission of ARGs,and the number of MG-Es detected was correlated with the number of ARGs detected,and ARGs may be transmitted through horizontal gene transfer.The results showed that there was little difference in the drug re-sistance rate of E.coli from the two types of dairy farms,and multi-drug resistant strains were more likely to occur in non-standard farms.The implementation of antimicrobial reduction had a certain effect on the diversity of antibiotic resistance genes,but had no significant effect on the prevalence of E.coli drug resistance and the diversity of ARGs in dairy farms in the short term,and there was little difference between different regions,which also revealed the prevalence of anti-biotic resistance in dairy farms.

Objective: To systematically evaluate the effect of colostrum on immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels among premature infants, so as to provide the evidence for improving premature infants' health with colostrum feeding. Methods: Randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) or controlled clinical trials (CCTs) pertaining to the effect of colostrum and IgA levels among premature infants were retrieved in national and international databases from inception to September 30, 2022, including CNKI, Wanfang Data, PubMed and Web of Science. Standardized mean difference (SMD) was used as an effect index for meta-analysis. The robustness of the results was evaluated using sensitivity analysis, and the publication bias was evaluated using Begg's test, Egger's test and funnel plot. Results : A total of 650 publications were retrieved initially, and 10 studies were finally included, including 9 RCTs and one1 CCT, with 677 participants. Meta-analysis showed higher secretory salivary secretory IgA levels among premature infants with colostrum feeding than among controls (SMD=0.49, 95%CI: 0.08-0.89), and there were no significant differences between groups in terms of urinary secretory IgA levels (SMD=0.19, 95%CI: -0.39-0.77) or blood IgA levels (SMD=0.29, 95%CI: -0.01-0.59). Sensitivity analysis showed robustness of meta-analysis results, and no publication bias was examined. Conclusion Colostrum feeding may increase salivary secretory IgA levels among premature infants; however, it has no effect on urine salivary secretory IgA levels or blood IgA levels.

Brain size abnormality is correlated with an increased frequency of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in offspring. Genetic analysis indicates that heterozygous mutations of the WD repeat domain 62 (WDR62) are associated with ASD. However, biological evidence is still lacking. Our study showed that Wdr62 knockout (KO) led to reduced brain size with impaired learning and memory, as well as ASD-like behaviors in mice. Interestingly, Wdr62 Nex-cKO mice (depletion of WDR62 in differentiated neurons) had a largely normal brain size but with aberrant social interactions and repetitive behaviors. WDR62 regulated dendritic spinogenesis and excitatory synaptic transmission in cortical pyramidal neurons. Finally, we revealed that retinoic acid gavages significantly alleviated ASD-like behaviors in mice with WDR62 haploinsufficiency, probably by complementing the expression of ASD and synapse-related genes. Our findings provide a new perspective on the relationship between the microcephaly gene WDR62 and ASD etiology that will benefit clinical diagnosis and intervention of ASD.
Mice ; Animals ; Microcephaly/genetics* ; Autistic Disorder/metabolism* ; Autism Spectrum Disorder/metabolism* ; Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism* ; Brain/metabolism* ; Mice, Knockout ; Cell Cycle Proteins/metabolism*

Objective:To analyze the clinical and laboratory characteristics of mpox patients in Guangzhou City.Methods:The general conditions, symptoms and signs, and laboratory test results of mpox patients admitted to Guangzhou Eighth People′s Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University from June 8 to June 21, 2023 were collected. The clinical characteristics of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients and HIV-negative patients were compared.Independent sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher exact probability method were used for statistical analysis. Results:Nineteen mpox patients were included in this study, none of them had been vaccinated with smallpox vaccine. All of them were identifed as gay men with an age of (33.2±6.4) years. And all of them had sex with men within 21 days of onset. There were eight cases with HIV infection and syphilis, respectively. All of these 19 patients had skin lesions which were the first symptom of 15 patients, and appeared during the course of the disease of four patients. Other common symptoms and signs were lymph node enlargement (17 cases), lymph node tenderness (15 cases), pharyngeal congestion (15 cases), tonsil enlargement (13 cases), fever (11 cases) and pruritus (10 cases). There were 13 cases with elevated CD8 + T lymphocytes, interleukin-10 level and procalcitonin level, respectively, 12 cases with elevated serum amyloid A level, and seven cases with elevated blood lymphocyte count. Eight patients were infected with HIV, including one acute infection and seven chronic infections (all of them had received regular antiviral therapy and had a CD4 + T lymphocyte count of 657(400, 757)/μL before onset). There were no significant differences in age ( t=1.55), incidence of complications (Fisher exact probability method), number of skin lesions ( Z=-0.21), incidence of lymph node enlargement (Fisher exact probability method), incidence of fever (Fisher exact probability method), duration of fever ( Z=-0.48), lymphocyte count ( t=-1.55), CD4 + T lymphocyte count ( Z=-0.17) and CD8 + T lymphocyte count ( Z=-1.49) between the HIV-infected patients and HIV-negative patients (all P>0.05). The number of skin lesions was 19(6, 26), and the locations of skin lesions were mainly in perineum and nearby areas (17 cases). The most frequent morphology of skin lesions at admission were papules (15 cases), eschar (15 cases) and pustules (12 cases). All patients recovered after topical medication and symptomatic treatment. Conclusions:Mpox mainly occurs in young and middle-aged men who have sex with men in Guangzhou City. Skin lesions, lymph node enlargement accompanied by tenderness, pharyngeal congestion, tonsil enlargement and fever are the most common features. Common laboratory abnormities are elevated inflammatory markers. The clinical characteristics of HIV-infected patients with normal immune function are similar to those of HIV-negative patients.

Objective To explore the effects of Sishen Pill and Gegen Qinlian Tablet on cytokines of acute and chronic colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in mice. Methods Mice freely drank 4%DSS dissolved in drinking water for continuous 5 days to establish acute colitis model. Mice circularly drank 3% DSS for 4 times for the establishment of chronic colitis model. In the acute or chronic colitis experiment, mice were randomly divided into control group, acute and chronic model groups, Sishen Pill group, and Gegen Qinlian Tablet group. Acute model group was administrated one day after DSS drinking for 8 days. Chronic model group was administrated after the second time of circular drinking for 16 days. ELISA was used to detect the contents of IFN-γ, IL-17 and IL-22 in cultural supernatant of mouse colon. Results Contents of IFN-γ, IL-17A and IL-22 in cultural supernatant increased significantly in acute models (P<0.01). Gegen Qinlian Tablet can significantly decrease the contents of IFN-γ and IL-17A of acute models (P<0.05). Sishen Pill can significantly decrease the content of IL-17A (P<0.05). IFN-γand IL-17A in cultural supernatant in chronic model mice significantly increased compared with control group (P<0.01). Sishen Pill and Gegen Qinlian Tablet inhibited the contents of IFN-γ and IL-17A. Compared with control group, Sishen Pill significantly increased the content of IL-22 (P<0.05). Conclusion Sishen Pill and Gegen Qinlian Tablet can treat colitis by decreasing the contents of IFN-γ and IL-17A in acute colitis model mice;Sishen Pill can treat chronic colitis by promoting IL-22 to increase.

Purpose To study the clinicopathological characteristics in 22 cases of ovarian mature teratoma with malignant transforma-tion. Methods Clinical and pathologic features were collected and analyzed in 22 out of 1 826 cases of ovarian mature teratoma by retrospective studies, together with immunohistochemical staining. Results In our study, 22 cases (1. 2%) of ovarian mature terato-ma with malignant transformation were identified. The median age was 56. 5 (range, 31~79) years. The main clinical manifestations were pelvic masses, including 13 cases in the left ovary, 8 cases in the right, 1 case was bilateral. Gross cystic teratoma were saw in 19 cases, 3 cases of cystic and solid, the bilateral one was solid in the left which the right was cystic. The teratomas size were 5. 0~30 cm with average 12. 4 cm in diameter. The malignant components’ maximum diameter was about 1. 0~10. 0 cm with average 3. 7 cm. Microscopicically, there were poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma in 14 cases, carcinoid carcinoma in 4 cases, adeno-carcinoma in 2 cases, papillary thyroid carcinoma in 2 cases, and the last one was sarcomatoid carcinoma. The FIGO stage distribution was as follows:16 were stage IA, 1 was stage IB, 1 was stage IIA, 4 were stage IIB. Follow up showed 6 cases recurrened, 2 patients died, the rest are survival. Conclusions A low incidence of ovarian mature teratoma in somatic cells with malignant transformation, which are common in postmenopausal women and present with pelvic mass. The main malignant components is squamous cell carcino-ma, patients of stage I have better prognosis. Both clinic and pathology should take more attention to the comprehensive examination and diagnosis of teratoma for prevent misdiagnosis.

BACKGROUNDSuppression of myostatin (MSTN) has been associated with skeletal muscle atrophy and insulin resistance (IR). However, few studies link MSTN suppression by ladder-climbing training (LCT) and IR. Therefore, we intended to identify the correlation with IR between LCT and to analyze the signaling pathways through which MSTN suppression by LCT regulates IR.

METHODSThe rats were randomly assigned to two types of diet: normal pellet diet (NPD, n = 8) and high-fat diet (HFD, n = 16). After 8 weeks, the HFD rats were randomly re-assigned to two groups (n = 8 for each group): HFD sedentary (HFD-S) and high-fat diet ladder-climbing training (HFD-LCT). HFD-LCT rats were assigned to LCT for 8 weeks. Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and enzyme assays were used to measure expression levels and activities of MSTN, GLUT4, PI3K, Akt and Akt-activated targets (mTOR, FoxO1 and GSK-3β).

RESULTSThe LCT significantly improved IR and whole-body insulin sensitivity in HDF-fed rats. MSTN protein levels decreased in matching serum (42%, P = 0.007) and muscle samples (25%, P = 0.035) and its receptor mRNA expression also decreased (16%, P = 0.041) from obese rats after LCT. But the mRNA expression of insulin receptor had no obvious changes in LCT group compared with NPD and HFD-S groups (P = 0.074). The ladder-climbing training significantly enhanced PI3K activity (1.7-fold, P = 0.024) and Akt phosphorylation (83.3%, P = 0.022) in HFD-fed rats, significantly increased GLUT4 protein expression (84.5%, P = 0.036), enhanced phosphorylation of mTOR (4.8-fold, P < 0.001) and inhibited phosphorylation of FoxO1 (57.7%, P = 0.020), but did not affect the phosphorylation of GSK-3β.

CONCLUSIONSThe LCT significantly reduced IR in diet-induced obese rats. MSTN may play an important role in regulating IR and fat accumulation by LCT via PI3K/Akt/mTOR and PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 signaling pathway in HFD-fed rats.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Diet, High-Fat ; adverse effects ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Glucose Transporter Type 4 ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Insulin Resistance ; physiology ; Male ; Myostatin ; metabolism ; Obesity ; etiology ; metabolism ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Quadriceps Muscle ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

The concept of epigenetics was first proposed by Waddington in 1942,referring to phenotypic changes that are not related to the underlying DNA sequence,yet alterations in the level and function of gene expression can be heritable,such as DNA methylation,histone modifications,microRNA interference,etc.Phenotype changes while genotype remains unchanged,this controlled mechanism can be kept stable throughout cell division,proliferation,and subsequent process of development.This process thus may cause corresponding changes in the pathophysiology,which are correlated with the occurrence of cancer,immune disorder,cardiovascular disease,metabolic syndrome and so on.Diabetes mellitus is the third heaviest chronic diseases in the world,and does serious harm to human health,especially the diabetic vascular diseases.Even if the blood glucose level is controlled in an ideal state,vascular inflammation still persists,indicating the existence of metabolic memory.Studies have suggested that the pathogenesis can be elucidated at the level of epigenetics.This paper mainly focuses on DNA methylation,histone modifications,and is an overview of epigenetics research progress in diabetic vascular diseases.