BACKGROUND:Indolepropionic acid has been shown to reduce diabetes-induced central nervous system inflammation.However,there is a lack of research on whether to inhibit microglia M1 polarization for the treatment of spinal cord injury. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the mechanism of indolepropionic acid inhibition of microglial cell M1 polarization for the treatment of spinal cord injury through cell and animal experiments. METHODS:(1)In vitro experiments:BV2 cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 assay to determine optimal concentrations of indolepropionic acid.Subsequently,BV2 cells were categorized into control group,administration group(50 μmol/L indolepropionic acid),lipopolysaccharide group(100 ng/mL lipopolysaccharide),and treatment group(100 ng/mL lipopolysaccharide + 50 μmol/L indolepropionic acid).Nitric oxide content was quantified using the Griess method.Real-time quantitative PCR and western blot assay were employed to measure mRNA and protein levels of pro-inflammatory factors.Cell immunofluorescence staining was conducted to assess inducible nitric oxide synthase expression.The Seahorse assay was employed to assess glycolytic stress levels in BV2 cells.(2)In vivo experiments:30 SD rats were randomly divided into three groups:sham surgery group,spinal cord injury group,and indolepropionic acid group.Motor function recovery in rats after spinal cord injury was assessed using BBB scoring and the inclined plane test.Immunofluorescence staining of spinal cord tissue was conducted to evaluate the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in microglial cells.ELISA was employed to measure protein expression levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α in spinal cord tissue. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In vitro experiments:Indolepropionic acid exhibited significant suppression of BV2 cell viability when its concentration exceeded 50 μmol/L.Indolepropionic acid achieved this by inhibiting the activation of the nuclear factor κB signaling pathway,thereby suppressing the mRNA and protein expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines(interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α),as well as the M1 polarization marker,inducible nitric oxide synthase,in BV2 cells.Additionally,indolepropionic acid notably reduced the glycolytic level in BV2 cells induced by lipopolysaccharides.(2)In vivo experiments:Following indolepropionic acid intervention in spinal cord injury rats,there was a noticeable increase in BBB scores and the inclined plane test angle.There was also a significant decrease in the number of M1-polarized microglial cells in spinal cord tissue,accompanied by a marked reduction in the protein expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines(interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α).(3)These results conclude that indolepropionic acid promotes functional recovery after spinal cord injury by improving the inflammatory microenvironment through inhibition of microglia M1 polarization.

Objective To investigate the distribution and seasonal fluctuations of visceral leishmaniasis vectors sandflies in Lüliang City, Shanxi Province, so as to provide insights into assessment of the visceral leishmaniasis transmission risk and formulation of visceral leishmaniasis control measures. Methods A total of 12 natural villages were sampled from Shilou County, Lishi District, Lanxian County, Linxian County and Wenshui County in Lüliang City, Shanxi Province from June to September, 2023, and sandflies were captured using light traps from 7 breeding habitats, including farmers’ houses, sheep pens, cattle pens, chicken coops, pig pens, mule and horse pens, and loess-cave dwellings. Following morphological identification of the sandfly species, the distribution of sandflies and the seasonal fluctuations of the sandfly density were analyzed. In addition, the Leishmania was detected in sandflies using a real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR assay. Results A total of 2 831 sandflies were captured with 156 light traps in Lüliang City from June to September, 2023, including 2 638 female sandflies (93.18%) and 193 male sandflies (6.82%), and the average density was 16.91 sandflies/(light-night). The seasonal fluctuations of the sandfly density all appeared a unimodal distribution in all survey sites, and the sandfly density peaked in July and then declined rapidly. Among all types of breeding habitats, the greatest sandfly density was found in sheep pens [39.04 sandflies/(light-night)]. In addition, 4.08% (2/49) of the sandfly samples were tested positive for Leishmania nucleic acid as revealed by the real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR assay. Conclusions Sandflies were widely distributed in Lüliang City, Shanxi Province in 2023, and the peak of the sandfly density was observed in July, which had a visceral leishmaniasis transmission risk. Intensified surveillance of visceral leishmaniasis and sandfly vectors is required and targeted vector control is recommended.

Objective:To explore the hematological phenotype and genotypic characteristics of five Chinese individuals with a rare thalassemia mutation HBB: c. 93-21G>A. Methods:A retrospective study was carried out on five individuals identified by the People′s Hospital of Yangjiang and Guangzhou Hybribio Co., Ltd. from May 2018 to September 2022. Routine blood test and hemoglobin electrophoresis were performed, and the genotypes of five subjects were determined by using PCR combined with reverse dot blotting (RDB), nested PCR, Gap-PCR and Sanger sequencing. This study was approved by Medical Ethics Cornmittee of the People′s Hospital of Yangjiang (Ethics No. 20240001).Results:Among the five individuals, hematological data of one was unavailable, and the remaining four had presented with microcytosis and hypochromia. The results of hemoglobin electrophoresis indicated that all of them had a HbA 2 level of ≥4.7%. Genetic analysis showed that one case had harbored compound heterozygous mutations of ααα anti3.7 triplet and HBB: c. 93-21G>A, one had compound heterozygous mutations of -α 3.7 and HBB: c. 93-21G>A, whilst the remaining three were heterozygous for the HBB: c. 93-21G>A mutation. Conclusion:The hematological phenotype of β-thalassemia carriers ( HBB: c. 93-21G>A) is similar to that of other β + thalassemia heterozygotes with mild β-thalassemia characteristics.

Comprehensive experiments course is a bridge for higher vocational students to integrate theoretical knowledge with production practice. The article introduces that our biological pharmacy department is committed to the principles of "promotion of teaching, learning and construction through skills competition so as to integrate education and training". By taking penicillin fermentation process as an example, reform has been made in several aspects including teaching objectives, teaching content and teaching methods. We integrate the practical operation of fermentation equipment with virtual simulation software to develop a two-way interactive course. By reducing the subjective dependence, the quantitative management and evaluation of fermentation process parameter control were put into place, which efficiently integrated the skills competition with practical teaching. Improved teaching performance has been achieved over recent years, which may facilitate the reform and practice of similar courses based on skills competition.
Humans ; Clinical Competence ; Learning ; Students ; Technology ; Biological Products

OBJECTIVE To prepare curcumin /berberine co -loaded self -microemulsion drug delivery system （CUR/BER- SMEDDS）and evaluate its physicochemical properties and in vitro anti-tumor effects . METHODS Using CUR and BER as model drug，based on the screening of the type of oil phase ，emulsifier，co emulsifier and their mass ratio ，the formulation of CUR/BER - SMEDDS were optimized by central composite design -response surface methodology ，taking particle size and drug loading as evaluation parameters ，with the mass percentage of oil phase and the mass ratio of emulsifier to co emulsifier as factors ，and verification test was conducted . CUR/BER-SMEDDS prepared by optimized formulation were evaluated in terms of physicochemical properties，in vitro dissolution and in vitro anti-tumor effects . RESULTS The optimized formulation of CUR/BER -SMEDDS included that the oil phase was medium chain triglyceride （30.97%），the emulsifier was polyoxyl 40 hydrogenated castor oil （46.77%），the co emulsifier was polyethylene glycol 400（22.26%），and the mass ratio of emulsifier to co emulsifier was 2.10∶1. The validation experiments showed that mean particle size of CUR/BER -SMEDDS was（58.90±5.41）nm，the average drug loading was（94.94±3.87）mg/g，and the relative deviations from the predicted values were －2.90% and －0.14%，respectively. The CUR/ BER-SMEDDS prepared by optimal formulation was light yellow ，clear and transparent liquid after emulsified with water ，and its particles were spherical . The results of dissolution test in vitro showed that after SMEDDS was made ，the cumulative dissolution of CUR in artificial intestinal fluid and artificial gastric fluid and that of BER in artificial intestinal fluid were significantly higher than those of its raw material . Results of in vitro anti-tumor experiment showed that IC 50 values of CUR/BER -SMEDDS for PC -3 cells and DU -145 cells were （17.38±2.84）and（20.89±1.26）μmol/L，which were all lower than those of CUR and EBR significantly （P＜0.05）.CONCLUSIONS The optimized prepar ation process of CUR/BER -SMEDDS is stable and feasible . The drug release of CUR/BER-SMEDDS is more complete than that of single drug，and has stronger anti -prostate cancer effect in vitro .

Objective To construct an individualized fluid-solid coupling model, calculate and analyze the influence of different blood characteristics on hemodynamics in the aneurysm cavity, and further explore the influence on rupture of the cerebral aneurysm. Methods First, three-dimensional (3D) digital silhouette images were collected to construct an aneurysm model, and the influence of different blood flow characteristics on dynamic parameters of the carotid aneurysm was analyzed by computational fluid dynamic (CFD) method under the same boundary conditions. Finally, particle image velocimetry (PIV) experiment was performed on the simplified carotid aneurysm experimental model to verify reliability of the blood flow calculation method. Results For the fluid-structure coupling model with different blood flow characteristics, within a cardiac cycle, at the same time, obvious differences were found in the low velocity area of tumor cavity, the streamline distributions of tumor cavity, the wall shear stress (WSS) and deformation of the aneurysm wall. Through PIV experiments, it was found that the vortex position in tumor cavity changed with the velocity, which was consistent with flow trend of the simulation analysis results. Conclusions The two kinds of blood characteristics have small differences, but the non-Newtonian fluid is closer to true state of the blood, and the numerical results will be closer to true flow state.

Currently there is no successful platform technology for the sustained release of protein drugs. It seems inevitable to specifically develop new materials for such purpose, and hence the understanding of protein-material interactions is highly desirable. In this study, we synthesized cholesterol-grafted polyglutamate (PGA--Chol) as a hydrophobically-modified polypeptide, and thoroughly characterized its interaction with a model protein (human serum albumin) in the aqueous solution by using circular dichroism, fluorescence methods, and light scattering. With the protein concentration fixed at 5 μmol/L, adding PGA--Chol polymers into the solution resulted in continuous blue shift of the protein fluorescence (from 339 to 332 nm), until the polymer molar concentration reached the same value as the protein. In contrast, the un-modified polyglutamate polymers apparently neither affected the protein microenvironment nor formed aggregates. Based on the experimental data, we proposed a physical picture for such protein-polymer systems, where the polymer first bind with the protein in a 1:1 molar ratio a fraction of their hydrophobic pendant cholesterol resides along the polymer chain. In this protein/polymer complex, there are excess unbound cholesterol residues. As the polymer concentration increases, the polymers form multi-polymer aggregates around 200 nm in diameter the same hydrophobic cholesterol residues. The protein/polymer complex also participate in the aggregation their excess cholesterol residues, and consequently the proteins are encapsulated into the nanoparticles. The encapsulation was also found to increase the thermal stability of the model protein.

Objective To study the value of three-dimensional pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling(3D pCASL) for estimating collateral flow after middle cerebral artery(MCA) stenosis.Methods 3D pCASL was performed in 28 cases of negative diffusion weighted imaging(DWI) patients with MCA stenosis for estimating collateral vessels formation.The post-labeling delay(PLD) of 3D pCASL was set to 1.5 s and 2.5 s.The cerebral blood flow (CBF) of 3D pCASL with two PLD was calculated by AW workstation respectively.Nineteen normal persons were regarded as the control group.The 95% confidence interval of the ratio of left/right side of CBF of control group was set as reference value.The characteristic of the ratio of stenosed/contralateral side of CBF was analyzed.The characteristics of collateral flow was investigated with digital subtraction angiography(DSA).Results Abnormal perfusion was found in 28 patiens.Two types of abnormal perfusion were found, including typeⅠ: rCBF(PLD=1.5 s) decreased,rCBF(PLD=2.5 s) was normal (n=16);typeⅡ:rCBF(PLD=1.5 s) decreased,rCBF(PLD=2.5s) decreased (n=12).On brain DSA, abundant of collateral flow supply was found in 16 patients with typeⅠabnormal perfusion,whereas deficiency of collateral flow supply was found in 12 patients with typeⅡ.Conclusion 3D pCASL with two PLDs may provide important reference value for estimating collateral flow after middle cerebral artery stenosis.

Objective To explore the value of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) imaging in evaluating diffusion and perfusion variations in subacute brain infarction.Methods MRI data of 35 patients with subacute brain infarction were analyzed retrospectively,including routine DWI,IVIM imaging and three-dimensional arterial spin labeling (3D-ASL) sequence.The ADC maps were obtained by routine DWI sequence.Pure molecular-based diffusion coefficient (D) maps,pseudo diffusion coefficient of perfusion (D*) maps and perfusion fraction (f) maps were obtained by IVIM sequence.Cerebral blood flow (CBF) maps were obtained by 3D-ASL sequence.ADC,D,D*,f,CBF values and the relative values (rADC,rD,rD*,rf,rCBF) of brain infarction lesion and contralateral mirror area were calculated.All the parameters between brain infarction lesion and contralateral mirror area were compared.The correlations were analyzed between rADC value and rD,rD*,rf values respectively,as well as between rCBF value and rD,rD*,rf values respectively.Results Quantitative analysis showed significant decreases of ADC,D,D*,f and CBF values in the brain infarction lesion compared with those in the contralateral mirror area (all P＜0.05).There were positive correlations between rADC value and rD,rf values (r=0.687,0.601,P=0.005,0.018).And the positive correlation was found between rCBF value and rf value (r=0.581,P=0.022).Conclusion IVIM imaging can concurrently provide the perfusion and diffusion informations of subacute brain infarction patients,which is helpful to further elucidate the mechanisms of subacute brain infarction.

Objective To study the level of clinical diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis and implementa-tion of tuberculosis prevention and control policy. Methods Frequencies and percentages of pulmonary tuberculosis, other lung diseases and health among 3315 cases with pulmonary tuberculosis suspicious symptoms ,transferred by non-tuberculosis control institutions during 2010-2015,were calculated and analyzed. Results Among the 3315 suspected cases of pulmonary tuberculosis ,cases of pulmonary tuberculosis ,tuberculosis ,other lung diseases and healthy group were 2068,598 and 649 based on final diagnosis and their percentages were 62.38%,18.04% and 19.58% respectively. As to groups of elder than fifteen years ,the proportion of patients with pulmonary tubercu-losis accounts for 72.62%,61.00%and 48.58% of the total of young group(15~44 years old ),middle age group (45 ~ 64 years old)and elderly group(≥ 65 years old )respectively. Conclusions Compared with pulmonary tuberculosis suspicious symptomscases from tuberculosis control institution during the same period ,the proportion of tuberculosis patients from transferred groups is roughly the same.It indicate high levels of tuberculosis diagnosis and implementation to tuberculosis control policy.