Aim Excessive cerebral inflammation caused by chronic alcohol intake is an important risk factor for central nervous system injury. The purpose of this study was to explore the protective effect of konjac mannan oligosaccharide (KMOS) on central nervous system inflammation in alcohol-fed mice and its mechanism. Methods The chronic alcohol fed model of C57BL/6J mice was established using Gao-binge method. And the different doses of KMOS were gavaged every day for 6 weeks. The neuronal damage and microglia activation were evaluated in cerebral cortex and hippocampus. The damage of colon tissue was assessed and serum LPS concentrations were measured. In vitro, Caco-2 cells were stimulated with LPS to establish intestinal mucosal injury model. Results Chronic alcohol intake can cause brain neuron damage in mice, and different doses of KMOS effectively reduced the activation state of microglia, decreased the expression of inflammatory factors caused by the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and alleviated neuronal damage in the brain tissue of alcohol-fed mice. The results of colon tissue analysis showed that the use of KMOS effectively reduced the concentration of endotoxin LPS in serum of alcohol-fed mice, alleviated the pathological injury and inflammatory response of colon tissue, and enhanced the expression of Occludin in intestinal tissue. In vitro experiments also showed that KMOS significantly inhibited the inflammatory reaction of Caco-2 cells exposed to alcohol and increased the expression of Occludin protein. Conclusions KMOS treatment effectively inhibited intestinal inflammation caused by alcohol intake, repaired intestinal barrier to prevent the entry of intestinal LPS into brain tissue, decreased the activation of microglia, and then improved brain neuron damage. KMOS had the potential to prevent alcoholic nerve injury.

Objective To investigate the predictive value of new simplified insulin resistance(IR)assessment indexes in identifying subclinical left ventricular systolic function impairment in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods A total of 150 T2DM patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF≥50%)who were admitted to Department of Endocrinology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University from June 2021 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.All patients underwent two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography to measure left ventricular global longitudinal strain(GLS).According to GLS value,the subjects were divided into the normal group(GLS≥18%group,n=80)and the impaired group(GLS<18%group,n=70).Some new simplified IR assessment indicators were calculated and compared between the two groups,including body mass index(BMI),TG/HDL-C ratio,triglyceride-glucose(TyG)index,TyG-BMI index,TyG-WHR and metabolic score for IR(METS-IR).Correlation between the GLS and the new simplified IR assessment indexes was analyzed.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the diagnostic efficacy of different simplified IR assessment indexes,with the area under the curve(AUC)calculated.Furthermore,according to whether the subjects were complicated with hypertension,binary logistics regression analysis was performed to explore the independent correlation between the simplified IR assessment index and GLS<18%.Results Total 150 were included with aged(54.5±13.7)years with 96(64.0%)men and 54(36.0%)women.Compared with the GLS≥18%group,the TG/HDL-C ratio,TyG index,TyG-BMI,and METS-IR of subjects in the GLS<18%group were significantly increased(P<0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed that TG/HDL-C ratio,TyG index,TyG-BMI,TyG-WHR,and METS-IR were negatively correlated with GLS(P<0.05).ROC analysis showed that TyG index had a certain predictive value for the evaluation of GLS<18%(AUC=0.678,95%CI 0.591-0.765,P<0.001).Stratification based on hypertension and further adjusting for confounding factors,TyG index remains significantly associated with GLS<18%(OR=3.249,95%CI 1.045-10.103,P=0.042).Conclusions The novel simplified insulin resistance evaluation indexes are closely associated with left ventricular subclinical systolic dysfunction in T2DM patients with preserved ejection fraction.TyG index is an effective index to identify left ventricular subclinical dysfunction in these populations.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) diseases are common clinical conditions. The number of patients with TMJ diseases is large, and the etiology, epidemiology, disease spectrum, and treatment of the disease remain controversial and unknown. To understand and master the current situation of the occurrence, development and prevention of TMJ diseases, as well as to identify the patterns in etiology, incidence, drug sensitivity, and prognosis is crucial for alleviating patients′suffering.This will facilitate in-depth medical research, effective disease prevention measures, and the formulation of corresponding health policies. Cohort construction and research has an irreplaceable role in precise disease prevention and significant improvement in diagnosis and treatment levels. Large-scale cohort studies are needed to explore the relationship between potential risk factors and outcomes of TMJ diseases, and to observe disease prognoses through long-term follw-ups. The consensus aims to establish a standard conceptual frame work for a cohort study on patients with TMJ disease while providing ideas for cohort data standards to this condition. TMJ disease cohort data consists of both common data standards applicable to all specific disease cohorts as well as disease-specific data standards. Common data were available for each specific disease cohort. By integrating different cohort research resources, standard problems or study variables can be unified. Long-term follow-up can be performed using consistent definitions and criteria across different projects for better core data collection. It is hoped that this consensus will be facilitate the development cohort studies of TMJ diseases.

Objective Viral encephalitis is an infectious disease severely affecting human health.It is caused by a wide variety of viral pathogens,including herpes viruses,flaviviruses,enteroviruses,and other viruses.The laboratory diagnosis of viral encephalitis is a worldwide challenge.Recently,high-throughput sequencing technology has provided new tools for diagnosing central nervous system infections.Thus,In this study,we established a multipathogen detection platform for viral encephalitis based on amplicon sequencing. Methods We designed nine pairs of specific polymerase chain reaction(PCR)primers for the 12 viruses by reviewing the relevant literature.The detection ability of the primers was verified by software simulation and the detection of known positive samples.Amplicon sequencing was used to validate the samples,and consistency was compared with Sanger sequencing. Results The results showed that the target sequences of various pathogens were obtained at a coverage depth level greater than 20×,and the sequence lengths were consistent with the sizes of the predicted amplicons.The sequences were verified using the National Center for Biotechnology Information BLAST,and all results were consistent with the results of Sanger sequencing. Conclusion Amplicon-based high-throughput sequencing technology is feasible as a supplementary method for the pathogenic detection of viral encephalitis.It is also a useful tool for the high-volume screening of clinical samples.

Objective:To verify the predictive value of the Second Revision of the International Staging System (R2-ISS) in newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who underwent first-line autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in a new drug era in China.Methods:This multicenter retrospective cohort study enrolled patients with newly diagnosed MM from three centers in China (Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University; the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University) from June 2008 to June 2018. A total of 401 newly diagnosed patients with MM who were candidates for ASCT were enrolled in this cohort, all received proteasome inhibitor and/or immunomodulator-based induction chemotherapy followed by ASCT. Baseline and follow-up data were collected. The patients were regrouped using R2-ISS. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the survival curve and two survival curves were compared using the log-rank test. Cox regression analysis were performed to analyze the relationship between risk factors and survival.Results:The median age of the patients was 53 years (range 25-69 years) and 59.5% (240 cases) were men. Newly diagnosed patients with renal impairment accounted for 11.5% (46 cases). According to Revised-International Staging System (R-ISS), 74 patients (18.5 %) were diagnosed with stage Ⅰ, 259 patients (64.6%) with stage Ⅱ, and 68 patients (17.0%) with stage Ⅲ. According to the R2-ISS, the distribution of patients in each group was as follows: 50 patients (12.5%) in stage Ⅰ, 95 patients (23.7%) in stage Ⅱ, 206 patients (51.4%) in stage Ⅲ, and 50 patients (12.5%) in stage Ⅳ. The median follow-up time was 35.9 months (range, 6-119 months). According to the R2-ISS stage, the median PFS in each group was: 75.3 months for stage Ⅰ; 62.0 months for stage Ⅱ, 39.2 months for stage Ⅲ, and 30.3 months for stage Ⅳ; and the median OS was not reached, 86.6 months, 71.6 months, and 38.5 months, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in PFS and OS between different groups (both P<0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that stages Ⅲ and Ⅳ of the R2-ISS were independent prognostic factors for PFS ( HR=2.37, 95% CI 1.30-4.30; HR=4.50, 95% CI 2.35-9.01) and OS ( HR=4.20, 95% CI 1.50-11.80; HR=9.53, 95% CI 3.21-28.29). Conclusions:The R2-ISS has significant predictive value for PFS and OS for transplant-eligible patients with MM in the new drug era. However, the universality of the R2-ISS still needs to be further verified in different populations.

Objective To investigate the dietary patterns of rural residents in the high-incidence areas of esophageal cancer (EC), and to explore the clustering and influencing factors of risk factors associated with high-incidence characteristics. Methods A special structured questionnaire was applied to conduct a face-to-face survey on the dietary patterns of rural residents in Yanting county of Sichuan Province from July to August 2021. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the influencing factors of risk factor clustering for EC. Results There were 838 valid questionnaires in this study. A total of 90.8% of rural residents used clean water such as tap water. In the past one year, the people who ate fruits and vegetables, soybean products, onions and garlic in high frequency accounted for 69.5%, 32.8% and 74.5%, respectively; the people who ate kimchi, pickled vegetables, sauerkraut, barbecue, hot food and mildew food in low frequency accounted for 59.2%, 79.6%, 68.2%, 90.3%, 80.9% and 90.3%, respectively. The clustering of risk factors for EC was found in 73.3% of residents, and the aggregation of two risk factors was the most common mode (28.2%), among which tumor history and preserved food was the main clustering pattern (4.6%). The logistic regression model revealed that the gender, age, marital status and occupation were independent influencing factors for the risk factors clustering of EC (P<0.05). Conclusion A majority of rural residents in high-incidence areas of EC in Yanting county have good eating habits, but the clustering of some risk factors is still at a high level. Gender, age, marital status, and occupation are influencing factors of the risk factors clustering of EC.

Objective To investigate the clinical manifestations,molecular genetics and gonadal pathol-ogy characteristics of patients with disorders of sex development(DSD),and to summarize the clinical experi-ence of identifying rare diseases from common symptoms.Methods The clinical data of 416 patients with DSD diagnosed and treated in the multidisciplinary center of DSD of Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Cen-ter from May 2018 to August 2023 were retrospectively analyzed,summarized and discussed.Results Accord-ing to chromosome karyotype,416 cases of DSD were classified into three types:92 cases(22.1％)of abnormal sex chromosome karyotype,285 cases(68.5％)of 46,XY karyotype and 39 cases(9.4％)of 46,XX karyotype.Among the 92 patients with abnormal sex chromosome karyotype,59 cases were raised as males,18 cases(30.5％)complained of short penis with hypospadias and cryptorchidism.The most common karyotype was 45,X/46,XY(58 cases,63.0％).Among the 285 patients with 46,XY karyotype,238 cases were raised as males,and 63 cases(26.5％)complained of short penis and hypospadias;47 cases were raised as females,and 13 ca-ses(27.7％)complained of inguinal mass.A total of 216 patients with 46,XY karyotype were subjected to whole exome gene detection,and 155 cases(71.8％)were found to have molecular pathogenesis with the clinical phe-notype.Among the 39 patients with 46,XX karyotype,19 cases were raised as males,and 8 cases(42.1％)com-plained of short penis and hypospadias.In the 18 cases of gonad biopsy,17 cases showed testicular tissue in go-nads.Whole exome sequencing was performed in 14 cases.NR5A1 gene heterozygous mutation,SRY gene muta-tion and SOX3 gene mutation were found in 2 cases,respectively(14.3％).Twenty cases were raised as females,and 14 cases(70.0％)complained of clitoral hypertrophy.Gonad biopsy was performed in 8 cases,with 7 cases of ovotestis(87.5％)and 1 case of NR5A1 gene heterozygous mutation(14.3％).Conclusions The etiologies of DSD are complex and diverse,and the clinical manifestations are various,which can be manifested as hypospa-dias,micropenis,cryptorchidism and other common symptoms of the urinary system.Different etiologies have dif-ferent treatment options.Therefore,chromosome karyotype,molecular genetic testing and gonadal pathology can be used to clarify the cause of disease,especially for rare diseases,improve the detection rate,reduce the rate of missed diagnosis,and ensure reasonable treatment,especially sex selection.

OBJECTIVE To assess the profiles of elements in benzo[a]pyrene(BaP)induced carci-nogenesis,and explore the joint effects of copper with cisplatin or vinorelbine on cell proliferation.METHODS Forty-four elements were measured using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer in 16HBE cells and BaP malignantly transformed 16HBE(T-16HBE-C1)cells.Partial least square was used to validate the robustness of cell classification of elements.Cell viability was measured by MTT assay for copper(0,237,340,487,1000 and 1432 μmol·L-1),cisplatin(0,4.4,6.1,8.6,12.0 and 16.8 μmol·L-1),and vinorelbine(0,3.8,9.8,25.0,40.0 and 64.0 μmol·L-1)to acquire their half maximal inhibitory concentra-tion(IC50).Mixtures of copper and chemotherapeutics were prepared according to the ratio of each IC50.Their joint effects on cell viability were assessed by MTT assay and isobolographic analysis.Inhibition effect of copper(0,50,100,200,400 and 800 μmol·L-1)with IC50 of cisplatin or vinorelbine on prolifera-tion of T-16HBE-C1 cells was also assessed.RESULTS A total of 29 elements were quantified in 16HBE and T-16HBE-C1 cells,among which concentrations of copper,zinc,silver,selenium and rubidium decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),while those of molybdenum,arsenic,lithium,germanium,strontium,nickel,lanthanum,mercury,iron,and cesium increased(P<0.05,P<0.01)in T-16HBE-C1 cells.Element concen-tration could be used to distinguish T-16HBE-C1 cells from 16HBE cells.Copper concentration-dependently inhibited proliferation of both cells,with a statistically significant lower IC50 of(613±16)μmol·L-1 in 16HBE cells than(776±15)μmol·L-1 in T-16HBE-C1 cells(P<0.01).Mixtures of copper and cisplatin(1∶69.5)or vinorelbine(1∶33.4)could inhibit cell proliferation,and copper had additive effects with cisplatin or vinorelbine.When copper concentration was higher than 400 μmol·L-1,copper combined with IC50 of cisplatin or vinorelbine inhibited cell proliferation of T-16HBE-C1 cells compared with IC50 of cisplatin(11.2 μmol·L-1)or vinorelbine(23.2 μmol·L-1)alone.CONCLUSION Element profiles and correlations can change significantly after 16HBE cells are malignantly transformed by BaP.Copper could inhibit the proliferation of T-16HBE-C1 cells and have additive effects with cisplatin or vinorelbine in higher concentration.

Oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) represent the fourth major cell type within the central nervous system (CNS), ubiquitous beyond neurons, astrocytes, and microglia, constituting 5%-8% of the total cell population. They exhibit widespread distribution throughout the central nervous system, including brain, spinal cord, and optic nerve. OPCs showcase distinct protein expression, featuring platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRα), neural/glial antigen 2 (NG2), SRY-related HMG-box protein 10 (Sox10), and oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2 (Olig2), endowing them with robust proliferation and migration capabilities. This capacity persists into adulthood and even later stages, contributing to the maintenance of normal neurological functions such as learning, memory, and sleep, while playing crucial roles in various neurological disorders. OPCs also display significant heterogeneity, influenced by developmental programs, stimulus-specific cellular responses, CNS locations, cell-cell interactions, and other regulatory mechanisms. Dysregulation of OPC function has been observed in various diseases, including multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease, as well as psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, emotional disorders, and autism spectrum disorders. In addition to differentiating into oligodendrocytes to form myelin sheaths and supporting axonal protection, fast signal transmission, and metabolic support, OPCs actively participate in regulating neural development, circuit formation, and neural plasticity. They respond to environmental factors and are closely associated with neurological disorders. This comprehensive exploration of OPCs delves into their development, functional diversity, and associations with neurological disorders. Firstly, the article introduces the complex regulatory mechanisms of OPCs during embryonic development, encompassing transcription factors, chromatin regulatory factors, post-translational modifications of proteins, microRNA, and intercellular communication, emphasizing their significance in the nervous system. Subsequently, it reviews recent research findings on various functions of OPCs, not only in neuronal development, phagocytosis, and reshaping activities, but also involving their secretion of factors, interactions with surrounding blood vessels, and regulation of inflammatory responses. Furthermore, the review highlights the connections between OPCs and neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis) and psychiatric disorders (such as schizophrenia and depression), indicating their potential roles in disease occurrence and progression. The review then explores emerging trends in OPC research, addressing the evolving understanding of their roles in neurological health and disease. Recent studies have unveiled novel aspects of OPC functionality, shedding light on their ability to modulate immune responses, interact with the extracellular matrix, and contribute to neurovascular coupling. Additionally, insights into the role of OPCs in neuroinflammation and the crosstalk between OPCs and neurons have expanded our comprehension of their impact on neural circuits and plasticity. In conclusion, the comprehensive review summarizes the current understanding of OPC functional impairments and discusses future research directions. Emphasizing the importance of in-depth analysis of OPC heterogeneity and their roles in the development, repair, and diseases of the nervous system, this review not only provides profound insights into the multifaceted functions of OPCs in the nervous system but also sets the stage for future investigations into the intricate interplay between OPCs and the broader neural environment. With an expanded scope encompassing recent advances and emerging research trends, this review contributes to the ongoing dialogue in the field of neuroscience, fostering a deeper understanding of OPC biology and its implications for therapeutic interventions in neurological disorders.

The kidney governs water and is the congenital foundation.The kidney plays an important role in the transportation and distribution of body fluid,has the interior-exterior relationship with the waterffu-organ bladder,and has the meridian connection with the stomach,the reservoir of water and food,through the thoroughfare vessel.Therefore,the kidney plays a key role in the formation of phlegm.Professor CHEN Bo-Lai believes that low back pain of kidney deficiency and phlegm obstruction type is characterized by deficiency in the origin and excess in the superficiality.Excess in the superficiality is manifested as phlegm obstruction,and deficiency in the origin is manifested as kidney deficiency.Clinically,the patients with low back pain of kidney deficiency and phlegm obstruction type mainly have the manifestations of lumbosacral dull pain and fixed pain,stiffness in the waist,limb numbness or hemiplegia,accompanied by soreness and weakness of waist and knees,and preference for pressing and kneading.The treatment of low back pain of kidney deficiency and phlegm obstruction type can be based on theory of kidney being the root of phlegm,follows the therapy of tonifying kidney and eliminating phlegm,and can be performed by the modified use of basic prescription of Litan Decoction(mainly composed of Euryales Semen,Pinelliae Rhizoma,Sesami Semen Nigrum,Platycladi Semen,Paeoniae Radix Alba,Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium and Poria)together with the assistance of herbs for strengthening spleen and dispersing lung based on the differentiation of the complicated symptoms.The thoughts of Professor CHEN Bo-Lai for the differentiation and treatment of low back pain of kidney deficiency and phlegm obstruction type can be used as a reference for the treatment of low back pain with Chinese medicine.