Locomotion, a fundamental motor function encompassing various forms such as swimming, walking, running, and flying, is essential for animal survival and adaptation. The mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR), located at the midbrain-hindbrain junction, is a conserved brain area critical for controlling locomotion. This review highlights recent advances in understanding the MLR’s structure and function across species, from lampreys to mammals and birds, with a particular focus on insights gained from optogenetic studies in mammals. The goal is to uncover universal strategies for MLR-mediated locomotor control. Electrical stimulation of the MLR in species such as lampreys, salamanders, cats, and mice initiates locomotion and modulates speed and patterns. For example, in lampreys, MLR stimulation induces swimming, with increased intensity or frequency enhancing propulsive force. Similarly, in salamanders, graded stimulation transitions locomotor outputs from walking to swimming. Histochemical studies reveal that effective MLR stimulation sites colocalize with cholinergic neurons, suggesting a conserved neurochemical basis for locomotion control. In mammals, the MLR comprises two key nuclei: the cuneiform nucleus (CnF) and the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN). Both nuclei contain glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons, with the PPN additionally housing cholinergic neurons. Optogenetic studies in mice by selectively activating glutamatergic neurons have demonstrated that the CnF and PPN play distinct roles in motor control: the CnF drives rapid escape behaviors, while the PPN regulates slower, exploratory movements. This functional specialization within the MLR allows animals to adapt their locomotion patterns and speed in response to environmental demands and behavioral objectives. Similar to findings in lampreys, the CnF and PPN in mice transmit motor commands to spinal effector circuits by modulating the activity of brainstem reticular formation neurons. However, they achieve this through distinct reticulospinal pathways, enabling the generation of specific behaviors. Further insights from monosynaptic rabies viral tracing reveal that the CnF and PPN integrate inputs from diverse brain regions to produce context-appropriate behaviors. For instance, glutamatergic neurons in the PPN receive signals from other midbrain structures, the basal ganglia, and medullary nuclei, whereas glutamatergic neurons in the CnF rarely receive inputs from the basal ganglia but instead are strongly influenced by the periaqueductal grey and inferior colliculus within the midbrain. These differential connectivity patterns underscore the specialized roles of the CnF and PPN in motor control, highlighting their unique contributions to coordinating locomotion. Birds exhibit exceptional flight capabilities, yet the avian MLR remains poorly understood. Comparative studies suggest that the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPTg) in birds is homologous to the mammalian PPN, which contains cholinergic neurons, while the intercollicular nucleus (ICo) or nucleus isthmi pars magnocellularis (ImC) may correspond to the CnF. These findings provide important clues for identifying the avian MLR and elucidating its role in flight control. However, functional validation through targeted experiments is urgently needed to confirm these hypotheses. Optogenetics and other advanced techniques in mice have greatly advanced MLR research, enabling precise manipulation of specific neuronal populations. Future studies should extend these methods to other species, particularly birds, to explore unique locomotor adaptations. Comparative analyses of MLR structure and function across species will deepen our understanding of the conserved and evolved features of motor control, revealing fundamental principles of locomotion regulation throughout evolution. By integrating findings from diverse species, we can uncover how the MLR has been adapted to meet the locomotor demands of different environments, from aquatic to aerial habitats.

Objective:To explore therapeutic effect of cardiac rehabilitation based on traditional exercise on heart failure(HF).Methods:We searched databases including CNKI,Wanfang,VIP,Pubmed and Cochrane library for literature about application of cardiac rehabilitation exercise based on traditional exercises in HF patients before Mar 2023.Literature were screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria,while article quality assessment and da-ta extraction were performed,and RevMan 5.3 software was used to perform Meta analysis.Results:Meta analysis indicated that compared with control group,there were significant increase in LVEF[MD=4.51,95％CI(1.70,7.33),P=0.002]and 6 min walking distance[6MWD,MD=51.90,95％CI(39.24,64.57),P=0.001],and sig-nificant reductions in left ventricular end-systolic diameter[MD=-1.64,95％CI(-3.18,-0.11),P=0.040],left ventricular end-diastolic diameter[MD=-2.49,95％C1(-3.28,-1.69),P=0.001],score of Minnesota living with heart failure questionnaire[MD=-6.89,95％CI(-8.64,-5.33),P=0.001]and level of N-ter-minal pro-brain natriuretic peptide[MD=-151.46,95％CI(-208.21,-94.70),P=0.001]in observation group.Conclusion:Cardiac rehabilitation based on traditional exercise can significantly improve heart function,in-crease 6 min walking distance and improve quality of life in patients with heart failure.

Objective To monitor the susceptibility of clinical isolates to antimicrobial agents in tertiary hospitals in major regions of China in 2022.Methods Clinical isolates from 58 hospitals in China were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility using a unified protocol based on disc diffusion method or automated testing systems.Results were interpreted using the 2022 Clinical &Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI)breakpoints.Results A total of 318 013 clinical isolates were collected from January 1,2022 to December 31,2022,of which 29.5％were gram-positive and 70.5％were gram-negative.The prevalence of methicillin-resistant strains in Staphylococcus aureus,Staphylococcus epidermidis and other coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species(excluding Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Staphylococcus schleiferi)was 28.3％,76.7％and 77.9％,respectively.Overall,94.0％of MRSA strains were susceptible to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and 90.8％of MRSE strains were susceptible to rifampicin.No vancomycin-resistant strains were found.Enterococcus faecalis showed significantly lower resistance rates to most antimicrobial agents tested than Enterococcus faecium.A few vancomycin-resistant strains were identified in both E.faecalis and E.faecium.The prevalence of penicillin-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae was 94.2％in the isolates from children and 95.7％in the isolates from adults.The resistance rate to carbapenems was lower than 13.1％in most Enterobacterales species except for Klebsiella,21.7％-23.1％of which were resistant to carbapenems.Most Enterobacterales isolates were highly susceptible to tigecycline,colistin and polymyxin B,with resistance rates ranging from 0.1％to 13.3％.The prevalence of meropenem-resistant strains decreased from 23.5％in 2019 to 18.0％in 2022 in Pseudomonas aeruginosa,and decreased from 79.0％in 2019 to 72.5％in 2022 in Acinetobacter baumannii.Conclusions The resistance of clinical isolates to the commonly used antimicrobial agents is still increasing in tertiary hospitals.However,the prevalence of important carbapenem-resistant organisms such as carbapenem-resistant K.pneumoniae,P.aeruginosa,and A.baumannii showed a downward trend in recent years.This finding suggests that the strategy of combining antimicrobial resistance surveillance with multidisciplinary concerted action works well in curbing the spread of resistant bacteria.

Objective To monitor the antifungal resistance of clinical isolates of Candida spp.in the East China region.Methods MALDI-TOF MS or molecular methods were used to re-identify the strains collected from January 2018 to December 2022.Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed using the broth microdilution method.The susceptibility test results were interpreted according to the breakpoints of 2022 Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI)documents M27 M44s-Ed3 and M57s-Ed4.Results A total of 3 026 strains of Candida were collected,65.33％of which were isolated from sterile body sites,mainly from blood(38.86％)and pleural effusion/ascites(10.21％).The predominant species of Candida were Candida albicans(44.51％),followed by Candida parapsilosis complex(19.46％),Candida tropicalis(13.98％),Candida glabrata(10.34％),and other Candida species(0.79％).Candida albicans showed overall high susceptibility rates to the 10 antifungal drugs tested(the lowest rate being 93.62％).Only 2.97％of the strains showed dose-dependent susceptibility(SDD)to fluconazole.Candida parapsilosis complex had a SDD rate of 2.61％and a resistance rate of 9.42％to fluconazole,and susceptibility rates above 90％to other drugs.Candida glabrata had a SDD rate of 92.01％and a resistance rate of 7.99％to fluconazole,resistance rates of 32.27％and 48.24％to posaconazole and voriconazole non-wild-type strains(NWT),respectively,and susceptibility rates above 90％to other drugs.Candida tropicalis had resistance rates of 29.55％and 26.24％to fluconazole and voriconazole,respectively,resistance rates of 76.60％and 21.99％to posaconazole and echinocandins non-wild-type strains(NWT),and a resistance rate of 2.36％to echinocandins.Conclusions The prevalence and species distribution of Candida spp.in the East China region are consistent with previous domestic and international reports.Candida glabrata exhibits certain degree of resistance to fluconazole,while Candida tropicalis demonstrates higher resistance to triazole drugs.Additionally,echinocandins resistance has emerged in Candida albicans,Candida glabrata,Candida tropicalis,and Candida parapsilosis.

Innate immunity is the first line of defense against viral infection.Hepatitis E virus(HEV)infection usually cau-ses acute self-limiting diseases in immunocompetent patients,but results in chronic infection in immunocompromised patients or pregnant people.After HEV infects host cells,pattern recognition receptors(PRRs)recognize the viral genome,thus indu-cing rapid activation of multiple antiviral signal pathways in the host immune system,and the expression of interferons(IFNs)and interferon stimulated genes(ISGs),and consequently inhibiting viral replication.To escape host antiviral responses,HEV encoded proteins regulate host antiviral signal pathways and subsequently inhibit antiviral responses,such as those involving cytokines or chemokines.The regulation of host signal pathways by HEV infection and the escape of HEV from host innate im-munity are reviewed herein.

A 5-year-old girl was admitted due to one episode of melena and one episode of hematemesis.Upon admission,gastroscopy revealed esophageal and gastric varices.Abdominal CT scan,MRI,and color Doppler ultrasound suggested cirrhosis,intrahepatic bile duct dilation,and bilateral kidney enlargement.Genetic testing identified compound heterozygous mutations in the PKHD1 gene:c.2264C>T(p.Pro755Leu)and c.1886T>C(p.Val629Ala).The c.2264C>T(p.Pro755Leu)mutation is a known pathogenic variant with previous reports,while c.1886T>C(p.Val629Ala)is a novel mutation predicted to have pathogenic potential according to Mutation Taster and PolyPhen2.The child was diagnosed with autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease.In children presenting with gastrointestinal bleeding without obvious causes,particularly those with liver or kidney disease,consideration should be given to the possibility of autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease,and genetic testing should be conducted for definitive diagnosis when necessary.

Objective To explore the effect of emodin on inflammatory response in preeclampsia(PE)rats by regulating the AMP activated protein kinase(AMPK)/thioredoxin-interacting protein(TXNIP)/NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 3(NLRP3)signaling pathway.Methods PE rat model was established by subcutaneous injection of L-arginine methyl ester(100 mg·kg-1).Sixty female rats were randomly divided into control group,model group,emodin group(40 mg·kg-1 emodin),Compound B10 group(100 mg·kg-1 Compound B10),emodin+Compound B10 group(40 mg·kg-1 emodin+100 mg·kg-1 Compound B10),with 12 rats in each group.The control group and the model group were intraperitoneally injected with the same amount of 0.9％NaCl.The 24 h urine was collected,and the total urinary protein content was determined by Coomassie brilliant blue method.The protein levels of AMPK/TXNIP/NLRP3 signaling pathway were detected by Western blot.Results The total urinary protein levels of control group,model group,emodin group,Compound B10 group and emodin+Compound B10 group were(54.34±6.26),(136.37±15.43),(76.38±8.61),(215.39±25.14)and(110.93±13.92)g·L-1,respectively;urine volume were(10.59±0.92),(15.38±1.49),(11.51±1.13),(21.49±2.50)and(14.71±1.49)mL,respectively;AMPK protein levels were 0.63±0.06,1.57±0.18,0.81±0.09,2.34±0.23 and 1.38±0.15,respectively;TXNIP protein levels were 0.33±0.04,0.79±0.08,0.49±0.10,1.13±0.12 and 0.82±0.09,respectively;NLRP3 protein levels were 0.46±0.05,0.83±0.09,0.56±0.07,1.25±0.14 and 0.78±0.08,respectively.The above indexes:Model group was compared with control group,emodin group and Compound B10 group,emodin+Compound B10 group was compared with emodin group,the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Emodin may alleviate inflammatory reaction in PE rats by inhibiting AMPK/TXNIP/NLRP3 signal axis,thereby improving placental injury.

AIM To study the chemical constituents from the stems of Gnetum parvifolium(Warb.)C.Y.Cheng ex Chun and their xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities.METHODS The 95%ethanol extract from the stems of G.parvifolium was isolated and purified by silica gel,MCI and preparative HPLC,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.The inhibitory activities on xanthine oxidase was determined by ultraviolet spectrophotometry.RESULTS Seventeen compounds were isolated and identified as isorhapontigenin(1),resveratrol(2),4-hydroxybenzaldehyde(3),cycloeucalenol(4),(E)-1-(3',5'-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethene(5),stigmast-4-en-3-one(6),medioresinol(7),chrysin(8),aurantiamide acetate(9),(-)-pinoresinol(10),methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate(11),2-methoxybenzene-1,4-diol(12),gnetumontain C(13),syringaresinol(14),homoeriodictyol(15),vanillin(16),β-sitosterol(17).The IC50 values of compounds 1-3,15-16 were(11.4±0.54),(14.1±1.06),(320.4±0.75),(360.6±0.78),(386.3±0.71)μmol/L,respectively.CONCLUSION Compounds 3-4 are isolated from this plant for the first time.Compounds 5-13 are first isolated from genus Gnetum.Compounds 1-3,15-16 have xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities.

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at investigating the carrier rate of, and molecular variation in, α- and β-globin gene mutations in Hunan Province. METHODS: We recruited 25,946 individuals attending premarital screening from 42 districts and counties in all 14 cities of Hunan Province. Hematological screening was performed, and molecular parameters were assessed. RESULTS: The overall carrier rate of thalassemia was 7.1%, including 4.83% for α-thalassemia, 2.15% for β-thalassemia, and 0.12% for both α- and β-thalassemia. The highest carrier rate of thalassemia was in Yongzhou (14.57%). The most abundant genotype of α-thalassemia and β-thalassemia was -α ^3.7/αα (50.23%) and β ^IVS-II-654/β ^N (28.23%), respectively. Four α-globin mutations [CD108 (ACC>AAC), CAP +29 (G>C), Hb Agrinio and Hb Cervantes] and six β-globin mutations [CAP +8 (C>T), IVS-II-848 (C>T), -56 (G>C), beta nt-77 (G>C), codon 20/21 (-TGGA) and Hb Knossos] had not previously been identified in China. Furthermore, this study provides the first report of the carrier rates of abnormal hemoglobin variants and α-globin triplication in Hunan Province, which were 0.49% and 1.99%, respectively. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates the high complexity and diversity of thalassemia gene mutations in the Hunan population. The results should facilitate genetic counselling and the prevention of severe thalassemia in this region.
Humans ; beta-Thalassemia/genetics* ; alpha-Thalassemia/genetics* ; Hemoglobinopathies/genetics* ; China/epidemiology* ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing

OBJECTIVE: To analyze factors associated with intestinal acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(allo-HSCT) in children and to develop a prediction model for intestinal aGVHD after allo-HSCT in children. METHODS: The clinical data of 62 children who underwent allo-HSCT at the Department of Hematology of the People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from February 2018 to September 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Intestinal aGVHD was evaluated according to the Mount Sinai Acute GVHD International Consortium (MAGIC) grading criteria, the variables were screened by LASSO (least absolute shrinkage and selection operator) regression analysis with 10-fold cross-validation, and developed a model for predicting intestinal aGVHD after allo-HSCT in children. RESULTS: A total of 33 (53.2%) of the 62 children developed intestinal aGVHD, of which 25 were degree II and 8 were degree III-IV. The results of screening variables by 10-fold cross-validated LASSO regression showed that the significant variables included ethnic minorities (OR =7.229; 95%CI: 2.337-22.354), platelet (PLT) (OR =0.971; 95%CI: 0.932-0.993), uric acid (UA) (OR =0.971; 95%CI: 0.935-0.988), C-reactive protein (CRP) (OR =1.217; 95%CI: 1.053-1.545), and viral infection (OR =10; 95%CI: 3.021-32.668), and these variables were independently associated with intestinal aGVHD in children (all P <0.05). A prediction model was constructed based on above variables. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of the model was calculated, and the AUC value was 0.985 (0.966-1), the Brier score was 0.055. The evaluation showed that the model has a high degree of discrimination and calibration. CONCLUSION Ethnic minorities, low PLT, low UA, high CRP, and viral infections are independently associated with intestinal aGVHD in children, and early attention should be paid to these high-risk children.
Humans ; Child ; Retrospective Studies ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects* ; Graft vs Host Disease/diagnosis* ; Risk Factors ; C-Reactive Protein ; Acute Disease