Objective: To explore the changes of mechanosensitive channels Piezos (Piezo 1 and Piezo 2) in neurogenic bladder (NB) of young rats and their effects，so as to provide reference for clinical search of new therapeutic targets. Methods: A total of 30 female young SD rats were divided into 5 groups based on random number table method：sham operation group (sham)，2-week nerve transection group (NB-2W)，6-week nerve transection group (NB-6W)，2-week nerve transection + Piezos inhibitor group (NB-P-2W) and 6-week nerve transection + Piezos inhibitor group (NB-P-6W)，with 6 rats in each group.The NB models were constructed by transecting the L6 and S1 spinal nerves of young rats.The NB-2W and NB-6W groups were not intervened after modeling，while the NB-P-2W and NB-P-6W groups were intraperitoneally injected with Piezos inhibitor GsMTx4 (10 mg/kg) every 2 days after modeling.Bladder cystometry and ultrasound were performed after 2 and 6 weeks of transection.The expressions of Piezos and fibrosis-related indexes (Collagen Ⅰ and α-smooth muscle actin) were detected in bladder tissues. Results: The results of bladder cystometry showed that the basal bladder pressure in NB-2W group was significantly increased，while it was slightly decreased but was still higher in NB-6W group than in the sham group (P<0.05).Basal bladder pressure was lower in NB-P-2W group than in NB-2W group，but was higher than that in the sham group; basal bladder pressure was lower in NB-P-6W group than in NB-6W group，but higher than that in the sham group (P<0.05).Compared with the sham group，the NB-2W and NB-6W groups had firstly increased and then decreased maximum cystometric capacity (MCC) (P<0.05).Compared with NB-2W group，NB-P-2W group had lower bladder leakage point pressure (BLPP)，but higher MCC and bladder compliance (BC) (P<0.05).Compared with NB-6W group，NB-P-6W group had significantly lower BLPP but higher MCC and BC (P<0.05).HE and MASSON staining and ultrasound results showed that，with the extension of nerve transection time，bladder fibrosis gradually worsened，the bladder wall became rough and thickened，calculi were visible inside，and hydronephrosis gradually appeared; the degree of fibrosis in NB-P-2W and NB-P-6W groups was less than that in NB-2W and NB-6W groups，and no hydronephrosis was observed in the upper urinary tract.In addition，Western blotting and immunohistochemical results showed that NB-2W and NB-6W groups had significantly higher relative expression levels of Piezos，Collagen Ⅰ and α-SMA than the sham group (P<0.01)，while NB-P-2W and NB-P-6W groups had lower relative expression levels of Piezos,Collagen Ⅰ and α-SMA than NB-2W and NB-6W groups (P<0.01). Conclusion: The increased expressions of mechanosensitive channels Piezos in NB young rats may be involved in the progression of bladder fibrosis，but its mechanism needs further study.

Background Although current evidence suggests a link between outdoor air pollution and depressive symptoms, the effect of solid fuel use (a significant indoor air pollutant) on depressive symptoms in China's rural middle-aged and elderly population remains poorly understood. Objective To explore the association between solid fuel use for cooking and depressive symptoms among middle-aged and elderly people in rural areas of China, and to provide a basis for the prevention and control of depressive symptoms among residents in rural areas. Methods Data were obtained from the 2020 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), depressive symptoms were assessed using 8-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and cooking fuel type was self-reported. Subsequently, two-level binary unconditional logistic regression models were fitted to assess the impact of solid fuel use for cooking on depressive symptoms. Results A total of 7991 participants aged 45 years and older [mean age (58.52±9.18) years] were included in the study, with a mean CES-D score of 6.07±4.48 and a mean positive depressive symptoms rate of 34% (40.54% in the solid fuel group and 30.81% in the clean fuel group, χ²=74.40, P<0.001). After controlling for potential confounding covariates, rural middle-aged and elderly residents in the solid fuel group had a higher risk of reporting depressive symptoms than those in the clean fuel group (OR=1.36, 95%CI: 1.20-1.54), an association that was unaffected by participant characteristics and was positive across age and gender groups. Conclusion There is a positive association between solid fuel use for cooking and depressive symptoms in middle-aged and elderly people in rural areas of China. It is recommended that rural areas promote the upgrading of stoves through the installation of ventilation equipment or the switch from solid cooking fuel to clean fuel. This approach is directed toward reducing exposure to household air pollution, alleviating the prevalence of depression among middle-aged and elderly residents in vast rural areas, and enhancing their mental health.

Objective:To explore the predictive value of multimodal ultrasound (MMU) for upper urinary tract damage (UUTD) in children with neurogenic bladder (NB).Methods:This was a case-series study.From January 2022 to December 2023, 87 children with NB admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were examined by MMU.During the filling of bladder, vesical volume (VV), bladder wall thickness (BWT), shear wave velocity (SWV) of the anterior wall, resistance index (RI), and vascularization index (VI) were measured.After the emptying of bladder, VV and anterior wall SWV were measured, and ultrasound bladder compliance (△C) was calculated.The anterior posterior diameter (APD) of the renal pelvis and ureteral diameter (UD) were also measured.According to the upper/lower urinary tract dysfunction classification criteria, NB children were divided into a UUTD group and a non-UUTD (NUUTD) group.The differences in clinical data and related examinations between the 2 groups were analyzed to screen out independent risk factors, and an early warning model was established based on these factors.The prediction efficiency of the model and the urodynamic study (UDS) for UUTD was compared.Results:(1) There were 47 children in the UUTD group and 40 children in the NUUTD group.There was no significant difference in gender, age and body mass index between the 2 groups (all P>0.05).(2) In the UUTD group, the total glomerular filtration rate (tGFR) was (70.45±16.17) mL/min, the incidence of hydronephrosis was 38.30%, and the incidence of ureteral dilatation was 23.40%.No morphological changes were found in the imaging examination of the urinary system in the NUUTD group, and its tGFR was (100.55±16.27) mL/min.There was a significant difference in tGFR between the 2 groups ( P<0.05).(3) The filling VV, emptying VV, mean BWT, filling SWV, emptying SWV, VI, mean RI, △C, maximum cystometric capacity (MCC), maximum detrusor pressure during filling (Pdet.max), bladder compliance (BC), and detrusor leak point pressure (DLPP) in the NUUTD group were (218.43±87.53) mL, (14.62±6.14) mL, (3.08±0.65) mm, (2.64±0.54) m/s, (1.88±0.41) m/s, (6.20±1.04)%, 0.68±0.04, (147.58±49.18) mm 2·s, (309.50±66.54) mL, (59.83±19.79) cmH 2O(1 cmH 2O=0.098 kPa), (25.80±10.34) mL/cmH 2O, and (34.00±6.16) cmH 2O, respectively.Compared with the NUUTD group, the UUTD group showed decreased filling VV [(167.21±85.63) mL], △C [(78.49±31.86) mm 2·s], VI [(5.01±0.81) %], MCC [(255.32±75.10) mL], and BC [(12.57±6.44) mL/cmH 2O], and increased emptying VV [(19.50±7.65) mL], mean BWT [(4.02±0.82) mm], filling SWV [(3.99±1.07) m/s], emptying SWV [(2.15±0.35) m/s], mean RI (0.70±0.08), Pdet.max [(75.94±26.23) cmH 2O], and DLPP [(48.13±12.61) cmH 2O] (all P<0.05).(4) The decreased BC ( OR=0.841, 95% CI: 0.562-1.256, P=0.045), △C ( OR=0.427, 95% CI: 0.202-0.904, P=0.026) and VI ( OR=0.461, 95% CI: 0.091-2.325, P=0.010) and the increased DLPP ( OR=1.139, 95% CI: 0.894-1.451, P=0.040), filling SWV ( OR=1.895, 95% CI: 1.082-3.321, P=0.007) and mean BWT ( OR=1.191, 95% CI: 0.850-1.669, P=0.025) were independent risk factors for UUTD.Among MMU parameters, filling SWV had the highest prediction efficiency for UUTD, with a threshold of 3.33 m/s, sensitivity of 72.34% and specificity of 92.50%. Conclusions:MMU can well predict the occurrence of UUTD in children with NB, and filling SWV has the highest prediction efficiency.

【Objective】 To explore the effect of B lymphocytes on cardiac structure and function and myocardial immune cells during heart development. 【Methods】 Echocardiography, immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry were used to evaluate the composition of immune cells of the heart and the cardiac structure and function in wild-type (WT) mice and B-lymphocyte-deficient (μMT) mice, respectively. 【Results】 Compared with those of μMT mice, the ratio of heart weight to mouse weight (P<0.05), left ventricular mass (P<0.05) and the cross-sectional area of myocardial cells WT mice were significantly increased, while the ventricular ejection fraction was significantly decreased (P<0.05). The results of mRNA sequencing showed that WT mice and μMT mice differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in the signal pathway of heart development and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The results of flow cytometry showed that WT mice had more Ly6g⁺ neutrophils, CD4⁺ positive T cells (P<0.001) and CD8⁺T cells (P<0.05) compared with μMT mice. 【Conclusion】 B-lymphocyte depletion alters the composition of cardiomyocyte immune cells, reduces left ventricular mass, and increases myocardial contractility.

Objective:To explore the application of microvascular flow imaging (MVFI) combined with high-frequency ultrasonography in children with haemophilic arthropathy A (HAA).Methods:Retrospective study.A total of 82 children diagnosed with HAA in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from October 2018 to October 2020 were recruited.The elbow, knee and ankle joints of each child were examined by high-frequency ultrasonography.The numbers of thickened synovial joints were recorded.Blood flow signals of the thickening of synovial joints was checked by the MVFI and power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS), respectively.Color flow signals were graded by the semi-quantitative scoring systems.The chi- square test and independent multi-group ordinal multi-category rank-sum test were used to compare the differences of MVFI and PDUS in the display of thickened synovial blood flow. Results:A total of 254 joints were involved in 82 children with HAA, including synovial hypertrophy in 188 joints, hydrops articuli in 146 joints, fibrotic septa in 66 joints, cartilage damage in 63 joints, haemosider indeposition in 45 joints, bone erosion in 25 joints, osteophytes in 15 joints and bone remodeling in 8 joints.Grade Ⅱ synovial thickened joints were the most common.The proportion of blood flow signals detected by PDUS in thickened synovial membranes was significantly higher than that detected MVFI (52.66% vs.70.21%, χ2=12.225, P<0.05). Numbers of grade 0 and Ⅰ joints with thickened synovial membranes detected by MVFI were less than those of PDUS, while the opposite result was obtained in detecting grade Ⅱ and Ⅲ joints ( H=21.158, P<0.05). Compared with PDUS, MVFI more sensitively visualized the blood flow of the thickened synovial membrane. Conclusions:MVFI can more prominently detect the thickened synovial blood flow in children with HAA.A combined application of MVFI and high-frequency ultrasonography contributes to the evaluation of children with HAA.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of ultrasound image features combined with cesarean section scores for placenta accreta . Methods A total of 151 pregnant women in the later trimester of pregnancy underwent two-dimensional and color Doppler ultrasonography . According to the results of the operation ,they were divided into the accreta group and the non-accreta group . The number of cesarean section and placental thickness in the two groups were recorded . The ultrasound image characteristics of the placenta previa ,the placenta posterior gap disappeared ,the placental lacuna in the placenta ,the muscle layer becoming thin or disappeared after the placenta ,the anatomical region of the uterus-bladder junction line and the abundant blood flow signal behind the placenta were compared between the two groups . Logistic regression analysis was performed according to the results of single factor analysis . After assigning the characteristics of the regression model ,the ROC curve was drawn to determine the best diagnostic intercept point . Results The presence of placenta previa ,placental lacuna and placental enriched blood flow signals combined with cesarean section scores were used to diagnose placenta accreta ,the area under the ROC curve was 0 .991 ,based the best cut-off point with 4 .5 ,the corresponding diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 91 .1% and 100% ,respectively . Conclusions Ultrasound image features combined with cesarean section history scores have a high practical value in the diagnosis of placental accreta .

Objective To observe the effects of neurotrophin 3 (NT3)-chitosan on motor function, and proliferation and differentiation of the neural stem cells (NSCs) in the injury area and subventricular zone (SVZ) in rats with motor cortex injury. Methods Sixty-five Wistar rats were divided into control group (n=7), injury group (n=29) and NT3-chitosan group (n=29). The motor cortex was aspirated and re-moved as cerebral injury model. NT3-chitosan was immediately implanted into the injured area after operation, and the control group re-ceived no intervention. Pellet reaching test was performed to detect the recovery of the forelimb function, HE staining was used to observe the lesion cavity size, and immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the proliferation and differentiation of NSCs 3 days, 7 days, 14 days, 1 month, 2 months and 3 months after operation. Results The grasp success rate was higher (F>6.00, P≤0.05), and the lesion cavity size was significantly smaller (F>629.5, P<0.001) in the NT3-chitosan group than in the injury group. In the NSCs differentiation experi-ment, the number of BrdU cells at all the time points was significantly higher in the NT3-chitosan group than in the injury group (F>171.43, P<0.001). In the NSCs proliferation experiment, the number of BrdU positive cells was still significantly higher in the NT3-chitosan group than in the control group and in the injury group (F>155.06, P<0.001), the number of Dcx positive cells was significantly higher in the NT3-chitosan group than in the injury group (F=62.367, P<0.001), and the number of BrdU/Dcx positive cells was significantly higher in the NT3-chitosan group than in the control group (F=33.527, P<0.001). Conclusion NT3-chitosan could activate NSCs in the SVZ, and pro-mote endogenous neurogenesis and forelimb function recovery in rats after motor cortex injury.

BACKGROUND:Neural stem cells (NSCs) hold self-renewal and multi-directional differentiation potential. NSCs differentiation into neurons in high proportion under induction conditions exhibits broad application prospect. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-chitosan carrier on the NSCs differentiation into neurons in vitro, and whether the differentiated neurons could form synaptic-like connection with myocytes. METHODS:After purification, the NSCs were co-cultured with chitosan, soluble bFGF or bFGF-chitosan carrier. After 7-day induction, the NSCs differentiation into neurons was observed by immunofluorescence staining of beta tubulin Ⅲ. The NSCs differentiation into cholinergic neurons was observed through double immunofluorescence staining of ChaT and beta tubulin Ⅲ. The synaptic-like connection between the neurons and myocytes was observed by triple staining of beta tubulin Ⅲ and MHC. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The percentage of differentiated neurons in the bFGF-chitosan carrier group was 74%, which was significantly higher than that in the other two groups. Additionally, the synaptic-like connection formed between the differentiated neurons and myocytes. To conclude, the bFGF-chitosan carrier promotes the NSCs differentiation into neurons to form synaptic-like connection with the co-cultured myocytes.

Objective To compare the application of CUBIC and iDISCO clearing methods in observing 3D imaging of spinal cord with immunofluorescent staining. Methods 1 mm thick spinal cord coronal sections were processed with CUBIC and iDISCO, respectively. The neurofilament (NF) protein was detected by immunofluorescent staining and then was observed by a laser confocal microscope. Results Compared with CUBIC, iDISCO had the advantages of shorter time, higher transparency (F=6.64, P<0.01), and deeper penetration (F=5117.55, P<0.01). Conclusion Immunofluorescent staining combined with iDISCO could completely observe the spinal axons with shorter time and better stain effect.

Objective To investigate the potential mechanism of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-chitosan carrier to induce neural stem cells to differentiate into neurons. Methods After purification, the neural stem cells were cocultured with chitosan, soluble bFGF and bFGF-chitosan carrier. Three hours, twenty-four hours, three days and seven days after induction, immunofluorescence staining of Nestin, beta tubulin III, microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP2), and fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) were used to observe the expres-sion of FGFR1;real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting were used to detect RNA and protein level changes after induction. Results Three hours after induction, there was no significant difference in the expression of FGFR1 among three groups. Twenty-four hours after induction, the expression level of FGFR1 was significantly higher in the bFGF-chitosan carrier group than in the chitosan group and the soluble bFGF group (P<0.001);three days and seven days after induction, the expression of FGFR1 decreased significantly in the chitosan group and soluble bFGF group (P<0.001), however, it was still higher in the bFGF-chitosan carrier group;moreover, the expression of genes associated with the pathway of extracellular regulated protein kinases/mitogen activated protein ki-nase (Erk/MAPK) was significantly higher in the bFGF-chitosan carrier group than in the chitosan group and soluble bFGF group (P<0.001). Conclusion bFGF-chitosan carrier might upregulate the expression of FGFR1, then activate Erk/MAPK signal pathways, and finally promote the differentiation of neural stem cells into neurons.