Objective To investigate the changes in eosinophil counts and the activation of microglial cells in the brain tissues of mice at different stages of Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection, and to examine the role of microglia in regulating the progression of angiostrongyliasis and unravel the possible molecular mechanisms. Methods Fifty BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the control group and the 7-d, 14-d, 21-day and 25-d infection groups, of 10 mice in each group. All mice in infection groups were infected with 30 stage III A. cantonensis larvae by gavage, and animals in the control group was given an equal amount of physiological saline. Five mice were collected from each of infection groups on days 7, 14, 21 d and 25 d post-infection, and 5 mice were collected from the control group on the day of oral gavage. The general and focal functional impairment was scored using the Clark scoring method to assess the degree of mouse neurological impairment. Five mice from each of infection groups were sacrificed on days 7, 14, 21 d and 25 d post-infection, and 5 mice from the control group were sacrificed on the day of oral gavage. Mouse brain tissues were sampled, and the pathological changes of brain tissues were dynamically observed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Immunofluorescence staining with eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) was used to assess the degree of eosinophil infiltration and the counts of microglial cells in mouse brain tissues in each group, and the morphological parameters of microglial cells (skeleton analysis and fractal analysis) were quantified by using Image J software to determine the morphological changes of microglial cells. In addition, the expression of M1 microglia markers Fcγ receptor III (Fcgr3), Fcγ receptor IIb (Fcgr2b) and CD86 antigen (Cd86), M2 microglia markers Arginase 1 (Arg1), macrophage mannose receptor C-type 1 (Mrc1), chitinase-like 3 (Chil3), and phagocytosis genes myeloid cell triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (Trem2), CD68 antigen (Cd68), and apolipoprotein E (Apoe) was quantified using real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) assay in the mouse cerebral cortex of mice post-infection. Results A large number of A. cantonensis larvae were seen on the mouse meninges surface post-infection, and many neuronal nuclei were crumpled and deeply stained, with a large number of bleeding points in the meninges. The median Clark scores of mouse general functional impairment were 0 (interquartile range, 0), 0 (interquartile range, 0.5), 6 (interquartile range, 1.0), 14 (interquartile range, 8.5) points and 20 (interquartile range, 9.0) points in the control group and the 7-d, 14-d, 21-d and 25-d groups, respectively (H = 22.45, P < 0.01), and the median Clark scores of mouse focal functional impairment were 0 (interquartile range, 0), 2 (interquartile range, 2.5), 7 (interquartile range, 3.0), 18 (interquartile range, 5.0) points and 25 (interquartile range, 6.5) points in the control group and the 7-d, 14-d, 21-d and 25-d groups, respectively (H = 22.72, P < 0.01). The mean scores of mice general and focal functional impairment were all higher in the infection groups than in the control group (all P values < 0.05). Immunofluorescence staining showed a significant difference in the eosinophil counts in mouse brain tissues among the five groups (F = 40.05, P < 0.000 1), and the eosinophil counts were significantly higher in mouse brain tissues in the 14-d (3.08 ± 0.78) and 21-d infection groups (5.97 ± 1.37) than in the control group (1.00 ± 0.28) (both P values < 0.05). Semi-quantitative analysis of microglia immunofluorescence showed a significant difference in the counts of microglial cells among the five groups (F = 17.66, P < 0.000 1), and higher Iba1 levels were detected in mouse brain tissues in 14-d (5.75 ± 1.28), 21-d (6.23 ± 1.89) and 25-d infection groups (3.70 ± 1.30) than in the control group (1.00 ± 0.30) (all P values < 0.05). Skeleton and fractal analyses showed that the branch length [(162.04 ± 34.10) μm vs. (395.37 ± 64.11) μm; t = 5.566, P < 0.05] and fractal dimension of microglial cells (1.30 ± 0.01 vs. 1.41 ± 0.03; t = 5.266, P < 0.05) were reduced in mouse brain tissues in the 21-d infection group relative to the control group. In addition, there were significant differences among the 5 groups in terms of M1 and M2 microglia markers Fcgr3 (F = 48.34, P < 0.05), Fcgr2b (F = 55.46, P < 0.05), Cd86 (F = 24.44, P < 0.05), Arg1 (F = 31.18, P < 0.05), Mrc1 (F = 15.42, P < 0.05) and Chil3 (F = 24.41, P < 0.05), as well as phagocytosis markers Trem2 (F = 21.19, P < 0.05), Cd68 (F = 43.95, P < 0.05) and Apoe (F = 7.12, P < 0.05) in mice brain tissues. Conclusions A. cantonensis infections may induce severe pathological injuries in mouse brain tissues that are characterized by massive eosinophil infiltration and persistent activation of microglia cells, thereby resulting in progressive deterioration of neurological functions.

Background Anxiety and depression are common perinatal mental health issues that often occur together and can have serious negative effects on both maternal and infant health. Objective To examine the relationships between lifestyle factors and comorbid anxiety and depression (CAD) among pregnant women in Shanghai. Methods The study estimated the prevalence of CAD during the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy using the Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) based on data from the China National Birth Cohort (CNBC) embryonic-derived diseases with assisted reproductive technology (ART) sub-cohort. Information on demographics, sleep status, nutritional intake, and exercise during each trimester was collected through self-made questionnaires, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Lifestyle factors (such as sleep status, nutritional intake, and exercise during each trimester) were analyzed using logistic regression and generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) to determine their impacts on the prevalence of CAD (yes or no) among pregnant women. Results A total of 2876 pregnant women were included in this study. The prevalence of CAD was 10.6% (305), 3.6% (103), and 5.5% (159) in the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy, respectively. The logistic regression analysis revealed that poor sleep quality throughout the entire pregnancy were statistically associated with an increased prevalence of CAD, and the odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were 2.817 (1.845, 4.301), 2.840 (1.855, 4.347), and 9.316 (5.835, 14.876) for the first, second, and third trimesters, respectively, when compared to good sleep quality. Additionally, compared to an intake frequency of 7 times per week, the frequency of egg intake ≤3 times per week in the first trimester (OR=2.025, 95%CI: 1.197, 3.425) and the frequency of egg intake of 4–6 times per week (OR=1.896, 95%CI: 1.117, 3.216) or ≤3 times per week (OR=1.906, 95%CI: 1.082, 3.357) in the third trimester were associated with an increased risk of CAD (P<0.05). Moreover, when compared to a frequency of exercise >3 times per week, never or almost never exercising in the second trimester (OR=2.218, 95%CI: 1.220, 4.035) was associated with an increased risk of CAD (P<0.05). The GLMM analysis also demonstrated a significant association between poor sleep quality, lower exercise frequency, or lower intake frequency of vegetables, eggs, or milk and an increased risk of CAD (P<0.05). Conclusion The prevalence of CAD among pregnant women in Shanghai follows a U-shaped distribution, with the highest rate occurring in early pregnancy and the lowest rate in mid-pregnancy. Factors such as poor sleep quality, inadequate intake of vegetables, eggs, or milk, and lack of exercise during pregnancy may increase the risk of CAD. Implementing lifestyle interventions during pregnancy could potentially reduce the risk of mental health problems and improve the overall health of both mothers and babies.

Objective To investigate the capillarization of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) and its association with hepatic fibrosis during the development of alveolar echinococcosis, so as to provide the basis for unraveling the mechanisms underlying the role of LSEC in the development and prognosis of hepatic injuries and hepatic fibrosis caused by alveolar echinococcosis. Methods Forty C57BL/6 mice at ages of 6 to 8 weeks were randomly divided into a control group and 1-, 2- and 4-week infection groups, of 10 mice in each group. Each mouse in the infection groups was intraperitoneally injected with 2 000 Echinococcus multilocularis protoscoleces, while each mouse in the control group was given an equal volume of phosphate-buffered saline using the same method. All mice were sacrificed 1, 2 and 4 weeks post-infection and mouse livers were collected. The pathological changes of livers were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and hepatic fibrosis was evaluated through semi-quantitative analysis of Masson’s trichrome staining-positive areas. The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition were examined using immunohistochemical staining of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1), and the fenestrations on the surface of LSECs were observed using scanning electron microscopy. Primary LSECs were isolated from mouse livers, and the mRNA expression of LSEC marker genes Stabilin-1, Stabilin-2, Ehd3, CD209b, GATA4 and Maf was quantified using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay. Results Destruction of local liver lobular structure was observed in mice 2 weeks post-infection with E. multilocularis protoscoleces, and hydatid cysts, which were surrounded by granulomatous tissues, were found in mouse livers 4 weeks post-infection. Semi-quantitative analysis of Masson’s trichrome staining showed a significant difference in the proportion of collagen fiber contents in mouse livers among the four groups (F = 26.060, P < 0.001), and a higher proportion of collagen fiber contents was detected in mouse livers in the 4-week infection group [(11.29 ± 2.58)%] than in the control group (P < 0.001). Immunohistochemical staining revealed activation of a few HSCs and ECM deposition in mouse livers 1 and 2 weeks post-infection, and abundant brown-yellow stained α-SMA and COL1A1 were deposited in the lesion areas in mouse livers 4 weeks post-infection, which spread to surrounding tissues. Semi-quantitative analysis revealed significant differences in α-SMA (F = 7.667, P < 0.05) and COL1A1 expression (F = 6.530, P < 0.05) in mouse levers among the four groups, with higher α-SMA [(7.13 ± 3.68)%] and COL1A1 expression [(13.18 ± 7.20)%] quantified in mouse livers in the 4-week infection group than in the control group (both P values < 0.05). Scanning electron microscopy revealed significant differences in the fenestration frequency (F = 37.730, P < 0.001) and porosity (F = 16.010, P < 0.001) on the surface of mouse LSECs among the four groups, and reduced fenestration frequency and porosity were observed in the 1-[(1.22 ± 0.48)/μm² and [(3.05 ± 0.91)%] and 2-week infection groups [(3.47 ± 0.10)/μm² and (7.57 ± 0.23)%] groups than in the control group (all P values < 0.001). There was a significant difference in the average fenestration diameter on the surface of mouse LSECs among the four groups (F = 15.330, P < 0.001), and larger average fenestration diameters were measured in the 1-[(180.80 ± 16.42) nm] and 2-week infection groups [(161.70 ± 3.85) nm] than in the control group (both P values < 0.05). In addition, there were significant differences among the four groups in terms of Stabilin-1 (F = 153.100, P < 0.001), Stabilin-2 (F = 57.010, P < 0.001), Ehd3 (F = 31.700, P < 0.001), CD209b (F = 177.400, P < 0.001), GATA4 (F = 17.740, P < 0.001), and Maf mRNA expression (F = 72.710, P < 0.001), and reduced mRNA expression of Stabilin-1, Stabilin-2, Ehd3, CD209b, GATA4 and Maf genes was quantified in three infection groups than in the control group (all P values < 0.001). Conclusions E. multilocularis infections may induce capillarization of LSECs in mice, and result in a reduction in the expression of functional and phenotypic marker genes of LSECs, and capillarization of LSECs occurs earlier than activation of HSC and development of hepatic fibrosis.

Objective: To explore the performance of machine learning prediction models in forecasting student absenteeism due to respiratory symptoms caused by air pollution in short term, aiming to provide a methodological reference for early warning systems of school diseases. Methods: Utilizing data from shortterm sequences of student absenteeism due to respiratory symptoms in Jiangsu Province from September 2019 to October 2022, the study integrated average concentrations of atmospheric pollutants. A univariate distributed lag nonlinear model was employed to select optimal lag variables for the pollutants. An extreme gradient boosting(XGBoost) algorithm model was developed to predict the frequency of absenteeism due to respiratory symptoms and compared with the seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average with exogenous factors(SARIMAX) model. Results: Between 2019 and 2022, an average of 9 709 students per day in Jiangsu Province were absent due to respiratory symptoms. The daily average air quality index (AQI) was 76.96,with mass concentrations of PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and O3 averaging at 35.75, 61.13, 28.89, 104.81 μg/m3, respectively. Granger causality tests indicated that AQI, PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and O3 were significant predictors of absenteeism frequency due to respirutory symptoms(F=1.46,1.79,1.67,3.41,2.18,P<0.01). The singleday lag effects of PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and O3 reached their peak relative risk (RR) values at lag4, lag0, lag0, lag4 respectively. When integrating these optimal lag variables for the pollutants, the XGBoost model demonstrated superior predictive performance to the SARIMAX model, reducing the mean absolute error (MAE) from 2.251 to 0.475, mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) from 0.429 to 0.080, and root mean square error (RMSE) from 2.582 to 0.713; at the P75 percentile alert threshold, the sensitivity improved from 0.086 to 0.694 and specificity from 0.979 to 0.988, with the Youden index increasing from 0.065 to 0.682. Conclusions The XGBoost model exhibits robust predictive performance and effective early warning capabilities for shortterm sequences of student absenteeism due to respiratory symptoms caused by air pollution. Schools could timely adopt this model to preemptively detect and control disease outbreaks, thereby enhancing school health management.

Poor ovarian response (POR) is a pathological condition in which the ovary responds poorly to gonadotropins,and is a major constraint on the unsatisfactory outcome of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET). Follicular growth,development,maturation,and expulsion are all affected by the yin-yang balance between heart and kidney,as well as the elevation exchange. If the heart and kidney essence and blood are insufficient,water and fire are out of harmony,and qi movement is not smooth,fewer high-quality follicles will be recruited and acquired during the ovarian stimulation cycle,resulting in a low transferable embryo rate and unacceptable pregnancy result. Sympathetic treatment of heart and kidney should be based on the following principles at different stages of the IVF-ET cycle:replenishing the heart,kidney,essence,and blood before entering the cycle,in order to nourish the essence and assist in the growth of the follicles;nourishing renal water,and clearing heart fire during the pituitary down-regulation period,in order to lessen the negative effects of the down-regulation medicinals;regulating the depression of the heart,liver,spleen,and kidney meridians during the follicle's retrieval period,in order to encourage the smooth release of the ova;and warming heart and kidney fire to improve endometrial tolerance during the implantation period. The application of the theory of intercourse of heart and kidney to elucidate the pathogenesis of POR is critical to the development of clinical strategies for fertility enhancement,as well as providing new ideas for the clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine in the field of reproduction.

Objective To investigate the incidence and related factors of contrast media extravasation during CT and MR enhanced examinations.Methods A retrospective collection of 234 728 consecutive patients who underwent CT and MR enhanced examina-tions.Firstly,the patients with contrast media extravasation were divided into female group and male group according to gender for comparison.Further,the two groups were subdivided into＜50 years old subgroup and≥50years old subgroup according to age for inter-subgroup comparison.Results Among 234 728 patients in this study,258(0.11％)developed contrast media extravasation.Among them,the female group accounted for 62.02％of contrast media extravasation,while the male group accounted for 37.98％.The incidence of contrast media extravasation in the female group(0.15％)was significantly higher than that in the male group(0.08％),and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.001).Further inter-subgroup analysis revealed that the incidence of contrast media extravasation in the female patients age ≥50 years old subgroup(0.18％)was significantly higher than that in the female patients age＜50 years old subgroup(0.07％),with statistical significance(P＜0.001).The incidence of contrast media extravasation in the female patients age ≥50 years old subgroup(0.18％)was significantly higher than that in the male patients age ≥50 years old subgroup(0.07％),and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.001).However,there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of contrast media extravasation between the male＜50 years old and ≥50 years old subgroups(P=0.23).Conclusion The incidence of contrast media extravasation is higher in female patients age≥50 years old.

Objective:To analyze the trend of dementia mortality rate among individuals aged 60 to 94 years in China from 1982 to 2021.Methods:Utilizing data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021, the Joinpoint regression model was employed to analyze the trend in the dementia mortality rate among Chinese older adults from 1982 to 2021. The age-period-cohort analysis method was used to decompose the age effect, period effect and cohort effect of dementia mortality data in Chinese elderly people.Results:From 1982 to 2021, the crude mortality rate of dementia in elderly women aged 60-94 in China (133.67/100 000-214.02/100 000) was higher than that in men (70.92/100 000-119.70/100 000), and the age-standardized mortality rate of dementia in women (230.74/100 000-246.87/100 000) was also higher than that in men (132.88/100 000-140.19/100 000). The age-standardized mortality rate of dementia in both genders showed an N-shaped fluctuation trend. The average annual percent change (AAPC) of dementia mortality rate in elderly males aged 60-94 was 0.07% (95% CI: 0.01%-0.13%), and the AAPC of dementia mortality rate in elderly females was -0.01% (95% CI:-0.08%-0.07%). Age effect analysis showed that from the age of 60, the risk of dementia death in males and females increased with age, especially among elderly people aged 75-94 who experienced a rapid increase in dementia mortality rate. The period effect analysis showed that the overall risk of dementia death in elderly men and women aged 60-94 was decreasing, but it had increased from 2017 to 2021. The cohort effect analysis showed that the risk of dementia death was lower in later birth cohorts. Conclusion:From 1982 to 2021, the dementia mortality rate among Chinese older adults aged 60 to 94 years exhibited fluctuations. Particularly, there has been a notable rebound in recent years. Special attention should be directed towards female seniors and those aged 75 to 94 years.

Objective:To analyze the trend of dementia mortality rate among individuals aged 60 to 94 years in China from 1982 to 2021.Methods:Utilizing data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021, the Joinpoint regression model was employed to analyze the trend in the dementia mortality rate among Chinese older adults from 1982 to 2021. The age-period-cohort analysis method was used to decompose the age effect, period effect and cohort effect of dementia mortality data in Chinese elderly people.Results:From 1982 to 2021, the crude mortality rate of dementia in elderly women aged 60-94 in China (133.67/100 000-214.02/100 000) was higher than that in men (70.92/100 000-119.70/100 000), and the age-standardized mortality rate of dementia in women (230.74/100 000-246.87/100 000) was also higher than that in men (132.88/100 000-140.19/100 000). The age-standardized mortality rate of dementia in both genders showed an N-shaped fluctuation trend. The average annual percent change (AAPC) of dementia mortality rate in elderly males aged 60-94 was 0.07% (95% CI: 0.01%-0.13%), and the AAPC of dementia mortality rate in elderly females was -0.01% (95% CI:-0.08%-0.07%). Age effect analysis showed that from the age of 60, the risk of dementia death in males and females increased with age, especially among elderly people aged 75-94 who experienced a rapid increase in dementia mortality rate. The period effect analysis showed that the overall risk of dementia death in elderly men and women aged 60-94 was decreasing, but it had increased from 2017 to 2021. The cohort effect analysis showed that the risk of dementia death was lower in later birth cohorts. Conclusion:From 1982 to 2021, the dementia mortality rate among Chinese older adults aged 60 to 94 years exhibited fluctuations. Particularly, there has been a notable rebound in recent years. Special attention should be directed towards female seniors and those aged 75 to 94 years.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of tibial transverse transport (TTT) combined with modified neurolysis in treatment of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) through a prospective randomized controlled study. METHODS: The patients with DFU and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, who were admitted between February 2020 and February 2022, were selected as the research objects, of which 31 cases met the selection criteria and were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups by random number table method. The 15 patients in the trial group were treated with TTT combined with modified neurolysis, and the 16 patients in the control group received treatment with TTT alone. There was no significant difference in gender, age, duration of DFU, ulcer area, Wagner classification, as well as preoperative foot skin temperature, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, ankle-brachial index (ABI), motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) of the common peroneal nerve, MNCV of the tibial nerve, MNCV of the deep peroneal nerve, two-point discrimination (2-PD) of heel, and cross-sectional area (CSA) of the common peroneal nerve between the two groups ( P>0.05). The time for ulcer healing, foot skin temperature, VAS scores, ABI, 2-PD of heel, and CSA of the common peroneal nerve before operation and at 6 and 12 months after operation were recorded and compared between groups. The differences in MNCV of the common peroneal nerve, MNCV of the tibial nerve, and MNCV of the deep peroneal nerve between pre-operation and 12 months after operation were calculated. RESULTS: All patients in both groups were followed up 12-24 months (mean, 13.9 months). The surgical incisions in both groups healed by first intention and no needle tract infections occurred during the bone transport phase. Ulcer wounds in both groups healed successfully, and there was no significant difference in the healing time ( P>0.05). During the follow-up, there was no ulcer recurrences. At 12 months after operation, the MNCV of the common peroneal nerve, the MNCV of the tibial nerve, and the MNCV of the deep peroneal nerve in both groups accelerated when compared to preoperative values ( P<0.05). Furthermore, the trial group exhibited a greater acceleration in MNCV compared to the control group, and the difference was significant ( P<0.05). The foot skin temperature, VAS score, ABI, 2-PD of heel, and CSA of the common peroneal nerve at 6 and 12 months after operation significantly improved when compared with those before operation in both groups ( P<0.05). The 2-PD gradually improved over time, showing significant difference ( P<0.05). The 2-PD of heel and VAS score of the trial group were superior to the control group, and the differences were significant ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in ABI, foot skin temperature, and CSA of the common peroneal nerve between groups after operation ( P>0.05). CONCLUSION Compared with TTT alone, the TTT combined with modified neurolysis for DFU can simultaneously solve both microcirculatory disorders and nerve compression, improve the quality of nerve function recovery, and enhance the patient's quality of life.
Humans ; Diabetic Foot/surgery* ; Microcirculation ; Prospective Studies ; Quality of Life ; Treatment Outcome ; Diabetes Mellitus

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the effectiveness of the temporal island flap pedicled with the perforating branch of zygomatic orbital artery for repairing defects after periocular malignant tumor resection. METHODS: Between January 2015 and December 2020, 15 patients with periocular malignant tumors were treated. There were 5 males and 10 females with an average age of 62 years (range, 40-75 years). There were 12 cases of basal cell carcinoma and 3 cases of squamous carcinoma. The disease duration ranged from 5 months to 10 years (median, 2 years). The size of tumors ranged from 1.0 cm×0.8 cm to 2.5 cm×1.5 cm, without tarsal plate invasion. After extensive resection of the tumors, the left defects in size of 2.0 cm×1.5 cm to 3.5 cm×2.0 cm were repaired with the temporal island flap pedicled with the perforating branch of zygomatic orbital artery via subcutaneous tunnel. The size of the flaps ranged from 3.0 cm×1.5 cm to 5.0 cm×2.0 cm. The donor sites were separated subcutaneously and sutured directly. RESULTS: All flaps survived after operation and the wounds healed by first intention. The incisions at donor sites healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 6-24 months (median, 11 months). The flaps were not obviously bloated, the texture and color were basically the same as the surrounding normal skin, and the scars at recipient sites were not obviously. There was no complication such as ptosis, ectropion, or incomplete closure of the eyelids and recurrence of tumor during follow-up. CONCLUSION The temporal island flap pedicled with the perforating branch of zygomatic orbital artery can repair the defects after periorbital malignant tumors resection and has the advantages of reliable blood supply, flexible design, and good morphology and function.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Plastic Surgery Procedures ; Skin Transplantation ; Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Surgical Flaps ; Arteries/surgery* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/surgery* ; Skin Neoplasms/surgery* ; Perforator Flap/blood supply*