ObjectiveIn nature, objects cast shadows due to illumination, forming the basis for stereoscopic perception. Birds need to adapt to changes in lighting (meaning they can recognize stereoscopic shapes even when shadows look different) to accurately perceive different three-dimensional forms. However, how neurons in the key visual brain area in birds handle these lighting changes remains largely unreported. In this study, pigeons (Columba livia) were used as subjects to investigate how neurons in pigeon’s ventrolateral mesopallium (MVL) represent stereoscopic shapes consistently, regardless of changes in lighting. MethodsVisual cognitive training combined with neuronal recording was employed. Pigeons were first trained to discriminate different stereoscopic shapes (concave/convex). We then tested whether and how light luminance angle and surface appearance of the stereoscopic shapes affect their recognition accuracy, and further verify whether the results rely on specify luminance color. Simultaneously, neuronal firing activity of neurons was recorded with multiple electrode array implanted from the MVL during the presentation of difference shapes. The response was finally analyzed how selectively they responded to different stereoscopic shapes and whether their selectivity was affected by the changes of luminance condition (like lighting angle) or surface look. Support vector machine (SVM) models were trained on neuronal population responses recorded under one condition (light luminance angle of 45°) and used to decode responses under other conditions (light luminance angle of 135°, 225°, 315°) to verify the invariance of responses to different luminance conditions. ResultsBehavioral results from 6 pigeons consistently showed that the pigeons could reliably identify the core 3D shape (over 80% accuracy), and this ability wasn’t affected by changes in light angle or surface appearance. Statistical analysis of 88 recorded neurons from 6 pigeons revealed that 83% (73/88) showed strong selectivity for specific 3D shapes (selectivity index>0.3), and responses to convex shapes were consistently stronger than to concave shapes. These shape-selective responses remained stable across changes in light angle and surface appearance. Neural patterns were consistent under both blue and orange lighting. The decoding accuracy achieves above 70%, suggesting stable responses under different conditions (e.g., different lighting angles or surface appearance). ConclusionNeurons in the pigeon MVL maintain a consistent neural encoding pattern for different stereoscopic shapes, unaffected by illumination or surface appearance. This ensures stable object recognition by pigeons in changing visual environments. Our findings provide new physiological evidence for understanding how birds achieve stable perception (“invariant neural representations”) while coping with variations in the visual field.

Aim To predict the mechanism of Fufang Congrong Yizhi Capsules (FCYC) in the treatment of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) by network pharmacology method, and further validate it in combination with cellular experiments. Methods TCMSP, Gene-Cards, OMIM and TTD databases, Chinese Pharmacopoeia and related literature were used to screen the active ingredients of FCYC and the targets of MCI treatment. The TCM-compound-target-disease network and PPI of intersection targets were constructed, and the GO and KEGG analysis were performed by the Ehamb bioinformation platform. GO and KEGG analysis were performed through Yihanbo biological information platform. Cell model of MCI was established by PC-12 injury induced by Aβ

Humans ; Aged ; Lung Diseases ; Pneumonia/drug therapy* ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones/therapeutic use* ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/drug therapy* ; Administration, Inhalation ; Community-Acquired Infections/drug therapy*

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of thumb-tack needling for subcutaeous embedding combined with joint mobilization in the treatment of post-stroke shoulder-hand syndrome.Methods A total of 80 patients with post-stroke shoulder-hand syndrome were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group,with 40 patients in each group.Both groups were given arthrocentesis,the control group was given ordinary acupuncture on the basis of arthrocentesis,and the treatment group was combined with thumb-tack needling for subcutaeous embedding.One course of treatment was 4 weeks and a total of 4 weeks of treatment was given.After 1 month of treatment,the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated.The changes of Visual Analogue Scale(VAS)of pain scores and simplified Fugl-Meyer Assessment(FMA)scores,as well as the pain-free passive forward flexion and abduction of the shoulder joint of the affected limb were observed before and after treatment.The Simple Quality of Life Scale(SF-36)scores of the patients in the two groups were compared after treatment.The safety and the occurrence of adverse reactions in the two groups were also evaluated.Results(1)The total effective rate was 95.00%(38/40)in the treatment group and 80.00%(32/40)in the control group.The efficacy of the treatment group was superior to that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,the VAS scores and upper extremity FMA scores of the patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P＜0.05),and the treatment group was significantly superior to the control group in improving the VAS scores and upper extremity FMA scores,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).(3)After treatment,the joint mobility of patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P＜0.05),and the improvement of shoulder joint movement in the treatment group was superior to that in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(4)After treatment,the SF-36 Quality of Life Scale scores of the treatment group were significantly superior to those of the control group in terms of physical function,psychological function,emotional health,and social function levels,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(5)There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the treatment group and the control group(P＞0.05).Conclusion Thumb-tack needling for subcutaeous embedding combined with joint mobilization exert certain effect in the treatment of post-stroke shoulder-hand syndrome.It can significantly improve the pain symptoms of patients,thus improving their quality of life,and the clinical effect is remarkable.

Objective To investigate the protective effect and mechanism of acellular nerve allografts(ANA)combined with electroacupuncture on spinal ganglia in rats with sciatic nerve injury(SNI).Methods Totally 50 male adult SD rats were randomly selected for this experiment.Ten rats were prepared for the ANA.Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group,model group,ANA group and combinational group,with 10 rats in each group.The SNI model was established by cutting off the nerves 10 mm at the 5 mm on the inferior border of piriformis after separating the right sciatic nerves.The rats in the ANA group were bridged with ANA to the two broken ends of injured nerves.The rats in the combinational group were treated with electroacupuncture 2 days after ANA bridging,Huantiao(GB30)and Yanglingquan(GB34)were performed as the acupuncture points,each electroacupuncture lasted 15 minutes and 7 days as a course of treatment,4 courses in all.Sciatic nerve conduction velocity was measured by electrophysiology to evaluate the regeneration of damaged axons.Morphology of spinal ganglia was observed by Nissl staining.The expression of nerve growth factor(NGF)and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)were detected by Western blotting and immunofluorescent staining.Results Compared with the normal group,the sciatic nerve conduction velocity in model group decreased significantly(P<0.01),Nissl bodies in neurons of spinal ganglia were swollen and dissolved,with incomplete structure and the number decreased dramatically(P<0.01),while the level of NGF and BDNF also decreased significantly(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the sciatic nerve conduction velocity in ANA and combinational groups strongly increased(P<0.01),the damage of Nissl bodies in neurons of spinal ganglia reduced and the number obviously increased(P<0.01),the level of NGF and BDNF increased considerably(P<0.01).Compared with the ANA group,the sciatic nerve conduction velocity in combinational group increased significantly(P<0.01),the morphology of Nissl bodies in neurons of spinal ganglia were more regular and the number increased(P<0.01),moreover,the level of NGF also increased significantly(P<0.01).Conclusion ANA combined with electroacupuncture can enhance the sciatic nerve conduction velocity,improve the morphology of neurons in spinal ganglia and play a protective effect on spinal ganglia.The mechanism can be related to the higher expression of NGF and BDNF proteins,especially the expression of NGF protein.

Objective To investigate the molecular mechanism of sulforaphane(Sul)promoting bone marrow stem cells(BMSCs)differentiating into osteoblasts.Methods BMSCs were divided into the control group(without any treatment),induction group(induction of osteogenic differentiation),and induction+Sul group(induction of osteogenic differentiation with the addition of 40 μmol/L of Sul).The adenovirus-shRNA-Mock,-shRNA-TET1,-shRNA-TET2,and-shRNA-TET3 were transfected into BMSCs as the shRNA-Mock group,shRNA-TET1 group,shRNA-TET2 group,and shRNA-TET3 group.BMSCs were cultured in cell culture medium containing osteogenic differentiation induction medium and 40 μmol/L of Sul,and then transfected with adenovirus-shRNA-TET1,-shRNA-TET2,-shRNA-TET3,and-shRNA-Mock as the induction+Sul+shRNA-TET1 group,induction+Sul+shRNA-TET2 group,induction+Sul+shRNA-TET3 group,and induction +Sul+shRNA-Mock group.The mRNA and protein expression levels of Runx2 after BMSCs differentiated into osteoblasts were determined by qPCR and Western blot.The DNA content of Runx2 promoter region bound to Histone H3 after BMSCs differentiated into osteoblasts was determined by chromatin immunocoprecipitation(ChIP).The methylation level of Runx2 promoter region of BMSCs differentiated into osteoblasts was determined by HpaⅡenzyme and MspⅠenzyme digestion combined with qPCR.The degree of BMSCs differentiated into osteoblasts was determined by alizarin red staining.Results Compared with the induction group,the mRNA and protein expression levels of Runx2 in the induction+Sul group were significantly increased(P<0.05);the content of DNA in the Runx2 promoter region bound to Histone H3 was increased(P<0.05),the methylation level of Runx2 promoter region was reduced(P<0.05),and the alizarin red staining score was elevated(P<0.05).Compared with the induction+Sul group,the content of DNA in the Runx2 promoter region bound to Histone H3 in the induction+Sul+shRNA-TET1 group was decreased(P<0.05),the methylation level of Runx2 promoter region was increased(P<0.05),and the alizarin red staining score was decreased(P<0.05).While there was no significant change among the induction+Sul+shRNA-TET2 group,induction+Sul+shRNA-TET3 group,induction+Sul+shRNA-Mock group(P>0.05).Conclusion Sul can promote the differentiation of BMSCs into osteoblasts through promoting DNA demethylation of Runx2 promoter region by TET1.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of Lutongning granules in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia in animal models and study its mechanism of action， so as to provide laboratory data support for the clinical application of Lutongning granules and precise treatment. MethodMale SD rats were randomly divided into normal group， model group， carbamazepine group （0.06 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， high-dose Lutongning group （2.70 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and low-dose Lutongning group （1.35 g·kg^-1·d^-1） according to the stratified basic mechanical pain thresholds， with 10 rats in each group. A trigeminal neuralgia model of rats was prepared by injecting 30% talc suspension into the infraorbital foramen area of the rat. The drug groups were administered 10 mL·kg^-1 of drugs by gavage after 2 h of modeling. The normal group and the model group were administered distilled water by gavage under the same conditions once a day for 10 consecutive days. Von Frey brushes were used to determine the mechanical pain threshold of rats. A fully automated blood and body fluid analyzer was employed to detect the blood routine of rats. Hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining was utilized to detect the pathological changes in the trigeminal ganglion and medulla oblongata tissue. Transmission electron microscopy was used to scan the ultrastructure of the medulla oblongata tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the levels of inflammatory factors interleukin （IL）-1， IL-6， IL-8， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α， neuropeptide substance P， and β-endorphins （β-EP） in the serum of rats， and Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of IL-1β， purinergic receptor P2X7 （P2X7R）， and phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p-p38 MAPK）. ResultCompared with that in the normal group， the pain threshold of rats in the model group was significantly lower （P<0.01）. The absolute value of neutrophils （NEUT#） and the percentage of neutrophils （NEUT） were significantly improved， and the percentage of lymphocytes （LYMPH） was significantly reduced （P<0.01）. The serum levels of IL-1， IL-6， IL-8， and TNF-α were significantly increased （P<0.01）. SP content in brain tissue was significantly increased， and β-EP content was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The relative protein expression of IL-1β， P2X7R， and p-p38 MAPK was significantly increased （P<0.05）. HE staining and transmission electron microscopy results of medulla oblongata tissue revealed neuronal degeneration， mild proliferation of microglial cells， reduction in the number of myelinated nerves， and obvious demyelination. The trigeminal nerve fibers of rats were disarranged， and some nerve fibers showed vacuolization. Axons were swollen， and Schwann cells proliferated. Demyelination was observed. Compared with the model group， each administration group significantly increased the pain threshold of rats （P<0.05， P<0.01）， reduced NEUT# and NEUT， and elevated LYMPH （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The administration group significantly decreased the levels of IL-1， IL-6， IL-8， and TNF-α in serum and SP in brain tissue （P<0.01） and increased the level of β-EP （P<0.01）. They significantly down-regulated the protein expression of IL-1β， P2X7R， and p-p38 MAPK（P<0.05， P<0.01） and significantly ameliorated the pathological changes in medulla oblongata tissue and trigeminal nerves of rats. ConclusionLutongning Granules had significant therapeutic effects on trigeminal neuralgia induced by injection of talc into the infraorbital foramen of model rats， and the mechanism may be related to amelioration of P2X7R-mediated neuroinflammation and inhibition of demyelination of myelinated nerves.

Traditional decoction pieces have low efficiency, poor batch-to-batch consistency, and irregular physical form, making it difficult to meet the demands of modern automated production and precise and rapid clinical blending. Therefore, this study aims to develop a new type of granular drinking tablet to meet the demand for high-quality development in the traditional Chinese medicine industry. In the current study, the differences and similarities between the new Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (LJF) granular drinking tablets and the traditional ones were evaluated based on the flowability, the paste rate of the standard soup, the characterization fingerprint, the degree of pasting, the content of active ingredients, the transfer rate, and its traditional antipyretic and anti-inflammatory efficacy, using the traditional LJF decoction piece as a reference. The flowability experiments showed that the flowability of medium-sized granules (10-24 mesh) was significantly better than that of traditional drinking tablets (P < 0.01); the results of the paste rate showed that there was no significant difference between the different particle sizes and the original decoction pieces (P > 0.05), but the small particle sizes (24-65 mesh) had poor decoction clarity and gelatinization; the transfer rate was calculated as chlorogenic acid and luteoloside, and there was no significant difference in the transfer rate between traditional slices and different particle sizes (P > 0.05); the pharmacological results showed that the contents of rat tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), rat interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and rat prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), xylene ear swelling inhibition rate and granuloma inhibition rate showed that there was no significant difference between the traditional and new granule decoction pieces (P > 0.05). In this study, by examining the fluidity, paste rate, paste degree, and antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects of the new granular decoction piece of LJF, it was initially revealed that the new granular drinking tablets of LJF were consistent with the basic properties and pharmacological effects of the commercially available traditional drinking tablets. Still, the new granular tablets were characterized by high utilization rate, homogeneous quality, and ease of clinical transfer, which had a good prospect for application. The animal experiment was approved by the Ethics Committee of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (approval number. 2022B214).

Objective·To examine the expression level of protein arginine methyltransferase 6(PRMT6)in breast carcinoma tissues and to assess its impact on the proliferative and migratory behaviors of breast cancer cells.Methods·The PRMT6 transcriptome sequencing data between 33 tumor tissues and normal tissues from The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)database was analyzed through the R language.The gene expression profile interactive analysis(GEPIA2)online database was used to analyze the difference of PRMT6 expression in normal breast tissues and breast cancer tissues.By using the immunohistochemistry(IHC)data of human normal breast tissues and breast cancer tissues from Human Protein Atlas(HPA)database to analyze the protein expression of PRMT6.IHC was used to detect the expression of PRMT6 in breast cancer tissues and paired para-tumor tissues from 27 clinical samples.After PRMT6 was knocked down with small interfering RNA(siRNA)in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells,the expression of PRMT6 was detected by qRT-PCR and Western blotting.The proliferation ability of breast cancer cells was measured with cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)assay and colony formation assay.The effect of PRMT6 on the migration ability of breast cancer cells was detected by wound healing assay and Transwell assay.By using the RNA-sequence data from GSE210948 of Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database,differentially expressed genes were analyzed in control and low expression groups of PRMT6.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis was performed to reveal the signaling pathways associated with PRMT6.Cell cycle analysis was detected by flow cytometry.The expressions of cyclin D1 and EMT-related proteins(E-cadherin,N-cadherin and Vimentin)were detected by Western blotting after knocking down PRMT6.Results·Bioinformatics analysis and IHC results showed that PRMT6 was highly expressed in breast cancer tissues compared with normal tissues(P=0.000)and para-tumor tissues(P=0.001).qRT-PCR and Western blotting results verified that the siRNA significantly reduced the expression level of PRMT6 in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell lines compared with the control group(mRNA:P=0.006,P=0.004;P=0.001,P=0.043.Protein:P=0.035,P=0.001;P=0.003,P=0.002).After knocking down PRMT6,the proliferation(P=0.014,P=0.000;P=0.003,P=0.003)and migration(P=0.000,P=0.000;P=0.000,P=0.002)ability of breast cancer cells were inhibited significantly.The KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that the expression of PRMT6 affected the cell cycle pathway.After knocking down PRMT6,the expression of cyclin D1 decreased in protein level(P=0.021,P=0.000;P=0.034,P=0.014)and transcription level(P=0.036,P=0.001;P=0.044,P=0.000).Knock down of PRMT6 increased the number of cells in G0/G1 phase(P=0.000;P=0.003)and decreased the number of cells in G2/M phase of the cell cycle.The expression level of E-cadherin increased(P=0.002,P=0.012;P=0.043,P=0.003),while the expression levels of N-cadherin(P=0.004,P=0.041;P=0.032,P=0.034)and Vimentin(P=0.028,P=0.005;P=0.024,P=0.001)decreased in PRMT6 knockdown cells.Conclusion·PRMT6 is highly expressed in breast cancer,which can promote the proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells.

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of modified meibomian gland massage combined with ultrasonic atomization and drug therapy for dry eye in high-altitude military personnel.Methods A total of 180 patients(360 eyes)with dry eye who were diagnosed and treated by the medical team of General Hospital of Central Theater Command of Chinese PLA from July to October 2022 in Linzhi,Tibet(average altitude of 3100 meters)were selected as the research subjects.Patients were divided into four block groups based on the course of the disease:＜1 month,1-3 months,3-6 months,and≥6 months,and each block group was randomly assigned to control group,traditional group and modified group by random number table method,with 60 cases in each group.Control group received routine treatment(artificial tear drops and atomization fumigation);on the basis of routine treatment,traditional group underwent traditional meibomian gland massage,and modified group underwent modified meibomian gland massage.After 3 months of treatment,the scores of symptoms and signs,total effective rate,duration of treatment and incidence of adverse events were compared among the 3 groups.Results In the intra-group comparison before and after treatment,except for control group's symptom scores difference which was not statistically significant(P＞0.05),all other scores decreased significantly(P＜0.05).In the inter-group comparison after treatment,the scores of both traditional group and modified group were significantly better than those of control group(P＜0.05),but no significant difference was observed in symptom and sign scores between traditional and modified groups(P＞0.05).Compared with control group,the total effective rates of traditional group and modified group both significantly increased(P＜0.01),but there was no significant difference in total effective rate between traditional and modified groups(P＞0.05).The treatment time in modified group was significantly longer than that in control group(P＜0.05),but significantly shorter than that in traditional group(P＜0.05).The incidence of adverse events was significantly lower in modified group than that in traditional group(P＜0.001).Conclusion In high-altitude areas,modified meibomian gland massage combined with ultrasonic atomization and local drug therapy for dry eye is safe and effective,non-invasiveness and easy to perform,and suitable for promoting and application in military field training.