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 prepare tripterygium glycoside nanoparticles and probe into their therapeutic effect on collagen-induced arthritis ( CIA) rats. Methods Tripterygium glycosides polyglycoside nanoparticles were prepared by thin film dispersion method and their quality was assessed. The CIA model was established and drug intervention performed. The body weight, toe swelling degree and arthritis index were measured. The pathological changes of the organs, knee and ankle synovium were observed. The serum levels of kidney function and inflammatory cytokine expression were detected in rats. Results The prepared tripterygium wil-fordii polyglycoside nanoparticles were round particles with uniform distribution and stable properties under electron microscope. Compared with the model group, the swelling of the left and right toes of medication group significantly decreased (P < 0. 01), and the ar-thritis index markedly decreased ( P < 0. 01). Among them, the efficacy of the TG-NPs group was better than that of the TG group. Compared with the normal group, the indexes of heart, spleen, kidney and testis all significantly decreased (P <0. 05, P<0.01). TG-NPs group had a significantly reduced pathological ankle-joint injury in knee cartilage and increased apoptotic synovial cells. Compared with the model group, the serum levels of ALT and BUN and CRE in TG-NPs group were significantly lower (P < 0. 05 ), and IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 levels decreased significantly (P <0. 05). Conclusions TG-NPs have good therapeutic effect on CIA through induction of synovial cell apoptosis and decrease of the expression of inflammatory cytokines. By intravenous injection of blood circula-tion, slow and controlled release of drugs can be achieved, the first pass effect caused by oral drug can be avoided, the viscera toxicity can be reduced, which provides an experimental basis for the development of new nanoagents for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective To study the activity of ten kinds of antipyretic-antidotal traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),including radix tinosporae.herb of blin conyza and turmeric,against extensively drug-resistant Acineto-bacter baumannii(XDR-AB)infection,screen out the extracts of antipyretic-antidotal TCM which have in vivo anti-infection activity,provide a research basis for the discovery of novel antimicrobials against XD-RAB infection.Methods Ten antipyretic-antidotal TCM were extracted with water,50％ethanol and 95％ethanol respectively,and TCM extracts with different concentrations were prepared,which were co-incubated with the model of XDR-AB-infected Caenorhabditis elegans previously optimized by the research group.The in vivo activity of antipyretic-antidotal TCM against XDR-AB infection was judged through the survival rate of Caenorhabditis elegans.Results With the increase of concentration of turmeric and cortex pseudolaricis extracts,the survival rate of XDR-AB-infec-ted nematodes continued to improve.The water extract,50％ethanol extract,and 95％ethanol extract of turmeric at a concentration of 1 000 μg/mL could increase the survival rates of XDR-AB-infected Caenorhabditis elegans to 54.2％(compared to the negative control group,P＜0.001),18.8％,and 13.3％,respectively.The water ex-tract,50％ethanol extract,and 95％ethanol extract of cortex pseudolaricis at a concentration of 1 000 μg/mL could increase the survival rates of XDR-AB-infected Caenorhabditis elegans to 47.4％(compared to the negative control group,P＜0.001),23.8％,and 15.8％,respectively.Conclusion The water extracts of turmeric and cortex pseudolaricis have good activity against XDR-AB infection,and their main chemical components can be tested for in vitro antimicrobial efficacy to discover novel antimicrobial agents against XDR-AB infection.

AIM To explore the effects of Rosa roxburghii Radix on ulcerative colitis(UC)in rats based on pyroptosis and neutrophil extracellular traps(NETs).METHODS Rats were randomly divided into the normal group and the model group.The successfully established UC rat models by trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid(TNBS)/ethanol enema were then randomly divided into the model group,the sulfasalazine group(0.3 g/kg)and the low,medium and high dose R.roxburghii Radix groups(2,4,8 g/kg),followed by dosing of corresponding drugs by gavage.21 days later,the rats had their disease activity index(DAI)score calculated;their pathological changes of colon tissue observed by HE staining;their levels of serum interleukin(IL)-18,IL-1β and myeloperoxidase(MPO)detected by ELISA;and their protein expressions of NE,MPO,NLRP3,caspase-1 and GSDMD in colon tissue detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.RESULTS Compared with the normal group,the model group displayed increased DAI score(P＜0.01),increased serum levels of IL-1β,IL-18 and MPO(P＜0.01),and increased protein expressions of NE,MPO,caspase-1,NLRP3 and GSDMD in colon tissue(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the groups intervened with sulfasalazine,or medium,or high dose R.roxburghii Radix demonstrated with decreased DAI scores(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),decreased serum levels of IL-1β,IL-18 and MPO(P＜0.01),and decreased protein expressions of NE,MPO,caspase-1,NLRP3 and GSDMD in colon tissue(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).CONCLUSION R.roxburghii Radix may alleviate the inflammatory reaction in a rat model of UC and improve its pathological injury of colon via regulating pyroptosis and NETs.

The n-butanol fraction of Alpinia oxyphylla Fructus 70% ethanol extract was separated and purified using column chromatography with MCI Gel CHP-20, Sephadex LH-20, ODS, and silica gel, combined with semi preparative liquid phase and TLC separation methods. One new halogenated 4,5-seco-eudesmane sesquiterpenoid and two new eremophilane sesquiterpenoids were isolated and purified from the n-butanol fraction of Alpinia oxyphylla Fructus. The structures of the isolated compounds were identified using modern spectroscopic methods (1D, 2D NMR, UV, IR, MS, etc.), and the absolute configuration of the new compounds were determined using the methods of calculated ECD and induced ECD.

Naturally derived metabolites are valuable resources for drug research and development, and play an important role in the treatment of diseases. As the "second genome" of the body, gut microbiota is rich in metabolic enzymes, which interacts with external substances such as drugs, thus affecting the progression of diseases. This article summarizes the interaction between gut microbiota-producing enzymes and natural medicines, and focuses on the impact of this interaction on disease progression, hoping to provide new ideas for the development and pharmacological mechanism of natural medicines.

Objective Hypertriglyceridemic waist(HW),hypertriglyceridemic waist-to-height ratio(HWHtR),and waist-to-hip ratio(WHR)have been shown to be indicators of cardiometabolic risk factors.However,it is not clear which indicator is more suitable for children and adolescents.We aimed to investigate the relationship between HW,HWHtR,WHR,and cardiovascular risk factors clustering to determine the best screening tools for cardiometabolic risk in children and adolescents. Methods This was a national cross-sectional study.Anthropometric and biochemical variables were assessed in approximately 70,000 participants aged 6-18 years from seven provinces in China.Demographics,physical activity,dietary intake,and family history of chronic diseases were obtained through questionnaires.ANOVA,x2 and logistic regression analysis was conducted. Results A significant sex difference was observed for HWHtR and WHR,but not for HW phenotype.The risk of cardiometabolic health risk factor clustering with HW phenotype or the HWHtR phenotype was significantly higher than that with the non-HW or non-HWHtR phenotypes among children and adolescents(HW:OR = 12.22,95%CI:9.54-15.67;HWHtR:OR = 9.70,95%CI:6.93-13.58).Compared with the HW and HWHtR phenotypes,the association between risk of cardiometabolic health risk factors(CHRF)clustering and high WHR was much weaker and not significant(WHR:OR = 1.14,95%CI:0.97-1.34). Conclusion Compared with HWHtR and WHR,the HW phenotype is a more convenient indicator with higher applicability to screen children and adolescents for cardiovascular risk factors.

Objective To compare the efficacy and safety between thermal ablation combined with synchronous transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)and TACE in patients with liver metastasis of neuroendocrine tumors of different pathologic grades.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on patients with liver metastases of neuroendocrine tumors admitted to Department of Interventional Radiology,Zhongshan Hospital,Fudan University from Nov 1,2006 to Jul 31,2022.The patients were divided into synchronous ablation group and TACE group according to treatment mode and subgroups according to pathological grade.The lesions were evaluated by postoperative imaging examination.The patients were followed up until Jul 31,2023,and surgery-related complications were recorded.The endpoint of prognosis were progression-free survival(PFS)and overall survival(OS).Results A total of 86 patients with neuroendocrine tumor were collected,including 34 patients in simultaneous ablation group and 52 patients in TACE group.According to WHO classification,21 patients at G1 stage,45 patients at G2 stage and 20 patients at G3 stage were included.No serious postoperative complications occurred in all patients.The median OS was 47.0(95%CI:31.2-62.8)months in the TACE group and 56.0(95%CI:8.3-73.4)months in the synchronous ablation group,with no statistical difference between the two groups(P=0.50).The median PFS was 18.0(95%CI:6.0-30.0)months in the TACE group and 29.0(95%CI:10.0-48.0)months in the synchronous ablation group,with no statistical difference between the two groups(P=0.22).Of the 45 patients at G2 stage,27 received TACE with a median OS of 47.0 months,and 18 received synchronous ablation with a median OS of 59.0 months,and there was no statistical difference between the two groups(P=0.45).The median PFS was 12.0 months in the TACE group and 32.0 months in the synchronous ablation group,and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P=0.03).Conclusion Comparing with TACE,simultaneous ablation can delay disease progression in patients with liver metastasis of neuroendocrine tumors to a certain extent and has good safety,especially for patients with liver metastases of neuroendocrine tumors with intermediate or low grade.

Purpose::Intramedullary nailing is the preferred internal fixation technique for the treatment of subtrochanteric fractures because of its biomechanical advantages. However, no definitive conclusion has been reached regarding whether combined cable cerclage is required during intramedullary nailing treatment. This study is performed to compare the clinical effects of intramedullary nailing with cerclage and non-cerclage wiring in the treatment of irreducible spiral subtrochanteric fractures.Methods::Patients with subtrochanteric fractures admitted to our center from January 2013 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were enrolled in the case-control study according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria and divided into the non-cerclage group and the cerclage group. The patients' clinical data, including the operative time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, reoperation rate, fracture union time, and Harris hip score, were compared between these 2 groups. Categorical variables were compared using Chi-square or Fisher's exact test. Continuous variables with normal distribution were presented as mean ± standard deviation and analyzed with Student's t-test. Nonnormally distributed variables were expressed as median (Q 1, Q 3) and assessed using the Mann-Whitney test. A p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results::In total, 69 patients were included in the study (35 patients in the non-cerclage group and 34 patients in the cerclage group). The baseline data of the 2 groups were comparable. There were no significant difference in the length of hospital stay (z = -0.391, p = 0.696), operative time (z = -1.289, p = 0.197), or intraoperative blood loss (z = -1.321, p = 0.186). However, compared with non-cerclage group, the fracture union time was shorter (z = -5.587, p < 0.001), the rate of nonunion was lower (χ 2= 6.030, p = 0.03), the anatomical reduction rate was higher (χ 2= 5.449, p = 0.03), and the Harris hip score was higher (z =-2.99, p = 0.003) in the cerclage group, all with statistically significant differences. Conclusions::Intramedullary nailing combined with cable cerclage wiring is a safe and reliable technique for the treatment of irreducible subtrochanteric fractures. This technique can improve the reduction effect, increase the stability of fracture fixation, shorten the fracture union time, reduce the occurrence of nonunion, and contribute to the recovery of hip joint function.

Objective To investigate and analyze the distribution of serum cytokeratin 19 fragment antigen 21-1(CYFRA21-1)and squamous cell carcinoma-associated antigen(SCCA)levels in healthy pregnant women during pregnancy and to assess their diagnostic value for cervical cancer in pregnancy.Methods A total of 441 healthy pregnant women and 69 patients with cervical cancer in pregnancy who attended the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University from Jan 2021 to May 2024 were selected,and 165 healthy women in the Physical Examination Center of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University were included in the same period as the control group.The healthy pregnant women were divided into 143 in early pregnancy(T1 group),147 in middle pregnancy(T2)and 151 in late pregnancy(T3).Serum CYFRA21-1 and SCCA values were detected and analyzed in all groups.One-way ANOVA,independent samples t-test,Mann-Whitney U-test,Kruskal-Wallis H-test,logistic analysis,and ROC curves were used for comparative analysis.Results The CYFRA21-1 and SCCA values were 1.66(1.19-2.17)ng/mL and 0.8(0.6-1.0)ng/mL in the control group,3.07(2.11-4.14)ng/mL and 0.9(0.7-1.3)ng/mL in the healthy pregnant women group,and were 4.33(2.99-7.60)ng/mL and 1.8(0.9-8.5)ng/mL in the patients with cervical cancer in pregnancy group,respectively.There was a statistically significant difference in the two serum values between every two groups(P<0.05).CYFRA21-1 levels were 3.13(2.46-4.05)ng/mL,1.89(1.50-2.53)ng/mL and 4.19(3.48-5.43)ng/mL in the T1,T2,and T3 groups,respectively;and SCCA levels were 0.9(0.7-1.1)ng/mL,0.7(0.6-1.0)ng/mL and 1.2(0.8-1.7)ng/mL,respectively.The results of T1 and T3 groups were higher than those of the control group(P<0.05);however,there was no statistically significant difference between the results of the T2 group and those of the control group(P>0.05).The areas under the ROC curves for the diagnosis of cervical cancer in pregnancy for CYFRA21-1,SCCA,human epididymis protein 4(HE4),anti-carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA)and joint indicators were 0.684,0.724,0.612,0.791 and 0.913,with sensitivities of 36%,48%,38%,57%and 73%,specificities of 96%,97%,89%,86%and 99%,respectively.The cut-off values of each indicator were 6.05 ng/mL,2.60 ng/mL,51.45 pg/mL and 1.75 ng/mL,respectively.Conclusion Serum CYFRA21-1 and SCCA levels were higher in pregnant women during early and late pregnancy compared with non-pregnant individuals,while they were not statistically different from non-pregnant women during mid-trimester.CYFRA21-1 and SCCA have diagnostic value for patients with cervical cancer during pregnancy.