The relationship between thiamin, folic acid and cognitive function in a rat model of uremia

End-stage renal disease is a worldwide health burden, but the pathogenesis of uremia-associated cognitive impairment (CI) is poorly recognized. We hypothesized that uremia brings about deficiency of thiamin and folic acid and causes CI by inducing oxidative stress. Therefore, 24 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups: a 5/6 nephrectomy group (n = 12) and a sham-operated group (n = 12). The Morris water maze was used to assess the cognitive function eight weeks post-surgery, and serum levels of thiamin, folic acid and homocysteine were detected subsequently. Brain and kidney tissues were collected for pathological examination and 8-Hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) immunochemistry staining. Results showed that the escape latency on training days 1-2 was longer, and the time in quadrant IV on experimental day 6 was significantly shorter in 5/6 nephrectomy group. Meanwhile, the uremic rats showed decreased thiamin, folic acid and increased homocysteine. We also found the time in quadrant IV was positively correlated with thiamin and folic acid level, while negatively correlated with the blood urea nitrogen and 8-OHdG positive cell proportion. Furthermore, in 5/6 nephrectomy group, the hippocampal neuron count was significantly reduced, and a greater proportion of 8-OHdG positive cells were detected. Pretreating LPS-stimulated rat microglial cells with thiamin or folic acid in vitro alleviated the inflammatory impairment in terms of cell viability and oxidative stress. In summary, we applied a uremic rat model and proved that uremia causes serum thiamin and folic acid deficiency, homocysteine elevation, along with neuron reduction and severe oxidative stress in hippocampus, finally leading to CI.

Technical Note: Assessing GPS Sensor Accuracy Using Real-Time Kinematic Device for Livestock Tracking

The technical aspects of GPS sensors have been improved substantially over the years, making them valuable and popular tools for livestock tracking. Using GPS sensors allows producers and researchers to locate grazing livestock, monitor their behavior and distribution, and gather referencing information about the health status of the animals and pastures. However, interpreting the behavior of grazing livestock, such as cattle, from GPS data can be difficult due to positioning inaccuracies. Without knowing the positioning accuracy range of GPS sensors, achieving high-level confidence in determining grazing densities and identifying abnormal livestock movement patterns is challenging. In this study, the positioning accuracy of three different types of commercial GPS sensors was assessed using a survey-grade real-time kinematics (RTK) device. We outlined the procedures, essential equations and compared the recorded locations from the GPS sensors with reference locations collected from the RTK device. The results demonstrated statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in positioning accuracy between different types of GPS sensors. The circular error probable (CEP) at 95% probability levels (CEP95) of the three sensors ranged from 2.46 m to 11.06 m. This accuracy varied among individual sensors within the same brand and across different brands, which underscores the importance of evaluating positioning accuracy of GPS sensors in livestock tracking. This study provides significant insights for animal scientists, ecologists, and livestock producers engaged in GPS sensor-related research and practices.

Constraints on Ultraheavy Dark Matter Properties from Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxies with LHAASO Observations

In this Letter we try to search for signals generated by ultraheavy dark matter at the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO) data. We look for possible γ rays by dark matter annihilation or decay from 16 dwarf spheroidal galaxies in the field of view of the LHAASO. Dwarf spheroidal galaxies are among the most promising targets for indirect detection of dark matter that have low fluxes of astrophysical γ-ray background while having large amount of dark matter. By analyzing more than 700 days of observational data at LHAASO, no significant dark matter signal from 1 TeV to 1 EeV is detected. Accordingly we derive the most stringent constraints on the ultraheavy dark matter annihilation cross section up to EeV. The constraints on the lifetime of dark matter in decay mode are also derived.

Characteristics of T cell premature senescence in maintenance hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND

Uremia-associated immunodeficiency, mainly characterized by T cell dysfunction, exists in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) and promotes systemic inflammation. However, T cell senescence, one of the causes of T cell dysfunction, has not been clearly revealed yet. In this cross-sectional research, we aimed to study the manifestation of T cell premature senescence in MHD patients and further investigate the associated clinical factors.

METHODS

76 MHD patients including 33 patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and 28 patients with arteriovenous fistula (AVF) event history were enrolled in this study. Complementarity determining region 3 (CDR3) of T cell receptor (TCR) was analyzed by immune repertoire sequencing (IR-Seq). CD28- T cell subsets and expression of senescence marker p16 and p21 genes were detected by multicolor flow cytometry and RT-qPCR, respectively.

RESULTS

MHD patients had significantly decreased TCR diversity (P < 0.001), increased CDR3 clone proliferation (P = 0.001) and a left-skewed CDR3 length distribution. The proportion of CD4 + CD28- T cells increased in MHD patients (P = 0.014) and showed a negative correlation with TCR diversity (P = 0.001). p16 but not p21 expression in T cells was up-regulated in MHD patients (P = 0.039). Patients with CVD exhibited increased expression of p16 and p21 genes (P = 0.010 and 0.004, respectively), and patients with AVF events showed further TCR diversity and evenness reduction (P = 0.002 and 0.017, respectively) compared to patients without the comorbidities. Moreover, age, average convection volume, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and transferrin saturation were associated with TCR diversity or CD4 + CD28- T cell proportion (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

MHD patients undergo T cell premature senescence characterized by significant TCR diversity reduction and repertoire skew, as well as accumulation of the CD4 + CD28- subset and up-regulation of p16 gene. Patients with CVD or AVF events show higher level of immunosenescence. Furthermore, T cell senescence in MHD patients is associated with blood cholesterol and uremic toxin retention, suggesting potential intervention strategies in the future.

[Effect of preoperative oral ibuprofen on postoperative pain after dental implantation: a randomized controlled trial]

Objective: To evaluate the effect of preemptive analgesia with ibuprofen on postoperative pain following single posterior tooth implantation, aiming to provide a clinical reference for its application. Methods: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-group trial was conducted. A total of 82 participants were included in the trial, meeting the eligibility criteria from April 2022 to April 2024 at the Capital Medical University School of Stomatology (40 cases), Beijing TianTan Hospital, Capital Medical University (22 cases), Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University (20 cases). Participants were randomly assigned in a 1∶1 ratio to either the ibuprofen group or the control group, with each group comprising 41 individuals. Participants in the ibuprofen group received 300 mg of sustained-release ibuprofen capsules orally 15 min before surgery, while the control group received a placebo. Both groups received the same postoperative analgesic regimen for 3 days. Pain scores were assessed using the Numerical rating scale (NRS) at 30 min, 4 h, 6 h, 8 h, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h postoperatively, and the additional use of analgesic medication was recorded from days 4 to 6 postoperatively. Results: A total of 82 participants were initially enrolled in the study, with 7 dropouts (4 from the control group and 3 from the ibuprofen group), resulting in 75 participants (37 in the control group and 38 in the ibuprofen group) completing the trial. There were no reports of adverse events such as nausea or vomiting among the participants. The ibuprofen group exhibited significantly lower pain scores at 4 h, 6 h and 8 h [1.0 (0.0, 2.0), 1.0 (0.0, 2.0), 1.5 (0.0, 3.0) ] postoperatively compared to the control group 4 h, 6 h and 8 h [2.0 (1.0, 3.0), 3.0 (1.5, 4.0), 2.0 (1.0, 4.0)] (Z=-1.99, P=0.047; Z=-3.01, P=0.003; Z=2.10, P=0.036). The proportions of patients requiring additional analgesic medication between days 4 and 6 post-surgery were 18.4% (7/38) in the ibuprofen group and 27.0% (10/37) in the control group, with no significant difference (χ2=0.79, P=0.373). The median additional medication usage postoperatively was [0.0 (0.0, 0.0) pills] in the ibuprofen group and [0.0 (0.0, 1.0) pills] in the control group, with no significant difference (Z=-0.78, P=0.439). Conclusions: Preemptive analgesia with ibuprofen effectively reduces postoperative pain following tooth implantation, representing a safe and effective perioperative pain management strategy.

Evidence for particle acceleration approaching PeV energies in the W51 complex

The γ-ray emission from the W51 complex is widely acknowledged to be attributed to the interaction between the cosmic rays (CRs) accelerated by the shock of supernova remnant (SNR) W51C and the dense molecular clouds in the adjacent star-forming region, W51B. However, the maximum acceleration capability of W51C for CRs remains elusive. Based on observations conducted with the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO), we report a significant detection of γ rays emanating from the W51 complex, with energies from 2 to 200 TeV. The LHAASO measurements, for the first time, extend the γ-ray emission from the W51 complex beyond 100 TeV and reveal a significant spectrum bending at tens of TeV. By combining the "π0-decay bump" featured data from Fermi-LAT, the broadband γ-ray spectrum of the W51 region can be well-characterized by a simple pp-collision model. The observed spectral bending feature suggests an exponential cutoff at ∼400 TeV or a power-law break at ∼200 TeV in the CR proton spectrum, most likely providing the first evidence of SNRs serving as CR accelerators approaching the PeV regime. Additionally, two young star clusters within W51B could also be theoretically viable to produce the most energetic γ rays observed by LHAASO. Our findings strongly support the presence of extreme CR accelerators within the W51 complex and provide new insights into the origin of Galactic CRs.

Urinary exosomal mRNAs as biomarkers for predicting the therapeutic effect of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors in IgA nephropathy patients

BACKGROUND

Renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASi) treatment is the basic therapy for IgA nephropathy (IgAN) patients. However, there is few of biomarker that can predict the efficacy of RASi. This study aimed to find urinary exosomal mRNAs related to the therapeutic effect of RASi in the treatment of proteinuria in IgAN patients.

METHODS

We divided IgAN patients in screening cohort into A1 (proteinuria increase at 3 months), B1 (proteinuria decrease less than 50 % at 3 months), C1 (proteinuria decrease more than 50 % at 3 months) groups according to changes of proteinuria after treatment. The urinary exosomes were collected before biopsy, RNAs were extracted and analyzed with the microarray assay. The candidate genes were screened by differentially expressed genes (DEGs) analysis and then validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in a validation cohort. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate gene performance in predicting therapeutic effect on RASi reducing proteinuria in IgAN patients.

RESULTS

ECE1 and PDE1A mRNAs were significantly different among the three groups, and were gradually decreased among A1, B1 and C1 groups. In the validation cohort, the level of urinary exosomal ECE1 and PDE1A mRNAs were also significantly lower in A2 group compared with C2 group(ECE1, P < 0.001;PDE1A, P < 0.01). Besides, the level of ECE1 mRNA was also lower in B2 group compared with C2 group (P < 0.01). The ROC curve verified that urinary exosomal ECE1 and PDE1A gene level predicted RASi efficacy in IgAN patients with area under curve (AUC) 0.68 and 0.63 respectively.

CONCLUSION

Urinary exosomal ECE1 and PDE1A mRNAs expression can serve as potential biomarkers for predicting the RASi efficacy to reduce proteinuria in IgAN patients.

Optimisation of monoenergetic images to reduce banding artifacts in the lower cervical spine using dual-layer spectral computed tomography: a retrospective study

AIM

To investigate the application value of dual-layer detector computed tomography (CT) single-energy spectral images for reducing artefacts in the lower cervical spine.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty-three patients who underwent neck examination using spectral CT between March 2022 and January 2023 were selected as the participants. Conventional mixed-energy images and spectral imaging data at 40-200 KeV were obtained from the spectral CT scans. The standard deviation (SD), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), |CTdifference| (the difference in CT value between the C6-7 and C3-4 artefact regions), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the C6-7 spinal canal were measured. The image quality of the artefact region in the conventional and single images were compared.

RESULTS

The SDintervertebral disc value was highest in the single-level 40 KeV images and lowest in the 120 KeV images (P<0.05). The SNR was lowest in the 40 KeV images (2.07 ± 2.74) and highest in the 120 KeV images (6.20 ± 5.26) (P<0.05). The CTdifference was highest in the 40 KeV images and lowest in the 120 KeV images (108.38 vs. 10.63 ± 8.58). The subjective image quality scores were lowest in the 40 KeV images and highest in the 120 KeV images.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that single-energy 120 KeV images may offer benefits such as low SDintervertebral disc, elevated SNR, higher CNR, and improved image quality.

Novel data interpretation method for DIII-D divertor retarding field energy analyzer with 3-D particle-in-cell simulations

A novel data interpretation process that utilizes comprehensive particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations is developed for the new retarding field energy analyzer (RFEA) currently being constructed at DIII-D for the lower divertor using the Divertor Material Evaluation System. This probe is expected to survive a heat load of up to 100 MW/m2 for up to 5 s and reliably measure the main ion temperature (Ti) on the divertor target ranging from 10 to 200 eV. These extreme conditions posed significant engineering limitations on the probe geometry, thus extensive validation work has been performed. The conventional fitting method for the RFEA I-V characteristics is based on a simplified 1-D model without considering the ion space charge inside the probe cavity and may not be sufficient for probes designed for the DIII-D divertor environment. In this article, a more realistic description of the particle propagation process within the RFEA cavity is achieved by including both 3-D geometric effects and ion space charge in the PIC simulations, and the capability to reconstruct the ion energy distribution functions is demonstrated with reasonable consistency.

Transcriptome meta-analysis reveals the hair genetic rules in six animal breeds and genes associated with wool fineness

Wool plays an irreplaceable role in the lives of livestock and the textile industry. The variety of hair quality and shape leads to the diversity of its functions and applications, and the finer wool has a higher economic value. In this study, 10 coarse and 10 fine ordos fine wool sheep skin samples were collected for RNA-seq, and coarse and fine skin/hair follicle RNA-seq datasets of other five animal breeds were obtained from NCBI. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis showed that the common genes were clustered into eight modules. Similar gene expression patterns in sheep and rabbits with the same wool types, different gene expression patterns in animal species with different hair types, and brown modules were significantly correlated with species and breeds. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses showed that, most genes in the brown module associated with hair follicle development. Hence, gene expression patterns in skin tissues may determine hair morphology in animal. The analysis of differentially expressed genes revealed that 32 highly expressed candidate genes associated with the wool fineness of Ordos fine wool sheep. Among them, KAZALD1 (grey module), MYOC (brown module), C1QTNF6 (brown module), FOS (tan module), ITGAM, MX2, MX1, and IFI6 genes have been reported to be involved in the regulation of the hair follicle cycle or hair loss. Additionally, 12 genes, including KAZALD1, MYOC, C1QTNF6, and FOS, are differentially expressed across various animal breeds and species. The above results suggest that different sheep breeds share a similar molecular regulatory basis of wool fineness. Finally, the study provides a theoretical reference for molecular breeding of sheep breeds as well as for the investigation of the origin and evolution of animal hair.

[Interpretation of Chinese guideline for the clinical management of patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms (2024)]

With the popularization of cerebrovascular imaging technology, the clinical detection rate of unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA) is increasing. UIA has a low risk of rupture, but once ruptured, it can seriously affect human health. The treatment of UIA is highly controversial and has attracted widespread clinical attention. The Society of Neurosurgery of the Chinese Medical Association, the Society of Cerebrovascular Surgery of the Chinese Stroke Association, the National Center for Neurological Diseases, and the National Center for Clinical Research on Neurological Diseases jointly formulate "Chinese guideline for the clinical management of patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysm management (2024)", which adopts a modular format, highlighting management recommendations and indicating current research deficiencies and future research directions. It provides comprehensive clinical management recommendations on UIA epidemiology, population screening, clinical imaging and diagnosis, rupture risk assessment, treatment decisions and choices, postoperative follow-up, and long-term management. The evidence sources are divided into the Chinese population and other populations, which helps guide clinical practice in China.

[Semiparametric analysis of nonparametric proportional hazards models with mixed dependent censored data]

OBJECTIVE

To construct a nonparametric proportional hazards (PH) model for mixed informative interval-censored failure time data for predicting the risks in heart transplantation surgeries.

METHODS

Based on the complexity of mixed informative interval-censored failure time data, we considered the interdependent relationship between failure time process and observation time process, constructed a nonparametric proportional hazards (PH) model to describe the nonlinear relationship between the risk factors and heart transplant surgery risks and proposed a two-step sieve estimation maximum likelihood algorithm. An estimation equation was established to estimate frailty variables using the observation process model. Ⅰ-spline and B-spline were used to approximate the unknown baseline hazard function and nonparametric function, respectively, to obtain the working likelihood function in the sieve space. The partial derivative of the model parameters was used to obtain the scoring equation. The maximum likelihood estimation of the parameters was obtained by solving the scoring equation, and a function curve of the impact of risk factors on the risk of heart transplantation surgery was drawn.

RESULTS

Simulation experiment suggested that the estimated values obtained by the proposed method were consistent and asymptotically effective under various settings with good fitting effects. Analysis of heart transplant surgery data showed that the donor's age had a positive linear relationship with the surgical risk. The impact of the recipient's age at disease onset increased at first and then stabilized, but increased against at an older age. The donor-recipient age difference had a positive linear relationship with the surgical risk of heart transplantation.

CONCLUSION

The nonparametric PH model established in this study can be used for predicting the risks in heart transplantation surgery and exploring the functional relationship between the surgery risks and the risk factors.

Application of deep learning in radiation therapy for cancer

In recent years, with the development of artificial intelligence, deep learning has been gradually applied to clinical treatment and research. It has also found its way into the applications in radiotherapy, a crucial method for cancer treatment. This study summarizes the commonly used and latest deep learning algorithms (including transformer, and diffusion models), introduces the workflow of different radiotherapy, and illustrates the application of different algorithms in different radiotherapy modules, as well as the defects and challenges of deep learning in the field of radiotherapy, so as to provide some help for the development of automatic radiotherapy for cancer.

Measurements of All-Particle Energy Spectrum and Mean Logarithmic Mass of Cosmic Rays from 0.3 to 30 PeV with LHAASO-KM2A

We present the measurements of all-particle energy spectrum and mean logarithmic mass of cosmic rays in the energy range of 0.3-30 PeV using data collected from LHAASO-KM2A between September 2021 and December 2022, which is based on a nearly composition-independent energy reconstruction method, achieving unprecedented accuracy. Our analysis reveals the position of the knee at 3.67±0.05±0.15  PeV. Below the knee, the spectral index is found to be -2.7413±0.0004±0.0050, while above the knee, it is -3.128±0.005±0.027, with the sharpness of the transition measured with a statistical error of 2%. The mean logarithmic mass of cosmic rays is almost heavier than helium in the whole measured energy range. It decreases from 1.7 at 0.3 PeV to 1.3 at 3 PeV, representing a 24% decline following a power law with an index of -0.1200±0.0003±0.0341. This is equivalent to an increase in abundance of light components. Above the knee, the mean logarithmic mass exhibits a power law trend towards heavier components, which is reversal to the behavior observed in the all-particle energy spectrum. Additionally, the knee position and the change in power-law index are approximately the same. These findings suggest that the knee observed in the all-particle spectrum corresponds to the knee of the light component, rather than the medium-heavy components.

[Effect of preemptive analgesia with ibuprofen on postoperative pain after mandibular third molar extraction: a randomized controlled trial]

Objective: To evaluate the impact of preemptive analgesia with ibuprofen on postoperative pain following the extraction of impacted mandibular third molars in a Chinese population, aiming to provide a clinical reference for its application. Methods: This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-group trial was conducted from April 2022 to October 2023 at the Capital Medical University School of Stomatology (40 cases), Beijing TianTan Hospital, Capital Medical University (22 cases), and Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University (20 cases). It included 82 patients with impacted mandibular third molars, with 41 in the ibuprofen group and 41 in the control group. Participants in the ibuprofen group received 300 mg of sustained-release ibuprofen capsules orally 15 min before surgery, while the control group received a placebo. Both groups were instructed to take sustained-release ibuprofen capsules as planned for 3 days post-surgery. Pain intensity was measured using the numerical rating scale at 30 min, 4 h, 6 h, 8 h, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h after surgery, and the use of additional analgesic medication was recorded during days 4 to 6 postoperatively. Results: All 82 patients completed the study according to the protocol. No adverse events such as nausea, vomiting, or allergies were reported in either group during the trial. The ibuprofen group exhibited significantly lower pain scores at 4 h [2.0 (1.0, 4.0) vs. 4.0 (3.0, 5.0)] (Z=-3.73, P<0.001), 6 h [2.0 (1.0, 4.0) vs. 5.0(2.5, 6.0)] (Z=-3.38, P<0.001), and 8 h [2.0 (1.0, 4.0) vs. 5.0 (2.0, 6.0)] (Z=-2.11, P=0.035) postoperatively compared to the control group. There were no statistically significant differences in pain scores between the groups at 30 min, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h postoperatively (P>0.05). Additionally, 11 out of 41 patients (26.8%) in the ibuprofen group and 23 out of 41 patients (56.1%) in the control group required extra analgesic medication between days 4 and 6 post-surgery, with the ibuprofen group taking significantly fewer additional pills [0.0 (0.0, 1.0) vs. 1.0 (0.0, 3.0)] (Z=-2.81, P=0.005). Conclusions: A pain management regimen involving 300 mg of oral sustained-release ibuprofen capsules administered 15 minutes before surgery and continued for 3 d postoperatively effectively reduces pain levels and the total amount of analgesic medication used after the extraction of impacted mandibular third molars. Considering its efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness, ibuprofen is recommended as a first-line drug for perioperative pain management, enhancing patient comfort during diagnosis and treatment in a feasible manner.

Stress adaptation in Tibetan cashmere goats is governed by inherent metabolic differences and manifested through variable cashmere phenotypes

Tibetan cashmere goats are not only served as a valuable model for studying adaptation to hypoxia and high-altitude conditions but also playing a pivotal role in bolstering local economies through the provision of premium quality cashmere yarn. In this study, we performed an integration and network analysis of metabolomic, transcriptomic and proteomic to elucidate the role of differentially expressed genes, important metabolites, and relevant cellular and metabolic pathways between the fine (average 12.04 ± 0.03 μm of mean fiber diameter) and coarse cashmere (average 14.88 ± 0.05 μm of mean fber diameter) producing by Tibetan cashmere goats. We identified a distinction of 56 and 71 differential metabolites (DMs) between the F and C cashmere groups under positive and negative ion modes, respectively. The KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of these DMs highlighted numerous pathways predominantly involved in amino acid and protein metabolism, as indicated by the finding that the most impactful pathway was the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling pathway. In the F group, we identified a distinctive metabolic profile where amino acid metabolites including serine, histidine, asparagine, glutamic acid, arginine, valine, aspartic acid, tyrosine, and methionine were upregulated, while lysine, isoleucine, glutamine, tryptophan, and threonine were downregulated. The regulatory network and gene co-expression network revealed crucial genes, metabolites, and metabolic pathways. The integrative omics analysis revealed a high enrichment of several pathways, notably encompassing protein digestion and absorption, sphingolipid signalling, and the synaptic vesicle cycle. Within the sphere of our integrative analysis, DNMT3B was identified as a paramount gene, intricately associated with significant proteins such as HMCN1, CPB2, GNG12, and LRP1. Our present study delineated the molecular underpinnings governing the variations in cashmere characteristics by conducting comprehensive analyses across metabolomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic dimensions. This research provided newly insights into the mechanisms regulating cashmere traits and facilitated the advancement of selective breeding programs aimed at cultivating high-quality superfine Tibetan cashmere goats.

Comprehensive transcriptomic analysis revealing the regulatory dynamics and networks of the pituitary-testis axis in sheep across developmental stages

Spermatogenesis is a complex process intricately regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-testis (HPT) axis. However, research on the regulatory factors governing the HPT axis remains limited. This study addresses this gap by conducting a comprehensive analysis of transcriptomes from the pituitary and testis tissues across various developmental stages, encompassing embryonic day (E120), neonatal period (P0), pre-puberty (P90), and post-puberty day (P270). Utilizing edgeR and WGCNA, we identified stage-specific genes in both the pituitary and testis throughout the four developmental stages. Notably, 380, 242, 34, and 479 stage-specific genes were identified in the pituitary, while 886, 297, 201, and 3,678 genes were identified in the testis. Subsequent analyses unveiled associations between these stage-specific genes and crucial pathways such as the cAMP signaling pathway, GnRH secretion, and male gamete generation. Furthermore, leveraging single-cell data from the pituitary and testis, we identified some signaling pathways involving BMP, HGF, IGF, and TGF-β, highlighting mutual regulation between the pituitary and testis at different developmental stages. This study sheds light on the pivotal role of the pituitary-testis axis in the reproductive process of sheep across four distinct developmental stages. Additionally, it delves into the intricate regulatory networks governing reproduction, offering novel insights into the dynamics of the pituitary-testis axis within the reproductive system.

The Effects of Different Exercise Interventions on Patients with Subjective Cognitive Decline: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Exercise is a promising non-pharmacological therapy for subjective cognitive decline, but it is unclear which type of exercise is most effective. The objective was to assess the comparative effects and ranks of all exercise-based interventions on cognitive function in patients with subjective cognitive decline (SCD).

METHOD

In this network meta-analysis, Online databases for Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Medline, Cochrane Library and PsycINFO were searched from inception to April 30, 2023. The included studies are randomized controlled trials assessing the efficacy of exercise interventions for individuals with SCD. The primary outcome measure is memory, while secondary outcome measures encompass executive function, attention, verbal fluency, and global cognitive function. Represented using Standardized Mean Differences (SMDs) along with their 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs). Bias assessment was conducted in accordance with the 'Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool, 2nd Edition' (RoB 2). Pairwise meta-analysis was carried out using the 'meta-analysis' module within STATA 14.0, and network meta-analysis was performed using the 'mvmeta' and 'network' packages available in STATA 14.0. Registration number CRD42023289687.

RESULT

This study included a total of 11 randomized controlled trials, encompassing 1,166 patients. Mind-body exercise was found to be efficacious in enhancing or sustaining memory (SMD: 0.58, 95%CI: 0.06 ~ 1.10) and executive function (SMD: 0.41, 95%CI: 0.09 ~ 0.73) in individuals with subjective cognitive decline. Furthermore, mind-body exercise exhibited the highest probability of being the most effective measures for improving or preventing the decline in memory (surface under cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) value: 90.4) and executive function (SUCRA value: 91.8). The second-ranked moderate-intensity aerobic exercise has also shown a positive effect on the improvement of executive function in patients with subjective cognitive decline (SMD: 0.23, 95%CI: 0.03 ~ 0.43, SUCRA value: 68.2). However, we did not observe a significant effectiveness of exercise interventions on verbal fluency, attention, and overall cognitive function in subjective cognitive decline.

CONCLUSION

Mind-body exercise may potentially be the optimal strategies for enhancing memory and executive function in individuals with subjective cognitive decline. Additionally, moderate-intensity aerobic exercise has shown a modest positive effect on executive function in subjective cognitive decline. When resources permit, practical application of these findings may be considered. Nevertheless, further support for the conclusions of this study is warranted through larger sample sizes and well-designed multicenter trials.

A compendium of genetic regulatory effects across pig tissues

The Farm Animal Genotype-Tissue Expression (FarmGTEx) project has been established to develop a public resource of genetic regulatory variants in livestock, which is essential for linking genetic polymorphisms to variation in phenotypes, helping fundamental biological discovery and exploitation in animal breeding and human biomedicine. Here we show results from the pilot phase of PigGTEx by processing 5,457 RNA-sequencing and 1,602 whole-genome sequencing samples passing quality control from pigs. We build a pig genotype imputation panel and associate millions of genetic variants with five types of transcriptomic phenotypes in 34 tissues. We evaluate tissue specificity of regulatory effects and elucidate molecular mechanisms of their action using multi-omics data. Leveraging this resource, we decipher regulatory mechanisms underlying 207 pig complex phenotypes and demonstrate the similarity of pigs to humans in gene expression and the genetic regulation behind complex phenotypes, supporting the importance of pigs as a human biomedical model.

[Clinical and genetic analysis of tyrosine hydroxylase deficiency of six cases]

The clinical and molecular genetic data of 6 patients with genetically confirmed tyrosine hydroxylase deficiency(THD) diagnosed in Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University from March 2017 to February 2022 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. The 6 patients were from 5 families. Among them, 5 patients had persistent or paroxysmal abnormal walking posture, 4 patients had dystonia of head and face, including spasm of perioral and oculopharyngeal muscles, hyperactivity, and binocular upvision, 4 patients showed obvious morning light and evening heavy phenomenon, 2 patients had postural tremor of limbs, 2 patients had psychomotor retardation from childhood, 1 patient only had limb and cervical muscle weakness, 1 patient had epileptic seizures. Of the 6 patients, only 1 was adult-onset, and the rest were child-onset. Four patients had good response to low-dose dopa preparation, 2 patients from the same family had poor response to dopamine treatment, requiring extremely low dose initiation and multi-frequency titration treatment. However, the long-term treatment effect was poor with obvious abnormalities. Gene testing of 5 families revealed 8 mutations in the TH gene, with c.698G>A (p.R233H) being the hot spot mutation site. The clinical manifestations of THD are complex. Besides paroxysmal or persistent dystonia, it can also be accompanied by eye movement crisis, muscle weakness, epilepsy, and delayed mental and motor development. Most patients respond well to low-dose dopamine preparations, but a small number of patients require titration treatment with extremely low-dose dopamine preparations, and the long-term effect is not satisfactory.

Measurement of Ultra-High-Energy Diffuse Gamma-Ray Emission of the Galactic Plane from 10 TeV to 1 PeV with LHAASO-KM2A

The diffuse Galactic γ-ray emission, mainly produced via interactions between cosmic rays and the interstellar medium and/or radiation field, is a very important probe of the distribution, propagation, and interaction of cosmic rays in the Milky Way. In this Letter, we report the measurements of diffuse γ rays from the Galactic plane between 10 TeV and 1 PeV energies, with the square kilometer array of the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO). Diffuse emissions from the inner (15°10  TeV). The energy spectrum in the inner Galaxy regions can be described by a power-law function with an index of -2.99±0.04, which is different from the curved spectrum as expected from hadronic interactions between locally measured cosmic rays and the line-of-sight integrated gas content. Furthermore, the measured flux is higher by a factor of ∼3 than the prediction. A similar spectrum with an index of -2.99±0.07 is found in the outer Galaxy region, and the absolute flux for 10≲E≲60  TeV is again higher than the prediction for hadronic cosmic ray interactions. The latitude distributions of the diffuse emission are consistent with the gas distribution, while the longitude distributions show clear deviation from the gas distribution. The LHAASO measurements imply that either additional emission sources exist or cosmic ray intensities have spatial variations.

Fibulin-1 Regulates Initiation of Successional Dental Lamina

In humans, teeth are replaced only once, and the successional dental lamina (SDL) of the permanent tooth is maintained in a quiescent state until adolescence. Recently, we showed that biomechanical stress generated by the rapid growth of the deciduous tooth inhibits SDL development via integrin β1-RUNX2 signaling at embryonic day 60 (E60) in miniature pigs. However, the mechanism by which RUNX2 regulates SDL initiation within the SDL stem cell niche remains unclear. In the current study, we transcriptionally profiled single cells from SDL and surrounding mesenchyme at E60 and identified the landscape of cellular heterogeneity. We then identified a specific fibroblast subtype in the dental follicle mesenchyme between the deciduous tooth and the SDL of the permanent tooth (DFDP), which constitutes the inner part of the niche (deciduous tooth side). Compared with traditional dental follicle cells, the specific expression profile of DFDP was identified and found to be related to biomechanical stress. Subsequently, we found that RUNX2 could bind to the enhancer regions of Fbln1 (gene of fibulin-1), one of the marker genes for DFDP. Through gain- and loss-of-function experiments, we proved that the biomechanical stress-mediated RUNX2-fibulin-1 axis inhibits the initiation of SDL by maintaining SDL niche homeostasis.

Computational explorations of the interaction between laccase and bisphenol A: influence of surfactant and different organic solvents

Bisphenol A (BPA), as an environmental endocrine disruptor can cause damage to the reproductive, nervous and immune systems. Laccase can be used to degrade BPA. However, laccase is easily deactivated, especially in organic solvents, but the specific details are not clear. Molecular dynamics simulations were used to investigate the reasons for changes in laccase activity in acetonitrile (ACN) and dimethyl formamide (DMF) solutions. In addition, the effects of ACN and DMF on the activity of laccase and surfactant rhamnolipid (RL) on the degradation of BPA by laccase were investigated. Results showed that addition of ACN changed the structure of the laccase, not only decreasing the van der Waals interaction that promoted the binding of laccase with BPA, but also increasing the polar solvation free energy that hindered the binding of laccase with BPA, so it weakened the laccase activity. DMF greatly enhanced the van der Waals interaction between laccase and BPA, and played a positive role in their binding. The addition of surfactant RL alleviated the effect of organic solvent on the activity of laccase by changing the polar solvation energy. The mechanism of surfactant RL affecting laccase activity in ACN and DMF is described, providing support for understanding the effect of organic solvents on laccase.

A dual-centre study on the radioprotective effect of a novel X-ray protection device during coronary intervention

AIM

To investigate the shielding efficiency of a novel X-ray protection device (NPD) compared with the traditional lead clothing (TLC) during coronary intervention.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was performed prospectively in two centres. A total of 200 coronary interventions were included and assigned equally into the NPD or TLC group. The NPD is a floor-standing X-ray protection device, which mainly composes of a barrel-like frame and two layers of lead rubber. Thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) were adopted to detect the cumulative absorbed doses, and were attached outside the NPD or TLC or body of the first operator at four different height levels in four directions during the procedure.

RESULTS

The cumulative doses outside the NPD were comparable to that of the TLC (2,398.33 ± 2,341.64 versus 1,624.09 ± 1,732.20 μSv, p=0.366), and the cumulative doses inside the NPD were significantly lower than those inside the TLC (40 ± 0 versus 732.28 ± 919.83 μSv, p<0.001). As the TLC did not cover the calf segment of the operator, the area at 50 cm height from the floor in the TLC group was unshielded. The shielding efficiency of NPD was significantly higher than that of the TLC (98.2 ± 0.63% versus 52.11 ± 38.97%, p=0.021).

CONCLUSION

The NPD has a significantly higher shielding efficacy than that of the TLC, in particular, it protects the operators' lower limb, liberates their lower body from wearing heavy lead apron, and may consequently reduce the radiation or body-load associated complications.