Screening and functional analysis of differentially expressed long non-coding RNA in the liver of mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum during the chronic pathogenic stage / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To screen differentially expressed long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the liver of mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum during the chronic pathogenic stage and identify their functions, so as to provide insights into unravelling the role of lncRNAs in S. japonicum infection-induced liver disorders. Methods Twenty 6-week-old C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into two groups, of 10 animals each group. Each mouse in the experimental group was infected with (15 ± 2) S. japonicum cercariae via the abdomen for modeling chronic S. japonicum infection in mice, and distilled water served as controls. All mice were sacrificed 70 days post-infection, and mouse liver specimens were sampled for RNA extraction and library construction. All libraries were sequenced on the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 sequencing platform. Data cleaning was performed using the fastp software, and reference genome alignment and gene expression (FPKM) calculation were performed using the HISAT2 software. Potential lncRNA sequences were predicted using the software CNIC, CPC, Pfam, and PLEK, and potential lncRNAs were screened. Differentially expressed lncRNAs were screened with the DESeq2 software and subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses to identify biological processes and metabolic pathways involved in target genes of differentially expressed lncRNAs. Results A total of 333 potential lncRNAs were screened, and 67 were identified as differentially expressed lncRNAs, including 49 up-regulated and 18 down-regulated lncRNAs. A total of 53 target genes were predicted for differentially expressed lncRNAs. GO enrichment analysis showed that these target genes were mainly enriched in biological process and molecular function, among which Sema7a, Arrb1, and Ccl21b genes may be hub target genes for positive regulation of extracellular regulated protein kinase 1 (ERK1) and ERK2 cascades and may participate in the regulation of collagen expression. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the target genes of differentially expressed lncRNAs were mainly enriched in cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, viral protein interactions with cytokines and cytokine receptors, chemokine signaling pathway, and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Conclusions This study identifies differentially expressed lncRNAs and functional enrichment of their target genes in the liver of mice during the chronic pathogenic stage of S. japonicum infection. Up-regulated lncRNAs may affect biological processes of ERK1/2 cascades and chemokine signaling pathways via target genes Sema7a, Arrb1, and Ccl21b, thereby affecting collagen expression and inflammatory signal pathways, ultimately affecting the development of liver disorders.

Progress of schistosomiasis control in People’s Republic of China in 2023 / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

To understand the progress of national schistosomiasis elimination program of China in 2023 and summarize the lessons and experiences, data on the endemic status of schistosomiasis and national schistosomiasis surveillance results in the People’s Republic of China were collected and analyzed at a national level. By the end of 2023, Shanghai Municipality, Zhejiang Province, Fujian Province, Guangdong Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region continued to consolidate the achievements of schistosomiasis elimination, and Sichuan and Jiangsu provinces maintained the criteria of transmission interruption, while Yunnan and Hubei provinces were identified to achieve the criteria of transmission interruption in 2020, and Anhui, Jiangxi and Hunan provinces achieved the criteria of transmission interruption in 2023. A total of 451 counties (cites, districts) were found to be endemic for schistosomiasis in China in 2023, including 26 250 endemic villages covering 73 034 500 residents at risk of infections. Among the 451 endemic counties (cities, districts), 78.49% (354/451) achieved the criteria of schistosomiasis elimination and 21.51% (97/451) achieved the criteria of transmission interruption, respectively. In 2023, a total of 4 216 643 individuals received immunological tests, with 47 794 sero-positives identified, and a total of 184 216 individuals received parasitological examinations, with 4 egg-positives detected. A total of 27 768 cases with advanced schistosomiasis were documented in China by the end of 2023. In 2023, 539 548 bovines were raised in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of China, and 125 440 bovines received immunological tests, with 124 sero-positives detected, while no egg-positives were identified among the 133 508 bovines receiving parasitological examinations. In 2023, snail survey was performed at an area of 641 339.53 hm2 and 184 819.77 hm2 snail habitats were identified, including 51.53 hm2 emerging snail habitats and 642.25 hm2 reemerging snail habitats. In 2023, there were 20 198 schistosomiasis patients receiving praziquantel chemotherapy, and 598 183 person-time individuals and 283 954 herdtime bovines were given expanded chemotherapy. In 2023, snail control with chemical treatment was performed in 116 347.95 hm2 snail habitats, and the actual area of chemical treatment was 65 690.89 hm2, while environmental improvements were performed in snail habitats covering an area of 1 334.62 hm2. The national schistosomiasis surveillance results showed that the mean prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum infections were both zero among humans and bovines in 2023, and no S. japonicum infection was detected in snails. These data demonstrated that transmission interruption of schistosomiasis had been achieved across all endemic provinces in China in 2023, and the endemic status of schistosomiasis tended to be stable, while advanced cases were predominant among all schistosomiasis cases. However, the areas of snail habitats remained high and cattle re-raising was very common in some regions. Intensified schistosomiasis surveillance and forecast and snail control in high-risk areas are needed.

Structure-activity relationship of pyrazol-4-yl-pyridine derivatives and identification of a radiofluorinated probe for imaging the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M4

There is an accumulating body of evidence implicating the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor 4 (M4) in schizophrenia and dementia with Lewy bodies, however, a clinically validated M4 positron emission tomography (PET) radioligand is currently lacking. As such, the aim of this study was to develop a suitable M4 PET ligand that allows the non-invasive visualization of M4 in the brain. Structure-activity relationship studies of pyrazol-4-yl-pyridine derivates led to the discovery of target compound 12 - a subtype-selective positive allosteric modulator (PAM). The radiofluorinated analogue, [18F] 12, was synthesized in 28 ± 10% radiochemical yield, >37 GBq/μmol and an excellent radiochemical purity >99%. Initial in vitro autoradiograms on rodent brain sections were performed in the absence of carbachol and showed moderate specificity as well as a low selectivity of [18F] 12 for the M4-rich striatum. However, in the presence of carbachol, a significant increase in tracer binding was observed in the rat striatum, which was reduced by >60% under blocking conditions, thus indicating that orthosteric ligand interaction is required for efficient binding of [18F] 12 to the allosteric site. Remarkably, however, the presence of carbachol was not required for high specific binding in the non-human primate (NHP) and human striatum, and did not further improve the specificity and selectivity of [18F] 12 in higher species. These results pointed towards significant species-differences and paved the way for a preliminary PET study in NHP, where peak brain uptake of [18F] 12 was found in the putamen and temporal cortex. In conclusion, we report on the identification and preclinical development of the first radiofluorinated M4 PET radioligand with promising attributes. The availability of a clinically validated M4 PET radioligand harbors potential to facilitate drug development and provide a useful diagnostic tool for non-invasive imaging.

Progress of schistosomiasis control in People’s Republic of China in 2022 / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

This report presented the endemic status of schistosomiasis and analyzed the data collected from the national schistosomiasis prevention and control system and national schistosomiasis surveillance program in the People’s Republic of China in 2022. Among the 12 provinces (municipality and autonomous region) endemic for schistosomiasis, Shanghai Municipality, Zhejiang Province, Fujian Province, Guangdong Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region continued to maintain the achievements of schistosomiasis elimination, and Sichuan and Jiangsu provinces maintained the criteria of transmission interruption, while Yunnan, Hubei, Anhui, Jiangxi and Hunan provinces maintained the criteria of transmission control by the end of 2022. A total of 452 counties (cites, districts) were found to be endemic for schistosomiasis in China in 2022, with 27 434 endemic villages covering 73 424 400 people at risk of infections. Among the 452 endemic counties (cities, districts), 75.89% (343/452), 23.45% (106/452) and 0.66% (3/452) achieved the criteria of elimination, transmission interruption and transmission control of schistosomiasis, respectively. In 2022, 4 317 356 individuals received serological tests for schistosomiasis, and 62 228 were sero-positive. A total of 208 646 individuals received stool examinations for schistosomiasis, with one positive and another two cases positive for urine microscopy, and these three 3 cases were imported schistosomiasis patients from Africa. There were 28 565 cases with advanced schistosomiasis documented in China by the end of 2022. Oncomelania hupensis snail survey was performed in 18 891 endemic villages in China in 2022 and O. hupensis snails were found in 6 917 villages (36.62% of all surveyed villages), with 8 villages identified with emerging snail habitats. Snail survey was performed at an area of 655 703.01 hm2 and 183 888.60 hm2 snail habitats were found, including 110.58 hm2 emerging snail habitats and 844.35 hm2 re-emerging snail habitats. There were 477 200 bovines raised in the schistosomiasis endemic areas of China in 2022, and 113 946 bovines received serological examinations for schistosomiasis, with 204 sero-positives detected. Among the 131 715 bovines received stool examinations, no positives were identified. In 2022, there were 19 726 schistosomiasis patients receiving praziquantel chemotherapy, and expanded chemotherapy was performed in 714 465 person-time for humans and 234 737 herd-time for bovines in China. In 2022, snail control with chemical treatment was performed at an area of 119 134.07 hm2, and the actual area of chemical treatment was 65 825.27 hm2, while environmental improvements were performed at an area of 1 163.96 hm2. Data from the national schistosomiasis surveillance program of China showed that the mean prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum infections was both zero in humans and bovines in 2022, and no S. japonicum infection was detected in O. hupensis snails. These data demonstrated that the endemic status of schistosomiasis continued to decline in China in 2022, with 3 confirmed schistosomiasis patients that had a foreign nationality and all imported from Africa, and the areas of snail habitats remained high. Further improvements in the construction of the schistosomaisis surveillance and forecast system, and reinforcement of O. hupensis survey and control are required to prevent the re-emerging schistosomiasis.

The sensation recovery of superficial palmar branch of the radial artery flap with palmar branch of median nerve and donor site / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective To explore the sen sation recovery of superficial palmar branc h of the radial artery flap with palmar branch of median nerve and donor si te. Methods From January, 2014 to June, 2016, 12 cases of finger soft tissue defects were repaired with sup erficial palmar branch of the radial artery flap with palmar branch of median nerve. The 2 g tactile sensation, 5 g pain sen sation, 30 g pressure sensation and static two-point discrimination (S2 -PD) of the flap was tested regularly. The S2 -PD of the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve were recorded respectively on the affected side and the unaffected side. The results were applied comparative t-test to perform statistical analysis, to observe the sensory recovery of the flap and donor site. Results The flaps survived.Twelve cases was followed-up for 6-18 mont hs. The pressure sensation of about 83.3％ of patients recovered after 2 months and 100％ of patients recovered after 3 months. The tactile sensation of about 91.7％ of patients recovered after 3 months and 100％ of patients recovered after 4 months. The pain sensation of about 91.7％ of patients recovered after 4 months of and 100％ of patients recovered after 5 months. S2-PD of the flap was the average of 8.3 mm in 6 months after operation. There were no significant differences in the S2-PD between the affected group [(12.08±2.15)mm] and unaffected group [(10.58±2.11)mm](P>0.05). And the sensory recovery of the control area of the palmar branch of the median nerve was S4 in 2 cases, S3+ in 9 cases, and S3 in 1 case. The sensory recovery was good. Conclusion Superficial palmar branch of the radial artery flap with palmar branch of median nerve can be used repair the skin defect of the fingers. The flap has a good sensery recovery, and the sensation of the donor area is gradually restored.

Effect of the MMP-9, BNP and serum cystatin C level by Xingnaojing injection combined with ginaton on elderly patients with acute cerebral infarction / 中国生化药物杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of the MMP-9,BNP and serum cystatin C level by Xingnaojing injection combined with Ginaton on elderly patients with acute cerebral infarction.Methods 100 cases of acute cerebral infarction patients from March 2014 to March 2015 in our hospital were selected and divided into the control group and the experimental group by order of medical treatment,50 cases in each group and got corresponding drug treatment.The levels of CysC,BNP,IL-6 and MMP-9 in the peripheral blood of all patients were detected and compared after the treatment.Results Compared with the control group,the levels of MMP-9,IL-6,BNP and CysC in experimental group were lower,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion Xingnaojing injection combined with Ginaton can significantly reduce the acute cerebral infarction in the elderly patients with serum MMP-9,IL-6,BN,CysC levels,is conducive to the rehabilitation of patients,the clinical has guiding significance.

Correlation between depressive symptoms, chronic diseases and daily activities in the elderly / 中华健康管理学杂志

Objective To analyze the correlation between chronic diseases,depression and activities of daily living (ADL) in the elderly,and to explore the risk factors of depressive symptoms and ADL.Methods Randomized multi-stage sampling method was used to select 504 elderly (aged ≥65 years old) in Jining City.The participants were then investigated and assessed by using Geriatric Depression Scale15,Katz-Activity of Daily Living (Katz-ADL) and Lawton instrumental ADL (Lawton-IADL).Results The prevalence of chronic diseases was 74.01％ among the elderly who lived in Jining City.The positive rate of depressive symptom was 7.14％ and the rate of ADL or IADL limitation was 19.05％ and 66.67％,respectively.The positive rate of depressive symptom and the rate of ADL or IADL limitation of the male were lower than those of female (x2 values were 18.15,12.31 and 30.18,respectively; all P＜ 0.05).The number of chronic diseases was a risk factor of depressive symptom and ADL limitation (odds ratio (OR) =1.71 or 1.53,respectively).ADL and IADL limitations were also the risk factors of depressive symptom (OR =3.15 or 9.36,respectively).Over adjustment of gender and age,the impact of the number of chronic diseases on depressive symptom,ADL and IADL and the influence of ADL and IADL limitations on depressive symptom showed no statistical significance.Conclusions Gender and age may be fundamental risk factors of depressive symptom and ADL and IADL limitations in the elderly.Family members and society workers should improve ADL and positive emotion and reduce the likelihood of depressive symptom among aging population.

Analysis of the status and related factors of depression in elders in rural areas / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

ObjectiveTo observe the status and related factors of depression symptoms in elders.MethodsRandomized multi-stage sampling method was used to select subjects.504 elders ( aged ≥65 years) in Jining were investigated and assessed by using the scales of Geriatric Depression Scale15 ( GDS-15 ),Katz-activity of daily liying (Katz-ADL) and Lawton instrumental ADL (IADL).ResultsThe GDS scores of males (2.24 ±2.12 ) were significantly lower than that of females ( 3.35 ± 3.49) ( t '=4.236,P ＜ 0.01 ).There were significant differences in GDS scores among different subgroups of age,single or not,physical activity,sleep quality,self-reported health,living condition,economic status and lonely feeling.GDS scores were significantly correlated to lonely feeling,IADL,living condition,economic status,self-reported health and age (F =27.47,P ＜ 0.001 ; R2 =0.372,R'2 =0.358 ),with the total contribution of 35.8％.ConclusionAmong elders,the main factors influencing depression symptoms are lonely feeling,IADL,female,health condition,economic condition and single,respectively.Enhancing IADL of elders can contribute to reduce the risk factors of depression.