Precancerous lesions of gastric cancer （PLGC） are a group of pathological changes caused by abnormalities in the structure， morphology， and differentiation of gastric mucosal epithelial cells. Since the early symptoms are hidden and non-specific， PLGC is not easy to be diagnosed and it has often developed into intermediate or advanced gastric cancer once being diagnosed and missed the best time for treatment. Accordingly， the incidence of this disease is increasing year by year， which lifts a heavy burden on the patients. The pathogenesis of PLGC is complex， involving inflammatory microenvironment， bile reflux， glycolysis， autophagy， and apoptosis. Currently， PLGC is mainly treated with anti-inflammatory and endoscopic therapies， which are difficult to curb the development of PLGC. Therefore， seeking a safe and effective therapy is an important topic of modern research. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， characterized by treatment based on syndrome differentiation and a holistic view， exerts effects via multiple pathways， mechanisms， and targets. Recent studies have confirmed that TCM can regulate the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin （PI3K/Akt/mTOR）， Wnt/β-catenin， Sonic Hedgehog， nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）， Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription （JAK/STAT）， hypoxia-inducible factor-1α （HIF-1α）， neurogenic locus notch homolog protein （Notch）， nuclear factor E₂-related factor 2 （Nrf2） and other signaling pathways. By targeting these pathways， TCM can inhibit aerobic glycolysis， reduce oxidative stress， repair the inflammatory microenvironment， regulate cellular autophagy， and promote vascular normalization， thereby delaying or reversing PLGC. However， few researchers have systematically summarized the TCM regulation of PLGC-associated pathways. By reviewing the relevant articles at home and abroad， this paper summarized the roles of the above signaling pathways in the development of PLGC and the research progress in the regulation of signaling pathways by TCM in the treatment of PLGC， with a view to providing a new theoretical basis for the clinical research on PLGC and the drug development for this disease.

The ethics review approval criteria are the basis for ethical review committees to make review decisions. A thorough understanding of the requirements of the ethics review approval criteria is a prerequisite for ensuring the quality of ethical reviews. The Measures for the Ethics Review of Life Science and Medical Research Involving Humans made significant adjustments to the ethics review approval criteria， such as new provisions regarding the qualifications of researchers and research institutions， and the release of research results. In combination with the 2024 edition of the Declaration of Helsinki， this paper analyzed the requirements of the Measures for ethics review approval criteria， as well as explored the corresponding ethical principles and corresponding ethical review key points， with a view to providing a reference for standardizing ethics review practice and effectively improving the quality of ethics review.

With the intensification of aging society,more and more patients are troubled by low back pain,which brings burden to patients and society. Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is the main cause of chronic low back pain. Clarifying the pathogenic mechanism of IVDD is of great significance to solve the current health problems. In recent years,there have been a lot of reports on the role of the Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) pathway in IVDD. Shh signaling pathway plays an important role in the formation and postnatal maintenance of intervertebral disc,and the expression change of this pathway is accompanied by age-related degenerative changes of intervertebral disc. Targeting the Shh signaling pathway may have important implications in IVDD treatment. This review summarizes the research progress of Shh signaling pathway in IVDD,attempts to explore the possible relationship between this signaling pathway and various known pathologies of IVDD,and looks forward to future research content,in order to provide reference for exploring effective treatment and prevention methods of IVDD.

Objective:This study aimed to explore the challenges faced by colleges and universities in performing their institutional responsibilities set forth by the Ethical Review Measures of Life Science and Medical Research Involving Human Participants (hereinafter referred to as the Measures), demonstrate the key points and main challenges in standardizing the ethical review and ethical management of colleges and universities, to provide a possible reference for daily working practices.Methods:Based on the interpretation of the policy document, combined with practical experiences in ethical review and ethical management, this paper summarized identified problems faced and proposed feasible practical suggestions.Results:The Measures strengthen the ethical review norms for life science and medical research involving human participants by reaffirming the responsibility of institutions. Colleges and universities might face some challenges and more systematic design is needed.Conclusions:The ethical review and ethical management work at colleges and universities need further consideration, top-down design model should be developed, to set work priorities, and at the same time, more innovative ways should be adopted to facilitate ethical review reliance and coordinate more streamlined review of cooperative research, and improve the quality and efficiency of ethical review promptly.

Objective:To investigate the prevalence and related influencing factors of thyroid nodules in different occupational groups in Shijiazhuang City.Methods:Different occupational groups who underwent physical examination at the Second Hospital of Shijiazhuang City from May to December 2015 and had lived there for more than 10 years were selected as the investigation subjects, including workers, farmers, science and technology education personnel, medical and health personnel, civil servants and individual businessmen. Questionnaire survey and thyroid examination were conducted, blood lipid, blood glucose and thyroid hormone levels were tested, and related influencing factors of thyroid nodules were analyzed.Results:A total of 1 440 different occupational subjects were surveyed, and the prevalence of thyroid nodules was 20.35% (293/1 440). The prevalence of thyroid nodules in females (22.59%, 159/704) was significantly higher than that in males (18.21%, 134/736), and the difference was statistically significant (χ 2 = 4.26, P = 0.039). There was a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of thyroid nodules in different age groups (χ 2 = 73.87, P < 0.001), with the highest prevalence in the 70 - 80 age group (43.75%, 21/48). There was a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of thyroid nodules among different occupational groups (χ 2 = 36.56, P < 0.001), with the highest prevalence in individual businessmen (31.84%, 78/245). By univariate analysis, the prevalence of thyroid nodules in people with good economic status [27.45% (42/153) vs 19.48% (248/1 273)], radiation exposure history [26.39% (109/413) vs 17.92% (184/1 027)], and diabetes history [33.71% (30/89) vs 19.47% (263/1 351)] was higher (χ 2 = 5.35, 13.06, 10.45, P < 0.05). Conclusions:The prevalence of thyroid nodules in occupational group in Shijiazhuang City is relatively high, and the prevalence of thyroid nodules in females is significantly higher than that in males. Economic status, radiation exposure history and diabetes history are the main influencing factors.

ObjectiveTo investigate the current status of health literacy among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in Shanghai communities, to analyze its correlation with glycemic and lipid metabolic indicators and quality of life (QoL), and to provide an evidence for the development of effective intervention measures. MethodsA follow⁃up survey was conducted among diabetic patients diagnosed at hospitals above the secondary level from March to June, 2023, who were part of a diabetes cohort study jointly established by Songnan Community in Baoshan District and the Shanghai Institute of Endocrinology. Patients were assessed using a simplified evaluation form for diabetes-related health literacy and a QoL scale, and metabolic indicators such as blood glucose and blood lipids were measured. Pearson correlation coefficients were employed to assess the relationship between health literacy levels and metabolic indicators as well as QoL. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the associations between patients’ health literacy levels, metabolic status, and QoL. ResultsAmong the 932 diabetic patients surveyed, the health literacy level was low, with an average score of (65.2±13.4) points of which (62.6±13.8) points for males and (67.9±12.5) points for females. The average QoL score was (44.1±9.2) points of which (44.0±9.5) points for males and (44.2±8.9) points for females. The achievement rates of HbA1c, total cholesterol (TC), and triglycerides (TG) were 51.6%, 30.3%, and 64.8%, respectively. The TC achievement rate among male patients (37.6%) was significantly higher than that among females (22.8%). Significant differences in HbA1c achievement rates were observed across age groups, education levels, disease durations, and BMI levels (P<0.05). Similarly, significant differences were found in FPG achievement rates across different age groups, annual household incomes, disease durations, and family histories (P<0.05). No statistically significant differences were noted in TG and HDL-C achievement rates across all variables (P>0.05). However, LDL-C achievement rates were significantly higher in patients without complications compared to those with complications (P<0.05). Health literacy showed a significant negative correlation with psychological dimension, treatment dimension, and QoL scores (r=-0.14, P<0.05). After adjusting for potential confounding factors, a significant association was found between patients’ health literacy levels and QoL, but not with metabolic indicators. ConclusionThere is a significant correlation between health literacy levels and QoL among diabetic patients in community settings. Further exploration is needed to identify factors influencing patients’ QoL and glycemic and lipid metabolic indicators.

Gastric cancer （GC） is one of the most common cancers in the world， with hidden symptoms， complex pathogenesis， high morbidity， high mortality， and poor prognosis. As one of the classical apoptosis pathways， mitochondrial apoptosis has been widely described in the apoptosis escape by GC cells. Mitochondrial apoptosis can regulate the proliferation， invasion， and metastasis of GC cells via oxidative stress， cell cycle， mitochondrial membrane potential， mitochondrial translocation and other mechanisms， and it is one of the potential targets of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） intervention to restore the mitochondrial function in GC. The theory of spleen-mitochondria in correlation explains that spleen deficiency and cancer toxin are the root causes of mitochondrial apoptosis. Accordingly， the TCM treatment should follow the basic principle of invigorating spleen to restore healthy Qi and removing cancer toxin to eliminate the root cause. Mitochondrial apoptosis can be promoted by inhibiting oxidative stress， promoting cell cycle arrest， and reducing mitochondrial membrane potential. This therapy can improve the energy metabolism， restore the mitochondrial structure and function， and prevent the occurrence and development of GC， with mild side effects and low drug resistance. However， the mechanism of mitochondrial apoptosis in GC and the target of TCM intervention in GC have not been systematically reviewed. Therefore， this paper systematically summarized the effects of mitochondrial apoptosis on the occurrence and development of GC and the role of TCM in the treatment of GC by intervening in mitochondrial apoptosis， aiming to provide a theoretical reference for the treatment and further research of GC.

Objective:This study aimed to compare the audiological characteristics between children with unilateral auditory neuropathy (UAN) and single-sided deafness (SSD) to establish a valid basis for the differential diagnosis of children with UAN.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on audiological and imaging evaluations of children with UAN and SSD who were treated at Beijing Children′s Hospital of Capital Medical University between May 2015 and June 2023. There were 17 children with UAN, comprising 10 males and 7 females, with an average age of 4.7 years. Additionally, there were 43 children with SSD, consisting of 27 males and 16 females, with an average age of 6.5 years. Audiological assessments included Auditory brainstem response (ABR), Steady-state auditory evoked potential (ASSR), Behavioural audiometry, Cochlear microphonic potential (CM), Distortino-product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE), and acoustic immittance test. The results of the audiological assessment and imaging phenotypic between the two groups of children were compared and analyzed by applying SPSS 27.0 statistical software.Results:(1) The UAN group (77.8%) had a significantly higher rate of ABR wave III L than the SSD group (20.9%) ( P<0.01). The PA thresholds at 500 Hz and 1 000 Hz of children with SSD were higher than those of children with UAN, while the ASSR thresholds at 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2 000 Hz, and 4 000 Hz of children with SSD were significantly higher than those of children with UAN ( P<0.05). (2) The degree of hearing loss in both UAN and SSD children was predominantly complete hearing loss. The percentage of complete hearing loss was significantly higher (χ2=4.353, P=0.037) in the SSD group (93.0%, 40/43) than in the UAN group (63.6%, 7/11). However, the percentage of profound hearing loss was significantly higher in the UAN group (27.3%, 3/11) than in the SSD group (2.3%, 1/43) ( Fisher′s exact test, P=0.023). In terms of hearing curve configuration, the percentage of flat type was significantly higher in the SSD group (76.7%, 33/43) than in the UAN group (36.4%, 4/11). The proportion of the UAN group (27.3%, 3/11) was significantly higher than that in the SSD group (2.3%, 1/43) in ascending type ( P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the hearing curves of the declining type and other types between the two groups ( P>0.05). (3) The proportion of imaging assessment without abnormality was significantly more common in the UAN group (81.8%) than in the SSD group (37.1%) (χ2=6.695, P=0.015). Conclusions:Compared to children with SSD, the occurrence of wave III L on the ABR test was significantly more common in children with UAN. The percentage of ascending hearing curves was significantly higher in children with UAN than in children with SSD. ASSR thresholds were significantly lower in children with UAN. The normal imaging phenotype was significantly more common in children with UAN than in children with SSD.

The cognition and attitude of scientific research ethics consciousness affect the willingness and degree of individual researchers to follow research ethics norms. This study investigated the awareness, access and training needs of Chinese medical researchers (n=11 164) on the knowledge of scientific research ethics. The survey found that more than 50.0% of people were aware of the "golden rice incident" and "skull transplantation"; 80.0% of people were knew of Operational Quideline for the Ethic Review of Biomedical Research Involving Human Subject; 90.0% said that "respecting people" and "not harming" were the basic ethical principles, but 42.8% and 75.1% chose "beneficial" and "fair" respectively; more than 60.0% of people have acquired scientific research ethics knowledge through "self-study", "special training organized by units" or "words and deeds taught by mentors or colleagues", but still 30.0% have not participated in scientific research ethics lectures in recent three years; In terms of training needs, more than 50.0% chose "ethical norms for research and application", followed by "frontier ethical issues" (41.0%) and "ethical review" (36.7%). Based on this, this paper puts forward some suggestions to improve the content and form of scientific research ethics education and training in China.

For multi-center clinical research, how to ensure the quality of ethical review and improve the efficiency of ethical review through cooperation among centers is an important direction for clinical research management departments and research parties to explore. By combing and analyzing the existing pattern of multi-center ethical review at home and abroad, combining the current situation of the ethical review and management development in China, taking cancer clinical research as the breakthrough point, it was advocated to establish a cooperative review led by professional institute in domestic, on the basis of extensive and in-depth training exchanges and effective communication on the same platform, collaborative review, ensure quality and efficiency, so as to promote and implement the "mutual recognition" of ethical review. Then, this paper further put forward the concept of "whole-process linkage" in the ethical management process of multi-center clinical research, and pointed out that all research parties should clarify their responsibilities, enhance their awareness and ability, and jointly and comprehensively implement the protection of subjects among clinical researchers.