ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the action mechanism by which Banxia Xiexintang （BXT） inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT） in chronic atrophic gastritis （CAG） rats by regulating the interleukin-17（IL-17）/extracellular regulated protein kinases（ERK）/CCAAT enhancer binding protein β（C/EBPβ）signaling pathway， thereby providing new theoretical evidence for the treatment of CAG with classic traditional Chinese medicine formulas. MethodsA CAG rat model was established by using the combined factor method. After successful modeling， the rats were randomly divided into the model group， low-， medium-， and high-dose groups （0.549， 1.098， 2.196 g·kg^-1， respectively） of BXT， and the positive drug group （vitacoenzyme， 0.3 g·kg^-1）. A normal control group was also set up. After 8 weeks of intervention， the pathological changes of gastric tissue were evaluated. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the contents of IL-17， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， cyclooxygenase-2 （COX-2）， and C/EBPβ in serum， as well as the contents of EMT markers in gastric mucosal tissue including E-cadherin， N-cadherin， and vimentin. The immunohistochemistry method was employed to determine the localization and protein expression levels of IL-17， p-ERK， and C/EBPβ in gastric mucosal tissue. Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of C/EBPβ， ERK， and its phosphorylated form （p）-ERK in gastric mucosa. Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was applied to measure the mRNA expression levels of ERK， COX-2， and C/EBPβ in gastric mucosa. ResultsCompared with those in the normal control group， the rats in the model group showed gastric mucosal glandular atrophy and inflammatory cell infiltration. The protein and their related mRNA expressions of C/EBPβ， ERK， and p-ERK in gastric mucosa were significantly increased （P<0.05，P<0.01）. The levels of IL-17， TNF-α， COX-2， and C/EBPβ in serum were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The contents of N-cadherin and vimentin in gastric mucosal tissue were significantly increased， while the content of E-cadherin was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， after intervention with different doses of BXT， the pathological damage of the gastric mucosa was improved to varying degrees. The protein and mRNA expressions of C/EBPβ， ERK， and p-ERK in gastric mucosa were significantly reduced （P<0.05，P<0.01）. The levels of IL-17， TNF-α， COX-2， and C/EBP β in serum were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The contents of N-cadherin and vimentin in gastric mucosa tissue were decreased， while the content of E-cadherin was increased （P<0.05，P<0.01）. ConclusionBXT can effectively improve the pathological damage of gastric mucosal tissue in CAG rats. Its action mechanism may be related to reducing the levels of IL-17 and TNF-α in serum， regulating the IL-17/ERK/C/EBPβ signaling pathway and inhibiting the EMT process.

Objective:To analyze the values of platelet transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and SMAD family member 2 (Smad2) in patients′ peripheral platelets for CRC diagnosis and staging.Methods:Retrospective case-control study. Tumor tissues, paratumor tissues and peripheral blood samples were collected from 248 CRC patients (147 males, 101 females; age 21-93 years) diagnosed in the First Hospital of Jilin University from October 10th, 2020, to March 10th, 2025. Peripheral blood samples were also collected from 40 colorectal adenomatous polyp patients (21 males, 19 females; age 22-74 years) and 75 healthy individuals (43 males, 32 females; age 18-81 years) during the same period. Tissue homogenates and platelets were isolated using tissue disruption and gradient centrifugation, respectively. Total RNA was respectively extracted from tissues and platelets, and the expression levels of TGF-β and Smad2 were quantified by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) expressed as relative quantity 2 -ΔΔCt. Differences of TGF-β and Smad2 expression were compared between CRC tissues and adjacent tissues, as well as among CRC patients, polyp patients, and healthy controls. The relationship of platelet TGF-β and Smad2 expression with pathological features includingtumor stage, pathological type, and metastasis were analyzed. The efficiency of platelet TGF-β, Smad2, and their combination in diagnosing CRC was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results:The expression levels of TGF-β and Smad2 in CRC tumor tissues[1.09 (0.45, 2.00), 2.93 (0.78, 6.73)] were significantly higher than those in adjacent tissues[0.81 (0.27, 1.50), 1.29 (0.40, 2.63)] ( Z TGF-β=4.54, Z Smad2=6.67, both P<0.001). The expression levels of TGF-β and Smad2 in platelets of CRC patients[2.73(1.53, 4.38), 3.16 (1.58, 4.38)] were significantly higher than those in the colorectal polyp group[1.23(0.70, 2.54), 1.16(0.78, 2.27)] and the healthy control group[0.96(0.51, 1.88), 0.92 (0.55, 1.88)] ( H TGF-β=59.71, H Smad2=78.74, both P<0.001). Platelet TGF-β expression increased progressively with tumor stage (stage 1-4) ( P<0.05), while platelet Smad2 levels were higher in metastatic CRC compared with non-metastatic cases ( P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) for diagnosing CRC when combining platelet TGF-β and Smad2 was 0.81[95%Confidence interval( CI) 0.77—0.86], which was 0.90 (95% CI 0.86—0.93) if adding serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Conclusion:Platelet TGF-β and Smad2 expression correlates with the diagnosis and staging of CRC, demonstrating potential as liquid biopsy biomarkers for colorectal malignancies.

Objective To reveal the effects of sulforaphane(SFN)on the ferroptosis pathway and iron homeostasis in rats with diabetic retinopathy(DR).Methods A DR rat model was established by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin at 65 mg·kg-1.After modeling,the rats were randomly divided into six groups(n=12 per group):Group C(control group),DR group,0.5SFN group,1.0SFN group,2.0SFN group,and 2.0SFN+Erastin group.Group C con-sisted of non-intervention control rats,while the other groups were DR model rats.Groups C and DR were orally adminis-tered 0.5 g·L-1 sodium carboxymethyl cellulose(CMC-Na).The 0.5SFN,1.0SFN,and 2.0SFN groups were orally ad-ministered SFN at 0.5,1.0,and 2.0 mg·kg-1,respectively.The 2.0SFN+Erastin group was orally administered 2.0 mg·kg-1 SFN and simultaneously received a tail intravenous injection of the ferroptosis inducer Erastin at 10.0 mg·kg-1.The intervention lasted for 4 weeks.Fasting blood glucose(FPG)was measured with a glucometer,glycosylated hemoglo-bin(GHb)was detected by visible spectrophotometry,and fasting insulin(FINS)was measured by ELISA.Retinal tissues were subjected to hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining and periodic acid-Schiff(PAS)staining.The level of reactive oxygen species(ROS)in the retina was detected using the DCFH-DA probe,malondialdehyde(MDA)was measured by the TBA method,and reduced glutathione(GSH)was assessed by spectrophotometry.Retinal Fe2+content was determined by spectrophotometry.The mRNA expression levels of ferritin heavy chain 1(FTH1),ferroportin 1(FPN1),transferrin re-ceptor(TFRC),glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11),thioredoxin 1(Trx1),and thioredoxin-interacting protein(TXNIP)in the retina were detected by qRT-PCR.GPX4 protein expression in the retina was detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the DR group,the 0.5SFN,1.0SFN,and 2.0SFN groups showed decreased FPG and GHb,increased FINS,improved retinal morphology with reduced neovascular capillaries,decreased levels of ROS and MDA,increased GSH levels,decreased retinal Fe2+content,increased FTH1 and FPN1 mRNA levels,de-creased TFRC mRNA levels,increased retinal GPX4,SLC7A11,and Trx1 mRNA levels,decreased TXNIP mRNA levels,and increased retinal GPX4 protein levels(all P＜0.05).Compared with the 2.0SFN group,the 2.0SFN+Erastin group showed increased FPG and GHb,decreased FINS,aggravated retinal damage with increased neovascular capillaries,elevat-ed levels of ROS and MDA,decreased GSH levels,increased retinal Fe2+content,decreased FTH1 and FPN1 mRNA levels,increased TFRC mRNA levels,decreased retinal GPX4,SLC7A11,and Trx1 mRNA levels,increased TXNIP mRNA levels,and decreased retinal GPX4 protein levels(all P＜0.05).Conclusion SFN alleviates DR in rats by inhibiting the ferrop-tosis pathway and maintaining iron homeostasis.

Objective:To detect the biological markers related to Alzheimer's disease(AD)in the peripheral blood of AD patients,and to explore the activities and levels of the antioxidant function indexes and the expressions of related genes and proteins in the blood of AD patients and the changes after intervention of selenium-rich food.Methods:The Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE)combined with electroencephalogram or brain CT and clinician diagnosis were used for screening AD.Fifty-six elderly patients with AD aged 75-90 years old were selected.Among them,28 cases were selected as normal diet group for AD(AD group),and 28 cases were selected as dietary selenium intervention group(Se-AD group).The patients in Se-AD group were given daily dietary selenium supplementation(increaseing dietary selenium by 15-20 μg per day)for 3 months.Meanwhile,30 people with the same age were selected as healthy control group.The activities of serum superoxide dismutase(SOD),cholinesterase(CHE),and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)and the levels of serum malondialdehyde(MDA),homocysteine(Hcy),and nitric oxide(NO)as well as reagent kit the levels of serum β-amyloid protein(Aβ),and microtubule-associated protein(Tau)and phosphorylated microtubule-associated protein(p-Tau)of the subjects in various groups were detected by and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)method;the expression levels of apolipoprotein E4(ApoE4),presenilin 1(PS1),presenilin 2(PS2),cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 3(Caspase3),sorting associated protein receptor 1(SORL1),β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1(BACE1),hypoxia-inducible factor 1(HIF1),nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB),β-amyloid precursor protein(APP),protein kinase C(PKC),and Aβ mRNA in peripheral blood of the subjects various groups were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method.Results:Compared with healthy control group,the serum SOD activities of the patients in Se-AD group and AD group were significantly decreased(P＜0.05),while serum CHE activity and the levels of MDA and Hcy were significantly increased(P＜0.05);the serum GSH-Px activity of the patients in AD group was significantly decreased(P＜0.05),and the level of NO was significantly increased(P＜0.05).Compared with Se-AD group,serum CHE activity and the level of Hcy of the patients in AD group were significantly increased(P＜0.05).The expression levels of ApoE4,PS1,Caspase3,BACE1,NF-κB and APP mRNA of the patients in Se-AD group and AD group were significantly increased(P＜0.05),and the expression levels of PKC mRNA were significantly decreased(P＜0.05);the expression level of PS2 mRNA of the patients in AD group was significantly increased(P＜0.05),and the expression levels of Aβ mRNA of the patients in Se-AD group and AD group were significantly increased(P＜0.05).Conclusion:The activities of serum SOD,GSH-Px and CHE and the levels of MDA,Hcy and NO,the levels of Aβ,Tau and p-Tau proteins,and the expression levels of ApoE4,PS1,Caspase3,BACE1,NF-κB,PKC,PS2,Aβ and APP mRNA in peripheral blood of the AD patients may vary and can be used for clinical diagnosis of the AD patients.Selenium-rich food can improve AD to some extent,and its mechanism is related to reducing the oxidative damage of brain tissue and decreasing the expression of AD related genes PS2 and Aβ.

As a conventional surgical procedure for repairing skull defect areas using autologous or artificial materials, postoperative complications of cranioplasty remain a clinical challenge that needs to be addressed. Implant exposure is a common and severe complication not only may lead to surgical failure but also exhibits significant individual variations in clinical manifestations. Treatment method must be selected based on specific conditions, and the issue of whether to retain or remove the repair material still remains a subject of academic controversy. This article mainly summarized the characteristics, causes, retention of exposed repair materials and treatment method reported in recent years, aiming to provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Objective To reveal the effects of sulforaphane(SFN)on the ferroptosis pathway and iron homeostasis in rats with diabetic retinopathy(DR).Methods A DR rat model was established by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin at 65 mg·kg-1.After modeling,the rats were randomly divided into six groups(n=12 per group):Group C(control group),DR group,0.5SFN group,1.0SFN group,2.0SFN group,and 2.0SFN+Erastin group.Group C con-sisted of non-intervention control rats,while the other groups were DR model rats.Groups C and DR were orally adminis-tered 0.5 g·L-1 sodium carboxymethyl cellulose(CMC-Na).The 0.5SFN,1.0SFN,and 2.0SFN groups were orally ad-ministered SFN at 0.5,1.0,and 2.0 mg·kg-1,respectively.The 2.0SFN+Erastin group was orally administered 2.0 mg·kg-1 SFN and simultaneously received a tail intravenous injection of the ferroptosis inducer Erastin at 10.0 mg·kg-1.The intervention lasted for 4 weeks.Fasting blood glucose(FPG)was measured with a glucometer,glycosylated hemoglo-bin(GHb)was detected by visible spectrophotometry,and fasting insulin(FINS)was measured by ELISA.Retinal tissues were subjected to hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining and periodic acid-Schiff(PAS)staining.The level of reactive oxygen species(ROS)in the retina was detected using the DCFH-DA probe,malondialdehyde(MDA)was measured by the TBA method,and reduced glutathione(GSH)was assessed by spectrophotometry.Retinal Fe2+content was determined by spectrophotometry.The mRNA expression levels of ferritin heavy chain 1(FTH1),ferroportin 1(FPN1),transferrin re-ceptor(TFRC),glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11),thioredoxin 1(Trx1),and thioredoxin-interacting protein(TXNIP)in the retina were detected by qRT-PCR.GPX4 protein expression in the retina was detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the DR group,the 0.5SFN,1.0SFN,and 2.0SFN groups showed decreased FPG and GHb,increased FINS,improved retinal morphology with reduced neovascular capillaries,decreased levels of ROS and MDA,increased GSH levels,decreased retinal Fe2+content,increased FTH1 and FPN1 mRNA levels,de-creased TFRC mRNA levels,increased retinal GPX4,SLC7A11,and Trx1 mRNA levels,decreased TXNIP mRNA levels,and increased retinal GPX4 protein levels(all P＜0.05).Compared with the 2.0SFN group,the 2.0SFN+Erastin group showed increased FPG and GHb,decreased FINS,aggravated retinal damage with increased neovascular capillaries,elevat-ed levels of ROS and MDA,decreased GSH levels,increased retinal Fe2+content,decreased FTH1 and FPN1 mRNA levels,increased TFRC mRNA levels,decreased retinal GPX4,SLC7A11,and Trx1 mRNA levels,increased TXNIP mRNA levels,and decreased retinal GPX4 protein levels(all P＜0.05).Conclusion SFN alleviates DR in rats by inhibiting the ferrop-tosis pathway and maintaining iron homeostasis.

As a conventional surgical procedure for repairing skull defect areas using autologous or artificial materials, postoperative complications of cranioplasty remain a clinical challenge that needs to be addressed. Implant exposure is a common and severe complication not only may lead to surgical failure but also exhibits significant individual variations in clinical manifestations. Treatment method must be selected based on specific conditions, and the issue of whether to retain or remove the repair material still remains a subject of academic controversy. This article mainly summarized the characteristics, causes, retention of exposed repair materials and treatment method reported in recent years, aiming to provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Objective:To analyze the values of platelet transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and SMAD family member 2 (Smad2) in patients′ peripheral platelets for CRC diagnosis and staging.Methods:Retrospective case-control study. Tumor tissues, paratumor tissues and peripheral blood samples were collected from 248 CRC patients (147 males, 101 females; age 21-93 years) diagnosed in the First Hospital of Jilin University from October 10th, 2020, to March 10th, 2025. Peripheral blood samples were also collected from 40 colorectal adenomatous polyp patients (21 males, 19 females; age 22-74 years) and 75 healthy individuals (43 males, 32 females; age 18-81 years) during the same period. Tissue homogenates and platelets were isolated using tissue disruption and gradient centrifugation, respectively. Total RNA was respectively extracted from tissues and platelets, and the expression levels of TGF-β and Smad2 were quantified by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) expressed as relative quantity 2 -ΔΔCt. Differences of TGF-β and Smad2 expression were compared between CRC tissues and adjacent tissues, as well as among CRC patients, polyp patients, and healthy controls. The relationship of platelet TGF-β and Smad2 expression with pathological features includingtumor stage, pathological type, and metastasis were analyzed. The efficiency of platelet TGF-β, Smad2, and their combination in diagnosing CRC was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results:The expression levels of TGF-β and Smad2 in CRC tumor tissues[1.09 (0.45, 2.00), 2.93 (0.78, 6.73)] were significantly higher than those in adjacent tissues[0.81 (0.27, 1.50), 1.29 (0.40, 2.63)] ( Z TGF-β=4.54, Z Smad2=6.67, both P<0.001). The expression levels of TGF-β and Smad2 in platelets of CRC patients[2.73(1.53, 4.38), 3.16 (1.58, 4.38)] were significantly higher than those in the colorectal polyp group[1.23(0.70, 2.54), 1.16(0.78, 2.27)] and the healthy control group[0.96(0.51, 1.88), 0.92 (0.55, 1.88)] ( H TGF-β=59.71, H Smad2=78.74, both P<0.001). Platelet TGF-β expression increased progressively with tumor stage (stage 1-4) ( P<0.05), while platelet Smad2 levels were higher in metastatic CRC compared with non-metastatic cases ( P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) for diagnosing CRC when combining platelet TGF-β and Smad2 was 0.81[95%Confidence interval( CI) 0.77—0.86], which was 0.90 (95% CI 0.86—0.93) if adding serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Conclusion:Platelet TGF-β and Smad2 expression correlates with the diagnosis and staging of CRC, demonstrating potential as liquid biopsy biomarkers for colorectal malignancies.

ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of overweight， obesity and central obesity among elderly residents in Xuhui District， and to analyze the epidemiological status of central obesity in elderly people with different body mass indexes. MethodsThe third round of health status and health service utilization monitoring data in Xuhui District was used. The information collected from questionnaire survey and physical examination were analyzed. SPSS 20.0 software was used for χ² test， trend χ² test and multinominal logistic regression analysis. Results5 096 survey subjects were included. The prevalence of overweight， general obesity， and central obesity in the residents aged 60 and above in Xuhui District were 34.3%， 6.5%， and 29.2%， respectively. There was gender difference in the rates of overweight， obesity， and central obesity among the residents. The overweight and central obesity rates in males were higher than those in females， while the obesity rate was lower than that in females （P<0.05）. Multinominal logistic regression analysis showed that in comparison with the normal weight non-central obesity group drinking only at party （OR=1.729， 95%CI： 1.184‒2.525）， and hypertension （OR=1.637， 95%CI： 1.305‒2.053）， were highly associated with normal weight with central obesity. Aged 60‒ years （OR=1.589， 95%CI： 1.190‒2.120）， aged 70‒ years （OR=1.763， 95%CI： 1.327‒2.342）， male （OR=1.379， 95%CI： 1.134‒1.676）， hypertension （OR=2.231， 95%CI： 1.878‒2.649）， former smokers （OR=1.437， 95%CI： 1.027‒2.011）， drinking at party only （OR=1.491， 95%CI： 1.107‒2.006）， and drinking ≥3 times per week （OR=1.611， 95%CI： 1.116‒2.325）， were highly associated with overweight combined with central obesity. Aged 60‒ years （OR=3.817， 95%CI： 2.251‒6.474）， aged 70‒ years （OR=3.084， 95%CI： 1.838‒5.175）， hypertension （OR=3.683， 95%CI： 2.753‒4.929）， diabetes （OR=2.085， 95%CI： 1.511‒2.878）， former smokers （OR=1.835， 95%CI： 1.043‒3.226）， were highly associated with compound obesity. Central obesity was found in the elderly residents with different BMI categories， and the rate of central obesity increased with the increase of BMI grade. ConclusionThe prevalence of overweight， obesity and central obesity among the elderly aged 60 years and above in Xuhui District is not optimistic. Attention should be paid to the elderly under 80 years old who are with hypertension and/or diabetes， alcohol consumption， low educational level and not doing physical exercise. Especially for the central obesity population with normal BMI， measures should be taken to prevent and intervene the occurrence of obesity and related diseases.

Cathepsins,the most abundant hydrolases in lysosomes,are responsible for the degradation of various substrates.Increasing evidence suggests that cathepsins play important roles in neurodegenerative diseases.Cathepsins affect the progression of diseases by regu-lating the aggregation of abnormal proteins(e.g.α-synuclein,amyloid β-protein,huntington).Abnormal expression levels and activity and gene mutations of cathepsin B,D,and L in the nervous system can lead to the occurrence and development of neurodegenerative diseases.This review summarizes the research progress on cathepsins in neurodegenerative diseases in recent years,with a view to providing a basis for the early diagnosis and treatment of these diseases.