AIM: To explore the effect of dihydroquercetin on visual function in mice with form deprivation myopia based on the NOD-like receptor thermoprotein domain-related protein 3(NLRP3)inflammasome pathway.METHODS: The C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group and form deprivation myopia model group, and the form deprivation myopia model group was constructed by covering the right eye with a translucent eye patch. After successful modeling, the mice in the model group of form deprivation myopia were randomly divided into model group, low-, medium- and high-dose dihydroquercetin groups, and high-dose dihydroquercetin + NLRP3 agonist group. The diopter and axial length of mice in each group were detected. The kit was used to detect the levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and malondialdehyde(MDA)in retinal tissue. RT-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA expressions of NLRP3, apoptosis-associated spot-like protein(ASC), Caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18 in retinal tissues. Western blot was used to detect the expression of NLRP3, ASC, cleaved Caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18 proteins in retinal tissues. TUNEL staining was used to detect apoptosis in retinal tissue.RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the diopter of the mice in the model group decreased, and axial length increased, and the SOD decreased whereas MDA, NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β, IL-18 increased, and the rate of apoptosis in retinal tissue increased(all P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the diopter of mice in the low-, medium- and high-dose dihydroquercetin groups increased, axial length shortened, the SOD increased, whereas MDA, NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β, IL-18 decreased, and the rate of apoptosis in retinal tissue decreased(all P<0.05). Compared with the high-dose dihydroquercetin group, the high-dose dihydroquercetin+NLRP3 agonist group had reduced diopter, increased axial length, decreased SOD levels, elevated MDA, NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 levels, as well as increased apoptosis rate in retinal tissue(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Dihydroquercetin can improve visual function in mice with form deprivation myopia by inhibiting pyroptosis and oxidative stress responses, which may be related to the suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome. NLRP3 agonists can partially mitigate the effects of high-dose dihydroquercetin on form deprivation myopia in mice.

ObjectiveTo delineate imaging findings using an imaging platform and investigate the correlation between MRI characteristics of spinal cord atrophy and clinical diagnosis in children with spinal cord injury (SCI). MethodsImaging data of 150 children with SCI admitted to Beijing Bo'ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center, from January, 2002 to March, 2024 were collected and imported into the imaging platform. The anteroposterior and transverse diameters of the middle part of the spinal cord at the cross-section with the most severe atrophy were measured, and the relevant indicators of the previous normal spinal cord segment were measured as controls; the radiomic features were extracted. Clinical data of the children including gender, age, cause of injury, sensory level, motor level, spinal cord injury level, injury severity and disease course were collected. ResultsSpinal cord atrophy was identified in 81 cases (54%), among which 78 cases (96%) were American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) grade A and 3 cases (4%) were AIS grade C. The upper boundary of the spinal cord atrophy site strongly correlated with the injury level, motor level and sensory level (r > 0.8, P < 0.001). ConclusionMore than half of children with SCI may develop secondary spinal cord atrophy, the vast majority of whom suffer from complete spinal cord injury; the upper boundary of spinal cord atrophy is correlated with the injury level.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of thyroid nodules in the physical examination population in Mianyang region and analyze its association with metabolic syndrome. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 9 978 individuals who underwent health examinations at our hospital from January 2024 to May 2025. Thyroid examinations were performed using color Doppler ultrasound to analyze the prevalence of thyroid nodules in this population. Clinical data of all subjects were collected, and logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the association between metabolic syndrome and the risk of thyroid nodule development. Results The prevalence of thyroid nodules in the physical examination population of Mianyang region was 17.98% (1 794/9 978). The logistic regression results showed that after adjusting for gender, age, BMI, occupation, consumption of non-iodized salt, staying up late, daily sleep duration, anxiety, and depression, metabolic syndrome (OR=6.593, 95% CI: 3.961-10.975) was associated with thyroid nodules (P<0.05). Conclusion The prevalence of thyroid nodules among the physical examination population in the Mianyang area is 17.98%, and metabolic syndrome remains associated with the risk of thyroid nodules after effectively controlling for confounding factors.

Background Microparticles (MPs) are one of the main medium of inflammatory reaction with an important role in atherosclerotic progression. Studies on association of air pollution exposure and levels of peripheral blood MPs are limited among human. Objective To evaluate the effects of short-term exposure to air pollution on levels of peripheral blood MPs. Method A panel of 73 healthy adults was followed with 4 repeated follow-ups in Beijing, China, from November 2014 to January 2016. During each visit, we collected questionnaire information, fasting venous blood, urine, and exposures to fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), black carbon, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and ozone. We used linear mixed-effect models to analyze associations of air pollution exposure with levels of total MPs (TMPs) and MPs derived from various cells. Stratified analysis was conducted by levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Results The results showed significant associations between air pollution exposure and peripheral blood TMPs at 2 h-6 d prior to the follow-ups (P<0.05), while no statistical associations were found for MPs derived from different cell types. Significant increases in TMPs of 7.8% (95%CI: 0.7%, 15.3%) and 14.3% (95%CI: 2.8%, 27.2%) were observed with each interquartile range (IQR) increase in PM_2.5 (IQR=64.9 μg·m⁻³) at prior 18 h and NO (IQR=40.5 μg·m⁻³) at prior 48 h. Among participants with low levels of CRP and MDA, significantly positive associations were observed between air pollution exposure and levels of TMPs (P<0.05). Conclusion Short-term exposure to air pollution is significantly associated with increased levels of circulating MPs in healthy adults, and in people with lower systemic inflammation, peripheral blood MPs levels are more easily affected after exposure to air pollutants.

The PIF7 gene is a member of the bHLH family, playing a pivotal role in plant germination. However, its roles in tea plants (Camellia sinensis) remain largely unexplored. In this study, we cloned the phytochrome-interacting factor gene CsPIF7 to elucidate its role in the germination of tea plants. Subcellular localization analysis demonstrated that CsPIF7 was localized in the nucleus. Yeast one-hybrid and dual-luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that CsPIF7 directly bound to a specific region (7-321 bp) of the CsEXP promoter, thereby repressing the expression of CsEXP. These findings suggest that CsPIF7 may modulate the germination of tea plants by inhibiting the expression of CsEXP. Quantitative real-time PCR results showed that both CsPIF7 and CsEXP exhibited high expression levels in tea buds, with different expression patterns in response to abscisic acid (ABA) treatment. Furthermore, both CsPIF7 and CsEXP were upregulated under cold stress at 4 ℃, indicating their involvement in the cold response of tea plants. Taken together, these results suggest that CsPIF7 regulates CsEXP expression in an ABA-dependent manner, thereby influencing the germination of tea plants. This study provides both theoretical and experimental insights into the molecular mechanisms governing the germination of tea plants, laying the groundwork for further exploring the role of PIF7 in plant development and stress responses.
Camellia sinensis/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Plant Proteins/metabolism* ; Abscisic Acid/pharmacology* ; Germination/genetics* ; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors/metabolism* ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Cold Temperature

In March 2025， the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases published its latest practice statement on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease （MASLD） in children. Compared with previous guidelines， this statement adopts the latest nomenclature and diagnostic criteria for MASLD， emphasizes hepatic steatosis in the presence of at least one cardiovascular metabolic risk factor， and elaborates on the unique epidemiological characteristics， pathophysiological patterns， and natural history of pediatric MASLD. Based on evidence-based medicine， the statement provides comprehensive guidance on the screening， diagnosis， treatment and monitoring of MASLD in children and emphasizes that lifestyle interventions form the cornerstone of treatment， and at present， there are still no drugs approved for the treatment of MASLD in children. This article gives an excerpt of the key recommendations in the practice statement.

Objective:To analyze the application effects of ultrasound-guided superior laryngeal nerve block combined with cricothyroid membrane puncture on anesthesia for older adult patients with obesity.Methods:A case-control study was conducted on the clinical data of 85 older adult patients with difficult airways who underwent surgical treatment at Marine Police Corps Hospital of Chinese People's Armed Police Force from March 2021 to June 2023. Based on the different methods of anesthesia for tracheal intubation, the patients were divided into a control group ( n = 40) and an observation group ( n = 45). The control group received conventional superior laryngeal nerve block combined with cricothyroid membrane puncture, while the observation group received ultrasound-guided superior laryngeal nerve block combined with cricothyroid membrane puncture. The success rate of tracheal intubation, time taken for tracheal intubation, hemodynamic indicators, stress indicators, and the incidence of adverse reactions related to anesthesia were compared between the two groups. Results:In the observation group, the first-attempt tracheal intubation success rate was 87% (39/45), and the overall success rate for tracheal intubation was 98% (44/45), both of which were significantly higher than those in the control group [68% (27/40), 95% (38/40); χ2 = 4.48, 4.58, both P<0.05]. The time taken for tracheal intubation in the observation group was significantly shorter than that in the control group [(36.41 ± 5.23) minutes vs. (39.50 ± 4.42) minutes; t = 2.98, P<0.05]. During tracheal intubation and at the start of surgery, the observation group exhibited lower heart rates and higher mean arterial pressures compared with the control group ( t = 4.58, 4.65, -1.90, -2.14, all P<0.05). The cortisol and norepinephrine concentrations in the observation group were (23.12 ± 1.63) ng/L and (1 436.13 ± 225.60) pmol/L, respectively, both of which were significantly lower than those in the control group [(28.33 ± 2.29) ng/L, (1 784.50 ± 217.79) pmol/L; t = 12.59, 7.39, both P<0.05]. The incidence of anesthesia-related adverse reactions in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group [7% (3/45) vs. 25% (10/40); χ2 = 4.17, P<0.05]. Conclusions:Ultrasound-guided superior laryngeal nerve block combined with cricothyroid membrane puncture can enhance the success rate of tracheal intubation prior to general anesthesia in older adult patients with obesity. This approach helps maintain hemodynamic stability, reduces stress responses, and demonstrates a high level of safety.

Objective:To explore the influence of value orientation brief therapy (VBT) on anxiety and depression symptoms, social function, coping style and self-acceptance level of major depressive disorder adolescents with anxious distress.Methods:From June 2021 to June 2022, seventy adolescent major depressive disorder patients with anxious distress were included in the study, who were randomly divided into study group(35 people, 31 people completed)and control group (35 people, 30 people completed). The study group was given routine treatment combined with VBT, while the control group was given routine treatment only. Before and after treatment, Hamilton anxiety scale(HAMA), Hamilton depression scale (HAMD), social disability screening schedule (SDSS), coping style questionnaire(CSQ) and self-acceptance questionnaire (SAQ) were used to evaluate the two groups, and SPSS 26.0 software was used to statistically analyze the data of the two groups. Paired sample t-test was used for intra-group comparison, and independent sample t-test was used for inter-group comparison. Results:After 6 weeks of treatment, the scores of HAMA((6.03±3.58) vs (14.03±7.06), t=5.55, P<0.01), HAMD((8.77±5.52 ) vs (16.50±7.59), t=4.56, P<0.01)and SDSS((4.23±1.50) vs (6.63±0.96), t=7.43, P<0.01)in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group, the differences were statistically significant. The scores of self-acceptance((19.23±1.33) vs (13.47±1.46), t=-16.12, P<0.01)and self-evaluation ((19.87±2.87) vs (12.77±1.68), t=-11.75, P<0.01) in the SAQ scale and the scores of problem-solving((8.71±2.30) vs (6.23±3.45), t=3.31, P<0.05) and rationalization ((6.20±3.11) vs (4.67±2.43), t=2.13, P<0.05) in the CSQ questionnaire were significantly higher than those in the control group, the differences were statistically significant. The total effective rate of the study group(90.3%(28/31) vs 66.7%(20/30), χ2=5.09, P<0.05) was significantly higher than that of the control group, the difference was statistically significant. Conclusion:The effect of routine treatment combined with VBT is better, which can effectively improve anxiety and depression symptoms, social function and coping style, and enhance self-acceptance and self-evaluation in adolescent major depressive disorder patients, which is worthy of clinical application.

Objective:To analyze the characteristics of adverse reactions of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), and provide a basis for the rational clinical application.Methods:The adverse drug reaction (ADR) cases of SGLT2i reported by Beijing from January 1, 2019 to June 30, 2024 were collected through searching the National Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring System of China. The Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA) terminology set was used to standardize the description of ADR, and the involving system organ class (SOC) and preferred term (PT) was extracted. Data of ADR were analyzed descriptively and statistically. Results:A total of 409 SGLT2i-related adverse reaction reports involving 409 patients were included. Among these patients, there were 232 females and 177 males; the median age was 62(52, 70) years, and 231 cases (56.48%) were under the age of 65 years; 5 types of SGLT2i (dapagliflozin, empagliflozin, canagliflozin, ertugliflozin, and henagliflozin proline) were involved, and reports of dapagliflozin was the most (279 cases, 68.22%). The primary indication for medication was diabetes (404 cases, 98.78%). The majority of ADRs did not reach the severe level (395 cases, 96.58%). The 14 cases (3.42%) of severe ADR were primarily about diabetic ketoacidosis (11 cases, 11/14), of which 7 cases presented with normal blood glucose levels and 5 cases occurred after medical stress events. The outcomes of patients were improvement in 241 cases (58.92%) and recovery in 127 cases (31.05%). In total, 476 ADR occurrences were recorded among the 409 patients, involving 82 PTs, 24 of which were not listed in the drug labels. The top 2 SOCs were the infections and infestations [26.26% (125/476)] and renal and urinary disorders [13.87% (66/476)]; the top 3 PTs were urinary tract infection [23.32% (111/476)], urinary ketone detection [6.51% (31/476)], and vulvovaginal pruritus [5.88% (28/476)]; the top 3 newly identified possible ADRs (PTs) were dizziness [2.31% (11/476)], palpitations [1.89% (9/476)], and decreased appetite [1.05% (5/476)].Conclusions:Based on the ADR monitoring data in Beijing in the past 5 and a half years, SGLT2i-associated adverse reactions primarily involved the infections and infestations, and renal and urinary disorders. ADRs identified in the study such as dizziness and palpitations are not documented in the drug labels, euglycaemic ketoacidosis accounts for a high proportion of severe reactions, and most of them occur after acute stress events.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2024.09.010.].