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 investigate the incidence trend of infectious diseases among kindergarten children in Yangpu District, Shanghai, and to provide scientific reference for prevention and control strategies of infectious diseases among key populations. Methods Descriptive epidemiology method and Joinpoint regression analysis model were used to analyze the surveillance data of infectious diseases among kindergarten children. Results The average annual reported incidence of infectious diseases among kindergarten children in Yangpu District was 3,344.08/100,000, showing a downward trend (AAPC=-5.51, 95%CI: -13.02~2.63). Intestinal (65.49%) and respiratory (34.48%) infectious diseases were the main cases. There were 7,378 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (62.95%), 1,885 cases of influenza (16.08%), 1,378 cases of varicella (11.76%), and 392 cases of mumps (3.34%), accounting for 94.14% of all reported cases. Hand, foot and mouth disease (AAPC=-17.68%, 95%CI: -27.52~-6.51), mumps (AAPC=-9.33, 95%CI: -14.86~-3.45) and varicella (AAPC=-7.32, 95%CI: -17.35~3.93) showed an overall decreasing trend, while influenza (AAPC=32.19, 95%CI: 12.49-55.34) was on the rise. The incidence of the disease showed double peak distribution, and the high incidence months were from May to July and from September to December. The male to female ratio was 1.39:1. Conclusion The incidence of infectious diseases among kindergarten children in Yangpu District shows a downward trend. It is necessary to continue to increase the coverage rate of Enterovirus 71(EV71), influenza, chickenpox and MMR combined live attenuated vaccine, strengthen monitoring and early warning, actively carry out health guidance, and effectively control the occurrence of common infectious diseases in kindergarten children.

Objective To investigate the expression of carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 6 (CEACAM6) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and analyze its correlation with immune cell infiltration and patient prognosis. Methods Three ESCC datasets (GSE161533, GSE26886, and GSE23400) from the GEO database were analyzed to identify differentially expressed genes. CEACAM6 was identified as a key gene through survival analysis. Its expression, prognostic value, and relationship with immune cell infiltration were further explored using databases, such as TIMER. Tissue samples were collected from 162 patients with ESCC. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression of CEACAM6, immune cell markers (CD4, CD8, CD20, and CD56), and immune checkpoint molecules (HHLA2 and CD40LG). Correlations between CEACAM6 expression and clinicopathological features, immune cell infiltration, and immune checkpoints were analyzed. Results Bioinformatic analysis and clinical sample validation confirmed that CEACAM6 expression was significantly upregulated in ESCC tissues compared with adjacent nontumor tissues (P<0.05). High CEACAM6 expression was closely associated with advanced clinical stage (AJCC Ⅲ-Ⅳ), high T stage (T3-T4), lymph node metastasis, nonulcerative type, and poor prognosis. Furthermore, CEACAM6 expression levels were positively correlated with the infiltration density of CD8⁺ T cells, CD4⁺ T cells, and CD20⁺ B cells within the tumor microenvironment and with the expression of the immune checkpoint molecules HHLA2 and CD40LG (all P<0.05). Conclusion CEACAM6 serves as an independent poor prognostic factor for ESCC. Its high expression is implicated in the modulation of the tumor immune microenvironment by correlating with specific immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoint molecules, suggesting its potential as a novel prognostic biomarker and immunotherapeutic target for ESCC.

Objective To investigate the temporal changes in pathological damage and macrophage polarization in liver and spleen tissues of mice infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis, and to preliminarily unravel the peripheral immune responses during the early stage of A. cantonensis infection. Methods Forty female BALB/c mice at ages of 6 to 8 weeks were randomly divided into four groups, including the control group and 7-, 14-, and 21-day infection groups, with 10 mice in each group. Each mouse in the infection groups was inoculated with 30 third-stage (L3) larvae of A. cantonensis by oral gavage, and five mice were randomly selected from each infection group on days 7, 14, and 21 post-infection, while mice in the control group were given the same volume of physiological saline and five mice were randomly selected from the control group on the day of oral gavage. Mouse liver and spleen tissues were sampled. The histopathological changes of mouse liver and spleen tissues were observed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, and the percentage of positive staining area and the co-localization positive rates of the macrophage surface antigens F4/80, CD86, and CD206 were quantified in mouse liver and spleen tissues using immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining. In addition, five mice were collected from each infection group on days 7, 14, and 21 post-infection, and five mice were collected from the control group on the day of oral gavage. Mouse liver and spleen tissues were sampled for detection of macrophage markers CD86 and CD206 and macrophage phenotyping using flow cytometry, and the expression of M1 macrophage markers, including inducible nitric oxide synthase (Nos2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and M2 markers, including arginase 1 (Arg1), mannose receptor C-type 1 (Mrc1) and chitinase-like protein 3 (Chil3) was quantified in mouse liver and spleen tissues using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assay. Results Proliferative lesions of the hepatocyte were observed in mouse liver tissues and the follicular structures of the mouse spleen white pulp were disrupted 21 days post-infection with A. cantonensis. Immunohistochemical staining showed that there were significant differences in the percentages of F4/80, CD86 and CD206 positive staining areas in the liver and spleen tissues among the four groups of mice (F = 242.40, 197.14, 183.19, 157.65, 242.35 and 146.24; all P values < 0.001), and the percentages of positive staining in the liver and spleen tissues of mice in the 14-day infection group [(4.45 ± 0.51)%, (3.74 ± 0.67)%, (8.32 ± 0.72)%, (16.56 ± 1.14)%, (11.62 ± 0.52)%, and (8.29 ± 0.72)%, respectively] and the 21-day infection group [(3.70 ± 0.11)%, (3.22 ± 0.43)%, (11.53 ± 1.03)%, (12.59 ± 1.05)%, (9.02 ± 0.83)%, and (11.67 ± 1.10)%, respectively] were higher than in the control group [(0.35 ± 0.16)%, (0.40 ± 0.02)%, (0.93 ± 0.05)%, (2.78 ± 0.26)%, (2.33 ± 0.20)%, and (1.85 ± 0.20)%, respectively] (all P values < 0.05). Immunofluorescence staining showed significant differences in the positive rates of F4/80 co-localization with CD86 and CD206 in mouse liver and spleen tissues among the four groups (F = 24.42, 25.28, 54.51 and 130.55; all P values < 0.001). Flow cytometry detected significant differences in the proportions of CD86⁺ and CD206⁺ macrophages in mouse liver and spleen tissues among the four groups (F = 67.98, 18.41, 29.77, 172.80; all P values < 0.001), and the proportions of CD206⁺ macrophages in the liver and spleen of the 21-day infection group were significantly higher than those in the control group [(9.25 ± 2.55)% vs (3.83 ± 0.72)%, and (4.22 ± 0.56)% vs (0.47 ± 0.18)%, respectively] (both P values < 0.05). In addition, RT-qPCR assay quantified significant differences in the relative mRNA expression of M1 macrophage markers (IL-1β, TNF-α and Nos2) and M2 macrophage markers (Arg1, Chil3 and Mrc1) in mouse liver and spleen tissues among the four groups (F = 41.30, 31.82, 199.33, 19.96, 62.01, 119.76, 23.67, 95.90, 72.27, 82.59, 123.41 and 29.75; all P values < 0.05). Conclusions A. cantonensis infection may cause progressive pathological damage in mouse liver and spleen tissues, accompanied by dynamic temporal changes in macrophage polarization. M1 macrophage polarization predominates at the early stage of A. cantonensis infection and shifts towards M2 polarization at the later stages, suggesting that M2 polarization may participate in immune regulation at late stages of A. cantonensis infection by suppressing excessive inflammatory responses and promoting tissue repair.

ObjectiveTo investigate the molecular mechanism of kaempferol-induced apoptosis in hepatic stellate cells （HSC） via the mitochondrial pathway. MethodsHSC were divided into five groups： blank control， transforming growth factor-β1（TGF-β1） （10 ng/mL） group， and groups treated with different concentrations of kaempferol （8， 16， 32 µmol/L）. Cell counting kit-8（CCK-8） assay was used to evaluate chrysin's effect on HSC proliferation. Transwell assay was used to assess chrysin's impact on HSC migration. Flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis， reactive oxygen species （ROS） expression， and mitochondrial permeability transition pore （mPTP） opening across groups. 5，5′，6，6′-Tetrachloro-1，1′，3，3′-tetraethylimidacarbocyanine iodide （JC-1） assay was used to test mitochondrial membrane potential. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the expression levels of mitochondrial apoptosis-associated proteins， namely B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）， Cleaved-Caspase3， Cleaved-Caspase9， and sirtuin 3 （SIRT3）. Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine mitochondrial structural alterations. Molecular docking and kinetic simulations were used to analyze the targeted interaction between kaempferol and NAD-dependent deacetylase sirtuin-3 （SIRT3）. ResultsCompared with the blank control group： in the TGF-β1 group， HSC proliferation and migration rates increased （P<0.01）， ROS levels and mPTP opening both increased （P<0.05）， the JC-1 red/green fluorescence ratio increased （P<0.01）， and the expression of Cleaved-Caspase-3， Cleaved-Caspase-9 and Bcl-2 increased （P<0.05）， whilst SIRT3 expression decreased （P<0.01）； the number of mitochondria increased （P<0.05）， and mitochondrial length decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with the TGF-β1 group： treatment with all groups of kaempferol reduced HSC proliferation and migration rates （P<0.01）， whilst simultaneously increasing the HSC apoptosis rate （P<0.01）； HSC ROS levels and mPTP opening both increased （P<0.05）； the JC-1 red/green fluorescence ratio decreased （P<0.01）， and the expression levels of Bax， Cleaved-Caspase-3 and Cleaved-Caspase-9 were upregulated （P<0.01）， whilst the expression levels of Bcl-2 and SIRT3 were downregulated （P<0.01）， and the number of mitochondria increased （P<0.05）； mitochondrial length was reduced （P<0.01）. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations revealed that the docking energy for kaempferol with SIRT3 was 108.89 kcal/mol； the RMSD curve stabilized after 20 ns； and RMSF analysis indicated that most residues exhibited minimal fluctuations. ConclusionKaempferol induces HSC apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway， potentially via targeting SIRT3 and disrupting mitochondrial function.

Heart failure （HF） is the end-stage of various cardiovascular diseases， with high morbidity and mortality. The existing “new quadruple” standard treatment can hardly reverse the core pathological process of myocardial remodeling， and long-term medication may pose risks of drug resistance and adverse reactions. Therefore， new therapeutic targets and strategies are urgently needed. Metabolic reprogramming is the upstream core mechanism regulating phenotypic polarization and functional activation of macrophages， which drives the occurrence and development of HF through the core axis of metabolic reprogramming-immune imbalance-ventricular remodeling and has become a cutting-edge potential target for the prevention and treatment of HF. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has a long history in the prevention and treatment of HF. A large number of studies in recent years have confirmed that different therapeutic methods of TCM can correct the polarization imbalance， restore the homeostasis of myocardial immune microenvironment， inhibit myocardial injury， and delay the pathological process of HF by targeting and regulating the metabolic reprogramming of glucose， lipids， mitochondria， and amino acids in macrophages. This paper systematically expounds the core pathological mechanism of metabolic reprogramming of macrophages in HF， sorts out the research progress of TCM in preventing and treating HF by intervening this target， analyzes the regulatory rules， summarizes the limitations of existing research， and puts forward future directions. This review aims to provide a systematic theoretical reference and new research ideas for TCM clinical diagnosis and treatment and new drug development of HF.

Objective To analyze the changes in serum levels of cancer-associated fibroblast-re-lated factors[vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)]and inflammatory mediators[interleukin-1(IL-1),interleukin-6(IL-6)]in patients with endometrial cancer(EC)and their relationship with clinicopathological features.Methods A total of 180 pa-tients with EC were selected as EC group,and 100 patients with benign endometrial lesions who visi-ted the hospital during the same period were selected as control group.The serum levels of VEGF,TGF-β1,IL-1 and IL-6 were compared between the two groups,as well as among EC patients with different clinicopathological features.Spearman correlation analysis was used to examine the relation-ship between the above-mentioned serum indicators and clinicopathological features in EC patients.Results The serum levels of VEGF,TGF-β1,IL-1 and IL-6 in the EC group were higher than those in the control group,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).The serum levels of VEGF,TGF-β1,IL-1 and IL-6 in EC patients with a myometrial invasion depth ≥ 1/2 and lymph node metas-tasis were higher than those in EC patients with a myometrial invasion depth＜1/2 and no lymph node metastasis(P＜0.05).Spearman correlation coefficient analysis showed that the serum levels of VEGF,TGF-β1,IL-1 and IL-6 in EC patients were positively correlated with myometrial invasion depth and lymph node metastasis status,respectively(P＜0.05).Conclusion The serum levels of VEGF,TGF-β1,IL-1 and IL-6 are significantly elevated in EC patients.These indicators are sig-nificantly correlated with clinicopathological features and have potential value in the early diagnosis,prognosis assessment,and targeted therapy of EC.

Objective To observe the effects of tactile/motor stimulation massage on feeding outcomes and neuromotor development levels of preterm infants.Methods A total of 136 preterm hospitalized infants in the neonatal intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital in Yunnan Province from January 2024 to July 2024 were enrolled and randomly assigned to a control group and an experimental group,with 68 cases in each group.The control group received the routine care for preterm infants,while the experimental group received tactile/motor stimulation massage as an intervention in addition to the routine care.The time taken from gavage to oral feeding(d),the rate of complete oral feeding(%),the incidence of feeding intolerance(%),the weight(g),the length(cm),the head circumference(cm),neonatal behavioral neurometric score(NBNA)and Psychomotor development index(PDI)were compared between the two groups.Results The time from gavage to oral feeding in the experimental group(12.73±1.86)days was significantly shorter than that in the control group(13.66±1.68)days,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05);the rate of complete oral feeding in the experimental group(89.7%)was significantly higher than that in the control group(70.6%),P<0.05,and the incidence of feeding intolerance in the experimental group(8.8%)was significantly lower than that in the control group(16.2%),P<0.05;The experimental group showed superior results in weight,length,and head circumference compared to the control group(P<0.05);The neonatal behavioral neurometry score of the experimental group(36.16±1.53)was significantly higher than that of the control group(35.10±2.66),P<0.05,and the motor development index in the experimental group(76.88±6.12)was significantly higher than that in the control group(74.34±5.07),P<0.05.Conclusion Tactile/motor stimulation massage can effectively improve the feeding status and promote the neuromotor development of preterm infants.

Objective To analyze the risk factors of osteoporosis combined with lumbar degenerative diseases in menopausal women.Methods A total of 108 menopausal women with osteoporosis treated at Taizhou Central Hospital were selected from November 2022 to November 2024.According to X-ray anteroposterior and lateral examinations,they were divided into study group(n=31)with lumbar degenerative lesions and control group(n=77)without.Logistic regression analyzed related factors,and receiver operating characteristic curve evaluated diagnostic values.Results Kyphosis,interleukin(IL)-17,beta C-terminal cross-linked telopeptides of type Ⅰ collagen(β-CTX)levels,and bone density T values were related factors(P＜0.05).Kyphosis deformity accounted for 64.52％,serum IL-17 with(142.71±18.23)pg/ml and serum β-CTX with(0.75±0.02)ng/ml in study group were higher than those in control group[38.96％,(129.63±15.46)pg/ml and(0.54±0.08)ng/ml],the T value of bone mineral density with(-3.94±0.28)was lower than that in control group with(-3.15±0.26),and there were statistical differences between two groups(P＜0.05).The combined diagnostic value of kyphosis,serum IL-17,β-CTX levels,and bone density T value is the highestt,with an area under the curve of 0.903(95％CI:0.854-0.952).Conclusion Kyphosis,serum IL-17,β-CTX levels and bone mineral density T value are all the influencing factors of osteoporosis combined with lumbar degenerative diseases in menopausal women,and the combined diagnosis value is the highest.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of anatomical resection (AR) in the early stages of treating solitary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) combined with liver cirrhosis with a diameter of ≤5 cm in comparison to different surgical methods of preferential hepatic parenchymal preservation (non-anatomical liver resection, NAR).Methods:The clinical data of 1 390 cases with solitary HCC combined with liver cirrhosis at an early stage who underwent liver resection at Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University and six other medical centers from September 2013 to May 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into the AR group (486 cases) and the NAR group (904 cases) and the wide surgical margin (WSM) group (745 cases) and the narrow surgical margin (NSM) group (645 cases) according to whether they received AR and the width of the surgical margin (1 cm). The basic information of the patients, preoperative evaluation index data, and postoperative follow-up (follow-up every 3 months) were collected. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot the survival curve.The log-rank test was used to compare the difference in survival between the two groups. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the factors affecting the prognosis. Propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to reduce intergroup bias.Results:The overall survival (OS) rates for all patients at 1, 3, and 5 years were 95.5%, 79.9%, and 63.5%, respectively. The recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were 81.5%, 59.0%, and 43.7%, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in RFS rate between the AR group and the NAR group prior to PSM, but no statistically significant difference in OS rate (RFS rate: 47.0% vs. 41.9%, P<0.05; OS rate: 64.4% vs. 62.9%, P>0.05). The postoperative RFS rate and OS rate were significantly superior in the WSM group than those of the NSM group (RFS rate: 47.8% vs. 37.2%, P<0.001; OS rate: 69.0% vs. 57.3%, P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in OS rate and RFS rate between the AR group and the NAR group following PSM (RFS: 46.3% vs. 45.1%, P>0.05; OS rate: 64.0% vs. 64.3%, P>0.05).The 5-year OS and RFS rates in the WSM group were 66.8% and 60.2%, respectively. The 5-year OS and RFS rates for the NSM group were 48.7% and 41.4%, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( P<0.05). Cox multivariate analysis indicated that serum albumin, tumor diameter, microvascular invasion, and surgical margin were independent prognostic factors affecting OS and RFS. The Child-Pugh grade and satellite lesions were independent prognostic factors affecting OS. Conclusion:Anatomical liver resection is not an independent risk factor for prognosis, but the state of the resection margin determines the prognosis of patients with solitary HCC combined with cirrhosis. Therefore, hepatic resection margins should be prioritized in such patients.