Depression is a common psychiatric disorder characterized by persistent low mood or mental disorders. Current treatments primarily focus on regulating neurotransmitter levels， but their effectiveness is limited. The mechanisms underlying its onset are complex， and there is no unified consensus. Abnormal signaling pathway transmission plays a crucial role in the development of depression， involving multiple pathways， including Toll-like receptor 4/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 （TLR4/NLRP3）， nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）， Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription （JAK/STAT）， mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase （MAPK/ERK）， brain-derived neurotrophic factor/tyrosine kinase receptor B （BDNF/TrkB）， cyclic AMP/protein kinase A/cAMP response element-binding protein （cAMP/PKA/CREB）， and others. Traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） is based on a holistic approach and the principle of treatment based on the differentiation of syndromes， regulating the balance of multiple systems and organ functions from a macroscopic perspective. This approach has shown unique advantages in the treatment of depression. TCM attributes the onset of depression to dysfunction of the organ systems， involving liver Qi stagnation， heart spirit deficiency， kidney essence depletion， and spleen dysfunction. TCM compound treatments focus on soothing the liver， strengthening the spleen， calming the heart， and replenishing essence， with formulas such as Xiaoyaosan， Zishui Qinggan Yin， and Chahu Jia Guizhi Longgu Muli Tang. The active components of Chinese herbs mainly aim to tonify and regulate Qi， such as salidroside， ginsenoside Rb₁， astragaloside， and muscone. External TCM treatments， primarily acupuncture， aim to open the orifices and invigorate the spirit. Acupoints such as Baihui， Shenting， and Yintang are commonly used. Additionally， massage and moxibustion therapy can intervene in depression by regulating signaling pathways. This article reviews the core role of signaling pathways in the development of depression and the mechanism of TCM regulation of signaling pathways to intervene in depression， aiming to discover new therapeutic approaches that can improve the symptoms of depressed patients.

Objective: To investigate the regional differences in the incidence of urothelial carcinoma among kidney transplant recipients between northern and southern China，so as to provide reference for early diagnosis of this disease. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases，including CNKI，Wanfang，CBM，and PubMed，using the keywords “kidney transplantation” and “tumor” to collect clinical data from qualified kidney transplant centers.The latest and most complete literature data published by 17 transplant centers in northern China and 14 in southern China were included.Statistical analyses were performed to compare the incidence of post-transplant urothelial carcinoma and non-urothelial malignancies. Results: A total of 37 475 kidney transplant recipients were included，among whom 837 (2.23%) developed post-transplant malignancies，including urothelial carcinoma (366/837，43.73%)，non-urothelial carcinoma (444/837，53.05%)，and malignancies with unspecified pathology (27/837，3.23%).The incidence of malignancies was significantly higher in northern China than in southern China [(2.82±1.39)% vs. (1.67±0.83)%，P=0.011]，with a particularly pronounced difference in the incidence of urothelial carcinoma [(1.68±1.12)% vs. (0.32±0.32)%，P<0.001].No significant difference was observed in the incidence of non-urothelial carcinoma between the two regions [(1.11±0.56)% vs. (1.35±0.65)%，P=0.279].Additionally，female transplant recipients exhibited a higher incidence of malignancies than males in both regions (southern China：2.38% vs. 1.80%; northern China：8.93% vs. 2.52%). Conclusion: The incidence of urothelial carcinoma following kidney transplantation is significantly higher in northern China than in southern China，underscoring the importance of implementing regular tumor screening for kidney transplant recipients，particularly for female patients in northern China，to facilitate early diagnosis and timely intervention.

Interleukin-17 (IL-17) and its receptor family members are involved in a variety of pathophysiological processes.Studies have shown that the IL-17 family may be closely related to the occurrence and development of interstitial cystitis/ bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS).This paper explores the relationship between the IL-17 family and IC/BPS, introduces the members and structures of the IL-17 family, their value in inflammatory diseases, and discusses in depth the IL-17 pathways in IC/BPS and the latest research progress.Research has found that the IL-17 family is upregulated in IC/BPS, related to the exacerbation of pathological inflammatory reactions, and responsible for maintaining the chronic inflammatory state of IC/BPS patients.In addition, IL-17 is also associated with neuroinflammation, pain, and other biological effects in IC/BPS.This review aims to deepen the understanding of the mechanisms underlying IC/BPS and to provide references for the development of new therapeutic strategies.

Stent migration is one of the common complications following transcatheter valve implantation. This study aims to design a "drum-shaped" balloon-expandable aortic valve stent to address this issue and conduct a mechanical analysis. The implantation process of the stent was evaluated using a method that combines numerical simulation and in vitro experiments. Furthermore, the fatigue process of the stent under pulsatile cyclic loading was simulated, and its fatigue performance was assessed using a Goodman diagram. The process of the stent migrating toward the left ventricular side was simulated, and the force-displacement curve of the stent was extracted to evaluate its anti- migration performance. The results showed that all five stent models could be crimped into a 14F sheath and enabled uniform expansion of the native valve leaflets. The stress in each stent was below the ultimate stress, so no fatigue fracture occurred. As the cell height ratio decreased, the contact area fraction between the stent and the aortic root gradually decreased. However, the mean contact force and the maximum anti-migration force first decreased and then increased. Specifically, model S5 had the smallest contact area fraction but the largest mean contact force and maximum anti-migration force, reaching approximately 0.16 MPa and 10.73 N, respectively. The designed stent achieves a "drum-shaped" change after expansion and has good anti-migration performance.
Stents ; Prosthesis Design ; Heart Valve Prosthesis ; Humans ; Aortic Valve/surgery* ; Stress, Mechanical ; Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement/instrumentation*

In recent decades, the prevalence of hyperuricemia and gout has increased dramatically due to lifestyle changes. The drugs currently recommended for hyperuricemia are associated with adverse reactions that limit their clinical use. In this study, we report that berberine (BBR) is an effective drug candidate for the treatment of hyperuricemia, with its mechanism potentially involving the modulation of gut microbiota and its metabolite, succinic acid. BBR has demonstrated good therapeutic effects in both acute and chronic animal models of hyperuricemia. In a clinical trial, oral administration of BBR for 6 months reduced blood uric acid levels in 22 participants by modulating the gut microbiota, which led to an increase in the abundance of Bacteroides and a decrease in Clostridium sensu stricto_1. Furthermore, Bacteroides fragilis was transplanted into ICR mice, and the results showed that Bacteroides fragilis exerted a therapeutic effect on uric acid similar to that of BBR. Notably, succinic acid, a metabolite of Bacteroides, significantly reduced uric acid levels. Subsequent cell and animal experiments revealed that the intestinal metabolite, succinic acid, regulated the upstream uric acid synthesis pathway in the liver by inhibiting adenosine monophosphate deaminase 2 (AMPD2), an enzyme responsible for converting adenosine monophosphate (AMP) to inosine monophosphate (IMP). This inhibition resulted in a decrease in IMP levels and an increase in phosphate levels. The reduction in IMP led to a decreased downstream production of hypoxanthine, xanthine, and uric acid. BBR also demonstrated excellent renoprotective effects, improving nephropathy associated with hyperuricemia. In summary, BBR has the potential to be an effective treatment for hyperuricemia through the gut-liver axis.

As green, sustainable, and environmentally friendly material processing processes using biological cells or enzymes to achieve substance conversion, bioprocesses play an increasingly important role in biomanufacturing. It is difficult to optimize bioprocesses because of the complex relationship at multiple levels and multiple scales. The knowledge of mesoscale behaviors is the key to understanding the dynamics of bioprocesses and to sort out the complex relationships of parameter variations in the spatial-temporal domain. Mesoscale numerical simulation paves a way for understanding these phenomena, and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and mesoscale simulation offers new vitality into the optimization of bioprocesses. This article reviews the progress in mesoscale simulation and AI optimization of bioprocesses and discusses the possible development directions, aiming to promote the development of this field.
Artificial Intelligence ; Biotechnology/trends* ; Computer Simulation

Background Workers engaged in benzene-exposed or benzene-containing solvent-exposed operations in China are predominantly subjected to a low concentration of benzene series compounds, and prolonged exposure to low concentrations of benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX) may have implications for blood pressure. Objective To investigate the influence of low-concentration BTX exposure on the blood pressure of workers, aiming to provide a basis for enterprises to devise associated health management strategies to mitigate the occurrence of hypertension among workers exposed to low concentrations of BTX. Methods Using a cross-sectional design, 884 workers from a petroleum refining enterprise in Hainan who participated in an occupational health examination in 2022 were selected as the study population, and were divided into an exposure group of 649 workers and a control group of 235 workers based on their reporting of BTX exposure or not. Data on workplace BTX concentrations and health examinations of the study subjects were collected and questionnaires were administered. In addition, S-phenylmercapturic acid (S-PMA), hippuric acid (HA), and methyl hippuric acid (MHA, including the three isomers 2-MHA, 3-MHA, and 4-MHA) were measured in the urine of the workers using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem triple quadrupole mass spectrometry to assess internal BTX burden. The effects of low-concentration BTX exposure on blood pressure were analyzed. Results In 2022, the concentrations of benzene, toluene, and xylene of all monitoring points did not exceeded the national limits by either time-weighted average (TWA) or short-term exposure limit (STEL), indicating low-concentration BTX exposure. Regarding the internal burden of BTX, the concentrations of benzene metabolite S-PMA, toluene metabolite HA, and xylene metabolites 3-MHA and 4-MHA in the urine samples in the exposure group were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between urinary S-PMA concentration and diastolic blood pressure in the workers (r=0.265, P < 0.05). Differences in systolic and diastolic blood pressure distributions were statistically significant among workers grouped by sex, age, work years, educational levels, monthly income, body mass index (BMI), alcohol use, dietary oil, and types of residential address (P < 0.05). Significant differences in systolic blood pressure distribution were observed among workers by smoking status and levels of labor intensity (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the workers in the exposure group exhibited a significant increase in diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.05). The results of multiple linear regression showed that age, sex, and BMI had statistically significant effects on systolic blood pressure (P < 0.05), while age, work years, and BMI had statistically significant effects on diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.05). The systolic blood pressure of age > 35 years, male, overweight and obese workers was significantly higher than that of age ≤ 35 years, female, and underweight workers, and the diastolic blood pressure of age > 35 years, work years > 5 years, and obese workers was higher than age ≤35 years, ≤5 years of service, and underweight workers. Low-concentration BTX exposure was one of the main influencing factors for elevated diastolic blood pressure, and the exposed workers showed a 1.337 mmHg increase in diastolic blood pressure compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion Low-concentration BTX exposure, work years > 5 years, and obesity may elevate blood pressure among petroleum refininig workers. Regular blood pressure monitoring and enhanced health interventions for this occupational group are warranted.

Objective To analyze the current status and influencing factors of elevated blood pressure among employees in a large petroleum refining enterprise in Hainan Province. Methods A total of 940 workers from a petroleum refining enterprise in Hainan Province was selected as the study subjects using the convenience sampling method. The results of their health status survey, occupational medical examination, and occupational stress measurement were collected. Results The detection rate of elevated blood pressure in the study subjects was 23.9% (225/940), with the detection rate of normal blood pressure and hypertension of 17.7% (166/940) and 6.3% (59/940), respectively. The detection rate of occupational stress was 28.8% (271/940). The result of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that workers aged 30 -<40, 40 -<50, and ≥50 years had a higher risk of elevated blood pressure than those aged <30 years after controlling for confounding factors such as gender, residential address, length of service, education level, personal monthly income, smoking status, physical exercise, salt intake, oil intake, occupational stress, and high temperature exposure (all P<0.05). Workers in the body mass index (BMI) overweight group and obese group had a higher risk of elevated blood pressure than those in the normal group (all P<0.05). The risk of elevated blood pressure was higher in workers who drinks than those who did not (P<0.05). Workers exposed to noise levels of 85-90 dB(A) had a lower risk of elevated blood pressure compared to those exposed to noise levels >90 dB(A) (P<0.05). Conclusion Age, BMI, drinking status, and noise exposure levels are independent influencing factors for elevated blood pressure among workers in this petroleum refining enterprise. Blood pressure management should be strengthened for workers aged ≥30 years, overweight, obesity, alcohol consumption and with noise exposure intensity > 90 dB(A).

ObjectiveTo carry out an epidemiological analysis on an outbreak of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection at a welfare institution to provide a theoretical basis for the corresponding prevention and control measures. MethodsUsing the method of field epidemiological investigation， special field treatment was carried out in September 2022. Serum samples from cases and close contacts in the same ward area were collected for detection of nine respiratory tract infection pathogens （Mycoplasma pneumoniae， chlamydia， influenza， human metapneumosis， respiratory syncytial， human boca， parainfluenza type 1‒4 virus， and Middle East respiratory syndrome， severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus） by immunofluorescence immunoglobulin M （IgM） antibody test. ResultsA total of 14 Mycoplasma pneumoniae cases were identified， all of whom were residents of the welfare institution. The first case occurred on September 4， while the last case was reported on September 13. The incidence rate of the fifth ward area where the first case reported was 12.82% （10/78）， and it was 3.57% （3/84） in the third ward area and 1.20% （1/83） in the first ward area. There was a significant difference in incidence rates between ward areas （χ²=8.90， P<0.05）， but no significant difference was observed in age distribution and length of hospitalization. Thirty-three samples were collected for detection of nine kinds of IgM antibodies against respiratory pathogens. The results showed that the Mycoplasma pneumoniae IgM antibody was weakly positive in the 14 cases. ConclusionBased on the epidemiological history， clinical symptoms and laboratory tests， it was concluded that it was an outbreak of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection within the welfare institution. Welfare institutions should continue to control the occurrence and outbreak of infection through effective routine hygiene， ventilation， and disinfection so as to ensure the health and safety of their clients.

Purpose To explore the value of dual-layer spectral detector CT(DLSCT)in evaluating preoperative tumor staging in rectal adenocarcinoma(RA).Materials and Methods A total of 78 patients with pathologically confirmed RA in Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine from May 2021 to March 2022 were involved in this retrospective study.All the patients underwent plain and dual-phase contrast-enhanced scans by DLSCT within one week before surgery.Taking pathological results as the golden standard,the accuracy rates of tumor staging were calculated and compared between the multiple-parameter maps derived from DLSCT and 120 kVp polyenergetic image.The effective atomic number(Z-eff)from plain scan,iodine concentration(IC)from arterial phase(AP)and venous phase(VP)were measured.The normalized iodine concentration(NIC)in AP and VP were calculated.The differences of Z-eff,NICAP and NICVP were compared among the pT1-2,pT3 and pT4 groups.The correlation between the pT stages and above values was assessed and the diagnostic efficiencies were analyzed.Results The overall accuracy rate(88.46%vs.67.95%;χ2=9.628,P=0.002),the pT1-2 staging accuracy rate(80.00%vs.40.00%;χ2=6.667,P=0.01),and the pT3 staging accuracy rate(88.10%vs.69.05%;χ2=4.525,P=0.033)of multiple-parameter maps derived from DLSCT were significantly higher than those of 120 kVp polyenergetic image,respectively.The Z-eff,NICAP and NICVP were significantly different among pT stage groups(F=6.456,11.029,12.698,all P<0.05)and exhibited a positive correlation with pT stages(r=0.371,0.367,0.363,all P<0.01).The areas under the curve of Z-eff,NICAP and NICVP to assess pT3-4 staging RA were 0.77,0.71 and 0.74,respectively.Conclusion The multiple-parameter maps derived from DLSCT can significantly improve the diagnostic accuracy of preoperative tumor staging of RA.Z-eff from plain scan and NIC from dual-phase helps differentiate pT1-2 from pT3-4 staging RA.