Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC) is an infectious phenotype characterized by recurrent or persistent infections caused by Candida species that affect the skin, nails, oral, and genital mucosae for a duration exceeding six months. Current research suggests that CMC is an immunodeficiency disease with a complex pathogenesis. Patients with CMC have various defects in nonspecific and/or specific immunity against Candida infection, resulting in the inability of patients to defend themselves against Candida infection. CMC can be stratified into primary CMC and secondary CMC based on etiology. Primary CMC is often associated with genetic mutations leading to immunodeficiencies in T helper cell 17 and interleukin-17, whereas secondary CMC is frequently linked to factors such as human immunodeficiency virus infection, diabetes mellitus, and immunosuppressive therapy. Primary CMC typically manifests as Candida infections, with distinct genetic mutations often correlating to varied concomitant symptoms. Secondary CMC may present with not only superficial mucosal Candida infections and manifestations of the underlying primary disease but also with invasive fungal infections. Diagnosing CMC requires an integration of medical history and clinical presentation, supplemented by the outcomes of auxiliary diagnostic procedures, including microscopic examination of fungal smear, fungal culture, immunological testing, and genetic sequencing and analysis. Furthermore, confirming primary CMC requires exclusion of the aforementioned secondary factors. At present, antifungal drugs such as triazoles, echinocandins, and polyenes are the main treatment for CMC. Moreover, immunotherapy with biologics such as Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors provides more options for the clinical treatment of patients with CMC. Gene therapy also has potential clinical application value. In this review, we discuss the etiologies, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatments of CMC, aiming to provide a reference for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of CMC.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanisms of Yangjing Tongluo prescription （YJTL） in the treatment of intrauterine adhesion （IUA） from the perspective of oxidative stress mediated by the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 （Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1） signaling pathway. MethodsA total of 48 rats with normal estrous cycles were selected and randomly divided into a normal group （n=8） and a modeling group （n=40）. An IUA rat model was established using a dual-injury method combining surgical curettage and infection. Eight rats were randomly selected from the modeling group for a pilot experiment to confirm successful model establishment. After successful modeling， the remaining 32 rats were randomly divided into a model group， a low-dose YJTL group （YJTL-L）， a high-dose YJTL group （YJTL-H）， and a Progynova group. Rats in the normal and model groups were administered purified water （15 mL·kg^-1） by gavage daily， while rats in the YJTL-L， YJTL-H， and Progynova groups received YJTL at doses of 6.43 and 12.86 g·kg^-1 and Progynova at 2.06 × 10^-4 g·kg^-1， respectively， for 14 consecutive days. The general condition， uterine morphology， and uterine index of the rats were monitored. Histopathological changes in uterine tissue were observed using hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Serum levels of reactive oxygen species （ROS） and glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px） were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Protein expression levels of Keap1， Nrf2， and HO-1 in endometrial tissue were detected by Western blot. Immunofluorescence （IF） was used to assess the distribution of Nrf2 and HO-1， as well as the expression of Nrf2 in the cytoplasm and nucleus. ResultsCompared with the normal group， rats in the model group exhibited poor mental status and reduced mobility， markedly edematous and tortuous uterine morphology， decreased gland number， and inflammatory reactions in the endometrium， along with an increased uterine organ index （P<0.05）. Serum ROS levels were significantly increased （P<0.05）， while serum GSH-Px levels were significantly decreased （P<0.05）. In endometrial tissue， Keap1 protein expression was increased （P<0.05）， whereas Nrf2 and HO-1 protein expression was decreased. Mild nuclear translocation of Nrf2 was observed， accompanied by increased relative fluorescence intensity of nuclear Nrf2 and decreased relative fluorescence intensity of cytoplasmic HO-1. Compared with the model group， all treatment groups showed varying degrees of improvement in the above symptoms and pathological changes. Serum ROS levels were reduced （P<0.05）， serum GSH-Px levels were increased （P<0.05）， Keap1 protein expression in endometrial tissue was decreased， and Nrf2 and HO-1 protein expression was increased in a dose-dependent manner （P<0.05）. Notably， significant nuclear translocation of Nrf2 was observed， with correspondingly increased relative fluorescence intensity of nuclear Nrf2 and enhanced relative fluorescence intensity of cytoplasmic HO-1. ConclusionYJTL may enhance antioxidant capacity and repair oxidative damage to the endometrial basal layer by regulating the Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo elucidate the underlying mechanism through which Zhuluan decoction suppresses excessive autophagy in human ovarian granulosa cells （KGN） and ameliorates premature ovarian insufficiency （POI） via the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） signaling pathway. MethodsThe optimal concentration of cyclophosphamide for inducing a POI model in KGN cells was identified via the cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay. Subsequently， the impacts of varying concentrations of Zhuluan decoction-containing serum on the viability of the KGN cell model were assessed. After the optimal drug concentration was determined， KGN cells were categorized into the following groups： blank control （20% blank serum）， model （20% blank serum + 5 μmol·L^-1 cyclophosphamide）， Zhuluan decoction-containing serum （20% Zhuluan decoction-containing serum + 5 μmol·L^-1 cyclophosphamide）， autophagy inhibitor （20% blank serum + 5 μmol·L^-1 cyclophosphamide + 20 μmol·L^-1 chloroquine phosphate）， autophagy inhibitor + Zhuluan decoction-containing serum （20% Zhuluan decoction-containing serum + 5 μmol·L^-1 cyclophosphamide + 20 μmol·L^-1 chloroquine phosphate）， and estradiol valerate （20% estradiol valerate-containing serum + 5 μmol·L^-1 cyclophosphamide）. Following 48 hours of incubation， flow cytometry was utilized to measure the apoptosis rate of KGN cells in each group. Western blotting was employed to quantify the protein levels of PI3K， phosphorylated （p）-Akt， Akt， p-mTOR， and mTOR， along with the expression levels of autophagy-related proteins such as Beclin1， autophagy-related 5 homolog （ATG5）， and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 （LC3）， in each group. Additionally， monodansylcadaverine （MDC） staining was performed to evaluate the extent of autophagy in each group. ResultsIncubation of KGN cells with 5 μmol·L^-1 cyclophosphamide for 48 h successfully established a POI model， marked by a significant inhibition of KGN cell proliferation. Notably， the inhibitory effect of cyclophosphamide on KGN cell proliferation exhibited a positive correlation with its concentration. Zhuluan decoction-containing serum at 20% and 30% promoted cell proliferation and mitigated the inhibitory effect of cyclophosphamide on KGN cell proliferation， with comparable therapeutic efficacy observed at both concentrations. Compared with the blank control group， the model group displayed an elevated apoptosis rate （P<0.01）， reduced protein levels of PI3K， p-Akt， and p-mTOR （P<0.01）， increased protein levels of Beclin1， LC3， and ATG5 （P<0.01）， no significant alterations in the protein levels of Akt and mTOR， and an enhanced MDC autophagy fluorescence intensity （P<0.01）. In comparison to that the model group， the apoptosis rates in the blank control group， model group， Zhuluan decoction-containing serum group， autophagy inhibitor group， autophagy inhibitor + Zhuluan decoction-containing serum group， and estradiol valerate group all reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with the most pronounced reduction observed in the autophagy inhibitor + Zhuluan decoction-containing serum group. The protein levels of PI3K， p-Akt， and p-mTOR were higher in other groups than in the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）， being the highest in the autophagy inhibitor + Zhuluan decoctio-containing serum group （P<0.01）. The protein levels of Beclin1 and ATG5 were lower in other groups than in the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The expression level of LC3 declined in the Zhuluan decoction-containing serum group and the estradiol valerate group （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while it decreased without statistical significance in the autophagy inhibitor group and the autophagy inhibitor + Zhuluan decoction-containing serum group. ConclusionZhuluan decoction may activate the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway to inhibit excessive autophagy and counteract the detrimental effects of cyclophosphamide on the KGN cell model， thus managing POI.

ObjectiveTo elucidate the underlying mechanism through which Zhuluan decoction suppresses excessive autophagy in human ovarian granulosa cells （KGN） and ameliorates premature ovarian insufficiency （POI） via the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） signaling pathway. MethodsThe optimal concentration of cyclophosphamide for inducing a POI model in KGN cells was identified via the cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay. Subsequently， the impacts of varying concentrations of Zhuluan decoction-containing serum on the viability of the KGN cell model were assessed. After the optimal drug concentration was determined， KGN cells were categorized into the following groups： blank control （20% blank serum）， model （20% blank serum + 5 μmol·L^-1 cyclophosphamide）， Zhuluan decoction-containing serum （20% Zhuluan decoction-containing serum + 5 μmol·L^-1 cyclophosphamide）， autophagy inhibitor （20% blank serum + 5 μmol·L^-1 cyclophosphamide + 20 μmol·L^-1 chloroquine phosphate）， autophagy inhibitor + Zhuluan decoction-containing serum （20% Zhuluan decoction-containing serum + 5 μmol·L^-1 cyclophosphamide + 20 μmol·L^-1 chloroquine phosphate）， and estradiol valerate （20% estradiol valerate-containing serum + 5 μmol·L^-1 cyclophosphamide）. Following 48 hours of incubation， flow cytometry was utilized to measure the apoptosis rate of KGN cells in each group. Western blotting was employed to quantify the protein levels of PI3K， phosphorylated （p）-Akt， Akt， p-mTOR， and mTOR， along with the expression levels of autophagy-related proteins such as Beclin1， autophagy-related 5 homolog （ATG5）， and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 （LC3）， in each group. Additionally， monodansylcadaverine （MDC） staining was performed to evaluate the extent of autophagy in each group. ResultsIncubation of KGN cells with 5 μmol·L^-1 cyclophosphamide for 48 h successfully established a POI model， marked by a significant inhibition of KGN cell proliferation. Notably， the inhibitory effect of cyclophosphamide on KGN cell proliferation exhibited a positive correlation with its concentration. Zhuluan decoction-containing serum at 20% and 30% promoted cell proliferation and mitigated the inhibitory effect of cyclophosphamide on KGN cell proliferation， with comparable therapeutic efficacy observed at both concentrations. Compared with the blank control group， the model group displayed an elevated apoptosis rate （P<0.01）， reduced protein levels of PI3K， p-Akt， and p-mTOR （P<0.01）， increased protein levels of Beclin1， LC3， and ATG5 （P<0.01）， no significant alterations in the protein levels of Akt and mTOR， and an enhanced MDC autophagy fluorescence intensity （P<0.01）. In comparison to that the model group， the apoptosis rates in the blank control group， model group， Zhuluan decoction-containing serum group， autophagy inhibitor group， autophagy inhibitor + Zhuluan decoction-containing serum group， and estradiol valerate group all reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with the most pronounced reduction observed in the autophagy inhibitor + Zhuluan decoction-containing serum group. The protein levels of PI3K， p-Akt， and p-mTOR were higher in other groups than in the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）， being the highest in the autophagy inhibitor + Zhuluan decoctio-containing serum group （P<0.01）. The protein levels of Beclin1 and ATG5 were lower in other groups than in the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The expression level of LC3 declined in the Zhuluan decoction-containing serum group and the estradiol valerate group （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while it decreased without statistical significance in the autophagy inhibitor group and the autophagy inhibitor + Zhuluan decoction-containing serum group. ConclusionZhuluan decoction may activate the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway to inhibit excessive autophagy and counteract the detrimental effects of cyclophosphamide on the KGN cell model， thus managing POI.

Objective To explore the wearing status and actual noise reduction effect of hearing protectors among noise workers in a typical automobile manufacturing enterprise. Methods In April 2024, an occupational hazard factor testing was carried out in an automobile manufacturing industry, and at the same time, the hearing protection fit test was conducted for noise workers. Intervention and guidance were provided to those who did not pass the minimum standard of baseline PAR. The difference in PAR between baseline and post-intervention was compared, and the effectiveness of hearing protector wearing method training was evaluated. Results The exceeding rate of the company's noise operation post was 50.77% (66/130). The baseline PAR of the subjects with working experience of less than 15 years and wearing hearing protectors throughout noisy work was higher, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Compared with those with 80dB≤L_{EX, 8h}<85dB, more research subjects with L_{EX, 8h}≥85dB failed baseline PAR (39.13%). After intervention, the PAR of the subjects who did not pass the minimum standard of baseline PRA increased from 2.0 (0.0, 5.3) to 17.0 (14.8, 20.0), and the protection level was significantly improved, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). Conclusion The individual fit test of hearing protector is an important means to evaluate the actual noise reduction level of hearing protector and guide the selection of hearing protection models. Corporate training can help improve the PAR of hearing protectors.

BACKGROUND:Epidemiological studies indicate that individuals with neurodegenerative diseases exhibit a comparatively lower risk of developing the majority of cancers.Although the precise mechanisms underlying this inverse correlation remain unclear,it is noteworthy that aberrant glucose metabolism,a pathological factor common to both conditions,may significantly contribute to this association.OBJECTIVE:To review the potential relationship between cancers and neurodegenerative diseases in glucose metabolism.METHODS:PubMed was searched for relevant literature using the search terms of"cancer,neurodegenerative diseases,Alzheimer's disease,Parkinson's disease,metabolic reprogramming,glucose metabolism,aerobic glycolysis,neuroprotection,aging,"and 136 articles were finally included for analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Cancer and neurodegenerative diseases exhibit a profound pathological correlation at the level of glucose metabolism imbalance associated with aging.Cancer cells promote uncontrolled proliferation,invasion,and metastasis through the persistent activation of aerobic glycolysis,whereas neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by a reduction in aerobic glycolysis.Restoring aerobic glycolysis may confer neuroprotective effects and delay disease progression.The key nodes of glucose metabolism demonstrate a bidirectional regulatory pattern:metabolic regulators,which are significantly upregulated or aberrantly activated in cancer,are inhibited or functionally inactivated in neurodegenerative diseases.Mitochondria play a crucial role in mediating the aging process through the regulation of reactive oxygen species homeostasis and mitochondrial autophagy.They establish regulatory networks that connect cancer and neurodegenerative diseases,and maintaining their functional homeostasis is of paramount importance for disease prevention and treatment.

BACKGROUND:Epidemiological studies indicate that individuals with neurodegenerative diseases exhibit a comparatively lower risk of developing the majority of cancers.Although the precise mechanisms underlying this inverse correlation remain unclear,it is noteworthy that aberrant glucose metabolism,a pathological factor common to both conditions,may significantly contribute to this association.OBJECTIVE:To review the potential relationship between cancers and neurodegenerative diseases in glucose metabolism.METHODS:PubMed was searched for relevant literature using the search terms of"cancer,neurodegenerative diseases,Alzheimer's disease,Parkinson's disease,metabolic reprogramming,glucose metabolism,aerobic glycolysis,neuroprotection,aging,"and 136 articles were finally included for analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Cancer and neurodegenerative diseases exhibit a profound pathological correlation at the level of glucose metabolism imbalance associated with aging.Cancer cells promote uncontrolled proliferation,invasion,and metastasis through the persistent activation of aerobic glycolysis,whereas neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by a reduction in aerobic glycolysis.Restoring aerobic glycolysis may confer neuroprotective effects and delay disease progression.The key nodes of glucose metabolism demonstrate a bidirectional regulatory pattern:metabolic regulators,which are significantly upregulated or aberrantly activated in cancer,are inhibited or functionally inactivated in neurodegenerative diseases.Mitochondria play a crucial role in mediating the aging process through the regulation of reactive oxygen species homeostasis and mitochondrial autophagy.They establish regulatory networks that connect cancer and neurodegenerative diseases,and maintaining their functional homeostasis is of paramount importance for disease prevention and treatment.

Objective To systematically analyze the trends in life expectancy and healthy life expectancy in China from 1990 to 2023, identify the factors influencing changes in life expectancy, and provide scientific evidence for the Healthy China Strategy. Methods Based on the most recent authoritative data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023 (GBD 2023), the United Nations Population Division, the World Bank, and Our World in Data, complete life tables and cause-deleted life tables were constructed. Analytical methods including Joinpoint regression and ARIMA forecasting were comprehensively applied to systematically evaluate life expectancy, survival probability, and the burden of diseases and risk factors. Results From 1990 to 2023, life expectancy at birth in China exhibited sustained and rapid growth (average annual percentage change, AAPC = 0.63%), with a growth rate significantly higher than those observed in the United States, Japan, and the global average (AAPC = 0.12%, 0.21%, and 0.45%, respectively). Survival probability improved across all age groups, with particularly notable gains in children and the oldest-old. Interprovincial and sex-based disparities persisted. Cause-deleted analysis revealed that cardiovascular disease (CVD) accounted for the greatest loss in life expectancy at birth. From 2004 to 2020, years of life lost due to CVD increased annually, reaching 8.70 years in 2020 for the zero-age group in China. Neoplasm ranked second in causing life expectancy loss, which remained relatively stable at approximately 3 years over the study period. Among risk factors, tobacco use, hypertension, air pollution, dietary risks, and high fasting plasma glucose were identified as prominent contributors to life expectancy loss. Strong positive correlations were observed between health resources, economic growth, and life expectancy. Conclusion China has made remarkable progress in extending lifespan and improving quality of life, but it still faces challenges such as chronic diseases limiting lifespan and life quality, diverse health risks, and disparities in health levels and life expectancy across regions and populations.

Background: and Purpose Live cell-based assays (LCBA) are increasingly used for serological antibody detection due to their ability to preserve antigen conformation, offering moderately higher sensitivity than fixed cell-based assays. However, the clinical necessity of prioritizing LCBA for the detection of aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G (AQP4-IgG) in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) remains unclear, especially when compared to its established role in diagnosing myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease. Methods: We compared the performance of live cell-based assays using immunofluorescence (LCBA-IF) and fixed cell-based assays using immunofluorescence (FCBA-IF) in detecting AQP4-IgG in 90 cases of NMOSD meeting 2015 International Panel for Neuromyelitis Optica Diagnosis criteria, alongside 40 controls. Additionally, we further investigated the relationship between AQP4-IgG titers as measured by LCBA-IF and FCBA-IF and clinical parameters in NMOSD patients. Results: Results showed 96.9% agreement between LCBA-IF and FCBA-IF (Cohen’s κ=0.935), with a strong Spearman correlation (0.977, p<0.001). Both methods demonstrated 100% specificity, with LCBA-IF showing slightly higher sensitivity compared to FCBA-IF. Within LCBAIF-tested groups, statistically significant differences in annualized relapse rates were observed across all pairwise comparisons (low-titer vs. moderate-titer, low-titer vs. high-titer, and moderate-titer vs. high-titer; all p<0.050). However, this association reached statistical significance in some FCBA-IF-tested groups. Conclusions Overall, there is a strong concordance between LCBA-IF and FCBA-IF in detecting AQP4-IgG, where LCBA-IF shows slightly higher sensitivity. Furthermore, there is a potential link between elevated AQP4-IgG titers and an increased risk of relapse, and this correlation may appear more pronounced when using LCBA-IF.

Objective To investigate the cross-sectional associations between different fatty liver classifications and cardiac structure and function in people undergo health examination. Methods A total of 6 545 adults who underwent health examinations at the Health Management Center of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University between January 1 and December 31, 2017, were retrospectively included. Demographic characteristics and laboratory data were collected. The hepatic steatosis was graded by ultrasonography. And patients with fatty liver were further stratified according to alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, as well as the degree of liver fibrosis. Cardiac morphology and function were assessed by transthoracic echocardiography, and left ventricular geometric patterns were classified accordingly. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the associations between fatty liver classifications and cardiac abnormalities. Results There were 2 795 patients (42.7%) with fatty liver, of whom 832 (29.8%) had significant cardiac structural alterations and 1 500 (53.7%) had diastolic dysfunction. Severe fatty liver was risk factor for concentric remodeling and increased relative wall thickness (RWT), with odds ratios (ORs) of 1.27 (P＝0.012) and 1.27 (P＝0.009), respectively. Fatty liver accompanied by elevated ALT or AST was risk factor for concentric remodeling (OR＝1.45,1.56; P＝0.001, 0.001), increased RWT (OR＝1.48,1.57; P＜0.001, ＜0.001), and diastolic dysfunction (OR＝1.27, 1.32; P＝0.035, 0.040), respectively. Fatty liver with liver fibrosis was risk factor for concentric remodeling (OR＝1.83, P＝0.046) and diastolic dysfunction (OR＝2.64, P＝0.034). Conclusions Advanced fatty liver, including severe hepatic steatosis, accompanied by elevated liver enzymes or liver fibrosis, could increase risks of cardiac remodeling and diastolic dysfunction, while systolic function is preserved. For patients with fatty liver, it is recommended to undergo regular ultrasonography examination.