Objectives: . This study aimed to explore the role of the Pcdh15 gene in hearing maintenance and to examine the effects of its deficiency on cochlear structure, cochlear function, and hearing loss in mice. Methods: . CRISPR/Cas9 technology was used to generate Pcdh15 knockout (KO) mice. Auditory function was evaluated using hearing tests, while histological approaches were employed to assess morphological changes in cochlear hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs). RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed on cochlear tissue from postnatal day 18 (P18) wild-type (WT) and Pcdh15 KO mice to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). These DEGs were subjected to functional annotation and pathway analysis, with particular emphasis on oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were quantified using flow cytometry and DCFH-DA assays. Results: . Pcdh15 KO mice exhibited progressive sensorineural hearing loss, which worsened to profound deafness by P18. Notably, cochlear hair cells and SGNs showed substantial loss and pronounced morphological abnormalities, particularly within the basal high-frequency region. RNA-seq analysis identified 1,359 DEGs, including 1,024 downregulated and 335 upregulated genes. Pathway analysis indicated that Pcdh15 deficiency was associated with inhibition of the OXPHOS pathway, potentially disrupting mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I, III, IV, and V and thereby impairing energy production and ATP metabolism. In addition, early-stage cochleae from KO mice demonstrated elevated ROS levels and increased oxidative stress, suggesting that redox imbalance may contribute to hearing damage. Conclusion . Pcdh15 plays a critical role in hearing maintenance. Its deficiency is associated with severe hearing loss and marked cochlear abnormalities, which are linked to inhibition of OXPHOS, disruption of energy metabolism, and exacerbation of oxidative stress. Together, these findings provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying hearing loss and suggest potential targets for therapeutic intervention.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility of various strength levels of deep learning image reconstruction （DLIR） algorithms for improving non-contrast abdominal CT image quality at ultra-low radiation doses， by comparing ultra-low-dose DLIR images with low-dose filtered back projection （FBP） images. MethodsA prospective collection of 85 patients undergoing non-contrast abdominal CT scans was performed， and a self-controlled study method was employed to conduct low-dose （LD） group and ultra-low-dose （ULD） group scans. The LD group used a noise index of 10 and employed FBP for image reconstruction （LD-FBP group）. The ULD group used a noise index of 30 and employed DLIR at different levels （low， medium， high）， resulting in three subgroups of reconstructed images： ULD-DLIR-L， ULD-DLIR-M， and ULD-DLIR-H. For each group， CT values， standard devia-tion （SD）， signal-to-noise ratio （SNR）， and contrast-to-noise ratio （CNR） were measured and calculated for the liver， spleen， kidneys， aorta， psoas major， and subcutaneous fat. Effective dose （ED） was also recorded. Two radiologists independently performed subjective evaluations of image quality using a 5-point scale. ResultsCompared with the LD-FBP group， the ULD-DLIR-L group showed significantly lower SNR and CNR values in the liver， spleen， kidneys， aorta， and psoas major （P<0.001）， while the ULD-DLIR-H group exhibited significantly higher values （P<0.001）. The difference of SNR and CNR values for the ULD-DLIR-M group showed no statistically significant difference. For subjective evaluation， the scores of the ULD-DLIR-L and ULD-DLIR-M groups were lower than those of the LD-FBP group， while there was no statistically significant difference in scores between the ULD-DLIR-H group and the LD-FBP group. The ED value of the ULD group was approximately 88% lower than that of the LD group. ConclusionCompared with the LD-FBP group， the ULD-DLIR-H group significantly reduces SD values while increasing SNR and CNR values， effectively improving the image quality of non-contrast abdominal CT scans.

Lung cancer is the most common malignant tumor worldwide, ranking first in both incidence and mortality rates. According to the latest statistics from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), approximately 2.5 million new cases and around 1.8 million deaths from lung cancer occurred in 2022, placing a tremendous burden on global healthcare systems. The high mortality rate of lung cancer is closely linked to its subtle early symptoms, which often lead to diagnosis at advanced stages. This not only complicates treatment but also results in substantial economic losses. Current treatment options for lung cancer include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy, and immunotherapy. Among these, immunotherapy has emerged as the most groundbreaking advancement in recent years, owing to its unique antitumor mechanisms and impressive clinical benefits. Unlike traditional therapies such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, immunotherapy activates or enhances the patient’s immune system to recognize and eliminate tumor cells. It offers advantages such as more durable therapeutic effects and relatively fewer toxic side effects. The main approaches to lung cancer immunotherapy include immune checkpoint inhibitors, tumor-specific antigen-targeted therapies, adoptive cell therapies, cancer vaccines, and oncolytic virus therapies. Among these, immune checkpoint inhibitors and tumor-specific antigen-targeted therapies have received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for clinical use in lung cancer, significantly improving outcomes for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Although other immunotherapy strategies are still in clinical trials, they show great potential in improving treatment precision and efficacy. This article systematically reviews the latest research progress in lung cancer immunotherapy, including the development of novel immune checkpoint molecules, optimization of treatment strategies, identification of predictive biomarkers, and findings from recent clinical trials. It also discusses the current challenges in the field and outlines future directions, such as the development of next-generation immunotherapeutic agents, exploration of more effective combination regimens, and the establishment of precise efficacy prediction systems. The aim is to provide a valuable reference for the continued advancement of lung cancer immunotherapy.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and metabolic disorders are the 3 major chronic diseases threatening human health, which are closely related and often coexist, significantly increasing the difficulty of disease management. In response, the American Heart Association (AHA) proposed a novel disease concept of “cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome” in October 2023, which has triggered widespread concern about the co-treatment of heart and kidney diseases and the prevention and treatment of metabolic disorders around the world. This review posits that effectively managing CKM syndrome requires a new and multidimensional paradigm for diagnosis and risk prediction that integrates biological insights, advanced technology and social determinants of health (SDoH). We argue that the core pathological driver is a “metabolic toxic environment”, fueled by adipose tissue dysfunction and characterized by a vicious cycle of systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, which forms a common pathway to multi-organ injury. The at-risk population is defined not only by biological characteristics but also significantly impacted by adverse SDoH, which can elevate the risk of advanced CKM by a factor of 1.18 to 3.50, underscoring the critical need for equity in screening and care strategies. This review systematically charts the progression of diagnostic technologies. In diagnostics, we highlight a crucial shift from single-marker assessments to comprehensive multi-marker panels. The synergistic application of traditional biomarkers like NT-proBNP (reflecting cardiac stress) and UACR (indicating kidney damage) with emerging indicators such as systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and Klotho protein facilitates a holistic evaluation of multi-organ health. Furthermore, this paper explores the pivotal role of non-invasive monitoring technologies in detecting subclinical disease. Techniques like multi-wavelength photoplethysmography (PPG) and impedance cardiography (ICG) provide a real-time window into microcirculatory and hemodynamic status, enabling the identification of early, often asymptomatic, functional abnormalities that precede overt organ failure. In imaging, progress is marked by a move towards precise, quantitative evaluation, exemplified by artificial intelligence-powered quantitative computed tomography (AI-QCT). By integrating AI-QCT with clinical risk factors, the predictive accuracy for cardiovascular events within 6 months significantly improves, with the area under the curve (AUC) increasing from 0.637 to 0.688, demonstrating its potential for reclassifying risk in CKM stage 3. In the domain of risk prediction, we trace the evolution from traditional statistical tools to next-generation models. The new PREVENT equation represents a major advancement by incorporating key kidney function markers (eGFR, UACR), which can enhance the detection rate of CKD in primary care by 20%-30%. However, we contend that the future lies in dynamic, machine learning-based models. Algorithms such as XGBoost have achieved an AUC of 0.82 for predicting 365-day cardiovascular events, while deep learning models like KFDeep have demonstrated exceptional performance in predicting kidney failure risk with an AUC of 0.946. Unlike static calculators, these AI-driven tools can process complex, multimodal data and continuously update risk profiles, paving the way for truly personalized and proactive medicine. In conclusion, this review advocates for a paradigm shift toward a holistic and technologically advanced framework for CKM management. Future efforts must focus on the deep integration of multimodal data, the development of novel AI-driven biomarkers, the implementation of refined SDoH-informed interventions, and the promotion of interdisciplinary collaboration to construct an efficient, equitable, and effective system for CKM screening and intervention.

Objective To observe the morphology of the superficial,middle,and deep layers of the masseter muscle and related bony structures in the lateral facial region of adults through gross anatomy,and to probe into the effects of these muscle layers on the bony structures of the lateral facial region.Methods The bilateral masseter muscles of 12 adult cadavers were exposed,and the superficial,middle,and deep layers were separated and measured for muscle length,tendon length,and muscle belly length.After the masseter muscles were stripped,the total thickness was measured,and the mandible and zygomatic arch were exposed to measure the angle of the mandibular angle,thickness of the zygomatic arch,and width of the zygomatic arch.Observations were made of the masseter tuberosities,and statistical analysis was conducted on their interrelations.Results The zygomatic arch thickness was positively correlated with the length of superficial,middle and deep masseter muscles and the length of superficial and middle masseter belly(r superficial masseter length=0.624,r middle masseter length=0.787,r deep masseter length=0.423,r superficial masseter belly length=0.493,r middle masseter belly length=0.548).The width of the zygomatic arch was positively correlated with the lengths of the superficial and middle muscle layers and the middle muscle belly length(r superficial masseter length=0.527,r middle masseter length=0.521,r middle masseterbelly length=0.437).The angle of the mandibular angle was only negatively correlated with the middle muscle belly length(r=-0.422).The tuberosities of the superficial and middle masseter muscles were not affected by the corresponding muscle layers;However,the tuberosity of the deep masseter was negatively correlated with the length of the deep muscle and the length of the deep tendon(r deep masseter length=-0.543,r deep masseter tendon length=-0.443).Conclusion In the masseter muscle layers of Chinese individuals,the superficial and middle layers have the most significant impact on the bony structures structures of the lateral facial region.These findings are of guiding significance for the remodeling of structures in the lateral facial region.

Objective Ticks serve as vectors for transmitting Babesia microti.However,the specific mechanism remains unclear.This study aimed to investigate the effect of tick autophagy molecules on the proliferation of Babesia microti.Methods An experimental model of infected and uninfected mice was used to collect tick materials for proteomic analysis to identify differentially expressed autophagy-related molecules in Haemaphysalis longicornis.The cloning of the HlATG8 gene,protein expression,and production of polyclonal antibodies were completed.The HlATG8 gene was then knocked down using RNAi interference technology.Results The tick autophagy molecule,HlATG8,was identified and found to be significantly upregulated in ticks infected with Babesia microti.The load of Babesia microti in ticks increased significantly following the knockdown of the HlATG8 gene.Conclusions The tick autophagy molecule in Hae.longicornis,HlATG8,inhibits the proliferation of Babesia.

Objective To analyze the correlation between quantitative parameters of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging(DCE-MRI)and preoperative T staging of colorectal carcinoma(CRC).Methods The clinical data of 95 CRC patients admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from May 2023 to July 2024 were retrospectively collected.All patients underwent DCE-MRI examination,and the quantitative parameters of DCE-MRI[rate constant(Kep),extravascular extracellular interstitial volume ratio(Ve),volume transfer constant(Ktrans),time to peak(TTP),maximum slope,maximum concentration]in patients with different T stages were compared.Kendall's tau-b correlation coefficient examined the relationship between DCE-MRI quantitative parameters and preoperative T staging of CRC,and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was drawn to analyze the value of DCE-MRI quantitative parameters in the preoperative T3-4 stage of CRC patients.Results 95 CRC patients revealed 16 cases in T1 stage,32 cases in T2 stage,37 cases in T3 stage,and 10 cases in T4 stage.There were statistically significant differences in tumor diameter,Kep,Ve and Ktrans among CRC patients with different T stages(P＜0.05),and their sizes were T4＞T3＞T2＞T1.There were no significant differences in TTP,maximum slope and maximum concentration among CRC patients with different T stages(P＞0.05).Kendall's tau-b correlation coefficient test showed that Kep,Ve,Ktrans of DCE-MRI were positively correlated with preoperative T staging of CRC(P＜0.05).ROC curve results showed that area under the curve of Kep,Ve and Ktrans alone and in combination were all greater than 0.70 in the preoperative T3-4 stage of CRC patients,which had evaluation value,and the combined detection had the highest evaluation value.Conclusion The quantitative parameters of DCE-MRI are related to preoperative T staging of CRC and can evaluate the risk of T3-4 stage.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative condition characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory loss. As the incidence of AD continues to rise annually, researchers have shown keen interest in the active components found in natural plants and their neuroprotective effects against AD. Quercetin, a flavonol widely present in fruits and vegetables, has multiple biological effects including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant. Oxidative stress plays a central role in the pathogenesis of AD, and the antioxidant properties of quercetin are essential for its neuroprotective function. Quercetin can modulate multiple signaling pathways related to AD, such as Nrf2-ARE, JNK, p38 MAPK, PON2, PI3K/Akt, and PKC, all of which are closely related to oxidative stress. Furthermore, quercetin is capable of inhibiting the aggregation of β‑amyloid protein (Aβ) and the phosphorylation of tau protein, as well as the activity of β‑secretase 1 and acetylcholinesterase, thus slowing down the progression of the disease.The review also provides insights into the pharmacokinetic properties of quercetin, including its absorption, metabolism, and excretion, as well as its bioavailability challenges and clinical applications. To improve the bioavailability and enhance the targeting of quercetin, the potential of quercetin nanomedicine delivery systems in the treatment of AD is also discussed. In summary, the multifaceted mechanisms of quercetin against AD provide a new perspective for drug development. However, translating these findings into clinical practice requires overcoming current limitations and ongoing research. In this way, its therapeutic potential in the treatment of AD can be fully utilized.

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.