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.

AIM:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of three types of spectacle lenses with different peripheral microstructure designs in controlling myopia progression among children.METHODS: Retrospective case analysis was conducted. Children diagnosed with myopia aged 6 to 12 y who were received initial spectacle fitting and completed 1-year follow-up at the Optometry Clinic of Suining Central Hospital between January 2023 and August 2024 were enrolled. Only right eye data of all subjects were included for analysis. Based on the type of spectacle lenses independently selected by the children and their parents/guardians, they were divided into four groups: diffusion optics technology(DOT), cylindrical annular refractive element(CARE), highly aspherical lenslets(HAL), and single-vision lenses(SVL). Changes in axial length(AL)and spherical equivalent(SE)from baseline were observed after 1-year lens wear in four groups. Variations between three peripheral microstructure-designed spectacles and single-vision spectacles were compared. The effects of different lens designs on spherical power, astigmatism, corneal curvature, corneal astigmatism, anterior chamber depth, lens thickness, and vitreous cavity depth were analyzed.RESULTS:In this retrospective study, a total of 118 eyes from 118 myopic children were included. There were 28 eyes in 28 children in DOT group [16 males and 12 females, age 10(9, 12)y]. CARE group contained 26 eyes in 26 children, [12 males and 14 females, age 11(9, 12)y]. HAL group had 26 eyes in 26 children [16 males and 10 females, age 10(9, 11)y]. SVL group included 38 eyes in 38 children [20 males and 18 females, age 11(9, 12)y]. There were no significant differences in age, gender, baseline AL, or SE among the four groups(all P>0.05). After 1-year wearing, no increase and slight regression were observed in AL and SE in the DOT group, with no significant differences compared with baseline(all P>0.05). AL and SE increased to varying degrees in the CARE, HAL and SVL groups(all P<0.01). Significant inter-group differences were found in the changes of AL and SE(F=22.820, 30.949, both P<0.001). The mean changes in AL and SE for the DOT group(-0.034±0.180 mm, 0.040±0.243 D)were significantly smaller than those in the CARE group(0.225±0.174 mm, -0.375±0.308 D)and the HAL group(0.147±0.130 mm, -0.255±0.256 D). The changes of AL and SE in the three groups were significantly lower than those in the SVL group(0.355±0.240 mm, -0.891±0.592 D)(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: In children, short-term wear of spectacles with peripheral microstructural design demonstrates better myopia control efficacy compared to single-vision spectacles. DOT lenses show superior short-term efficacy compared with CARE and HAL lenses.

Lumbar disc (LD) herniation and aging are prevalent conditions that can result in substantial morbidity. This study aimed to clarify the mechanisms connecting the LD aging and herniation, particularly focusing on cellular senescence and molecular alterations in the nucleus pulposus (NP). We performed a detailed analysis of NP samples from a diverse cohort, including individuals of varying ages and those with diagnosed LD herniation. Our methodology combined histological assessments with single-nucleus RNA sequencing to identify phenotypic and molecular changes related to NP aging and herniation. We discovered that cellular senescence and a decrease in nucleus pulposus progenitor cells (NPPCs) are central to both processes. Additionally, we found an age-related increase in NFAT1 expression that promotes NPPC senescence and contributes to both aging and herniation of LD. This research offers fresh insights into LD aging and its associated pathologies, potentially guiding the development of new therapeutic strategies to target the root causes of LD herniation and aging.
Intervertebral Disc Displacement/metabolism* ; Humans ; Aging/pathology* ; Nucleus Pulposus/pathology* ; Male ; Female ; Transcriptome ; Middle Aged ; Lumbar Vertebrae/pathology* ; Adult ; Cellular Senescence ; Stem Cells/pathology* ; Aged ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration/metabolism*

Objective:To analyze the values of platelet transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and SMAD family member 2 (Smad2) in patients′ peripheral platelets for CRC diagnosis and staging.Methods:Retrospective case-control study. Tumor tissues, paratumor tissues and peripheral blood samples were collected from 248 CRC patients (147 males, 101 females; age 21-93 years) diagnosed in the First Hospital of Jilin University from October 10th, 2020, to March 10th, 2025. Peripheral blood samples were also collected from 40 colorectal adenomatous polyp patients (21 males, 19 females; age 22-74 years) and 75 healthy individuals (43 males, 32 females; age 18-81 years) during the same period. Tissue homogenates and platelets were isolated using tissue disruption and gradient centrifugation, respectively. Total RNA was respectively extracted from tissues and platelets, and the expression levels of TGF-β and Smad2 were quantified by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) expressed as relative quantity 2 -ΔΔCt. Differences of TGF-β and Smad2 expression were compared between CRC tissues and adjacent tissues, as well as among CRC patients, polyp patients, and healthy controls. The relationship of platelet TGF-β and Smad2 expression with pathological features includingtumor stage, pathological type, and metastasis were analyzed. The efficiency of platelet TGF-β, Smad2, and their combination in diagnosing CRC was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results:The expression levels of TGF-β and Smad2 in CRC tumor tissues[1.09 (0.45, 2.00), 2.93 (0.78, 6.73)] were significantly higher than those in adjacent tissues[0.81 (0.27, 1.50), 1.29 (0.40, 2.63)] ( Z TGF-β=4.54, Z Smad2=6.67, both P<0.001). The expression levels of TGF-β and Smad2 in platelets of CRC patients[2.73(1.53, 4.38), 3.16 (1.58, 4.38)] were significantly higher than those in the colorectal polyp group[1.23(0.70, 2.54), 1.16(0.78, 2.27)] and the healthy control group[0.96(0.51, 1.88), 0.92 (0.55, 1.88)] ( H TGF-β=59.71, H Smad2=78.74, both P<0.001). Platelet TGF-β expression increased progressively with tumor stage (stage 1-4) ( P<0.05), while platelet Smad2 levels were higher in metastatic CRC compared with non-metastatic cases ( P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) for diagnosing CRC when combining platelet TGF-β and Smad2 was 0.81[95%Confidence interval( CI) 0.77—0.86], which was 0.90 (95% CI 0.86—0.93) if adding serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Conclusion:Platelet TGF-β and Smad2 expression correlates with the diagnosis and staging of CRC, demonstrating potential as liquid biopsy biomarkers for colorectal malignancies.

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the most abundant catechin in green tea, possesses various biomedical activities and has garnered significant attention because of its notable anticancer properties. This article reviews the research progress on the antitumor mechanisms of EGCG, focusing on its roles in inducing tumor cell apoptosis; inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis; modulating the tumor microenvironment; and influencing epigenetic modifications. Given its natural origin, safety, and low cost, EGCG could be a preferred option for the development of new cancer therapeutic drugs or enhancing the efficacy of combination therapies. This work aims to provide a theoretical foundation for further research and development of EGCG and scientific evidence for its application in cancer prevention and treatment.

Objective To investigate the antibacterial properties of R.lnPGRP-SC1a in Rhipicephalus linnaei, and to provide a reference for the functional analysis of peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs) within the context of tick innate immunity. Methods Specific primers were meticulously designed based on the coding region sequence, followed by the extraction of tick RNA of adult ticks and its reverse transcription into cDNA. The R.lnPGRP-SC1a gene fragment was subsequently amplified via PCR and then ligated into the plasmid pET32a+, thereby constructing the recombinant expression vector pET32a+-R.lnPGRP-SC1a. This expression vector was then transferred into E.coli BL21 (DE3) competent cells and induced with an IPTG concentration of 0.2 mmol/L at low temperature to enhance protein expression in the supernatant, thereby obtaining a soluble protein with stronger activity. Subsequently, the inhibitory effect of the supernatant protein against two common pathogenic bacteria, E.coli and S.aureus, was assessed using the agar diffusion method. Results The amplified gene fragment was 627 bp in length, and the prokaryotic expression vector pET32a+-R.lnPGRP-SC1a was successfully constructed. Low-temperature induction showed that the recombinant protein was soluble protein, with an approximate molecular weight of 23.63 kD. Antibacterial activity results indicated that, at the same concentration, R.lnPGRP-SC1a exhibited no inhibitory effect on E.coli but demonstrated significant inhibition against S.aureus. Specifically, antibacterial activity became evident at a concentration threshold of 5 mg/mL and increased with the protein concentration. Compared with the inhibitory effects of kanamycin at various concentrations, the inhibitory effect of R.lnPGRP-SC1a at 7 mg/mL was comparable to that of kanamycin at 1 mg/mL. Furthermore, the onset of R.lnPGRP-SC1a inhibitory effect against S.aureus was 2 hours, and the effect lasted for 48 hours. Conclusions This study successfully constructed the R.lnPGRP-SC1a expression vector, its expressed product exhibited persistent activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Thereby, this provides a potential possibility for the development of bioactive bacteriostatic agents.

Objective To perform single-molecule, real-time sequencing of ceftazidime-avibactam (CAZ-AVI)-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and to investigate the mechanism underlying ceftazidime-avibactam resistance in P. aeruginosa. Methods The susceptibility of 89 P. aeruginosa isolates randomly sampled from clinical specimens in Sanming First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University from November 2021 through July 2023 to common antimicrobial agents was tested, and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of CAZ-AVI was determined against P. aeruginosa with a broth microdilution assay, with CAZ-AVI MICs of 8 mg/L and lower defined as susceptible and 16 mg/L and higher as resistant. The expression of drug-resistant genes ampC, oxa-488, oprD, mexA, oxa-10, oxa-14, vim and tem was quantified in P. aeruginosa using a real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qPCR) assay. CAZ-AVI-susceptible and -resistant P. aeruginosa isolates from the same case were selected for PacBio single-molecule, real-time sequencing, and sequencing results were subjected to genome structure and Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) functional annotations. Results The 89 P. aeruginosa isolates showed a relatively high level of resistance to meropenem (75.28%) and imipenem (74.16%) and the highest susceptibility to amikacin (91.01%). There were 49 CAZ-AVI-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates and 40 susceptible isolates. qPCR assay detected lower oprD gene expression in CAZ-AVI-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates [0.104 (2.385)] than in susceptible isolates [0.551 (17.885)] (Z = -2.958, P < 0.01), and there were no significant differences between CAZ-AVI-susceptible and -resistant P. aeruginosa isolates in terms of ampC, oxa-488, mexA or tem gene expression (all P values > 0.05), while oxa-10, oxa-14 and vim gene was expressed in few P. aeruginosa isolates. There were 1 729, 3 936, 3 737 and 3 955 genes in CAZ-AVI-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates PA-762 and PA-M174 and susceptible isolates PA-885 and PA-808 that were annotated to GO terms, with the highest numbers of genes enriched in the molecular function of catalytic activity, high numbers of genes enriched in biological processes of metabolic process, single-organism process and cellular process, and high numbers of genes enriched in cellular components of cell and cell membranes. There were 1 803, 4 084, 3 915 and 4 066 genes in the PA-762, PA-M174, PA-885 and PA-808 isolates enriched in the KEGG signaling pathway, and the majority of genes were enriched in four primary signaling pathways of metabolism, genetic information processing, environmental information processing and cellular process, with the highest number of genes associated with metabolic pathways. Both CAZ-AVI-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates PA-762 and PA-M174 carried multiple efflux pumps systems, including MexAB-OprM, MexCD-OprJ, MexEF-OprN and MexXY-OprM. Single nucleotide substitution was found at position 169 in the DNA sequence of the PA-762 isolate, leading to substitution of serine for glycine at position 57 in the protein sequence, and there are deletions of two bases at positions 307 and 308 in the DNA sequence of the PA-M174 isolate, leading to substitution of threonine for arginine at position 103 in the protein sequence. Conclusion Mutation or downregulation of oprD gene may lead to CAZ-AVI resistance in P. aeruginosa.

Deep learning(DL)technology has strong ability for acquiring and learning information,which has been widely used in the field of stomatology imaging,such as segmentation of oral and surrounding structures,diagnosis of tooth and dental pulp diseases,perioperative evaluation of implant surgery,localization of craniomaxillofacial markers,evaluation of temporomandibular joint diseases and maxillary sinus diseases,etc.,contributing to accurate and efficient individualized diagnosis and treatment of oral diseases.The research progresses of DL in oral cone beam CT were reviewed in this article.

Objective:The aim of this study was to explore the risk factors that affect implementation of the innovative technique of single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy (solo-SLA) without assistance in patients with complicated appendicitis, the goal being improving surgical success rates and reducing the incidence of complications.Methods:This was an observational study. Indications for solo-SLA surgery were as follows: (1) computed tomography or ultrasound findings suggestive of acute appendicitis, accompanied by a high white blood cell count and C-reactive protein concentration; (2) disease course exceeding 72 hours, standard anti-infection treatment ineffective, inflammatory reaction not localized, surgery mainly aimed at abscess drainage, and the appendix removed if indicated intraoperatively; (3) acute onset stabilized for more than 3 months after conservative treatment; and (4) recurrent chronic appendicitis. Relative contraindications comprised: (1) cardiopulmonary insufficiency, extremely high risk for general anesthesia for laparoscopic surgery; (2) severe coagulation dysfunction; and (3) imaging findings suggestive of formation of a peri-appendiceal abscess, stable after anti-infection treatment, and a tendency for the inflammatory reaction to localize. We retrospectively collected clinical data of 106 patients with complicated appendicitis who had undergone solo-SLA in the Department of Emergency Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital from February to October 2023. Preoperative computed tomography showed appendiceal fecaliths, blurring of the tissue surrounding fat, intra- and extra-luminal gas and exudate, peri-appendiceal abscess, ascites, and intestinal obstruction by appendicitis. The study cohort comprised 53 male and 53 female patients aged (41.4±17.4) years. The median body mass index was (24.2±3.6) kg/m 2 and median preoperative body temperature (37.3±0.9)℃ Appendicitis had been present for >3 days in 21 of the patients (19.8%) and the maximum diameter of the appendix was (12.4±3.8) mm. The efficacy of the surgery was assessed and logistic regression analysis used to explore the factors affecting the duration of the procedure. The relationship between the maximum diameter of the appendix and duration of surgery was non-linear and was explored using a logistic regression model with restricted cubic spline (RCS). Results:Only one patient required conversion to open surgery; all the other patients successfully completed solo-SLA with a median intraoperative blood loss of 10 (1-100) ml and a surgical time of (65.4±31.7) minutes. Pain scores on postoperative Day 1 and 7 were (3.4±3.2) points and (1.5±1.7) points, respectively. There were no significant postoperative complications .The postoperative hospital stay was (3.5±1.5) days and the interval to resuming normal activities 14 (2-40) days. According to univariate and multivariate analyses, disease course >3 days (OR=5.19, 95%CI: 1.59-16.98, P=0.006) and C-reactive protein >10 mg/L (OR=1.01,95%CI: 1.00-1.02, P=0.003) were independent risk factors for surgical duration >60 minutes, whereas the maximum diameter of the appendix was not independently associated with duration of surgery (OR=1.10, 95%CI: 0.97-1.25, P=0.119). RCS analysis results showed a "U-shaped" association between the maximum diameter of the appendix and duration of surgery, the inflection point of the RCS curve being at a diameter of 10 mm. When the maximum diameter of the appendix was <10 mm, increases in diameter were not associated with longer duration of surgery (OR=1.15,95%CI: 0.55-2.58, P=0.710); whereas when the diameter was ≥10 mm, the maximum diameter of the appendix was associated with increased duration of surgery (OR=1.20, 95% CI: 1.04-1.42, P=0.022). Conclusion:The solo-SLA procedure can be performed to treat complicated appendicitis. A disease course >3 days, C-reactive protein concentration >10 mg/L, and maximum diameter of the appendix ≥10 mm are all associated with greater difficulty of solo-SLA surgery.