Background/Aims: Dysregulated cholesterol metabolism is a hallmark of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that drives tumor initiation and progression. However, clinical targeting of cholesterol metabolism has yielded limited benefits due to stringent feedback in tumor cells. Identifying a central mediator capable of restoring cholesterol homeostasis within the cell’s intrinsically fine-tuned regulatory framework is urgently needed. Methods: We integrated a proteomic dataset from patients with cholesterol-dysregulated HCC into a global cholesterol metabolic regulatory network to identify potential therapeutic targets for disrupted cholesterol homeostasis. The prognostic significance of the candidate targets was further validated in an independent cohort through immunohistochemistry. Functional and mechanistic studies were conducted in vitro using HCC cell lines and in vivo using mouse models. The pharmacological efficacy of the candidate agent was evaluated in both subcutaneous and orthotopic HCC mouse models. Results: ER lipid raft-associated 1 (ERLIN1), a pivotal regulator of cholesterol metabolism reprogramming, was identified as an independent favorable prognostic indicator in HCC. ERLIN1 constrains HCC progression both in vitro and in vivo by stabilizing the INSIG1–SCAP–SREBP2 axis and maintaining the metabolic balance of intracellular cholesterol. Under hypoxia, impaired factor-inhibiting hypoxia-1-dependent hydroxylation of ASB11 at asparagine residues 90 and 92 enhances ASB11-mediated ERLIN1 degradation. Pharmacological targeting of this axis using zoledronic acid (ZoA) attenuated HCC progression by weakening the ASB11–ERLIN1 interaction and restoring cholesterol homeostasis. Conclusions ERLIN1 represents a druggable metabolic vulnerability in cholesterol-dysregulated HCC. Targeting the ASB11–ERLIN1 axis with the clinically approved ZoA reestablishes cholesterol homeostasis and offers a promising therapeutic strategy to overcome the current limitations of cholesterol-targeted HCC therapies.

Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is an irreversible sensorineural hearing loss that severely endangers workers’ health, making early screening crucial. This article reviewed the research progress on early screening methods for occupational NIHL, introduced the testing mechanisms of three core screening methods—tympanometry, otoacoustic emissions, and extended high-frequency audiometry —and summarized their clinical application advantages and limitations. It is proposed that multimodal combined detection (e.g., the combination of tympanometry, otoacoustic emissions, and extended high-frequency audiometry) can significantly improve the accuracy and comprehensiveness of early screening. Meanwhile, future studies with prospective cohort design are encouraged to verify the long-term monitoring value of each method and to strengthen the joint development of screening technologies with cutting-edge approaches such as machine learning, in order to further improve screening efficiency and provide stronger protection for workers’ hearing health.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of jujuboside A （JuA） on the learning and memory abilities and histopathological changes in the rat model of vascular cognitive impairment （VCI） and explore the potential mechanisms by which JuA treats VCI. MethodsA total of 50 male SPF-grade SD rats were randomized into a sham operation group （n=10）， a blank control group （n=10）， and a modeling group （n=30）. The rats in the modeling group underwent bilateral carotid artery ligation （2-VO） for the modeling of VCI. After stabilization， the VCI rats were randomized into model， JuA （20 mg·kg^-¹）， and donepezil （0.45 mg·kg^-¹） groups. After 4 weeks of gavage， the novel object recognition and Morris water maze tests were conducted to evaluate the learning and memory abilities of rats. Nissl staining was employed to evaluate the morphology and number of hippocampal neurons. Real-time PCR was employed to measure the mRNA levels of glycogen synthase kinase-3β （GSK-3β）， cAMP response element-binding protein （CREB）， B cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）， and protein kinase B （Akt） in the hippocampal tissue. Western blot was employed to quantify the protein levels of GSK-3β， p-GSK-3β， p-CREB， Bcl-2， PI3K， p-PI3K， Akt， and p-Akt in the hippocampal tissue. ResultCompared with the sham operation group， the model group exhibited declines in the learning and memory abilities （P<0.01）， neuronal damage and decreased neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region （P<0.01）， up-regulation in the mRNA level of GSK-3β （P<0.01）， and down-regulation in the mRNA levels of PI3K， Akt， CREB， and Bcl-2， as well as the protein levels of p-PI3K， p-Akt， p-GSK-3β， p-CREB， and Bcl-2 （P<0.01）. In comparison to the model group， both the JuA and donepezil groups demonstrated improvements in the learning and memory abilities （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with reduced neuronal damage and increased neurons （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In addition， the two groups showed down-regulation in the mRNA level of GSK-3β （P<0.01） and up-regulation in the mRNA levels of PI3K， Akt， CREB， and Bcl-2 and the protein levels of p-PI3K， p-Akt， p-GSK-3β， p-CREB， and Bcl-2 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. There were no statistically significant differences between the blank control and sham operation groups in terms of the learning and memory abilities， neuron count， and mRNA and protein levels of PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β pathway-related factors. ConclusionJuA can ameliorate the cognitive impairment in the rat model of VCI by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway， reducing the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons， and alleviating the hippocampal neuronal damage.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Huanglian Jiedutang （HLJDT） inhibits pyroptosis and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease （AD） mice via the NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）/cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-1 （Caspase）-1/gasdermin D （GSDMD） pathway. MethodsThirty APP/PS1 double transgenic mice were randomly and evenly divided into the model group （model group）， the positive control group （Donepezil group， 0.65 mg·kg^-1）， and the HLJDT treatment group （HLJDT group， 5.2 g·kg^-1）. Ten C57BL/6 mice were assigned to the blank control group （control group）. The Morris water maze and novel object recognition tests were used to evaluate learning and memory abilities. Nissl staining was employed to observe the morphology， quantity， and distribution of neurons in the hippocampal region. Golgi staining was used to examine the morphology and density of neuronal dendritic spines in the hippocampus. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was performed to detect the mRNA expression of neuroinflammation-related factors and genes in the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pyroptosis pathway in the hippocampus. Western blot was used to detect the expression of postsynaptic density protein 95 （PSD95）， amyloid precursor protein （APP）， inflammatory factors including nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）， phosphorylated NF-κB （p-NF-κB）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， as well as pyroptosis pathway-related proteins including NLRP3， Caspase-1， GSDMD， and GSDMD-N. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group exhibited significantly decreased learning and memory abilities （P<0.01）， reduced numbers of neurons in the hippocampal CA3 region and dendritic spines in the hippocampal CA1 region （P<0.01）， and significantly increased hippocampal mRNA expression levels of NLRP3， Caspase-1， GSDMD， NF-κB， TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-18 （P<0.01）. Protein levels of PSD95 were markedly decreased， while the expression levels of NLRP3， Caspase-1， GSDMD， p-NF-κB/NF-κB， TNF-α， IL-1β， and APP were significantly elevated （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， both the Donepezil and HLJDT groups showed significantly improved learning and memory abilities （P<0.05， P<0.01）， increased numbers of hippocampal neurons in the hippocampal CA3 region and dendritic spines in the hippocampal CA1 region （P<0.01）， and significantly decreased hippocampal mRNA expression levels of NLRP3， Caspase-1， GSDMD， NF-κB， TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-18 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Protein levels of NLRP3， Caspase-1， GSDMD， p-NF-κB/NF-κB， TNF-α， IL-1β， and APP were significantly downregulated， while PSD95 expression was significantly upregulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. There was no statistically significant difference in GSDMD-N levels in the Donepezil group， while GSDMD-N expression was significantly decreased in the HLJDT group （P<0.05）. ConclusionThis study confirms that HLJDT can improve learning and memory abilities in APP/PS1 double transgenic mice， and attenuate neuronal loss and synaptic damage， possibly through inhibition of pyroptosis via the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Huanglian Jiedutang （HLJDT） inhibits pyroptosis and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease （AD） mice via the NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）/cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-1 （Caspase）-1/gasdermin D （GSDMD） pathway. MethodsThirty APP/PS1 double transgenic mice were randomly and evenly divided into the model group （model group）， the positive control group （Donepezil group， 0.65 mg·kg^-1）， and the HLJDT treatment group （HLJDT group， 5.2 g·kg^-1）. Ten C57BL/6 mice were assigned to the blank control group （control group）. The Morris water maze and novel object recognition tests were used to evaluate learning and memory abilities. Nissl staining was employed to observe the morphology， quantity， and distribution of neurons in the hippocampal region. Golgi staining was used to examine the morphology and density of neuronal dendritic spines in the hippocampus. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was performed to detect the mRNA expression of neuroinflammation-related factors and genes in the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pyroptosis pathway in the hippocampus. Western blot was used to detect the expression of postsynaptic density protein 95 （PSD95）， amyloid precursor protein （APP）， inflammatory factors including nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）， phosphorylated NF-κB （p-NF-κB）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， as well as pyroptosis pathway-related proteins including NLRP3， Caspase-1， GSDMD， and GSDMD-N. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group exhibited significantly decreased learning and memory abilities （P<0.01）， reduced numbers of neurons in the hippocampal CA3 region and dendritic spines in the hippocampal CA1 region （P<0.01）， and significantly increased hippocampal mRNA expression levels of NLRP3， Caspase-1， GSDMD， NF-κB， TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-18 （P<0.01）. Protein levels of PSD95 were markedly decreased， while the expression levels of NLRP3， Caspase-1， GSDMD， p-NF-κB/NF-κB， TNF-α， IL-1β， and APP were significantly elevated （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， both the Donepezil and HLJDT groups showed significantly improved learning and memory abilities （P<0.05， P<0.01）， increased numbers of hippocampal neurons in the hippocampal CA3 region and dendritic spines in the hippocampal CA1 region （P<0.01）， and significantly decreased hippocampal mRNA expression levels of NLRP3， Caspase-1， GSDMD， NF-κB， TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-18 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Protein levels of NLRP3， Caspase-1， GSDMD， p-NF-κB/NF-κB， TNF-α， IL-1β， and APP were significantly downregulated， while PSD95 expression was significantly upregulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. There was no statistically significant difference in GSDMD-N levels in the Donepezil group， while GSDMD-N expression was significantly decreased in the HLJDT group （P<0.05）. ConclusionThis study confirms that HLJDT can improve learning and memory abilities in APP/PS1 double transgenic mice， and attenuate neuronal loss and synaptic damage， possibly through inhibition of pyroptosis via the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway.

Objectives:To summarize the characteristics of Fabry′s disease with cardiac involvement.Methods:This was a single-center, cross-sectional, retrospective study. Patients with Fabry disease who were admitted to Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University from January 2022 to March 2023 were included. Clinical data, laboratory results, electrocardiogram, echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance findings of enrolled patients were collected. Clinical presentations and imaging features of patients with Fabry′s disease with cardiac involvement were summarized and analyzed.Results:A total of 17 patients from 8 families were included, with 9 males and diagnosis age of (44.35±13.72) years. Cardiac involvement and other organ involvement were presented in all patients and the heart was the most vulnerable organ (17/17). 24 h electrocardiogram showed frequent sinus arrhythmia in 3 patients. Echocardiography showed reduced left ventricular ejection fraction in 1 patient, myocardial hypertrophy in 13 patients, and left ventricular wall thickness ≥13 mm in 10 patients. Mitral regurgitation was observed in 11 patients and tricuspid regurgitation in 12 patients. Two patients underwent two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography, both revealing reduced regional longitudinal strain of the left ventricle, primarily in the basal segments. Cardiac magnetic resonance showed reduced left ventricular ejection fraction in 2 patients, myocardial hypertrophy in 16 patients, and left ventricular wall thickness≥13 mm in 14 patients. T1 value was reduced in 16 patients, with late gadolinium enhancement observed in 9 patients and “pseudo-normalization” of T1 values in 1 patient. The most susceptible target organ besides the heart was the kidneys (14/17), followed by the central nervous system (9/17). Additional findings inclucling cutaneous angiokeratoma in 4 patients, peripheral neuropathy with burning pain and hypohidrosis or hyperhidrosis in 6 patients, and corneal vortex opacities in 2 patients.Conclusion:The main manifestations of cardiac involvement in Fabry′s disease are decreased cardiac function, left ventricular hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis. Advanced imaging techniques such as two-dimensional speckle tracking, T1 Mapping, and late gadolinium enhancement are useful in detecting myocardial pathological changes of Fabry′s disease.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have made great progress in the field of oncology, becoming one of the indispensable therapeutic approaches. However, the hyperprogressive disease (HPD) following treatment, observed in a few patients, has raised widespread clinical concern due to its association with rapid disease deterioration. Despite the extensive researches on HPD in recent years, its definition, underlying mechanisms, predictive methods, and management strategies remain unclear. The indications of ICIs in gynecologic cancer were approved relatively later, and there were few reports and studies on HPD after immunotherapy. This article reviews the incidence, influencing factors, mechanisms, differentiation from pseudoprogression, prevention and management of HPD caused by ICIs and its occurrence in gynecologic cancer, in order to promote the research on HPD after ICIs treatment in gynecological malignant tumors, and provide reference and help for the safe application of ICIs in gynecological malignant tumors.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of nebulized inhalation of recombinant human interferon (IFN) α1b injection in the treatment of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) associated lower respiratory tract infections (pneumonia and bronchiolitis) in children.Methods:A randomized, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled add-on design was used.Children with pneumonia or bronchiolitis aged 2 months to 5 years who tested positive for RSV antigen within 72 hours of onset from 30 clinical trial sites including Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University between February 2021 and December 2022 were included in this study and randomly divided into 2 groups at a ratio of 1∶1 based on a stratified-block method.Both groups received basic treatments such as cough control, asthma relieving, expectorant treatment, fever reduction, oxygen therapy, etc.The experimental group received additional nebulized inhalation of IFN α1b injection at a dose of 2.0 μg/(kg·time), twice a day.The control group received nebulized inhalation of placebo twice a day.Clinical efficacy was evaluated based on indicators such as the duration of clinical symptoms and signs, and the Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the median and 95% CI of the duration of clinical symptoms and signs.The Log-rank test was used to compared data between groups.Safety was assessed through the incidence of adverse reactions and laboratory tests, and the Chi-square test was used to analyze the difference between groups. Results:There were 123 children in the experimental group and 122 children in the control group.The median durations of all the 5 clinical symptoms and signs [including shortness of breath, wheezing, dyspnea (visible retractions), decreased transcutaneous oxygen saturation, and abnormal mental state] in the experimental group after treatment were slightly shortened than those in the control group [2.7 d(95% CI: 1.9-3.0 d)] vs.[2.9 d(95% CI: 2.6-3.6 d), P=0.027].The improvement in dyspnea (retractions) was especially pronounced in the experimental group, with a relief rate of 50.0% (0, 100%) on the first day of administration[compared with 0 (0, 50.0%) in the control group ( Z=2.002, P=0.025)].The median duration of dyspnea in the experimental group was nearly 1 day shorter than that in the control group [1.0 d(95% CI: 0.7-1.7 d) vs.1.8 d(95% CI: 1.0-2.5 d), P=0.046].There were no significant difference in hospital stay [6.0(5.0, 8.0) d vs.6.5(5.0, 8.0) d, Z=0.675, P=0.500], oxygen therapy duration [32.0(14.0, 96.3) h vs.39.0 (24.0, 83.2) h, Z=0.094, P=0.925], the recovery rate from clinical symptoms during treatment [(105/106, 99.1%) vs.(96/101, 95.0%)], and recurrence rate [(0/106, 0) vs.(2/101, 2.0%)] between the 2 groups (all P>0.05).However, the above-mentioned four indicators in the experimental group showed a trend of clinical benefits.The quantitative virus detection results showed that the RSV viral load in both groups decreased after treatment compared to before treatment.After 2 days of treatment, the decline rate of RSV viral load from the baseline was 0.90 lg copies/(mL·d) in the experimental group and 0.25 lg copies/(mL·d)in the control group, with a statistically significant difference ( P<0.05).Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the 2 groups ( P>0.05).Importantly, no drug-related serious adverse reactions occurred in both groups. Conclusions:The nebulized inhalation therapy of IFN α1b demonstrates efficacy and safety in treating pediatric RSV associated lower respiratory tract infections.It particularly offers outstanding clinical therapeutic value for severe children.

Objectives:To summarize the characteristics of Fabry′s disease with cardiac involvement.Methods:This was a single-center, cross-sectional, retrospective study. Patients with Fabry disease who were admitted to Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University from January 2022 to March 2023 were included. Clinical data, laboratory results, electrocardiogram, echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance findings of enrolled patients were collected. Clinical presentations and imaging features of patients with Fabry′s disease with cardiac involvement were summarized and analyzed.Results:A total of 17 patients from 8 families were included, with 9 males and diagnosis age of (44.35±13.72) years. Cardiac involvement and other organ involvement were presented in all patients and the heart was the most vulnerable organ (17/17). 24 h electrocardiogram showed frequent sinus arrhythmia in 3 patients. Echocardiography showed reduced left ventricular ejection fraction in 1 patient, myocardial hypertrophy in 13 patients, and left ventricular wall thickness ≥13 mm in 10 patients. Mitral regurgitation was observed in 11 patients and tricuspid regurgitation in 12 patients. Two patients underwent two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography, both revealing reduced regional longitudinal strain of the left ventricle, primarily in the basal segments. Cardiac magnetic resonance showed reduced left ventricular ejection fraction in 2 patients, myocardial hypertrophy in 16 patients, and left ventricular wall thickness≥13 mm in 14 patients. T1 value was reduced in 16 patients, with late gadolinium enhancement observed in 9 patients and “pseudo-normalization” of T1 values in 1 patient. The most susceptible target organ besides the heart was the kidneys (14/17), followed by the central nervous system (9/17). Additional findings inclucling cutaneous angiokeratoma in 4 patients, peripheral neuropathy with burning pain and hypohidrosis or hyperhidrosis in 6 patients, and corneal vortex opacities in 2 patients.Conclusion:The main manifestations of cardiac involvement in Fabry′s disease are decreased cardiac function, left ventricular hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis. Advanced imaging techniques such as two-dimensional speckle tracking, T1 Mapping, and late gadolinium enhancement are useful in detecting myocardial pathological changes of Fabry′s disease.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have made great progress in the field of oncology, becoming one of the indispensable therapeutic approaches. However, the hyperprogressive disease (HPD) following treatment, observed in a few patients, has raised widespread clinical concern due to its association with rapid disease deterioration. Despite the extensive researches on HPD in recent years, its definition, underlying mechanisms, predictive methods, and management strategies remain unclear. The indications of ICIs in gynecologic cancer were approved relatively later, and there were few reports and studies on HPD after immunotherapy. This article reviews the incidence, influencing factors, mechanisms, differentiation from pseudoprogression, prevention and management of HPD caused by ICIs and its occurrence in gynecologic cancer, in order to promote the research on HPD after ICIs treatment in gynecological malignant tumors, and provide reference and help for the safe application of ICIs in gynecological malignant tumors.