Objective To investigate the effect of ubiquitin specific peptidase 22 (USP22) on the occurrence and development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) under hypoxic conditions, and its regulatory relationship with hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). Methods Western blotting and quantitative polymerase chain reaction were used to detect the differences in USP22 protein and mRNA expression between normal esophageal epithelial cells HEEC and ESCC cell lines KYSE30, KYSE150, EC9706, and TE-1 under normoxic (5% CO2, 20% O2, 75% N2) and hypoxic (5% CO2, 1% O2, 94% N2) conditions. By transfecting USP22 plasmid or siUSP22, ESCC cells were divided into a normoxia control group, a normoxia+USP22 group, a normoxia+siUSP22 group, a hypoxia control group, a hypoxia+USP22 group, and a hypoxia+siUSP22 group. The proliferation and migration abilities of cells in each group were detected. The expression of USP22 and HIF-1α under hypoxic conditions after up-regulating or down-regulating USP22 was detected, and their regulatory relationship was verified. The interaction between USP22 and HIF-1α was verified by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) technique. Results Compared with HEEC cells, the expression of USP22 in ESCC cells was significantly increased (P<0.05). Up-regulation of USP22 expression promoted the proliferation and migration of ESCC cells, while silencing USP22 inhibited the proliferation and migration of ESCC cells (P<0.05). Under hypoxic conditions, the expression of USP22 and HIF-1α increased, and with the up-regulation of USP22 expression, the expression of HIF-1α also significantly increased (P<0.05). Co-IP experiment confirmed the binding between USP22 and HIF-1α. Conclusion Up-regulation of USP22 expression promotes the proliferation and migration of ESCC cells. Hypoxia microenvironment can induce the increase of USP22 expression in ESCC. USP22 may participate in the regulation of the occurrence and development of ESCC by directly binding to HIF-1α.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of combining the replenishing qi and nourishing yin empirical formula with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in diabetic macular edema (DME). Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 59 patients diagnosed with DME at Tongji Hospital of Tongji University or Shanghai Nanxiang Hospital, Jiading District from June 2019 to December 2022. Among them, 29 cases received intravitreal injection of ranibizumab (anti-VEGF group), while 30 cases received both intravitreal injection of ranibizumab and oral administration of the replenishing qi and nourishing yin empirical formula (combined treatment group). The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), and the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score were compared between the two groups before treatment and at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks after treatment. Results Compared with before treatment, BCVA significantly improved (P＜0.05) and CMT significantly decreased (P＜0.05) at different time points after treatment in both groups. At 16, 20, and 24 weeks after treatment, BCVA in the combined treatment group was superior to that in the anti-VEGF group (P＜0.01). At 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks after treatment, CMT in the combined treatment group was lower than that in the anti-VEGF group (P＜0.01). Starting from week 8 after treatment, the TCM syndrome scores in the combined treatment group were lower than those in the anti-VEGF group (P＜0.01). Conclusions The replenishing qi and nourishing yin empirical formula could improve the efficacy of anti-VEGF therapy in DME patients, indicating that integrating traditional Chinese and Western medicine has certain clinical application value in treating DME.

Objective To explore the predictive value of forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) mRNA expression in cord blood derived regulatory T cells (Tregs) and the associated cytokines interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) for early-onset atopic dermatitis (AD) in infants. Methods The healthy full-term newborns delivered vaginally at Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital from September 2023 to April 2024 were enrolled. Umbilical vein blood was collected at birth to measure FOXP3 mRNA expression by RT-PCR and IL-10 and TGF-β concentrations by ELISA. Follow-up was performed at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months postnatally via telephone or outpatient visits to assess the occurrence of AD in infants. Based on the occurrence of AD at 6 months of age, the infants were divided into an AD group and a control group. The indicators related to mothers and infants were compared between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for the development of AD in infants within 6 months after birth, and a predictive model was constructed. The performance of the model in predicting early-onset AD was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results A total of 59 infants completed 6-month follow-up, with 17 (28.8%) diagnosed with AD. No significant differences were observed in gestational age, sex, birth weight, presence of siblings, smoking expossure, maternal dietary preferences (egg, milk, or seafood intake), maternal age and education level, or cord blood IL-10 levels between two groups. There were significant differences in season of birth, family history of atopic disease, feeding method, and cord blood levels of FOXP3 mRNA and TGF-β between two groups (P＜0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed low levels of cord blood FOXP3 mRNA and TGF-β, and family history of atopic disease were risk factors for early-onset AD in infants (P＜0.05). A predictive model was constructed using risk factors. The area under the curve of the combined model was 0.821 (95%CI 0.680–0.962), with a sensitivity of 76.5% and a specificity of 85.7%. Conclusion Reduced cord blood FOXP3 mRNA and TGF-β level, and a family history of atopic diseases could be used to predict early-onset AD in infants.

Abstract To clarify the service targets, service contents, and safeguard mechanisms of the basic public service program for student vision health management, the study grounded in the current status of child and adolescent myopia prevention and control in China and integrated with the practical experience and innovative practices of Wuhan National Demonstration Area for Student Vision Health Management, takes education as the main thread and schools as the base, consolidating resources from multiple stakeholders including education administrative departments, schools, families, and professional technical service institutions. Centering on four core components—vision health education, monitoring and record keeping, risk prevention and control, and dynamic management, the study constructs a multi tiered basic public service system for vision health management of primary and secondary school students. It further proposes the use of an intelligent management platform and a "three tier color coded early warning" mechanism (red, yellow, blue) to prevent and control student myopia at the source, providing schools with replicable and operable implementation pathways to enhance the level of student vision health management.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a family-school collaborative intervention on sleep health among fifth-grade primary school students, so as to provide scientific evidence for promoting sleep health among primary school students. Methods: From April to June 2024, a baseline survey was conducted on 342 fifth-grade students and their parents from one primary school in a district of Beijing, using the convenient sampling method. A semester of sleep health education was implemented from September to December 2024, covering cognitive, behavioral and environmental factors that affected timely bedtime; and the program took various forms, including student courses, popular-science articles for parents, and personalized feedback reports. Another primary school in the same area was conveniently selected as the control group, where 313 fifth-grade students and their parents received routine health education. The subjects were assessed for their baseline and end-point (March to June 2025) sleep conditions using sleep diaries (222 participants in the intervention group and 225 in the control group) and accelerometers (120 participants in the intervention group and 88 in the control group), respectively. The independent samples t-test and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test were used to compare characteristics between groups，and linear mixed models were employed to evaluate the intervention effects. Results: In the sleep diary evaluation, the intervention group had an earlier weekend wake up time and a smaller social jetlag than the control group at baseline ( t/Z =3.42, 7.21); in the accelerometer evaluation, the intervention group exhibited a smaller social jetlag than the control group at baseline ( Z =3.90) (all P <0.05). In the sleep diary evaluation, compared with the control group, the intervention group showed a reduced pre-to-post change in school-day bedtime ( β = -6.70), whereas the pre-to-post changes in school-day sleep duration, weekend wake-up time, weekend sleep duration, and average sleep duration were all increased at baseline and at the end ( β =8.41, 22.58, 27.03,13.74) (all P <0.05). In the accelerometer evaluation, compared with the control group, the intervention group showed reduced pre-to-post changes in school-day sleep onset time and school-day wake time ( β =-14.75, -6.24), whereas the pre-to-post change in school-day sleep duration increased at baseline and at the end ( β =8.01) (all P <0.05). Conclusion A family-school collaborative sleep health intervention may be an effective strategy for improving sleep among fifth-grade primary school students.

Objective To observe the therapeutic effects of Tongluo Baoshen Prescription on IgA nephropathy rats;To explore its mechanism.Methods Totally 130 SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group(20 rats)and a modeling group(110 rats).After establishing the IgA nephropathy model,the modeling group was further randomly divided into the model group,losartan potassium group and Tongluo Baoshen Prescription low-,medium-and high-dosage groups,with 20 rats in each group.Tongluo Baoshen Prescription low-,medium-and high-dosage groups were administered at dosages of 5.3,10.6 and 21.2 g/kg respectively,the losartan potassium group was given with the dosage of 5 mg/kg,the normal group and model group were given an equivalent amount of distilled water by gavage once daily.Blood,urine and kidney tissue samples were collected after 4 and 8 weeks of administration.The hemoglobin content was detected,urinary IL-1β,integrin α3β1 and serum albumin contents were detected by ELISA,and the mRNA and protein expressions of NF-κB p52,NF-κB p65,Rel B,c-Rel and Desmin in renal tissue were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot,the apoptosis of renal tissue at 8 weeks of administration was detected by TUNEL staining,the expression of C3c in renal tissue was detected by immunofluorescence,the co-expression of Gprc5b,Caspase-1,NLRP3 and Nephrin were detected by immunofluorescence double labeling,the expression of Gprc5b and Nephrin in renal tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry.Results Compared with the normal group,the model group rats showed significantly increased contents of urinary IL-1β and integrin α3β1(P<0.01),with further increases in urinary integrin α3β1 over time(P<0.05);the mRNA and protein expressions of NF-κB p52,NF-κB p65,Rel B,c-Rel and Desmin in renal tissue significantly increased(P<0.01),and the proportion of apoptosis-positive cells in renal tissue significantly increased(P<0.01),immunofluorescence results revealed that C3c exhibited granular and clumpy high-intensity deposition in the mesangial area and capillary loops of the glomeruli(P<0.01),immunofluorescence double labeling showed that the expression of Gprc5b,Caspase-1 and NLRP3 in renal tissue increased(P<0.01),while Nephrin expression significantly decreased(P<0.01),immunohistochemistry analysis showed that the positive expression of Gprc5b in renal tissue significantly increased(P<0.01),while Nephrin significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the urinary IL-1β and integrin α3β1 contents in the losartan potassium group and Tongluo Baoshen Prescription groups reduced after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment(P<0.05,P<0.01);the mRNA and protein expressions of NF-κB p52,NF-κB p65,Rel B,c-Rel and Desmin in renal tissue decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),and the proportion of apoptosis-positive cells in renal tissue decreased(P<0.05),the C3c deposition in renal tissue was diminished(P<0.05,P<0.01),immunofluorescence double labeling showed that the expression of Gprc5b,Caspase-1 and NLRP3 in renal tissue were decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),while Nephrin expression increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),immunohistochemistry analysis showed that the positive expression of Gprc5b in renal tissue decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),while Nephrin expression increased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Tongluo Baoshen Prescription has a protective effect on the kidney of IgA nephropathy rats,and it can improve podocyte injury.The mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the Gprc5b/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway.

AIM:To investigate the modulatory role of E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase ITCH in Alzheimer disease(AD)-like pathology through the thioredoxin-interacting protein(TXNIP)-nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)signaling pathway using both in vivo and in vitro experimental models.METHODS:(1)Ten 5×FAD(AD model)mice and 10 wild-type(WT)mice at 2-,4-and 6-month-old were randomly allocated into AD and WT groups.Amyloid β-protein(Aβ)plaque burden in the brain was detected by thioflavin-S and immunofluorescence staining,with the latter method additionally applied to assess TXNIP protein expression.The protein levels of ITCH and TXNIP were determined by Western blot,while their interaction was verified by co-immunoprecipitation.(2)Mouse mi-croglia BV2 cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide(LPS)were used to construct neuroinflammation model,and were di-vided into control(CON)group and LPS+ATP treatment group.The BV2 cells stimulated by Aβ were used to construct AD inflammation model.According to the different treatment time,they were divided into CON,and 12,24 and 48 h treatment groups.Western blot was used to evaluate the expression of ITCH,TXNIP,and NLRP3 inflammasome compo-nents(NLRP3 and caspase-1)as well as the downstream IL-1β.Adenovirus-mediated ITCH overexpression(OE-ITCH)in Aβ-stimulated BV2 cells comprised three experimental groups:negative control group,Aβ oligomer stimulation group,and OE-ITCH group,with subsequent immunoblotting of inflammatory mediators.RESULTS:The deposition of Aβ plaques in the cortex and hippocampus of 5×FAD transgenic mice exhibited an age-dependent progression(P<0.01).Compared with WT mice,the levels of TXNIP protein increased synchronously,and the levels of ubiquitin ligase ITCH was significantly down-regulated(P<0.05).Co-immunoprecipitation confirmed the interaction between ITCH and TXNIP proteins in the brain of 2-and 4-month-old 5×FAD mice,which exhibited marked attenuation by 4 months of age.In BV2 microglial models,Aβ/LPS stimulation provoked significant ITCH suppression,concurrently up-regulating TXNIP,core NLRP3 inflammasome components(NLRP3 and caspase-1),and downstream IL-1β(P<0.05).Overexpression of ITCH significantly inhibited Aβ-induced activation of TXNIP and NLRP3 and therelated inflammatory factors in BV2 cells.CONCLUSION:The results of in vitro and in vivo experiments showed that ITCH protein exerts effects against AD-like pathology by inhibiting the expression of TXNIP-NLRP3 signaling pathway.

AIM:To establish a stable and efficient rat model of alcoholic liver disease(ALD),we investigat-ed the effects of different alcoholic beverage concentrations and alcohol dosing regimens.METHODS:(1)SPF-grade male SD rats were randomized into 5 groups(n=10):blank,ALD1,ALD2,ALD3,and ALD4.Except for the blank group,rats received intragastric administration of 56%alcohol(6 mL/kg twice daily with an 8-hour interval)for 4 weeks,along with free access to 0%,5%,10%,or 15%alcoholic beverage to evaluate concentration-dependent effects.(2)An-other cohort was divided into three groups(n=10):blank,ALD5,and ALD6.Rats(except blank)were gavaged with 56%alcohol twice daily for 9 weeks(8 mL/kg for ALD5;6 mL/kg in week 1,increasing by 0.5 mL/kg weekly for ALD6),with 10%alcoholic beverage available ad libitum to assess dose-dependent effects.Serum biochemical markers[alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),total cholesterol(TC),triglycerides(TG),high-density li-poprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)]and inflammatory cytokines[interleu-kin-6(IL-6),IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)]were analyzed after modeling,complemented by imaging(B-ultrasound,CT,and MRI).Success and survival rates were calculated.RESULTS:(1)ALD1～4 groups exhibited sig-nificantly elevated ALT,AST,TC,TG,LDL-C,IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α(P<0.05 or P<0.01)and reduced HDL-C and liver-to-spleen CT density ratio vs blank.ALD3(10%alcoholic beverage)showed the highest modeling success rate with low mortality.(2)ALD5 and ALD6 groups also had siginificant differin terms(P<0.01),with ALD6(gradually increas-ing dose)displaying more severe liver injury,higher success rate,and better survival.CONCLUSION:The optimal ALD model was induced by intragastric administration of 56%alcohol(6 mL/kg twice daily in week 1,increasing by 0.5 mL/kg weekly for 9 weeks)combined with 10%alcoholic beverage.This protocol offers a reliable approach for ALD re-search and drug development.

Objective The study attempted to establish a less invasive model for dissecting and monitoring the sympathetic nerve in rats via a dorsal approach for subarachnoid block-related studies.Methods A traditional abdominal approach model and a new dorsal approach model were established in SD rats,and the modeling time of the two models was observed.The stability of the new model was evaluated by measuring blood pressure(BP),heart rate(HR),percentage change in lumbar sympathetic nerve activity(LSNA change％),norepinephrine(NE),and nitric oxide(NO)content after subarachnoid injection of bupivacaine.Results(1)Building a new model:the time required to create new models for the dorsal approach(DA)group was shorter than that for the traditional abdominal approach(VA)group,as shown by the result(P＜0.0001).(2)Evaluation of the new model:compared with the NS group,the MAP and SBP were lower at T2(5 min after injection of bupivacaine into the subarachnoid space)and T3(10 min)(P＜0.05);the LSNA change％was significantly different(P＜0.05);the concentration of NE was lower at T3(P＜0.05).Conclusions The study presents a novel lumbar sympathetic anatomy model using the dorsal approach for subarachnoid-related investigations,which was effectively employed to examine the impact of subarachnoid block anesthesia on lumbar sympathetic nerve activity.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and influencing factors of single-cigarette use and dual cigarette-cigar use in China.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional study that selected 85 638 urban and rural residents who met the inclusion criteria from the 2018 China Health Literacy Survey as research subjects. An analysis was conducted on 21 849 users of cigarettes and cigars among them. Due to the small number of individuals who exclusively used cigars (247 cases), the research subjects were divided into two categories: exclusive cigarette users and dual users of cigarettes and cigars. The groups were categorized by age (18-34 years, 35-54 years, ≥55 years), gender (male, female), education level (primary school and below, junior high school and high school, university and above) and annual household income (<20 000 yuan, 20 000-<80 000 yuan, ≥80 000 yuan) to compare the tobacco usage rate and conduct subgroup analyses for each subgroup. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed, incorporating general demographic characteristic information to explore the influencing factors of exclusive cigarette use and dual use of cigarettes and cigars, respectively.Results:The rate of exclusive cigarette use in our country was 24.3%, while the dual use rate of cigarettes and cigars was 0.9%. The exclusive cigarette use rate and the dual use rate of cigarettes and cigars among males were significantly higher than those among females (48.25% vs 2.48%, and 1.84% vs 0.06%) (both P<0.001). For males, the high-risk factors for exclusive cigarette use included living in urban areas ( OR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.23-1.54), being Han ethnicity ( OR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.51-1.98), and having an annual household income ≥20 000 yuan ( OR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.38-1.82) while having a junior high school education or higher was a protective factor ( OR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.52-0.90). Age≥35 years ( OR: 3.36, 95% CI: 2.62-4.32) and having a junior high school education or higher ( OR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.02-1.67) were risk factors for dual use of cigarettes and cigars in males. Among females, living in urban areas ( OR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.19-1.97) and being Han ethnicity ( OR: 5.96, 95% CI: 4.47-7.96) were risk factors for exclusive cigarette use, while having a university education or higher was a protective factor ( OR: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.18-0.42). However, for female dual use of cigarettes and cigars, no significant effects were observed for any demographic characteristics. Conclusions:The use rate of cigarettes alone in China is significantly higher than that of cigarette-cigar dual use, and the rates of cigarette use alone and cigarette-cigar dual use in men are significantly higher than those in women. Tobacco use is being affected by sociodemographic factors, among which place of residence, ethnicity and education level are the main influencing factors of cigarette use alone, and gender, age and education level are the main influencing factors of cigarette-cigar dual use.