Objective To explore the causal relationships between 13 micronutrients (copper, selenium, zinc, calcium, folate, iron, magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin E) and risk of tuberculosis (TB) through a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study. Methods The Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) data about micronutrients and TB were obtained from the IEU Open GWAS and FinnGen Biobank, and Bayesian Weighted Mendelian Randomization (BWMR) and Inverse Variance Weighted (IVW) methods were employed to explore the causal relationship between micronutrients and risk of TB. The robustness and reliability of the results were assessed through horizontal pleiotropy tests, heterogeneity tests, and leave-one-out sensitivity analyses. Results The BWMR results indicated that iron (OR = 0.40, 95% CI : 0.20- 0.79, P = 0.008) and vitamin C (OR = 0.42, 95% CI : 0.20 - 0.87, P = 0.019) were protective factors against TB infection, while no causal relationships were found between other micronutrients with TB infection. The IVW method produced consistent results with BWMR. The results for other micronutrients were robust and reliable (P > 0.05), except for calcium-related Instrumental Variables (IVs), which exhibited heterogeneity (P < 0.05). Conclusion Iron and vitamin C may play a protective role in reducing the risk of TB, whereas the remaining micronutrients show no significant causal relationship with TB.

Myocardial fibrosis is a serious cause of heart failure and even sudden cardiac death. However, the mechanisms underlying myocardial ischemia-induced cardiac fibrosis remain unclear. Here, we identified that the expression of sterile alpha and TIR motif containing 1 (SARM1), was increased significantly in the ischemic cardiomyopathy patients, dilated cardiomyopathy patients (GSE116250) and fibrotic heart tissues of mice. Additionally, inhibition or knockdown of SARM1 can improve myocardial fibrosis and cardiac function of myocardial infarction (MI) mice. Moreover, SARM1 fibroblasts-specific knock-in mice had increased deposition of extracellular matrix and impaired cardiac function. Mechanically, elevated expression of SARM1 promotes the deposition of extracellular matrix by directly modulating P4HA1. Notably, by using the Click-iT reaction, we identified that the increased expression of ZDHHC17 promotes the palmitoylation levels of SARM1, thereby accelerating the fibrosis process. Based on the fibrosis-promoting effect of SARM1, we screened several drugs with anti-myocardial fibrosis activity. In conclusion, we have unveiled that palmitoylated SARM1 targeting P4HA1 promotes collagen deposition and myocardial fibrosis. Inhibition of SARM1 is a potential strategy for the treatment of myocardial fibrosis. The sites where SARM1 interacts with P4HA1 and the palmitoylation modification sites of SARM1 may be the active targets for anti-fibrosis drugs.

Cardiac fibrosis is characterized by an elevated amount of extracellular matrix (ECM) within the heart. However, the persistence of cardiac fibrosis ultimately diminishes contractility and precipitates cardiac dysfunction. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are emerging as important regulators of cardiac fibrosis. Here, we elucidate the functional role of a specific circular RNA CELF1 in cardiac fibrosis and delineate a novel feedback loop mechanism. Functionally, circ-CELF1 was involved in enhancing fibrosis-related markers' expression and promoting the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs), thereby exacerbating cardiac fibrosis. Mechanistically, circ-CELF1 reduced the ubiquitination-degradation rate of BRPF3, leading to an elevation of BRPF3 protein levels. Additionally, BRPF3 acted as a modular scaffold for the recruitment of histone acetyltransferase KAT7 to facilitate the induction of H3K14 acetylation within the promoters of the Celf1 gene. Thus, the transcription of Celf1 was dramatically activated, thereby inhibiting the subsequent response of their downstream target gene Smad7 expression to promote cardiac fibrosis. Moreover, Celf1 further promoted Celf1 pre-mRNA transcription and back-splicing, thereby establishing a feedback loop for circ-CELF1 production. Consequently, a novel feedback loop involving CELF1/circ-CELF1/BRPF3/KAT7 was established, suggesting that circ-CELF1 may serve as a potential novel therapeutic target for cardiac fibrosis.

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of Baihe Wuyaotang （BWT） on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） and elucidate its underlying mechanism. MethodC57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to six groups： normal control， model， positive drug （pioglitazone hydrochloride 1.95×10^-3 g·kg^-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose BWT （1.3，2.5 and 5.1 g·kg^-1）. Following a 12-week high-fat diet （HFD） inducement， the mice underwent six weeks of therapeutic intervention with twice-daily drug administration. Body weight was monitored weekly throughout the treatment period. At the fifth week， glucose tolerance （GTT） and insulin tolerance （ITT） tests were conducted. Subsequently， the mice were euthanized for the collection of liver tissue and serum， and the subcutaneous adipose tissue （iWAT） and epididymal adipose tissue （eWAT） were weighed. Serum levels of total triglycerides （TG） and liver function indicators，such as alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， were determined. Histological examinations， including oil red O staining， hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， Masson staining， and transmission electron microscopy， were performed to evaluate hepatic lipid deposition， pathological morphology， and ultrastructural changes， respectively. Meanwhile， Western blot and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） were employed to analyze alterations， at both gene and protein levels， the insulin signaling pathway molecules， including insulin receptor substrate 1/2/protein kinase B/forkhead box gene O1 （IRS1/2/Akt/FoxO1）， glycogen synthesis enzymes phosphoenolpyruvate carboxy kinase （Pepck） and glucose-6-phosphatase （G6Pase）， lipid metabolism-related genes stearoyl-coA desaturase-1 （SCD-1） and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 （CPT-1）， fibrosis-associated molecules α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA）， type Ⅰ collagen （CollagenⅠ）， and the fibrosis canonical signaling pathway transforming growth factor-β₁/drosophila mothers against decapentaplegic protein2/3（TGF-β₁/p-Smad/Smad2/3）， inflammatory factors such as interleukin（IL）-6， IL-8， IL-11， and IL-1β， autophagy markers LC3B Ⅱ/Ⅰ and p62/SQSTM1， and the expression of mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR）. ResultCompared with the model group， BWT reduced the body weight and liver weight of NAFLD mice（P<0.05， P<0.01）， inhibited liver lipid accumulation， and reduced the weight of white fat： it reduced the weight of eWAT and iWAT（P<0.05， P<0.01） as well as the serum TG content（P<0.05， P<0.01）. BWT improved the liver function as reflected by the reduced ALT and AST content（P<0.05， P<0.01）. It improved liver insulin resistance by upregulating IRS2， p-Akt/Akt， p-FoxO1/FoxO1 expressions（P<0.05）. Besides， it improved glucose and lipid metabolism disorders： it reduced fasting blood glucose and postprandial blood glucose（P<0.05， P<0.01）， improved GTT and ITT（P<0.05， P<0.01）， reduced the expression of Pepck， G6Pase， and SCD-1（P<0.01）， and increased the expression of CPT-1（P<0.01）. The expressions of α-SMA， Collagen1， and TGF-β₁ proteins were down-regulated（P<0.05， P<0.01）， while the expression of p-Smad/Smad2/3 was downregulated（P<0.05）， suggesting BWT reduced liver fibrosis. BWT inhibited inflammation-related factors as it reduced the gene expression of IL-6， IL-8， IL-11 and IL-1β（P<0.01） and it enhanced autophagy by upregulating LC3B Ⅱ/Ⅰ expression（P<0.05）while downregulating the expression of p62/SQSTM1 and mTOR（P<0.05）. ConclusionBWT ameliorates NAFLD by multifaceted improvements， including improving IR and glucose and lipid metabolism， anti-inflammation， anti-fibrosis， and enhancing autophagy. In particular， BWT may enhance liver autophagy by inhibiting the mTOR-mediated signaling pathway.

Background At present, occupational poisoning has become one of the most serious occupational diseases that jeopardize the health of workers in China, in addition to pneumoconiosis, with a wide range of impacts and heavy social and economic losses. Objective To analyze the characteristics and patterns of the incidence of occupational poisoning in Tianjin from 2006 to 2020, and to provide a scientific basis for the development of effective intervention measures and prevention strategies. Methods The Occupational Diseases and Health Hazards Monitoring Information System, a module of the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System, was the primary data source of the study. The case files of acute and chronic occupational poisoning diagnosed by occupational disease diagnostic institutions in Tianjin from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2020 were retrieved from the system. The data included basic information, occupational history, disease characteristics, and employer information. Excel 2016 was used to establish database, and frequencies and composition ratios were reported. Results From 2006 to 2020, a total of 234 cases of occupational chemical poisoning were reported in Tianjin, including 49 cases of acute occupational poisoning (20.94%) and 185 cases of chronic occupational poisoning (79.06%). The number of acute occupational poisoning cases showed a rising and then falling trend, and the number of chronic occupational poisoning cases showed an overall decreasing trend. Acute occupational poisoning mainly occurred in the four districts around the city (22 cases, 44.90%), and chronic occupational poisoning mainly occurred in Binhai New Area (90 cases, 48.65%). More male cases were reported than female cases. The age of onset was concentrated at 45-55 years old. The acute occupational poisoning cases were concentrated in the group with less than 5 years of service (22 cases, 44.90%), mainly asphyxiating gas poisoning, and the highest incidence was reported in chemical raw materials and chemical products manufacturing industry. The chronic occupational poisoning cases were concentrated in the groups with a working age of 5-14 years (70 cases, 37.84%), mainly organic solvent poisoning, and the highest incidence was also reported in chemical raw materials and chemical products manufacturing industry. Conclusion The prevention and control of occupational poisoning as well as health surveillance and management in Tianjin shall be carried out in a hierarchical and focused manner in accordance with types of acute and chronic occupational poisoning chemicals in the city, regional economic differences, types of industries, and distribution of workers.

Purpose To study the clinical and pathological features of angiomatoid fibrous histocytoma(AFH)and to ex-plore its diagnosis,differential diagnosis and prognosis.Meth-ods The clinicopathological and follow-up data were analyzed in 14 cases of AFH,and the literatures were reviewed.Results There were 11 males and 3 females.The age ranged from 11 months to 12 years and 11 months,with average 5.9 years.3 cases were located in limbs,and 5 cases in trunk,5 cases in head and neck region,and 1 of intracranial tumor.Histological-ly,14 cases were composed of fibrous capsules and lymphocyte sheaths,and cell nucleus were vacuolar,forming fascicles with focal whirling and synteny.Intralesional pseudoangiomatous spaces were noted in 9 cases.Calcification was found in 2 ca-ses.2 cases showed high mitotic acticity(11/10 HPF).Scle-rosing and/or myxoid stroma was seen in 3 cases.Tumors were immunopositive for desmin(10/14),EMA(12/14),CD99(12/14),SMA(9/12),ALK(7/8),and the average of Ki67 index was 16％.7 cases harbored EWSR1 rearrangenent(part-ner gene not identified),2 cases had EWSR1-ATF1 fusion and 2 EWSR1-CREB1 fusion.Clinical follow-up information was a-vailable for 14 cases(average 46 months).All the 14 cases were alive without recurrence and metastasis.Conclusion AFH is a borderline or low-grade malignant tumor,often demon-strates indolent behavior in children,but rarely recurs and me-tastasizes.The diagnosis and differential diagnosis require a comprehensive analysis of clinical features,histopathologic changes,immunohistochemical finding and EWSR1 or FUS gene detection results.

Objective:To detect gene mutations in a pedigree with dominant dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DDEB) .Methods:A 20-year-old male proband presented with repeated blisters, ulceration, pigmentation, scars on the limbs, and deformation of the nails/toenails after birth. There were 5 patients in the 3-generation family, and they all presented with typical skin lesions. Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 14 members of the pedigree (including the 5 patients) and 100 unrelated healthy controls. Whole-exome sequencing was performed in the proband to identify relevant mutation sites, which were then confirmed in the family by Sanger sequencing.Results:Genetic testing indicated that the proband and the other 4 patients all carried a missense mutation (c.7885G>A) in exon 107 of the COL7A1 gene, resulting in the substitution of glycine by arginine at amino acid position 2629 (p.G2629R). The mutation was identified neither in the 9 healthy relatives nor in the 100 unrelated healthy controls. The mutation co-segregated with DDEB in the family, and was not included in databases such as Pubmed, HGMD or ClinVar, suggesting it was a novel missense mutation. The amino acid encoded by this mutation may alter the structure of type Ⅶ collagen, thereby affecting its function.Conclusion:A novel missense mutation was identified in exon 107 of the COL7A1 gene in the family with DDEB, expanding the spectrum of mutations in the COL7A1 gene.

Endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) disrupts vascular endothelial integrity and induces atherosclerosis. Active integrin β1 plays a pivotal role in promoting EndMT by facilitating TGFβ/Smad signaling in endothelial cells. Here, we report a novel anthraquinone compound, Kanglexin (KLX), which prevented EndMT and atherosclerosis by activating MAP4K4 and suppressing integrin β1/TGFβ signaling. First, KLX effectively counteracted the EndMT phenotype and mitigated the dysregulation of endothelial and mesenchymal markers induced by TGFβ1. Second, KLX suppressed TGFβ/Smad signaling by inactivating integrin β1 and inhibiting the polymerization of TGFβR1/2. The underlying mechanism involved the activation of FGFR1 by KLX, resulting in the phosphorylation of MAP4K4 and Moesin, which led to integrin β1 inactivation by displacing Talin from its β-tail. Oral administration of KLX effectively stimulated endothelial FGFR1 and inhibited integrin β1, thereby preventing vascular EndMT and attenuating plaque formation and progression in the aorta of atherosclerotic Apoe^-/- mice. Notably, KLX (20 mg/kg) exhibited superior efficacy compared with atorvastatin, a clinically approved lipid-regulating drug. In conclusion, KLX exhibited potential in ameliorating EndMT and retarding the formation and progression of atherosclerosis through direct activation of FGFR1. Therefore, KLX is a promising candidate for the treatment of atherosclerosis to mitigate vascular endothelial injury.
Animals ; Atherosclerosis/prevention & control* ; Mice ; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Anthraquinones/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Integrin beta1/metabolism* ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/drug effects* ; Male ; Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/drug effects*

ObjectiveTo explore the mental health status and its influencing factors among middle school students in Xide County， Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture， and to provide references for mental health interventions for local middle school students. MethodsUsing a cross-sectional study design， one junior middle school and one senior middle school in Xide County， Liangshan Prefecture， Sichuan Province， were randomly selected on September 16， 2021， and two classes per grade in each school involving 288 students were recruited. Subjects were assessed using Patients' Health Questionnaire Depression Scale-9 item （PHQ-9）， Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 item （GAD-7）， PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 （PCL-5）， Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support （MSPSS） and UCLA Loneliness Scale （ULS-3）. Then the scores of above scales were compared among middle school students with different demographic characteristics， and binary Logistic regression analysis was conducted to screen the influencing factors of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD） symptoms. ResultsAmong the respondents， 17.71% （95% CI： 0.133~0.221）， 8.68% （95% CI： 0.054~0.120）， 2.78% （95% CI： 0.009~0.047） and 45.83% （95% CI： 0.400~0.516） were reported to have symptoms of depression， anxiety， PTSD and loneliness， respectively. Students in senior middle school scored lower on PCL-5 and ULS-3 than those in junior middle school ［（6.46±8.91） vs. （8.87±9.42）， t=2.202， P<0.05； （4.67±1.65） vs. （5.60±1.88）， t=4.431， P<0.01］. Regression analysis denoted that depressive symptoms （OR=7.630， P<0.05） and anxiety symptoms （OR=3.789， P<0.01） were risk factors for PTSD symptoms among middle school students. ConclusionThe middle school students in Xide County， Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture suffer a high prevalence rate of depressive symptoms and loneliness， and those in junior middle school are more likely to feel a sense of strong loneliness， furthermore， depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms are risk factors for PTSD symptoms.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of comprehensive intervention on the incidence of lactation galactostasis in communities from the perspective of preventive medicine， so as to prevent the occurrence of the mammary ducts obstruction disease. MethodsA total of 400 women in the early stage of pregnancy were selected from four communities. Those in two communities were set up as the intervention group. Comprehensive intervention for the prevention and treatment of mammary ducts obstruction disease during pregnancy and "Six-step recanalization manual therapy" practical guidance were conducted on the intervention group. The pregnant women from the other two communities were the control group， who received no intervention or guidance training. The two groups were followed up at 1 month， 3 months and 5 months postpartum， and the occurrence of mammary ducts obstruction disease was investigated and interventions were carried out. ResultsThe incidence of galactostasis in the intervention group was 26.0%， 10.6% and 5.1%， respectively at 1， 3 and 5 months after delivery， and the incidence of galactostasis in the control group was 38.0%， 22.2% and 8.3%， respectively. The incidence of galactostasis at 1 month and3 months after delivery was statistically different （P<0.05）， while the incidence of galactostasis 5 months after delivery was not statistically different （P>0.05）. The protection rates of comprehensive intervention on galactostasis were 31.58%， 52.25% and 38.55%， respectively. ConclusionPublicity and education work of prevention and control of the mammary ducts obstruction disease and "Six-step recanalization manual therapy" practical guidance can effectively reduce the occurrence of plugged mammary ducts， and therefore should be promoted.