Objective: To explore the association between CDKAL1 rs35261542, FAIM2 rs 3205718, and VGLL4 rs 2574704 polymorphisms with childhood obesity and related metabolic phenotypes to provide evidence for personalized prevention and management strategies. Methods: Based on the 2023 Long term Nutritional Health Effects of Early Childhood Nutrition Package Intervention project, the study enrolled 1 078 children aged 5-7 years from four counties in Henan (Songxian and Ruyang countries) and Guizhou (Guiding and Fuquan countries) provinces. Using BMI Z scores, 87 overweight and obese(OVOB) children were selected and matched by sex, age, and BMI Z score with 117 normal weight controls. Participants were further stratified into four metabolic phenotype groups: metabolically healthy normal weight (MHNW, n =51), metabolically unhealthy normal weight (MUNW, n =66), metabolically healthy obesity (MHO, n =31) and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO, n =56) based on four conventional cardiometabolic risk factor (CR) criteria. Data were collected through questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, serum biochemical tests, and KASP genotyping. The distribution of three genetic polymorphisms ( CDKAL1 rs35261542, FAIM2 rs3205718, VGLL4 rs 2574704) across metabolic subgroups was analyzed. Multivariate Logistic regression models assessed associations between these polymorphisms and obesity/metabolic phenotypes. Results: Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that Homozygous mutant AA genotype of CDKAL1 rs 35261542 was positively associated with OVOB( OR =3.63), MHO ( OR =11.04), MUO ( OR = 4.88 ) ( P <0.05). Homozygous TT genotype of FAIM2 rs 3205718 increased OVOB risk ( OR =4.44, P <0.05) but showed no association with metabolic phenotypes ( P >0.05). Homozygous mutant TT of VGLL4 rs 2574704 reduced the risks of MHO and MUO ( OR = 0.30, 0.24， P <0.05). Cumulative genetic effects analysis demonstrated carriers of 1 or 2 risk genotypes of rs 35261542 and rs 3205718 had progressively higher OVOB risk ( OR =2.53, 20.79), and the combination of rs 35261542 and rs 2574704 increased risks for both MHO ( OR =8.50) and MUO ( OR =5.00) ( P <0.05). Conclusions The AA genotype of rs 35261542 ( CDKAL1 ) positively correlates with childhood obesity and metabolic abnormalities. The TT genotype of rs 3205718 ( FAIM 2) increases obesity risk but not metabolic phenotypes. The TT genotype of rs 2574704 ( VGLL 4) shows protective effects against metabolic dysfunction. Risk genotypes exhibit dosedependent cumulative effects on obesity and metabolic outcomes.

The continuous emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants as well as other potential future coronavirus has challenged the effectiveness of current COVID-19 vaccines. Therefore, there remains a need for alternative antivirals that target processes less susceptible to mutations, such as the formation of six-helix bundle (6-HB) during the viral fusion step of host cell entry. In this study, a novel high-throughput screening (HTS) assay employing a yeast-two-hybrid (Y2H) system was established to identify inhibitors of HR1/HR2 interaction. The compound IMB-9C, which achieved single-digit micromolar inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 and its Omicron variants with low cytotoxicity, was selected. IMB-9C effectively blocks the HR1/HR2 interaction in vitro and inhibits SARS-CoV-2-S-mediated cell-cell fusion. It binds to both HR1 and HR2 through non-covalent interaction and influences the secondary structure of HR1/HR2 complex. In addition, virtual docking and site-mutagenesis results suggest that amino acid residues A930, I931, K933, T941, and L945 are critical for IMB-9C binding to HR1. Collectively, in this study, we have developed a novel screening method for HR1/HR2 interaction inhibitors and identified IMB-9C as a potential antiviral small molecule against COVID-19 and its variants.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical features of the sepsis in immunocompromised hosts and establish an early warning equation. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on sepsis patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of Binzhou Medical University Hospital from October 2011 to October 2022. General information, infection site, etiology results and drug susceptibility, clinical symptoms, inflammatory indicators, acute physiology and chronic health status evaluation II (APACHE II), sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA), incidence of immune paralysis, and outcome during hospitalization were collected. Based on whether they met the diagnostic criteria for immunocompromised hosts, patients were divided into immunocompromised group and immune normal group. The clinical information of the two groups were compared. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of patients with immunocompromised sepsis and the regression equation model was initially established. Omnibus test and Hosmer-Lemeshow test were used to evaluate the model. RESULTS: A total of 169 patients with sepsis were included, including 61 in the immunocompromised group and 108 in the normal immune group. The top 3 infection sites in the immunocompromised group were bloodstream infection, pulmonary infection and abdominal infection. The top 3 infection sites in the normal immune group were pulmonary infection, bloodstream infection and abdominal infection. The infection rate of Gram-negative bacteria in the immunocompromised group was significantly lower than that in the normal group [49.2% (30/61) vs. 64.8% (70/108), P < 0.05]. The infection rate of Gram-positive bacteria [27.9% (17/61) vs. 13.9% (15/108)] and multidrug-resistant bacteria [54.1% (33/61) vs. 29.6% (32/108)] were significantly higher than those in normal immune group (both P < 0.05). In terms of clinical symptoms, the proportion of fever in the immunocompromised group was significantly lower than that in the immune normal group [49.2% (30/61) vs. 66.7% (72/108), P < 0.05]. Neutrophil count (NEU) and neutrophil percentage (NEU%) in the immunocompromised group were significantly lower than those in the normal immune group. Lymphocyte percentage (LYM%), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), APACHE II score, combined shock rate, incidence of immune paralysis, and mortality during hospitalization in the immunocompromised group were significantly higher than those in the normal immune group. Logistic regression analysis showed that NLR, CRP and PCT were risk factors for patients with immunocompromised sepsis (all P < 0.05). The above indicators were used as covariables to construct a Logistic regression equation, that was, Logit (P) = 0.025X₁+0.010X₂+0.013X₃-2.945, where X₁, X₂ and X₃ represent NLR, CRP and PCT respectively. Omnibus test and Hosmer-Lemeshow test show that the model fits well and has certain early warning value. CONCLUSIONS Patients with immunocompromised sepsis have more intense inflammatory response, with Gram-negative bacteria being the predominant pathogen, and a higher incidence of Gram-positive bacterial infections and multi-drug resistant infections. The severity of the disease, in-hospital mortality, the incidence of shock and the incidence of immune paralysis after sepsis were significantly higher. NLR, CRP and PCT were independent risk factors for sepsis in immunocompromised hosts. The regression equation constructed based on this may have early warning significance for patients with immunocompromised sepsis.
Humans ; Sepsis/immunology* ; Immunocompromised Host ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Intensive Care Units ; Logistic Models ; Male ; APACHE ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged

Objective:To discuss the effect of urolithin C(UC)on the proliferation,apoptosis,and autophagy of the acute myeloid leukemia(AML)HL-60 cells,and to clarify its mechanism.Methods:The HL-60 cells were divided into different concentrations(20,40,60,80,and 100 μmol·L-1)of urolithin A(UA)groups,urolithin B(UB)groups,and UC groups.CCK-8 assay was used to detect the proliferation activity of the cells in various groups;the morphology of the cells in different concentrations of UC groups was observed under optical microscope.The HL-60 cells were divided into different concentrations(0,20,40,and 80 μmol·L-1)of UC groups and 3-methyladenine(3-MA)combined with different concentrations(0,20,40,and 80 μmol·L-1)of UC groups.CCK-8 assay was used to detect the proliferation activities of the cells in various groups.The HL-60 cells were divided into control group(0 μmol·L-1)and different concentrations(20,40,and 80 μmol·L-1)of UC groups.The live/dead cell staining method was used to detect the dead rates of the cells in various groups;flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptotic rates of the cells in various groups;the autophagy of the cells was detected by autophagy staining kit(monodansylcadaverine,MDC)method;real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method was used to detect the expression levels of Beclin 1,autophagy related gene 9(ATG9),and autophagy related gene 7(ATG7)mRNA in the cells in various groups;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-3(Caspase-3),cleaved cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-3(Cleaved Caspase-3),microtubule-associated protein 1 light 3(LC-3),extracellular regulated protein kinases(ERK),phosphorylated ERK(p-ERK),AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK),and phosphorylated AMPK(p-AMPK)in the cells in various groups.Results:The CCK-8 assay results showed that after cultured for 24,48,and 72 h,compared with 0 μmol·L-1 UA,UB,and UC groups,the proliferation activities of the cells in different concentrations of UA,UB,and UC groups were decreased(P＜0.01)with a concentration-and time-dependent manner;at 48 h,compared with UA and UB,the half-maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50)of UC was the lowest.The cell morphology observation results showed that compared with control group,the intercellular connection and the number of the cells were decreased with the increasing of UC concentration,and the cell fragment was increased.The CCK-8 assay results showed that compared with 40 and 80 μmol·L-1 UC groups,the proliferation activities of the cells in 3-MA combined with 40 and 80 μmol·L-1 UC groups were increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).The live/dead cell staining results showed that compared with control group,the dead rates of the cells in 40 and 80 μmol·L-1 UC groups were increased(P＜0.01).The flow cytometry results showed that compared with control group,the apoptotic rate of the cells in 80 μmol·L-1 UC group was increased(P＜0.01).The MDC method results showed that with the increasing of UC concentration,the green fluorescence in the cells in different concentrations of UC groups was gradually intensified.The RT-qPCR results showed that compared with control group,the expression levels of Beclin 1,ATG9,and ATG7 mRNA in the cells in 80 μmol·L-1 UC group were increased(P＜0.01).The Western blotting results showed that compared with control group,the expression levels of Cleaved Caspase-3 protein in the cells in 20,40,and 80 μmol·L-1 UC groups were increased(P＜0.01),the ratio of membrane LC3/cytoplasmic LC3(LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ)in the cells in 80 μmol·L-1 UC group was increased(P＜0.05),and the ratios of p-AMPK/AMPK and p-ERK/ERK in the cells in 40 and 80 μmol·L-1 UC groups were increased(P＜0.01).Conclusion:UC can inhibit the proliferation of the AML HL-60 cells,induce the apoptosis and autophagy,and increase the phosphorylation levels of ERK and AMPK proteins in the cells.

Sepsis is one of the common severe diseases caused by the dysregulated host response to infection， which seriously threatens the life and health of human beings all over the world. The incidence and mortality of the disease are extremely high， and it has always been an urgent problem to be solved in the field of acute and critical diseases. At present， anti-infection， fluid resuscitation， mechanical ventilation and other programs are most used in clinic to treat sepsis， but their poor prognosis and high cost and other issues remain to be resolved. Therefore， it is necessary to explore a new， efficient， safe and inexpensive drug and treatment model at this stage. The treatment of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） is based on syndrome differentiation and holistic concept. It can effectively regulate the progression of sepsis， maintain the homeostasis of the body， and has fewer adverse reactions. It has achieved good clinical results. In recent years， a large number of studies have shown that TCM can reduce the inflammatory response by regulating the Toll-like receptor 4（TLR4） signaling pathway， thereby reducing the severity and mortality of sepsis patients. However， there is still a lack of systematic exposition of TCM regulating TLR4 signaling pathway in the treatment of sepsis. Therefore， this article summarizes the relationship between TLR4 signaling pathway and sepsis and the mechanism of TCM in the disease by searching and consulting relevant literature in recent years. It is found that some Chinese medicine monomers and active ingredients， Chinese medicine compounds and Chinese medicine preparations can effectively reduce systemic inflammatory response， repair organ damage and improve the prognosis of sepsis by inhibiting the activation of TLR4 signaling pathway. However， due to various limitations， some studies have directly focused on the differential expression and function of TLR4， ignoring the downstream molecular expression and phenotypic effects of TLR4. The alternative mechanism， relationship and specific molecular mechanism of the pathway are still unclear. There are problems such as unclear pharmacokinetics and unclear mechanism in the pro- and anti-inflammatory balance， which need to be further studied and explored in order to provide new ideas for the potential treatment and drug development for sepsis.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease （GERD） is a gastrointestinal motility disorder characterized by the reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus， leading to symptoms such as acid reflux and heartburn. The incidence of GERD is closely associated with psychological disorders， including anxiety and depression. The brain-gut axis， serving as a mediator of the bidirectional connection between the brain and the gastrointestinal tract， plays a crucial role in the occurrence and development of GERD with anxiety and depression. Various therapeutic approaches， including compound Chinese medicine internal therapy （such as Pingchong jiangni decoction， Tiaozhong huashi decoction， etc.）， combination therapy of internal and external Chinese medicine （such as Lianzhi xiere decoction combined with acupoint application， acupuncture at the back segment of governor vessel plus Chinese medication of soothing the liver and gallbladder， etc.）， and combination therapy of internal Chinese and western medicine （including Jianpi shugan decoction combined with rabeprazole， rabeprazole combined with Jianzhong jiangni decoction， etc.）， have been shown to regulate brain-gut peptides， intestinal flora， inflammatory factors and gastrointestinal hormones， thereby effectively alleviating GERD symptoms， anxiety and depression， and enhancing patients’ quality of life.

Objective: To explore the association between parental myopia and extracurricular activities before school age with myopia among lower grade students, so as to provide evidence for myopia prevention on low grade students. Methods: From November 2020 to June 2022, a total of 8 368 students of grade 1-3 were selected from Beijing, Liaoning, Zhejiang, Henan, Chongqing, Shaanxi Province by the stratified cluster random sampling and probability sampling methods, and were administered with a questionnaire survey and eye examinations. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between parental myopia and extracurricular activities before school age with myopia among lower grade students. Results: The prevalence of myopia in grade 1-3 was 23.7% in 6 provinces in China. Students who in central area, grade 3, boarding at school, doing homework/reading/writing time ≥1 h/d after school, extracurricular activities ≥1 h in the past week, extracurricular activities before school age, parental myopia, poor reading and writing posture, sleeping time <10 h/d, less exercise time because of homework or extracurricular activities, having annual vision examination had a higher myopia detection rate, with statistically significant differences ( χ 2=36.41, 487.72, 15.97, 21.35, 43.95, 15.33, 54.04, 6.67, 3.88, 20.02, 20.06, P <0.05). After adjusted for the confounding factors, there was a significant interaction between parental myopia and extracurricular activities before school age with myopia ( P interaction <0.01). After adjusting for confounding factors, Logistic regression analysis showed that those having extracurricular activities before school age had a higher risk of myopia ( OR=1.33, 95%CI =1.19-1.56), compared with those who did not. Compared with children without nearsighted parents, children with nearsighted parents had higher prevalence of myopia ( OR=1.64, 95%CI = 1.45- 1.84) ( P <0.05); and the values of indicators ( RERI, API, Index S ) for interaction between parental myopia and extracurricular activities before school age were 0.35, 0.27, 1.37, respectively. Conclusion Both parental myopia and extracurricular activities before school age are associated with myopia among lower grade students, with interactive effects.

Acute pancreatitis （AP） is one of the most clinically common acute digestive disorders characterized by quick onset，rapid progression，severe condition，and high mortality. If the disease is not timely intervened in the early stage，it can develop into severe AP in the later stage，which damages the long-term quality of life and brings serious economic burden to patients and their families. However， the pathogenesis of this disease is complex and has not been fully explained. The generation and development of AP is closely related to many signaling pathways. Among them，Toll-like receptor 4（TLR4），as a transmembrane signal transduction receptor，can mediate immune response and inflammatory response，and play a key role in the occurrence and development of AP. Traditional Chinese medicine（TCM）can regulate the TLR4 signaling pathway with multiple targets，multiple effects，and multiple administration methods to inhibit inflammatory response，and effectively intervene in the progression of AP， which has gradually become a new craze for preventing and treating AP. Many studies have shown that TCM has obvious advantages in the prevention and treatment of AP. It can effectively treat AP by regulating TLR4 signaling pathway，strengthening immune resistance and defense，and inhibiting inflammatory response. Despite of the research progress，there is still a lack of comprehensive review on TCM regulation of TLR4 signaling pathway in the treatment of AP. Therefore，the literature on TCM regulation of TLR4 signaling pathway published in recent years was systematically reviewed and elaborated，aiming to provide new ideas for the treatment of AP and further drug development.

ObjectTo explore the risk factors related to the intensity of post-stroke depression in patients with cerebral infarction during hospitalization in the rehabilitation department. MethodsThe hospital consultation records of cerebral infarction patients in Beijing Bo'ai Hospital from December, 2019 to February, 2023 were reviewed from the hospital information system, and those who were diagnosed as depression visited the department of psychology were selected. It was collected including general information of sexes, ages, education levels, matrimony; medical features of course, location, affected side, sensory disorders, aphasia, agrypnia, dysphagia, hand-shoulder syndrome, constipation; functioning of muscle strength and Brunnstrom stages; and scores of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Balance (FMA-B), modified Barthel Index (MBI) and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD). Patients with HAMD scores ≤ 20 were as the low group, and those > 20 were as the high group. ResultA total of 2 403 hospitalized stroke patients were included, out of which 269 patients with cerebral infarction were diagnosed as depression and visited the department of psychology; while 103 cases were in the low group and 166 cases were in the high group. The incidence of constipation was less, and the incidence of dysphagia and shoulder-hand syndrome was higher in the high group (χ² > 5.379, P < 0.05), with weaker strength of iliopsoas muscle and quadriceps muscle, earlier of Brunnstrom stage of lower extremities and hands, and worse scores of NIHSS, MMSE, FMA, FMA-B and MBI (|Z| > 2.020, t > 2.171, P < 0.05). Logistic regression showed that constipation (OR = 0.435), quadriceps muscle strength (OR = 0.782) and dysphagia (OR = 2.602) related to the intensity of post-stroke depression in convalescent patients (P < 0.05). ConclusionPost-stroke dysphagia and poor quadriceps muscle strength may exacerbate post-stroke depression; however, constipation may not.