Objective:To investigate the influence of genetic and environmental factors on the clinical characteristics of upper urinary tract calculi in pediatric patients.Methods:This study was a retrospective case series. The clinical data of 179 children under the age of 14 with upper urinary tract calculi treated at Beijing Friendship Hospital，Capital Medical University，from August 2014 to February 2023 were analyzed. There were 121 males（67.60%）and 58 females（32.40%），with a median age at onset of 2.10（1.14，5.17）years. Thirty-three cases（18.44%）had a family history of urinary stone disease. Stone characteristics was defined by CT，with a median stone burden（sum of the diameters of all stones）of 1.3（1.00，1.60）cm. Fifty-four（30.17%）children had staghorn calculi. Multiple stones were present in 92 cases（51.40%），and bilateral stones in 52 cases（29.05%），with hydronephrosis was present in 119 children（66.48%）. The median follow-up time was 67 months，and 36 children（20.11%）experienced stone recurrence. Dietary habits and related information were collected by electronic questionnaire，including a total of 115 children（64.25%）with an unbalanced diet，101（56.42%）with insufficient water intake，and 32 children（17.88%）with a preference for a high-protein diet. Tap water was used as the source of drinking water by 128 patients（71.51%），and 107（59.78%）took dietary supplements. Whole-exome sequencing revealed that 55 children（30.73%）carried pathogenic mutations in stone-related genes. Binary logistic regression was used for univariate analysis of above risk factors. Variables with P < 0.1 in univariate analysis and without multicollinearity were included in multivariate logistic regression to further screen for independent risk factors. Results:Multivariate analysis confirmed that carrying stone-related pathogenic gene mutations（ OR = 3.06，95% CI 1.25?7.45， P = 0.014）and insufficient water intake（ OR = 3.28，95% CI 1.14?9.47， P = 0.028）were independent risk factors for higher stone burden. A high-protein diet（ OR = 2.40，95% CI 1.03?5.63， P = 0.044），carrying stone-related pathogenic gene mutations（ OR = 4.57，95% CI 2.21?9.46， P<0.01），and a family history of stones（ OR = 3.18，95% CI 1.28 ~ 7.91， P = 0.013）were independent risk factors for staghorn calculi. Multiple stones were closely associated with a family history of stones（ OR = 2.66，95% CI 1.15-6.17， P = 0.022）and carrying stone-related pathogenic gene mutations（ OR = 3.22，95% CI 1.60-6.48， P = 0.001）. Moreover，carrying stone-related pathogenic gene mutations（ OR = 5.19，95% CI 2.52?13.82， P < 0.01）were an independent risk factor for stone recurrence，whereas dietary supplement intake was a protective factor（ OR = 0.26，95% CI 0.11?0.62， P = 0.002）. Conclusions:Genetic and environmental factors play significant roles in the occurrence and development of pediatric upper urinary tract stones. A high-protein diet as well as a positive family history of stones are independent risk factors for staghorn calculi，and insufficient water intake is a critical environmental factor for stone formation，while appropriate use of dietary supplements may help reduce the risk of stone recurrence. Genetic testing indicates that approximately 30% of children carry stone-related pathogenic gene mutations，and these patients prone to severe stone and an increased risk of recurrence.

Objective To investigate the critical role of macrophage M1 polarization in mediating the effect of periodontitis on the progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).Methods Alveolar lavage fluid samples were collected from COPD patients with comorbid periodontitis,and gene expression analysis was performed to validate the changes in the expression of M1 polarization-related genes.A mouse model of COPD,with experimentally induced periodontitis,were established.Hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining of pathological sections was performed to observe the effect of periodontitis on COPD progression.Flow cytometry,immunofluorescence staining,and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)were performed to analyze the effect of periodontitis on macrophage M1 polarization and the expression of relevant genes in the alveolar lavage fluid and lung tissues.Results In clinical samples of alveolar lavage fluid from COPD patients with periodontitis,the expression of macrophage M1 polarization-related genes,including CD86,inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS),interleukin(IL)-1β,tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,IL-23,and IL-6,was upregulated compared with that of COPD patients without periodontitis.Analysis of a mouse disease model revealed that periodontitis affected the growth of COPD mice,with the final body mass of mice in the periodontitis and COPD comorbid group([21.3±0.52]g,day 34)lower than that of the COPD group([23.93±0.45]g,day 34).Pathological sections of the lung tissue showed that periodontitis exacerbated COPD progression,with more pronounced alveolar expansion and alveolar wall destruction observed in the periodontitis and COPD comorbid group.Flow cytometry revealed a higher proportion of M1-polarized macrophages in alveolar lavage fluid from COPD and periodontitis comorbid mice([31.36±2.51]%)compared with the COPD mice([23.19±1.07]%).Immunofluorescence assays indicated that periodontitis also promoted macrophage M1 polarization in the lung tissue of COPD mice.Gene expression analysis demonstrated that M1 polarization-related gene expression was significantly upregulated in both the alveolar lavage fluid and lung tissue of mice in the COPD and periodontitis co-morbid group compared to the COPD group.Conclusion Periodontitis exacerbates COPD progression by promoting macrophage M1 polarization in the lungs.Enhancing oral hygiene management and targeting the inhibition of macrophage M1 polarization may represent new therapeutic strategies for the clinical prevention and control of COPD.

Objective To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of Kanggan Mixture(KGM)on key targets in rats with acute lung injury,network pharmacology and in vivo micro-CT experiments were employed.Methods Network pharmacology was utilized to forecast the target genes and principal pathways involved in the intervention of KGM in acute lung injury(ALI).Lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced ALI rat models were utilized,and micro-computed tomography(micro-CT)was employed to evaluate the extent of lung injury in vivo.Experiments were conducted to verify the intervention mechanism of KGM on ALI rats.Results The findings revealed that 190 chemical constituents were identified from KGM,and 579 potential targets and 204 pathways associated with KGM's impact on ALI were predicted.The principal components of KGM,such as quercetin,luteolin,kaempferol,betulin,and lupenone,exhibit anti-viral,anti-inflammatory,and immunomodulatory properties by targeting TP53,AKT1,SRC,EP300,and STAT3,and modulating the FoxO signaling pathway,TNF signaling pathway,PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,and MAPK signaling pathway,demonstrating an influence on acute lung injury.Micro-CT results suggest that KGM can improve lung texture enhancement and lung injury in ALI rats,with an increase in end-expiratory lung volume(inspiratory phase-expiratory phase).The HE and W/D ratio results indicate that KGM can improve lung tissue injury and reduce the lung tissue wet/dry weight ratio(P<0.01).Blood cell analysis results show that the anti-inflammatory agent can decrease the WBC(white blood cell count)and N%(neutrophil percentage)in ALI rats'blood(P<0.01),and increase lymphocytes(P<0.05).Real-time quantitative PCR,WES,and immunohistochemistry results suggest that KGM can decrease the mRNA expression,protein distribution,and protein expression levels of TP53,AKT1,SRC,EP300,and STAT3 in lung tissue of ALI rats(P<0.05).Conclusion KGM has a certain intervention effect on acute lung injury,mainly achieved through the core targets STAT3,EP300,SRC,AKT1,and TP53.

Objective To explore the effects of Dushu pills on cognitive ability and mitochondrial dynamics related proteins in mouse model of Alzheimer's disease(AD)based on network pharmacology.Methods The corresponding targets of Dushu pills and its related targets with AD were predicted using TCMSP database.The intersection targets of Dushu pills and AD were obtained by Venny website.The protein interaction network and drug-disease-target network were mapped using String database and Cytoscape software,respectively.GO and KEGG enrichment analysis were performed for intersection targets using David database.The mouse model of AD was established by injecting Aβ25-35 into bilateral ventricles.The learning and memory ability of the mice was detected by behavioral tests,the mitochondrial damage of neurons in the hippocampus was observed by transmission electron microscopy,and the expression of proteins related to mitochondrial dynamics was detected by Western blot.Results A total of 311 intersection targets related to drugs and diseases were screened out from the database.GO and KEGG analysis showed that the relevant targets were concentrated in mitochondria and other components,and concentrated in the pathways of ATP binding and positive regulation of MAPK activity.Compared with the normal group,the learning and memory ability of the model group was decreased(P<0.05),mitochondrial ridges appeared swelling and fracture(P<0.0001),decreased expression of MAPK,Mfn2 and OPA1 proteins in hippocampus(P<0.01),the expression of DRP1 protein increased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the learning and memory ability of mice in the medium and high dose groups of Dushu pills was improved(P<0.05),mitochondrial damage was significantly improved(P<0.01),increased expression of MAPK,Mfn2 and OPA1 in the hippocampus(P<0.01),DRP1 protein expression decreased(P<0.01).Conclusion Dushu pills can reduce mitochondrial damage,maintain mitochondrial homeostasis,and improve the cognitive and memory ability of AD mice.

Objective To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of Kanggan Mixture(KGM)on key targets in rats with acute lung injury,network pharmacology and in vivo micro-CT experiments were employed.Methods Network pharmacology was utilized to forecast the target genes and principal pathways involved in the intervention of KGM in acute lung injury(ALI).Lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced ALI rat models were utilized,and micro-computed tomography(micro-CT)was employed to evaluate the extent of lung injury in vivo.Experiments were conducted to verify the intervention mechanism of KGM on ALI rats.Results The findings revealed that 190 chemical constituents were identified from KGM,and 579 potential targets and 204 pathways associated with KGM's impact on ALI were predicted.The principal components of KGM,such as quercetin,luteolin,kaempferol,betulin,and lupenone,exhibit anti-viral,anti-inflammatory,and immunomodulatory properties by targeting TP53,AKT1,SRC,EP300,and STAT3,and modulating the FoxO signaling pathway,TNF signaling pathway,PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,and MAPK signaling pathway,demonstrating an influence on acute lung injury.Micro-CT results suggest that KGM can improve lung texture enhancement and lung injury in ALI rats,with an increase in end-expiratory lung volume(inspiratory phase-expiratory phase).The HE and W/D ratio results indicate that KGM can improve lung tissue injury and reduce the lung tissue wet/dry weight ratio(P<0.01).Blood cell analysis results show that the anti-inflammatory agent can decrease the WBC(white blood cell count)and N%(neutrophil percentage)in ALI rats'blood(P<0.01),and increase lymphocytes(P<0.05).Real-time quantitative PCR,WES,and immunohistochemistry results suggest that KGM can decrease the mRNA expression,protein distribution,and protein expression levels of TP53,AKT1,SRC,EP300,and STAT3 in lung tissue of ALI rats(P<0.05).Conclusion KGM has a certain intervention effect on acute lung injury,mainly achieved through the core targets STAT3,EP300,SRC,AKT1,and TP53.

Objective To explore the effects of Dushu pills on cognitive ability and mitochondrial dynamics related proteins in mouse model of Alzheimer's disease(AD)based on network pharmacology.Methods The corresponding targets of Dushu pills and its related targets with AD were predicted using TCMSP database.The intersection targets of Dushu pills and AD were obtained by Venny website.The protein interaction network and drug-disease-target network were mapped using String database and Cytoscape software,respectively.GO and KEGG enrichment analysis were performed for intersection targets using David database.The mouse model of AD was established by injecting Aβ25-35 into bilateral ventricles.The learning and memory ability of the mice was detected by behavioral tests,the mitochondrial damage of neurons in the hippocampus was observed by transmission electron microscopy,and the expression of proteins related to mitochondrial dynamics was detected by Western blot.Results A total of 311 intersection targets related to drugs and diseases were screened out from the database.GO and KEGG analysis showed that the relevant targets were concentrated in mitochondria and other components,and concentrated in the pathways of ATP binding and positive regulation of MAPK activity.Compared with the normal group,the learning and memory ability of the model group was decreased(P<0.05),mitochondrial ridges appeared swelling and fracture(P<0.0001),decreased expression of MAPK,Mfn2 and OPA1 proteins in hippocampus(P<0.01),the expression of DRP1 protein increased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the learning and memory ability of mice in the medium and high dose groups of Dushu pills was improved(P<0.05),mitochondrial damage was significantly improved(P<0.01),increased expression of MAPK,Mfn2 and OPA1 in the hippocampus(P<0.01),DRP1 protein expression decreased(P<0.01).Conclusion Dushu pills can reduce mitochondrial damage,maintain mitochondrial homeostasis,and improve the cognitive and memory ability of AD mice.

Objective:To investigate the influence of genetic and environmental factors on the clinical characteristics of upper urinary tract calculi in pediatric patients.Methods:This study was a retrospective case series. The clinical data of 179 children under the age of 14 with upper urinary tract calculi treated at Beijing Friendship Hospital，Capital Medical University，from August 2014 to February 2023 were analyzed. There were 121 males（67.60%）and 58 females（32.40%），with a median age at onset of 2.10（1.14，5.17）years. Thirty-three cases（18.44%）had a family history of urinary stone disease. Stone characteristics was defined by CT，with a median stone burden（sum of the diameters of all stones）of 1.3（1.00，1.60）cm. Fifty-four（30.17%）children had staghorn calculi. Multiple stones were present in 92 cases（51.40%），and bilateral stones in 52 cases（29.05%），with hydronephrosis was present in 119 children（66.48%）. The median follow-up time was 67 months，and 36 children（20.11%）experienced stone recurrence. Dietary habits and related information were collected by electronic questionnaire，including a total of 115 children（64.25%）with an unbalanced diet，101（56.42%）with insufficient water intake，and 32 children（17.88%）with a preference for a high-protein diet. Tap water was used as the source of drinking water by 128 patients（71.51%），and 107（59.78%）took dietary supplements. Whole-exome sequencing revealed that 55 children（30.73%）carried pathogenic mutations in stone-related genes. Binary logistic regression was used for univariate analysis of above risk factors. Variables with P < 0.1 in univariate analysis and without multicollinearity were included in multivariate logistic regression to further screen for independent risk factors. Results:Multivariate analysis confirmed that carrying stone-related pathogenic gene mutations（ OR = 3.06，95% CI 1.25?7.45， P = 0.014）and insufficient water intake（ OR = 3.28，95% CI 1.14?9.47， P = 0.028）were independent risk factors for higher stone burden. A high-protein diet（ OR = 2.40，95% CI 1.03?5.63， P = 0.044），carrying stone-related pathogenic gene mutations（ OR = 4.57，95% CI 2.21?9.46， P<0.01），and a family history of stones（ OR = 3.18，95% CI 1.28 ~ 7.91， P = 0.013）were independent risk factors for staghorn calculi. Multiple stones were closely associated with a family history of stones（ OR = 2.66，95% CI 1.15-6.17， P = 0.022）and carrying stone-related pathogenic gene mutations（ OR = 3.22，95% CI 1.60-6.48， P = 0.001）. Moreover，carrying stone-related pathogenic gene mutations（ OR = 5.19，95% CI 2.52?13.82， P < 0.01）were an independent risk factor for stone recurrence，whereas dietary supplement intake was a protective factor（ OR = 0.26，95% CI 0.11?0.62， P = 0.002）. Conclusions:Genetic and environmental factors play significant roles in the occurrence and development of pediatric upper urinary tract stones. A high-protein diet as well as a positive family history of stones are independent risk factors for staghorn calculi，and insufficient water intake is a critical environmental factor for stone formation，while appropriate use of dietary supplements may help reduce the risk of stone recurrence. Genetic testing indicates that approximately 30% of children carry stone-related pathogenic gene mutations，and these patients prone to severe stone and an increased risk of recurrence.

Objective:To compare the effectiveness, safety and postoperative recurrence of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) with Holmium laser for upper urinary calculi in Uyghur and Han pediatric patients.Methods:The data of 123 Uyghur and 71 Han pediatric patients with upper urinary calculi admitted to First People's Hospital of Kashgar, Xinjiang and Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University respectively, from August 2018 to August 2023, were retrospectively reviewed. The gender [males 73 (59.3%) vs.46 (64.8%) ], laterality (single/bilateral: 94/29 vs. 59/12), hydronephrosis [115 (93.5%) vs. 63 (88.7%)] and anatomical abnormalities [2(1.6%) vs. 5(7.0%)] of Uyghur and Han children were not statistically significant ( P>0.05). Uyghur children were older than Han children [5 (3, 7) vs. 3 (2, 6) years old], with a higher proportion of emaciated children [27 (21.9%) vs. 6 (8.5%) cases], a larger maximum stone diameter [(2.30±0.78) vs. (1.96±1.50) cm] and a lower proportion of multiple stones [46 (37.4%) vs. 52 (73.2%) cases] (all P<0.05). All the patients were treated with Holmium laser PCNL. The channels of the procedures in this study include F12-18 small channels and visual puncture channels. The operation datas, stone-free rate (SFR), complication rate (CR) and stone recurrence rate of the two groups were compared. Meanwhile, multiple logistic regression analysis was used to explore the factors influencing these indicators. Results:The operation time for Uyghur children was significantly longer than that of Han children [75.0 (58.0, 93.0) vs. 30.0 (20.0, 48.8) min]. Additionally, a greater proportion of Uyghur children underwent PCNL with F12-18 small channels than Han children [119 (96.7%) vs. 49(69.0%) cases]. The SFR [89.4%(110/123)vs.88.7%(63/71)], and postoperative CR [31.7%(39/123)vs. 26.8%(19/71)] in Uyghur and Han patients were not significantly different (all P>0.05). The recurrence rate in Uyghur children was higher than that observed in Han children [28.1%(25/89) vs. 15.6%(10/64), P=0.033]. The multivariate logistic regression analysis results indicated that the maximum stone diameter was an independent risk factor for SFR in both groups ( OR=0.401, 95% CI 0.191-0.842, P=0.016). Similarly, maximum stone diameter ( OR=1.896, 95% CI 1.088-3.304, P=0.024) and multiple stones ( OR=3.225, 95% CI 1.409-7.384, P=0.024) were identified as independent risk factors for CR. Ethnicity was not independent risk factor for SFR( OR=0.679, 95% CI 0.215-2.140), CR( OR=1.047, 95% CI 0.495-2.215) and stone recurrence rate( OR=0.820, 95% CI 0.285-2.356, all P>0.05). Conclusions:In comparison to Han pediatric patients during the same period, Holmium laser PCNL had similar SFR and CR for treating Uyghur children with upper urinary calculi, who were older, more emaciated and had larger average stone diameters. The higher postoperative recurrence rate of Uyghur children is likely to be associated with higher stone burden. The multivariate logistic regression analysis results showed that ethnicity was not an influential factor in SFR, complication rates, and stone recurrence rates. The findings need to be further validated in larger prospective cohort studies.

Metastasis accounts for 90% of breast cancer deaths, where the lethality could be attributed to the poor drug accumulation at the metastatic loci. The tolerance to chemotherapy induced by breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) and their particular redox microenvironment further aggravate the therapeutic dilemma. To be specific, therapy-resistant BCSCs can differentiate into heterogeneous tumor cells constantly, and simultaneously dynamic maintenance of redox homeostasis promote tumor cells to retro-differentiate into stem-like state in response to cytotoxic chemotherapy. Herein, we develop a specifically-designed biomimic platform employing neutrophil membrane as shell to inherit a neutrophil-like tumor-targeting capability, and anchored chemotherapeutic and BCSCs-differentiating reagents with nitroimidazole (NI) to yield two hypoxia-responsive prodrugs, which could be encapsulated into a polymeric nitroimidazole core. The platform can actively target the lung metastasis sites of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), and release the escorted drugs upon being triggered by the hypoxia microenvironment. During the responsiveness, the differentiating agent could promote transferring BCSCs into non-BCSCs, and simultaneously the nitroimidazole moieties conjugated on the polymer and prodrugs could modulate the tumor microenvironment by depleting nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate hydrogen (NADPH) and amplifying intracellular oxidative stress to prevent tumor cells retro-differentiation into BCSCs. In combination, the BCSCs differentiation and tumor microenvironment modulation synergistically could enhance the chemotherapeutic cytotoxicity, and remarkably suppress tumor growth and lung metastasis. Hopefully, this work can provide a new insight in to comprehensively treat TNBC and lung metastasis using a versatile platform.