Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of infantile cholestasis caused by IFT122 gene variants and the molecular mechanism underlying its impact on primary cilia.Methods:The clinical data of an infant with cholestasis from the Children′s Hospital of Fudan University in September 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The whole-exome sequencing was performed to identify candidate variants, which were validated by Sanger sequencing in the family. Immortalized cell lines were generated using lentiviral infection, followed by immunofluorescence staining to assess the impact of the variants on primary cilia. Intergroup comparisons were performed using the independent sample t-test and Mann-Whitney U test .Results:The proband was a 4-month-old male infant presenting with jaundice, distinctive facial features, and sagittal craniosynostosis. Blood biochemistry indicated elevated direct bilirubin, total bile acids, and transaminases, with markedly increased γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT). Liver pathology demonstrated giant cell hepatitis with cholestasis and bile duct dysplasia. Genetic analysis identified compound heterozygous variants in IFT122 (NM_052989.3) gene c.88G>C (p.Ala30Pro) and c.240G>C (p.Trp80Cys), which co-segregated with the disease in the family. Immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated that the IFT122 gene compound heterozygous missense variants not only significantly reduced the proportion of cilia-positive cells but also led to aberrant ciliary localization of ADP-ribosylation factor-like protein 13B (ARL13B).In addition, ciliary deposition with phosphatidylinositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase type Ⅳ (INPP5E) was reduced. All differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Conclusion:The compound heterozygous missense variants in IFT122 gene not only impair ciliogenesis but also disrupt the ciliary localization of ARL13B and INPP5E, ultimately resulting in high-GGT infantile cholestasis.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of infantile cholestasis caused by IFT122 gene variants and the molecular mechanism underlying its impact on primary cilia.Methods:The clinical data of an infant with cholestasis from the Children′s Hospital of Fudan University in September 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The whole-exome sequencing was performed to identify candidate variants, which were validated by Sanger sequencing in the family. Immortalized cell lines were generated using lentiviral infection, followed by immunofluorescence staining to assess the impact of the variants on primary cilia. Intergroup comparisons were performed using the independent sample t-test and Mann-Whitney U test .Results:The proband was a 4-month-old male infant presenting with jaundice, distinctive facial features, and sagittal craniosynostosis. Blood biochemistry indicated elevated direct bilirubin, total bile acids, and transaminases, with markedly increased γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT). Liver pathology demonstrated giant cell hepatitis with cholestasis and bile duct dysplasia. Genetic analysis identified compound heterozygous variants in IFT122 (NM_052989.3) gene c.88G>C (p.Ala30Pro) and c.240G>C (p.Trp80Cys), which co-segregated with the disease in the family. Immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated that the IFT122 gene compound heterozygous missense variants not only significantly reduced the proportion of cilia-positive cells but also led to aberrant ciliary localization of ADP-ribosylation factor-like protein 13B (ARL13B).In addition, ciliary deposition with phosphatidylinositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase type Ⅳ (INPP5E) was reduced. All differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Conclusion:The compound heterozygous missense variants in IFT122 gene not only impair ciliogenesis but also disrupt the ciliary localization of ARL13B and INPP5E, ultimately resulting in high-GGT infantile cholestasis.

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is the predominant pathological contributor to chronic low back pain, a pervasive musculoskeletal condition affecting over 630 million people globally and imposing tremendous socioeconomic and public health burdens. The etiopathogenesis of IVDD is remarkably complex and multifactorial, involving intricate crosstalk among chronic inflammatory responses, extracellular matrix (ECM) catabolism, cellular senescence, aberrant programmed cell death (including apoptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis), mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative damage. Compelling evidence indicates that the inflammatory microenvironment acts as a decisive driving force throughout the entire degenerative course of IVDD. Among the diverse inflammatory mediators, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) serve as core pro-inflammatory cytokines that initiate and perpetuate the degenerative cascade. These two pivotal cytokines collectively activate an array of canonical intracellular signaling pathways, including nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) cascade. Such interconnected signaling networks trigger a self-reinforcing positive feedback loop, which exacerbates inflammatory reactions, disrupts the anabolic-catabolic homeostasis of the ECM, promotes oxidative stress and mitochondrial injury, induces multiple forms of disc cell death, and ultimately leads to progressive structural collapse and functional deterioration of the intervertebral disc. Conventional therapeutic strategies, dominated by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and surgical interventions, are limited by systemic adverse reactions, suboptimal long-term efficacy, and the risk of adjacent segment degeneration. In contrast, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) exhibits prominent advantages in the prevention and treatment of IVDD by virtue of its holistic regulation, syndrome differentiation, and multi-component, multi-target, multi-pathway pharmacological properties. This review systematically elucidates the molecular mechanisms by which inflammation-associated signaling pathways modulate disc cell fate and ECM metabolic homeostasis, and comprehensively summarizes the experimental progress over the past five years on TCM monomers and compound formulas for intervening in IVDD. Accumulating studies have confirmed that numerous natural active ingredients isolated from herbal medicines (ferulic acid, mangiferin, paeonol, astragaloside IV) and representative TCM compound prescriptions (Bushen Huoxue Formula, Shensuitongzhi Formula, Fuzi Decoction) exert synergistic protective effects by coordinately targeting core signaling hubs. These TCM agents demonstrate potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, anti-pyroptotic, anti-ferroptotic, ECM-protective, and autophagy-regulating bioactivities, thereby effectively decelerating the pathological progression of IVDD. Despite remarkable progress, current investigations are still confronted by several critical limitations. Most studies are restricted to validating the regulatory effects of single TCM components on individual signaling pathways, leaving the systematic, dynamic, and synergistic mechanisms of TCM compound formulas within multi-pathway regulatory networks largely unexplored. Furthermore, clinical translation of TCM is severely hampered by the lack of efficient targeted drug delivery systems, unclear pharmacokinetic profiles, suboptimal local bioavailability, and incomplete long-term safety assessments. Therefore, future research should adopt an interdisciplinary paradigm integrating multi-omics technologies, artificial intelligence, organoid models, and organ-on-chip systems to systematically decipher the scientific basis of TCM against IVDD. Concurrently, the development of intelligent, site-specific delivery systems (hydrogels, nanoparticles, exosome-based carriers) is urgently needed to enhance the local accumulation and sustained release of TCM ingredients. By deepening mechanistic exploration and accelerating translational research, TCM is expected to evolve into safe, effective, and personalized precision therapeutic regimens for IVDD, offering novel and reliable solutions for the clinical management of chronic low back pain.

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is the predominant pathological contributor to chronic low back pain, a pervasive musculoskeletal condition affecting over 630 million people globally and imposing tremendous socioeconomic and public health burdens. The etiopathogenesis of IVDD is remarkably complex and multifactorial, involving intricate crosstalk among chronic inflammatory responses, extracellular matrix (ECM) catabolism, cellular senescence, aberrant programmed cell death (including apoptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis), mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative damage. Compelling evidence indicates that the inflammatory microenvironment acts as a decisive driving force throughout the entire degenerative course of IVDD. Among the diverse inflammatory mediators, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) serve as core pro-inflammatory cytokines that initiate and perpetuate the degenerative cascade. These two pivotal cytokines collectively activate an array of canonical intracellular signaling pathways, including nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) cascade. Such interconnected signaling networks trigger a self-reinforcing positive feedback loop, which exacerbates inflammatory reactions, disrupts the anabolic-catabolic homeostasis of the ECM, promotes oxidative stress and mitochondrial injury, induces multiple forms of disc cell death, and ultimately leads to progressive structural collapse and functional deterioration of the intervertebral disc. Conventional therapeutic strategies, dominated by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and surgical interventions, are limited by systemic adverse reactions, suboptimal long-term efficacy, and the risk of adjacent segment degeneration. In contrast, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) exhibits prominent advantages in the prevention and treatment of IVDD by virtue of its holistic regulation, syndrome differentiation, and multi-component, multi-target, multi-pathway pharmacological properties. This review systematically elucidates the molecular mechanisms by which inflammation-associated signaling pathways modulate disc cell fate and ECM metabolic homeostasis, and comprehensively summarizes the experimental progress over the past five years on TCM monomers and compound formulas for intervening in IVDD. Accumulating studies have confirmed that numerous natural active ingredients isolated from herbal medicines (ferulic acid, mangiferin, paeonol, astragaloside IV) and representative TCM compound prescriptions (Bushen Huoxue Formula, Shensuitongzhi Formula, Fuzi Decoction) exert synergistic protective effects by coordinately targeting core signaling hubs. These TCM agents demonstrate potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, anti-pyroptotic, anti-ferroptotic, ECM-protective, and autophagy-regulating bioactivities, thereby effectively decelerating the pathological progression of IVDD. Despite remarkable progress, current investigations are still confronted by several critical limitations. Most studies are restricted to validating the regulatory effects of single TCM components on individual signaling pathways, leaving the systematic, dynamic, and synergistic mechanisms of TCM compound formulas within multi-pathway regulatory networks largely unexplored. Furthermore, clinical translation of TCM is severely hampered by the lack of efficient targeted drug delivery systems, unclear pharmacokinetic profiles, suboptimal local bioavailability, and incomplete long-term safety assessments. Therefore, future research should adopt an interdisciplinary paradigm integrating multi-omics technologies, artificial intelligence, organoid models, and organ-on-chip systems to systematically decipher the scientific basis of TCM against IVDD. Concurrently, the development of intelligent, site-specific delivery systems (hydrogels, nanoparticles, exosome-based carriers) is urgently needed to enhance the local accumulation and sustained release of TCM ingredients. By deepening mechanistic exploration and accelerating translational research, TCM is expected to evolve into safe, effective, and personalized precision therapeutic regimens for IVDD, offering novel and reliable solutions for the clinical management of chronic low back pain.

Bone metastases are a common and serious complication of solid tumors such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, and kidney cancer, and occur at a high rate in patients with advanced cancer. This pathological process not only frequently leads to skeletal-related events such as severe bone pain, pathological fractures, spinal cord compression, and hypercalcemia—conditions that severely impact patients’ quality of life—but may also significantly increase the risk of death. Cancer bone metastasis is a complex, multistage cascade involving key steps such as the detachment of tumor cells from the primary tumor, their invasion and entry into the bloodstream, and their colonization, dormancy, and reactivation within the bone microenvironment. In recent years, exercise—as a safe and easily implementable non-pharmacological intervention—has demonstrated significant potential in inhibiting bone metastasis, improving the bone microenvironment, and alleviating related clinical symptoms. Its mechanisms of action may involve multiple levels. First, at the mechanical load level, mechanical signals generated by exercise can directly act on bone cells, inhibiting tumor cell infiltration and colonization by regulating endothelial cell permeability and osteoclast activity. Second, at the endocrine and paracrine levels, exercise can alter the expression profiles of microRNAs (such as miR-486 and miR-34b) carried by extracellular vesicles and particles (EVPs) in the circulation, thereby inhibiting tumor cell proliferation and migration by targeting cell cycle-related genes. Furthermore, exercise can remodel the immune microenvironment, enhance the cytotoxic activity of antitumor immune cells, and improve oxygen supply to tumor tissues, thereby alleviating hypoxia-induced immunosuppression. Finally, at the metabolic intervention level, exercise can induce systemic metabolic reprogramming, increasing the nutritional demands of normal tissues, thereby competing with tumor cells for nutrients and forming a “metabolic barrier” in distal organs such as bones. This article reviews the pathogenesis and classification of bone metastases, including osteolytic, osteogenic, and mixed types, and elaborates in detail on the complex processes by which tumor cells undergo colonization, dormancy, and reactivation within the bone microenvironment. Furthermore, based on a comprehensive analysis of human and animal studies on exercise interventions for bone metastases, this paper highlights the mechanisms by which exercise inhibits tumor formation, growth, and spread through the regulation of mechanical loading, extracellular vesicles and granules, as well as via immune and metabolic pathways, thereby interfering with bone metastasis. However, the array of exercise modalities and intensities available for patients grappling with the challenges of cancer-related bone metastases remains markedly constrained, and the formulation of tailored exercise prescriptions continues to be devoid of robust, evidence-based medical backing. This review aims to explore the effects of exercise on bone health in patients with bone metastases, analyze the factors and considerations that should be taken into account in exercise prescriptions, and provide new theoretical support and insights for developing personalized exercise programs for these patients and further advancing relevant clinical research. Future research directions should include the development of evidence-based, personalized exercise prescriptions and further clarification of the safety boundaries and best practice standards for exercise interventions, thereby promoting the advancement of relevant clinical research and ultimately improving patients’ clinical outcomes and quality of life.

Objective To explore the differences in coronary-based and lesion-based fat attenuation index(FAI)in patients with coronary artery disease(CAD)across different risk stratifications,and to compare the diagnostic efficiency of coronary-based and lesion-based FAI in stable CAD patients with myocardial ischemia.Methods The patients with CAD,who underwent preoperative coronary CT angiography(CCTA)and invasive coronary angiography(ICA)with coronary fractional flow reserve(FFR)measurement between Apr 2019 and Oct 2022 in Zhongshan Hospital,Fudan University,were retrospectively collected.There were 57 cases of acute coronary syndrome(ACS)patients and 206 cases of stable CAD patients included following inclusion criteria.The coronary-based and lesion-based FAI were measured,and the differences in these indices were recorded and analyzed among ACS patients,ischemic and non-ischemic groups of stable CAD patients(FFR=0.8 as the threshold).ROC curves were utilized to assess the diagnostic efficiency of coronary-based and lesion-based FAI for myocardial ischemia in stable CAD patients.Results The coronary-based FAI and lesion-based FAI in ACS patients were significantly higher than those in stable CAD patients[coronary-based FAI:(-72.40±6.83)HU vs.(-76.82±9.01)HU,P<0.001;lesion-based FAI:(-65.65±4.79)HU vs.(-77.48±8.64)HU,P<0.001].Among stable CAD patients,the lesion-based FAI in the ischemic group was significantly higher than that in the non-ischemic group[(-69.28±5.65)HU vs.(-80.10±7.75)HU,P<0.001].The diagnostic efficiency of lesion-based FAI for predicting myocardial ischemia in stable CAD patients was superior to coronary-based FAI(AUC:0.892 vs.0.525,Z=9.803,P<0.001).Conclusion Coronary-based and lesion-based FAI tended to be higher in ACS patients than in stable CAD patients,suggesting a potential for stratifying CAD patients with different risks.Lesion-based FAI showed some promise in evaluating myocardial ischemia among stable CAD patients.

Background::Computer-aided detection (CAD) software has been introduced to automatically interpret digital chest X-rays. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of CAD software (JF CXR-1 v3.0, which was developed by a domestic Hi-tech enterprise) in tuberculosis (TB) case finding in China.Methods::In 2019, we conducted an internal evaluation of the performance of JF CXR-1 v3.0 by reading standard images annotated by a panel of experts. In 2020, using the reading results of chest X-rays by a panel of experts as the reference standard, we conducted an on-site prospective study to evaluate the performance of JF CXR-1 v3.0 and local radiologists in TB case finding in 13 township health centers in Zhongmu County, Henan Province.Results::Internal assessment results based on 277 standard images showed that JF CXR-1 v3.0 had a sensitivity of 85.94% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 77.42%, 94.45%) and a specificity of 74.65% (95% CI: 68.81%, 80.49%) to distinguish active TB from other imaging conditions. In the on-site evaluation phase, images from 3705 outpatients who underwent chest X-ray detection were read by JF CXR-1 v3.0 and local radiologists in parallel. The imaging diagnosis of local radiologists for active TB had a sensitivity of 32.89% (95% CI: 22.33%, 43.46%) and a specificity of 99.28% (95% CI: 99.01%, 99.56%), while JF CXR-1 v3.0 showed a significantly higher sensitivity of 92.11% (95% CI: 86.04%, 98.17%) ( p < 0.05) and maintained high specificity at 94.54% (95% CI: 93.81%, 95.28%). Conclusions::CAD software could play a positive role in improving the TB case finding capability of township health centers.

Objective·To determine hyaluronan(HA)expression in the endocrine-resistant microenvironment of estrogen receptor-positive(ER+)breast cancer and elucidate its impact on the acquired resistance.Methods·Chemiluminescent immunoassay was used to quantify HA levels in the culture supernatants of fulvestrant-resistant breast cancer cells.An immunofluorescence(IF)assay was performed to visualize the colocalization of CD44 and HA in MCF7/FulR cells.Using an established adaptive endocrine-resistant breast cancer mouse model,HA expression in resistant breast cancer tissues was assessed by immunohistochemistry(IHC)assay.Single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq)and RNA sequencing(RNA-seq)were conducted to examine transcriptomic profiles and alterations in HA-related genes in resistant breast cancer cells.Flow cytometry(FCM)was utilized to measure the proportion of CD44+CD24-cells in MCF7/FulR.The correlation between HA synthesis genes and cell stemness was investigated in clinical ER+breast cancers from GEO data sets.Hyaluronidase(HAase)treatment was applied to remove the"HA coat",and RT-qPCR and Western blotting analysis were carried out to monitor changes in stemness-related molecules.CCK-8 assays,flow cytometry(FCM),and Hoechst 33258 staining were performed to determine changes in apoptosis and fulvestrant efficiency after HAase treatment.Results·IF results revealed that compared with MCF7 cells,the"HA coat"on the surface of MCF7/FulR cells was significantly thickened.IHC demonstrated markedly increased HA retention in fulvestrant-resistant mouse breast cancer tissues.ScRNA-seq and RNA-seq analyses indicated elevated expression of stemness-related genes and HA synthesis-associated genes in fulvestrant-resistant breast cancer cells.Correlation analysis revealed a positive association between HA synthesis and cancer stemness in ER+breast cancer.IF and RT-qPCR results demonstrated that removing the HA coating from the surface of MCF7/FulR cells led to a significant reduction in the expression of stemness-related molecules;concurrently,CCK-8 assays,FCM analysis,and Hoechst 33258 staining revealed that"HA coat"clearance reduced MCF7/FulR'tolerance to fulvestrant and increased apoptosis.Conclusion·Endocrine-resistant breast cancer cells develop an enriched"HA coat",which promotes stemness in fulvestrant-resistant tumors.Disruption of this HA coat through HAase treatment effectively reduces cell stemness,induces apoptosis,and re-sensitizes breast cancer cells to fulvestrant.

Objective To investigate the incidence and types of patient-ventilator asynchrony(PVA)in mechanically ventilated patients within the intensive care unit(ICU),and to identify associated high-risk factors,thereby providing a basis for reducing PVA,enhancing mechanical ventilation efficiency,and refining ventilation strategies.Methods A prospective observational study was conducted among patients admitted to the general ICU of the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University from October to December 2024 who were receiving mechanical ventilation.Inclusion criteria were as follows:age ≥18 years and mechanical ventilation duration ≥12 hours.Exclusion criteria included complete controlled mechanical ventilation,palliative care or do-not-resuscitate status,and lack of informed consent.Senior respiratory therapists performed daily bedside observations of ventilator waveforms for 10～15 minutes between 08:00 and 12:00.PVA was diagnosed based on pressure-time and flow-time waveforms,with the types of PVA being recorded.Demographic and clinical data,including age,sex,body mass index(BMI),primary diagnosis,comorbidities,APACHEⅡ score at ICU admission,blood gas analysis,ventila-tion mode and parameters,analgesia and sedation status,duration of mechanical ventilation,and length of ICU stay,were collected.The incidence and types of PVA during the observation period were analyzed.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify high-risk factors for PVA.Clinical outcomes were compared between patients with and without PVA.Results A total of 105 patients and 453 episodes of assisted mechanical ventilation waveforms were analyzed.Among these,60.95％(64/105)experienced at least one episode of PVA.Of the 453 ventilation waveforms assessed,35.76％(162/453)demonstrated PVA.The types of PVA,ranked by incidence,were as follows:cycling mismatch(12.58％,57/453),double triggering(11.92％,54/453),ineffective triggering(9.49％,43/453),flow starvation(5.30％,24/453),and exhalation flow limitation(1.77％,8/453).The incidence of PVA varied significantly across different ventilation modes:45.7％in volume-assist/control ventilation(V-A/C),38.1％in pressure-assist/control ventilation(P-A/C),42.9％in synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation(SIMV),and 16.7％in pressure support ventilation(PSV)(P<0.001).Multi-variate logistic regression analysis revealed that the mechanical ventilation mode[reference:PSV;V-A/C:OR=4.687,95％CI:2.140～10.263,P<0.001;P-A/C:OR=2.922,95％CI:1.489～5.734,P=0.002;SIMV:OR=4.682,95％CI:1.758～12.466,P=0.002]and actual respiratory rate(OR=1.07,95％CI:1.016～1.127,P=0.011)were significant high-risk factors for PVA.Patients with PVA had a significantly longer duration of mechanical ventilation[8.21(5.35,13.91)days vs.3.00(1.96,5.71)days,P<0.001]compared to those without PVA.Conclusions PVA is commonly observed in ICU patients receiving assisted invasive mechanical ventilation,with cycling mismatch,double triggering,and ineffective triggering being the most prevalent types.The incidence of PVA tends to be lower when using the PSV mode.Clinically,real-time monitoring of patient-ventilator synchrony via ventilator waveforms,along with the optimization of ventilator modes and parameters,should be employed to minimize the occurrence of PVA and enhance the efficiency of mechanical ventilation.

Objective:To investigate the current status and influencing factors of decision anxiety in guardians of children with acute appendicitis under Endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy (ERAT) background, and to provide reference for the development of targeted intervention programs for decision anxiety.Methods:Convenient sampling method was used to select 254 guardians of children with acute appendicitis treated in the Department of Pediatrics, Second Affiliated Hospital of PLA Air Force Medical University from February 2023 to April 2024. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using the General Data Questionnaire, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y-State anxiety subscale and the Preparation for Decision Making Scale. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the influencing factors in guardians of children with acute appendicitis.Results:Among the guardians of 254 children with acute appendicitis, 156 were males and 98 were females, aged (37.44 ± 3.63) years old. The decision anxiety score of guardians of children with acute appendicitis was (52.49 ± 6.54). The results of multiple linear regression showed that age of children, gender of guardian, education level of guardian, per capita monthly income of family, decision making tendency and decision preparation were the main influencing factors of decision anxiety in guardians of children with acute appendicitis ( t values were -7.07-3.58, all P<0.05), which could explain 64.4% of the total variation. Conclusions:The decision anxiety in guardians of children with acute appendicitis is at a high level. Medical staff should provide targeted decision guidance, improve decision assistance programs and provide more effective decision support for guardians of children with acute appendicitis.