ObjectiveThis study aimed to establish a monocrotaline （MCT）-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension （PAH） rat model to systematically evaluate the protective effect of Xiao Qinglongtang （XQLT） on right cardiac function in model rats and further elucidate the underlying regulatory mechanism. MethodsSixty male SD rats were randomly assigned to the normal group， model group， XQLT low-， medium-， and high-dose groups （XQLT-L/M/H）， and the beraprost sodium tablet group （BST）. Except for the normal group， rats in all other groups were given a single subcutaneous injection of MCT （60 mg·kg^-1） to induce PAH. Three weeks after injection， rats in the XQLT-L/M/H groups were administered XQLT intragastrically at 3.07， 6.14， 12.28 g·kg^-1·d^-1， respectively. Rats in the BST group received beraprost sodium at 12.6 μg·kg^-1·d^-1， and rats in the model group received an equal volume of saline. All treatments lasted for 3 weeks. Right ventricular systolic pressure （RVSP） was measured by right ventricular catheterization. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography. The right ventricle was weighed to calculate the right ventricular hypertrophy index （RVHI）. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， Masson staining， and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe myocardial morphology. Serum metabolomic changes were analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （UPLC-MS/MS）. Data-independent acquisition （DIA） proteomics was used to detect differentially expressed （DE） proteins in the right ventricle， and Western blot was used to measure the expression of uncoupling protein 3 （UCP3）， phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase catalytic subunit p110α （PIK3CA）， L1 cell adhesion molecule （L1CAM）， and quinone oxidoreductase （CRYZ）. UPLC-MS/MS was used to analyze the chemical components of XQLT. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed significantly increased RVSP and RVHI （P<0.05）， along with pathological changes in myocardial morphology. Compared with the model group， all XQLT-treated groups exhibited reductions in RVSP and RVHI as well as significant improvements in cardiac function and myocardial morphology. Among the XQLT groups， XQLT-M showed the most pronounced effects （P<0.05）， comparable to the BST group. Serum metabolomics revealed 105 differential metabolites in the XQLT groups versus the model group ［variable importance in projection （VIP） >1， P<0.05］， including 58 upregulated and 47 downregulated metabolites. KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that XQLT intervention downregulated phenylalanine metabolism （P<0.01） and upregulated unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis （P<0.05）. Proteomics analysis showed that 982 DE proteins were identified in the MCT groups versus the normal group， including 455 upregulated and 527 downregulated proteins （|fold change （FC）| >1.3， P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， 237 DE proteins were identified in the XQLT groups， including 124 upregulated and 113 downregulated proteins （|FC| >1.3， P<0.05）， with 57 overlapping DE proteins. KEGG enrichment suggested that XQLT mainly modulated pathways related to mineral absorption， ribosomal biogenesis， peroxisomes， glycolysis/gluconeogenesis， spliceosomes， and thyroid hormone signaling. Western blot analysis showed that， compared with the model group， XQLT increased the expression of UCP3， PIK3CA， and L1CAM， while decreasing the expression of CRYZ （P<0.05）. ConclusionXQLT exerts a protective effect on right heart function in MCT-induced PAH rats， and its mechanism is associated with maintaining myocardial homeostasis and alleviating right ventricular remodeling.

Liver injury has become an increasingly serious global health problem， and existing chemical drugs face the limitations in efficacy and adverse reactions， resulting in the urgent need to develop safe and effective drugs. Recent studies have highlighted the potential of flavonoids from natural medicinal plants in the prevention and treatment of liver injury. As a typical natural flavonoid， luteolin shows a good protective effect against liver injury due to various etiologies， but there is still a lack of systematic elaboration on its mechanism of action. This article summarizes related research advances in China and globally and reviews the mechanism of action of luteolin in inhibiting oxidative stress， exerting an anti-inflammatory effect， regulating cell death， alleviating hepatic fibrosis， modulating lipid metabolism disorders， and regulating the gut-liver axis， as well as the application prospect of luteolin in the treatment of liver injury， in order to provide a scientific reference for further research on this compound.

Liver injury has become an increasingly serious global health problem， and existing chemical drugs face the limitations in efficacy and adverse reactions， resulting in the urgent need to develop safe and effective drugs. Recent studies have highlighted the potential of flavonoids from natural medicinal plants in the prevention and treatment of liver injury. As a typical natural flavonoid， luteolin shows a good protective effect against liver injury due to various etiologies， but there is still a lack of systematic elaboration on its mechanism of action. This article summarizes related research advances in China and globally and reviews the mechanism of action of luteolin in inhibiting oxidative stress， exerting an anti-inflammatory effect， regulating cell death， alleviating hepatic fibrosis， modulating lipid metabolism disorders， and regulating the gut-liver axis， as well as the application prospect of luteolin in the treatment of liver injury， in order to provide a scientific reference for further research on this compound.

Short stature(SS) and disorder of sex development(DSD) are two types of conditions characterized by high clinical heterogeneity and complex etiology. There is interplay and mutual influence between the pathways regulated by growth hormone and sex hormones in skeletal and gonadal development. Causing co-occurrence of SS and DSD, as seen in conditions such as Turner syndrome, mixed gonadal dysgenesis, Noonan syndrome, and Prader-Willi syndrome. Patients with these disorders are often accompanied by distinctive facial features, endocrine and metabolic disturbances, cardiovascular disease, and other systemic complications. Genetic factors involved include chromosomal numerical and structural abnormalities; mutations in genes such as SHOX, CHD7, SOX8, and PTPN11, dysregulation of the RAS/mitogen activated protein kinase signaling pathway, and defects in imprinted genes. This article aims to systematically review the relevant research progress, in order to provide a reference for the clinical diagnosis and treatment strategies of patients with coexisting SS and DSD.

Background Prehospital emergency medical personnel (PEMP) are exposed to long-term high-pressure work, which can exacerbate psychological distress and impair job satisfaction and sleep quality. However, in-depth research on the interactions among these factors is lacking. Objective To assess the status of psychological distress, job satisfaction, and sleep quality of PEMP in Guangzhou and to explore the mediating role of sleep quality in the relationship between psychological distress and job satisfaction. Methods From February to May 2025, 1085 PEMP from "120" emergency network hospitals in Guangzhou were selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected via the General Information Questionnaire, Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 25.0, and The mediation model of sleep quality in linking psychological distress and job satisfaction was constructed using AMOS 28.0. The bias-corrected Bootstrap method was employed to assessed the significance of the mediating effect. Results A total of 1063 valid responses were received (97.97% valid response rate). The mean scores were: psychological distress (27.99±10.75), job satisfaction (69.45±15.84), and sleep quality (9.82±4.47). Significant differences in the three scores were found across gender, age, monthly night shift frequency, and hospital grade (P<0.05). Higher job satisfaction was linked to lower psychological distress and better sleep quality and its dimensions, while psychological distress directly correlated with poorer sleep quality (P<0.01). Sleep quality partially mediated the relationship between psychological distress and job satisfaction, with a mediating effect of −0.195, accounting for 43.62% of the total effect. Conclusion The participants report moderate psychological distress, moderate-to-high job satisfaction, and poor sleep quality. Psychological distress directly affects job satisfaction and indirectly through its impact on sleep quality. Interventions aimed at improving sleep health and mental health are essential to improve personnel well-being and work efficiency.

Background Prehospital emergency medical personnel (PEMP) are exposed to long-term high-pressure work, which can exacerbate psychological distress and impair job satisfaction and sleep quality. However, in-depth research on the interactions among these factors is lacking. Objective To assess the status of psychological distress, job satisfaction, and sleep quality of PEMP in Guangzhou and to explore the mediating role of sleep quality in the relationship between psychological distress and job satisfaction. Methods From February to May 2025, 1085 PEMP from "120" emergency network hospitals in Guangzhou were selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected via the General Information Questionnaire, Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 25.0, and The mediation model of sleep quality in linking psychological distress and job satisfaction was constructed using AMOS 28.0. The bias-corrected Bootstrap method was employed to assessed the significance of the mediating effect. Results A total of 1063 valid responses were received (97.97% valid response rate). The mean scores were: psychological distress (27.99±10.75), job satisfaction (69.45±15.84), and sleep quality (9.82±4.47). Significant differences in the three scores were found across gender, age, monthly night shift frequency, and hospital grade (P<0.05). Higher job satisfaction was linked to lower psychological distress and better sleep quality and its dimensions, while psychological distress directly correlated with poorer sleep quality (P<0.01). Sleep quality partially mediated the relationship between psychological distress and job satisfaction, with a mediating effect of −0.195, accounting for 43.62% of the total effect. Conclusion The participants report moderate psychological distress, moderate-to-high job satisfaction, and poor sleep quality. Psychological distress directly affects job satisfaction and indirectly through its impact on sleep quality. Interventions aimed at improving sleep health and mental health are essential to improve personnel well-being and work efficiency.

Methods: Cervical radiographs were analyzed. EOP hyperplasia was classified into three subtypes with standardized length measurements. Variables encompassed demographics, ONL-related indices, and sagittal parameters. Subtype comparisons and multivariate regression analyses (with EOP length as dependent variable) were conducted. Results: Analysis of 187 CSM patients (64.2% male) identified gender-specific patterns: males exhibited greater EOP length (9.4±6.8 mm vs. 4.6±3.4 mm, p<0.001). Type III EOP demonstrated male predominance (82.4% vs. type I 31.8%, type II 51.4%; p<0.001), with associated longer hyperplasia length (11.6±6.6 mm vs. type II 5.1±1.9 mm, p<0.001). Type III EOP was associated with higher ONL prevalence (type III 64.8% vs. type I 45.5%, type II 41.9%; p=0.010) and longer ONL osteophyte length (type III 18.8±9.8 mm vs. type I 14.2±8.1 mm, type II 14.2±9.4 mm; p=0.046). Multivariate regression confirmed male sex (β=–3.82, p=0.009), ONL osteophyte length (β=0.16, p=0.017), T1 slope (β=0.27, p=0.041), and spino-cranial angle (β=–0.19, p=0.009) as factors independently associated with EOP length (adjusted R²=0.382). Conclusions Severe EOP hyperplasia exhibits a male-predominant distribution pattern and demonstrates significant radiological associations with ONL and cervical sagittal imbalance in CSM patients. These findings advocate for EOP evaluation in clinical evaluations to identify high-risk biomechanical profiles.

Objectives: . This study aimed to investigate the regulatory functions of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neural circuits from the inferior colliculus (IC) to the medial geniculate body (MGB) in salicylate-induced tinnitus. Methods: . Mice were treated with salicylate to induce tinnitus, and tinnitus-like behaviors were evaluated via gap prepulse inhibition of acoustic startle. Using combined viral tracing methodologies, we identified and mapped the pathways and connections from the IC to the MGB. Furthermore, we employed Gq-coupled human M3 designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs) and Gi-coupled human M4 DREADDs to achieve targeted excitation or suppression of GABAergic neurons in the IC and MGB. Following the administration of clozapine N-oxide, which binds to these receptors, we modulated these neural circuits to assess their impact on tinnitus severity in a mouse model. Results: . Our findings demonstrated that mice exposed to salicylate exhibited tinnitus-like behaviors. GABAergic neurons projecting retrogradely from the MGB to the IC were primarily concentrated in the external nucleus of the IC. After clozapine N-oxide administration, chemogenetic activation of IC-MGB GABAergic neurons aggravated salicylate-induced tinnitus. Additionally, activation of GABAergic neurons between the IC and MGB induced the perception of tinnitus even without salicylate. However, chemogenetic inhibition of the IC-MGB GABAergic circuit did not reverse salicylate-induced tinnitus. Conclusion . These findings suggest that activation of the IC-MGB GABAergic neural circuit may contribute to tinnitus generation through a mechanism distinct from that of salicylate-induced tinnitus. This study provides novel insights into the mechanisms underlying tinnitus.

ObjectiveTo investigate the current awareness and optimization recommendations on pneumonia with unknown etiology (PUE) surveillance among Shanghai healthcare professionals, and to provide evidence for the improvement of the surveillance system. MethodsIn December 2024, healthcare professional participants from diverse medical and health institutions were randomly selected within each stratum using a stratified cluster sampling method in all 16 districts of Shanghai for questionnaire surveys on their knowledge and suggestions for optimization of the PUE surveillance system. Descriptive statistics analyses, multivariate logistic regressions, and content analyses were used for data analyses. ResultsA total of 385 survey subjects were involved in the study, including 119 professional staffs from disease prevention and control centers and 266 from medical institutions. Those who understood the case definition for PUE correctly accounted for 67.01% (258/385). Multivariate regression model analyses showed that female gender (aOR=2.22, 95%CI: 1.36‒3.66), professionals from disease control institutions (aOR=2.02, 95%CI: 1.12‒3.72), and those who self-assessed as being familiar with the monitoring system (aOR=2.18, 95%CI:1.23‒3.89) had better understanding of the definition. Overall, 89.61% (345/385) of the survey subjects acknowledged the necessity of the surveillance system. Small number of cases meeting the case definition (54.46%, 214/379), insufficient diagnostic awareness (39.84%, 151/379), and lack of incentives for case reporting (29.29%, 111/379) were major problems for the current surveillance system, with variations observed across different types of institutions. Suggested segments for optimizing the surveillance system included monitoring purpose, case definition, form of monitoring and reporting procedure, organization mechanism, and epidemiological investigation and response. ConclusionThe necessity of PUE surveillance is commonly recognized among healthcare workers. However, the existing system falls short in terms of mastery of case definition and overall surveillance adaptability. There is an urgent need for optimization and improvement to enhance the capacity for preventing and controlling emerging and sudden respiratory infectious diseases.

Objective To assess the stability of the molluscicidal activity of the fermentation broth supernatant of Bacillus indicus F19, so as to provide insights into development of novel molluscicides derived from this isolate. Methods Healthy Oncomelania hupensis snails free from Schistosoma japonicum infections and acclimated in the laboratory for 7 days were selected. The fermentation broth supernatant of B. indicus F19 was prepared. For each treatment condition, four experimental groups and one control group were established, with 10 mL of the fermentation broth supernatant each group. O. hupensis snails were exposed to different pH values (3, 6, 9 and 12), temperatures (40, 60, 80 °C and 100 °C), and ultraviolet (UV) exposure durations (1, 2, 3 h and 4 h). Then, the supernatant was diluted with dechlorinated water to concentrations of 50%, 10%, and 5% (v/v), and 10 mL of each dilution solution was added to three separate tubes, with an equal volume of dechlorinated water as a blank control. Twenty O. hupensis snails were transferred to each tube, immersed for 48 h and 72 h, and collected for viability assessment using the shell-tapping method. The mortality of O. hupensis snails was calculated and compared among dilution groups and the blank control group to evaluate the molluscicidal activity of the fermentation broth supernatant of B. indicus F19. Results There was a significant difference in the mortality of O. hupensis snails immersed in 5% fermentation broth supernatants of B. indicus F19 for 48 h at various pH levels (χ² = 11.556, P < 0.05), and the mortality reduced to 13.33% (8/60) in the experimental groups at a pH value of 12, which was significantly lower than in the blank control group [33.33% (20/60)] (χ² = 6.708, P < 0.05). There was a significant difference in the mortality of O. hupensis snails immersed in 10% fermentation broth supernatants of B. indicus F19 for 72 h at various pH levels (χ² = 31.691, P < 0.001), and the mortality reduced to 71.67% (43/60) and 65.00% (39/60) in the experimental group at pH values of 9 and 12, which was significantly lower than in the blank control group [100.00% (60/60)] (χ² = 8.571 and 12.110, both P values < 0.01). The mortality of O. hupensis snails both reduced to 23.33% (14/60) following immersion in 5% fermentation broth supernatants of B. indicus F19 heated in a water bath at 80 °C and 100 °C for 48 h, which was lower than that of unheated O. hupensis snails [33.33% (20/60)] and snails heated in a water bath at 40 °C [35.00% (21/60)] and 60 °C [33.33% (20/60)], and there was no significant difference in the mortality of O. hupensis snails among groups (χ² = 3.898, P > 0.05). The mortality of O. hupensis snails was 68.33% (41/60), 66.67% (40/60), 65.00% (39/60), and 68.33% (41/60) following immersion in fermentation broth supernatants heated in a water bath at 40, 60, 80 °C and 100 °C for 72 h, which was all lower than that of snails in the control group [71.70% (43/60)]; however, there was no significant difference seen in the snail mortality among groups (χ² = 0.674, P > 0.05). The mortality of O. hupensis snails was 73.33% (44/60), 71.67% (43/60), 71.67% (43/60), and 75.00% (45/60) following 48 h immersion in 10% fermentation broth supernatants of B. indicus F19 irradiated by UV for 1, 2, 3 h and 4 h, 33.33% (20/60), 31.67% (19/60), 35.00% (21/60), and 33.33% (20/60) following 48 h immersion in 10% fermentation broth supernatants of B. indicus F19 irradiated by UV for 1, 2, 3 h and 4 h, and 71.67% (43/60) and 33.33% (20/60) following 48 h immersion in 10% fermentation broth supernatants of B. indicus F19 without UV irradiation, and no significant differences were found among groups (χ² = 0.229 and 0.150, both P values > 0.05). In addition, the mortality of O. hupensis snails was 76.67% (46/60), 71.67% (43/60), 70.00% (42/60), and 76.67% (46/60) following 72 h immersion in 5% fermentation broth supernatants of B. indicus F19 irradiated by UV for 1, 2, 3 h and 4 h, and 71.67% (43/60) in the control group, and there was no significant difference in the snail mortality among groups (χ² = 1.193, P > 0.05). Conclusion The molluscicidal action of the fermentation broth supernatants of B. indicus F19 is tolerant to high temperature and UV irradiation; however, the activity is attenuated under alkaline conditions.