Background/Aims: Dysregulated cholesterol metabolism is a hallmark of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that drives tumor initiation and progression. However, clinical targeting of cholesterol metabolism has yielded limited benefits due to stringent feedback in tumor cells. Identifying a central mediator capable of restoring cholesterol homeostasis within the cell’s intrinsically fine-tuned regulatory framework is urgently needed. Methods: We integrated a proteomic dataset from patients with cholesterol-dysregulated HCC into a global cholesterol metabolic regulatory network to identify potential therapeutic targets for disrupted cholesterol homeostasis. The prognostic significance of the candidate targets was further validated in an independent cohort through immunohistochemistry. Functional and mechanistic studies were conducted in vitro using HCC cell lines and in vivo using mouse models. The pharmacological efficacy of the candidate agent was evaluated in both subcutaneous and orthotopic HCC mouse models. Results: ER lipid raft-associated 1 (ERLIN1), a pivotal regulator of cholesterol metabolism reprogramming, was identified as an independent favorable prognostic indicator in HCC. ERLIN1 constrains HCC progression both in vitro and in vivo by stabilizing the INSIG1–SCAP–SREBP2 axis and maintaining the metabolic balance of intracellular cholesterol. Under hypoxia, impaired factor-inhibiting hypoxia-1-dependent hydroxylation of ASB11 at asparagine residues 90 and 92 enhances ASB11-mediated ERLIN1 degradation. Pharmacological targeting of this axis using zoledronic acid (ZoA) attenuated HCC progression by weakening the ASB11–ERLIN1 interaction and restoring cholesterol homeostasis. Conclusions ERLIN1 represents a druggable metabolic vulnerability in cholesterol-dysregulated HCC. Targeting the ASB11–ERLIN1 axis with the clinically approved ZoA reestablishes cholesterol homeostasis and offers a promising therapeutic strategy to overcome the current limitations of cholesterol-targeted HCC therapies.

Osteoarthritis (OA), a highly prevalent degenerative joint disease worldwide, is defined by articular cartilage degradation, abnormal bone remodeling, and persistent chronic inflammation. It severely compromises patients’ quality of life, and currently, there is no radical cure. Abnormal mechanical stress is widely regarded as a core driver of OA pathogenesis, and the exploration of mechanical signal perception and transduction mechanisms has become crucial for deciphering OA’s pathophysiological processes. Piezo1, a key mechanosensitive cation channel belonging to the Piezo protein family, has recently gained significant attention due to its pivotal role in mediating cellular responses to mechanical stimuli in joint tissues. This review systematically examines Piezo1’s expression patterns, regulatory mechanisms, and pathological functions in OA, with a particular focus on its dual roles in modulating chondrocyte homeostasis and bone metabolism disorders, while also delving into the underlying molecular signaling pathways and potential therapeutic implications. Piezo1, consisting of approximately 2 500 amino acids and forming a unique trimeric propeller-like structure, is widely expressed in chondrocytes, osteocytes, mesenchymal stem cells, and synovial cells. It exhibits permeability to cations such as Ca²⁺, K⁺, and Na⁺, and directly responds to membrane tension changes induced by mechanical stimuli like fluid shear stress and mechanical overload. In OA patients and animal models, Piezo1 expression is significantly upregulated, especially in cartilage regions subjected to abnormal mechanical stress (e.g., human temporomandibular joint cartilage). This overexpression is closely associated with aggravated cartilage degeneration, increased chondrocyte apoptosis, accelerated cellular senescence, and intensified inflammatory responses. Mechanical overload and pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-1β) are key inducers of Piezo1 upregulation: IL-1β activates the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway to enhance Piezo1 expression, forming a pathogenic positive feedback loop that inhibits chondrocyte autophagy, promotes apoptosis, and further accelerates joint degeneration. Mechanistically, Piezo1 mediates OA progression through multiple interconnected pathways. When activated by mechanical stress, Piezo1 triggers excessive Ca²⁺ influx, leading to endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and mitochondrial dysfunction, which directly induce chondrocyte apoptosis. This process involves the activation of downstream signaling cascades such as cGAS-STING and YAP-MMP13/ADAMTS5. YAP, a transcriptional regulator, upregulates the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) and aggrecanase (ADAMTS5), thereby accelerating cartilage matrix degradation. Additionally, Piezo1-driven Ca²⁺ overload promotes the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and upregulates senescence markers (p16 and p21), accelerating chondrocyte senescence via the p38MAPK and NF-κB pathways. Senescent chondrocytes secrete senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors (e.g., IL-6, IL-1β), further amplifying joint inflammation. In terms of bone metabolism, Piezo1 maintains joint homeostasis by promoting the differentiation of fibrocartilage stem cells into chondrocytes and balancing bone formation and resorption through regulating the FoxC1/YAP axis and RANKL/OPG ratio. Therapeutically, targeting Piezo1 shows promising potential. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that Piezo1 inhibitors (e.g., GsMTx4) can reduce joint damage and alleviate pain in OA mice. Simultaneously, siRNA-mediated co-silencing of Piezo1 and TRPV4 (another mechanosensitive channel) decreases intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration, inhibits chondrocyte apoptosis, and promotes cartilage repair. Conditional knockout of Piezo1 using Gdf5-Cre transgenic mice alleviates cartilage degeneration in post-traumatic OA models by downregulating MMP13 and ADAMTS5 expression. Despite existing challenges, such as off-target effects of inhibitors, inefficient local drug delivery, and interindividual genetic variability, strategies like developing selective Piezo1 antagonists, optimizing targeted nanocarriers, and combining Piezo1-targeted therapy with physical therapy provide viable avenues for clinical translation. The authors propose that Piezo1 serves as a critical therapeutic target for OA, and future research should focus on deciphering its context-dependent regulatory networks, developing tissue-specific intervention strategies, and validating their efficacy and safety in clinical trials to address the unmet medical needs of OA patients.

Objective To examine the changing prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profiles of Burkholderia cepacia in 52 hospitals across China from 2015 to 2021.Methods A total of 9 261 strains of B.cepacia were collected from 52 hospitals between January 1,2015 and December 31,2021.Antimicrobial susceptibility of the strains was tested using Kirby-Bauer method or automated antimicrobial susceptibility testing systems according to a unified protocol.The results were interpreted according to the breakpoints released in the Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI)guidelines(2023 edition).Results A total of 9 261 strains of B.cepacia were isolated from all age groups,especially elderly patients.The proportion was 11.1％(1 032 strains)in children,significantly lower than the proportion in adults.About half(46.5％,4 310/9 261)of the strains were isolated from patients at least 60 years old and 42.3％(3 919/9 261)of the strains were isolated from young adults.Most isolates(71.1％)were isolated from sputum and respiratory secretions,followed by urine(10.7％)and blood samples(8.1％).B.cepacia isolates were highly susceptible to the five antimicrobial agents recommended in the CLSI M100 document(33rd edition,2023).B.cepacia isolates showed relatively higher resistance rates to meropenem and levofloxacin.However,the resistance rates to ceftazidime,trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole,and minocycline remained below 8.1％.The percentage of B.cepacia strains resistant to levofloxacin was the highest compared to other antibiotics in any of the three age groups(from 12.4％in the patients＜18 years old to 20.6％in the patients aged 60 years or older).Conclusions B.cepacia is one of the clinically important non-fermenting gram-negative bacteria.Accurate and timely reporting of antimicrobial susceptibility test results and ongoing antimicrobial resistance surveillance are helpful for rational prescription of antimicrobial agents and proper prevention and control of nosocomial infections.

Objective To observe the correlations of chest CT quantitative parameters and one-year readmission in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD).Methods Totally 225 AECOPD patients were included and divided into the readmission group(group A,n=61)and non-readmission group(group B,n=164)according to whether readmitted due to acute exacerbation within one year or not.Quantitative CT parameters,including the percentage of low attenuation area volume to total lung volume(LAA％)and intrapulmonary vascular volume(IPVV)of the whole lung,left/right lung and each lobe,as well as the bronchial lumen area(LA)and percentage of bronchial wall area(WA％)of grades 3-8 were compared between groups.Spearman correlations were used to analyze the correlations between quantitative CT parameters and one-year readmission.Results LAA％of the whole lung,right lung,upper lobe of both lungs,middle lobe of the right lung,and lower lobe of the right lung in group A were higher than that in group B(all P＜0.05),which were weakly positively correlated with readmissions within one year(r=0.142-0.187,all P＜0.05).Significant differences of the upper lobe of right lung LAgrade 6,lower lobe of left lung LAgrade 6,lower lobe of left lung LAgrade 8,upper lobe of right lung WA％grade 5,upper lobe of right lung WA％grade 8 and lower lobe of left lung WA％grade 8 were found between groups,which were all correlated with readmissions within one year except for the lower lobe of the left lung LAgrade 6(all P＜0.05).Conclusion One-year readmission in AECOPD patients might be associated with severe airway remodeling and emphysema.

Objective To summarize the changing prevalence of carbapenem resistance in Enterobacterales based on the data of CHINET Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program from 2015 to 2021 for improving antimicrobial treatment in clinical practice.Methods Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using a commercial automated susceptibility testing system according to the unified CHINET protocol.The results were interpreted according to the breakpoints of the Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI)M100 31st ed in 2021.Results Over the seven-year period(2015-2021),the overall prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales(CRE)was 9.43％(62 342/661 235).The prevalence of CRE strains in Klebsiella pneumoniae,Citrobacter freundii,and Enterobacter cloacae was 22.38％,9.73％,and 8.47％,respectively.The prevalence of CRE strains in Escherichia coli was 1.99％.A few CRE strains were also identified in Salmonella and Shigella.The CRE strains were mainly isolated from respiratory specimens(44.23±2.80)％,followed by blood(20.88±3.40)％and urine(18.40±3.45)％.Intensive care units(ICUs)were the major source of the CRE strains(27.43±5.20)％.CRE strains were resistant to all the β-lactam antibiotics tested and most non-β-lactam antimicrobial agents.The CRE strains were relatively susceptible to tigecycline and polymyxins with low resistance rates.Conclusions The prevalence of CRE strains was increasing from 2015 to 2021.CRE strains were highly resistant to most of the antibacterial drugs used in clinical practice.Clinicians should prescribe antimicrobial agents rationally.Hospitals should strengthen antibiotic stewardship in key clinical settings such as ICUs,and take effective infection control measures to curb CRE outbreak and epidemic in hospitals.

Objective To characterize the changing species distribution and antibiotic resistance profiles of respiratory isolates in hospitals participating in the CHINET Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program from 2015 to 2021.Methods Commercial automated antimicrobial susceptibility testing systems and disk diffusion method were used to test the susceptibility of respiratory bacterial isolates to antimicrobial agents following the standardized technical protocol established by the CHINET program.Results A total of 589 746 respiratory isolates were collected from 2015 to 2021.Overall,82.6％of the isolates were Gram-negative bacteria and 17.4％were Gram-positive bacteria.The bacterial isolates from outpatients and inpatients accounted for(6.0±0.9)％and(94.0±0.1)％,respectively.The top microorganisms were Klebsiella spp.,Acinetobacter spp.,Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Staphylococcus aureus,Haemophilus spp.,Stenotrophomonas maltophilia,Escherichia coli,and Streptococcus pneumoniae.Each microorganism was isolated from significantly more males than from females(P＜0.05).The overall prevalence of methicillin-resistant S.aureus(MRSA)was 39.9％.The prevalence of penicillin-resistant S.pneumoniae was 1.4％.The prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase(ESBL)-producing E.coli and K.pneumoniae was 67.8％and 41.3％,respectively.The overall prevalence of carbapenem-resistant E.coli,K.pneumoniae,Enterobacter cloacae,Pseudomonas aeruginosa,and Acinetobacter baumannii was 3.7％,20.8％,9.4％,29.8％,and 73.3％,respectively.The prevalence of β-lactamase was 96.1％in Moraxella catarrhalis and 60.0％in Haemophilus influenzae.The H.influenzae isolates from children(＜18 years)showed significantly higher resistance rates to β-lactam antibiotics than the isolates from adults(P＜0.05).Conclusions Gram-negative bacteria are still predominant in respiratory isolates associated with serious antibiotic resistance.Antimicrobial resistance surveillance should be strengthened in clinical practice to support accurate etiological diagnosis and appropriate antimicrobial therapy based on antimicrobial susceptibility testing results.

Objective To develop a virtual reality rehabilitation support system and evaluate its effects on improving discharge readiness in caregivers of laryngectomy patients.Methods The system is equipped with a virtual reality-based home nursing skills guidance module for post-laryngectomy patients and an evidence-based artificial intelligence Q&A module.A convenience sampling method was adopted to select 64 caregivers of patients who underwent laryngectomy for the first time in the otorhinolaryngology head and neck surgery department of a tertiary A hospital in Beijing from July 2024 to January 2025 for a systematic study on application effects.To avoid cross-contamination between an experimental group and a control group,ward-based grouping was applied.A coin toss was used to assign Ward 1 to an experimental group and Ward 2 to a control group,with 32 cases in each group.The experimental group received discharge guidance based on the virtual reality technology,while the control group was provided with conventional verbal and written discharge instructions.The readiness for hospital discharge and the quality of discharge teaching scores of caregivers were compared between the 2 groups after the intervention.Results No sample detachment.After the intervention,the patient caregivers in the experimental group scored significantly higher than those in the control group in terms of discharge readiness and quality of discharge guidance,with a statistically significant difference(P＜0.001).Conclusion This study developed the virtual reality rehabilitation system for laryngeal cancer patients demonstrated good feasibility and effectiveness.The application of this system for discharge education significantly improved discharge readiness of caregivers and quality of discharge guidance for post-laryngectomy patients.It also helped with the optimization of health education models,enhancement of nursing resource utilization efficiency,and improvement of transitional care.

Objective To analyze the target,signal pathway and potential mechanism of Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction in the treatment of epilepsy based on network pharmacology,and to verify it by molecular docking technology and animal experiments.Methods The active ingredients and drug targets of Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction were screened by BATMAN and other databases.The targets of epilepsy-related diseases were obtained by GeneCards and other databases,and the intersection targets were taken.Constructing'drug-ingredient-target-disease'network and PPI network to screen the core targets.The core active ingredients were screened according to GO,KEGG functional enrichment analysis and'pathway-target-active ingredient'network.Molecular docking was used to verify the core targets and core active ingredients.In the animal experiment,the rat model of epilepsy was induced by lithium chloride-pilocarpine,and 40 Wistar rats were divided into normal control group,model control group,carbamazepine group and Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction group.The seizures were observed by behavior.Nissl staining was used to observe neuronal damage in hippocampus.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of BAX,BCL-2 and Caspase-3 protein.Results A total of 1072 targets of Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction were screened,1046 disease targets of epilepsy were screened,and 220 intersection targets of Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction in the treatment of epilepsy were screened.The core targets AKT1,ALB,ACTB,INS and TNF of PPI network were obtained.KEGG pathway mainly involves TNF signaling pathway,IL-17 signaling pathway,cAMP signaling pathway,pathways of neurodegeneration-multiple diseases,serotonergic synapse and Dopaminergic synapse.The core active ingredients with the highest correlation in the'pathway-target-active component'network were Betulin,Ephedrine,Ergotamine and Thymol.Results of molecular docking indicated that the core target had satisfactory affinity with those active ingredients.Animal experiments showed that Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction could effectively reduce epileptic seizures in rats,improve hippocampal neuronal damage in rats,significantly reduce the percentage of neuronal apoptosis,significantly down-regulate the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins BAX and Caspase-3,and up-regulate the expression of anti-apoptotic protein BCL-2.Conclusion Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction has the characteristics of multi-component,multi-target and multi-pathway in the treatment of epilepsy.Inhibiting neuronal apoptosis and reducing hippocampal neuronal damage may be one of the important mechanisms for its treatment of epilepsy.

Objective To explore the changes of core symptoms and nursing strategies for lymphoma patients during chemotherapy using a dynamic network analysis model,and provide a reference for precise symptom intervention.Methods A longitudinal study was conducted,and lymphoma patients undergoing chemotherapy in the Department of Lymphoma at a tertiary hospital in Tianjin from September 2021 to December 2023 were conveniently sampled.The Lymphoma Patient Symptom Assessment Scale was used to track symptoms at 3 time points:7 to 14 days after the 1st treatment cycle(T1),the 3rd cycle(T2),and the 6th cycle(T3).Dynamic symptom network analysis,including network relationships,core symptoms,and bridge symptoms,was performed using R software.Results During the research process,135 participants withdrew,resulting in a final inclusion of 865 cases for analysis.Fatigue exhibited the highest incidence rate(34.80％)at T1;alopecia was the most prevalent symptom(58.03％and 53.64％,respectively)at T2 and T3.The T1→T2 dynamic network analysis showed that fever had the highest out-expected influence(EI=0.551)and bridge expected influence(EI=0.225).The T2→T3 dynamic network analysis showed that limb numbness exhibited the highest out-expected influence(EI=0.203)and bridge-expected influence(EI=0.170).Reliability tests indicated that both dynamic networks demonstrated moderate accuracy but suboptimal stability.Conclusion Fatigue was the most common symptom at T1;alopecia was the most prevalent symptom at T2 and T3.Fever was the core symptom and bridging symptom in the T1→T2 symptom network,whereas limb numbness assumed the role of the core symptom and bridging symptom in the T2→T3 symptom network.The clinical practitioners could take high-incidence symptoms and core symptoms as intervention targets to develop precise symptom management strategies for lymphoma patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Objective To construct a nursing follow-up checklist for patients undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation,providing a basis for postoperative follow-up care.Methods Using evidence-based methods,the literature from major guide websites and databases using Chinese and English search terms was retrieved,and their quality was evaluated.The relevant items were extracted,and a first draft was formed.15 experts were selected in relevant fields from 14 tertiary hospitals in 13 provinces,cities,and autonomous regions across the country for Delphi inquiry.The nursing follow-up checklist was revised again based on expert opinions and clinical practice.The nursing follow-up checklist was initially applied and then revised again to form the final draft.Results 15 experts include 12 undergraduate and 3 master's degree holders.The positivity coefficients of the 2 rounds of inquiry were 100％;the authority coefficients of the experts were 0.815;the Kendall coefficients were 0.119 and 0.144,respectively;the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.001).The final nursing follow-up checklist was formed,which includes 6 primary indicators,including physiological status,psychological status,social and family support,living conditions,disease knowledge,and laboratory tests.19 patients(95％)found the follow-up content to be comprehensive.The follow-up nurses's satisfaction rate exceeded 85％.There were 27 secondary indicators and 61 tertiary indicators,with coefficients of variation of all indicators less than 0.25.Conclusion The nursing follow-up checklist is scientific,reliable,and practical,which can provide a basis for clinical nursing staff to follow up and comprehensively manage patients after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.