ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of genistein （Gen） on etoposide-induced chondrocyte senescence and its underlying mechanism. MethodsThe C28/I2 cell line was treated with different concentrations of Gen and etoposide， and the cell viability was detected by the CCK-8 assay. The senescence model of C28/I2 chondrocytes was induced by etoposide， with Gen intervention. Senescence-associated β-galactosidase （SA-β-gal） staining was performed to detect the senescence-positive rate and staining characteristics of chondrocytes. The expressions of peroxiredoxin 6 （Prdx6）， cyclin-dependent kinaseto clarify the functional necessity of Prdx6. ResultsCompared with the etoposide group， the C28/I2 chondrocyte viability significantly increased （P<0.01）， the expression ofsenescence-associated proteins p21 and p16 decreased （P<0.01， P<0.05）， the expression of senescence-associated genes p21 and p16 reduced （both P<0.01）， the fluorescence intensity of senescence-associated proteins p21 and p16 was diminished （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the proportion of SA-β-gal-positive cells decreased （P<0.01） in the Gen+etoposide group. Compared with the Control group， the expression of Prdx6 was downregulated in the etoposide group （P<0.05）. Compared with the etoposide group， the expression of Prdx6 was upregulated in the Gen+etoposide group （P<0.01）. Compared with the Control group， the GPx activity significantly decreased in the si-Prdx6 group （P<0.01）. Furthermore， compared with the si-Prdx6 group， the GPx activity increased in the si-Prdx6+Gen group （P<0.05）. Molecular docking results revealed that Gen formed hydrogen bond interactions with the active site of Prdx6. After Prdx6 knockdown， the expression of senescence-associated genes p21 and p16 and the fluorescence intensity of senescence-associated proteins p21 and p16 both increased in the Gen+etoposide+si-Prdx6 group （both P<0.01）. ConclusionGen can inhibit etoposide-induced senescence of C28/I2 chondrocytes by upregulating the expression of Prdx6. This study provides potential drug targets and experimental basis for the prevention and treatment of chondrocyte senescence-related diseases.

Background/Aims: Regorafenib is recommended by guidelines and trials as a sequential second-line therapy following progression on first-line sorafenib or lenvatinib in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, efficacy is limited, highlighting the urgent need to screen suitable patients and develop sensitization strategies. Methods: Acquired sorafenib- or lenvatinib-resistant (SR or LR) HCC cell lines and organoids were established. Genome-wide CRISPR library screen was performed in SR or LR cell strains to identify synthetic lethal targets of regorafenib. RNA-seq and FITC-regorafenib efflux assay were used to elucidate ERBB3-driven downstream signaling. Preclinical mouse models of cell line- and patient-derived xenografts and clinical cohorts of HCC patients were employed to validate the efficacy of ERBB3-guided patient stratification. Results: Screening with CRISPR library, we showed that inhibition of ERBB3 was synthetic lethal with regorafenib in SR or LR cell strains and organoids. Mechanistically, SR or LR triggered feedback activation of ERBB3 signaling and mediated regorafenib efflux via ERBB3-HIF1A-ABCB1 cascade pathway, limiting sensitivity to regorafenib. Moreover, ERBB3-low tumors following SR or LR exhibited significant sensitivity to regorafenib, suggesting its potential as a predictive biomarker to screen optimal candidates for sequential therapy. Seribantumab, an ERBB3-targeting monoclonal antibody, inhibited ERBB3-HIF1A-ABCB1 cascade, and its combination with regorafenib exerted marked synergistic anti-tumor effects on ERBB3-high tumors resistant to sorafenib or lenvatinib both in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions This study revealed that ERBB3 was a key resistance factor driving limited efficacy to sequential regorafenib, but also an effective therapeutic target whose inhibition enhanced regorafenib sensitivity after SR or LR.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality, characterized by poor prognosis due to its high proliferative and invasive potential. Tumor metabolic reprogramming, particularly involving glucose metabolism, is essential for tumor survival. This study investigates the role of the Hippo pathway effector transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) in regulating gluconeogenesis and promoting tumorigenesis in HCC. Methods: TAZ expression in HCC was analyzed using The Cancer Genome Atlas data and validated in clinical samples and cell lines. TAZ was overexpressed or silenced in HCC cell lines to evaluate its effects on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion. The expression and prognostic relevance of the gluconeogenesis-related genes phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (PCK1) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6PC) were examined, along with their correlation with TAZ expression. Tumor growth was assessed in nude mice. Interactions between TAZ and the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) were investigated using co-immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Results: TAZ was significantly upregulated in HCC tissues and cell lines. TAZ overexpression enhanced proliferation, reduced apoptosis, and promoted migration and invasion. In contrast, PCK1 and G6PC were downregulated in HCC and showed a negative correlation with TAZ expression. Conclusion TAZ modulates gluconeogenesis and accelerates tumor growth, whereas its knockdown attenuates tumor progression. TAZ interacts with GR, suppressing its transcriptional activity on gluconeogenic gene promoters.

Objective:To investigate the role of ubiquitin-specific protease 21 (USP21) in enterovirus group A type 71 (EV-A71) infection.Methods:Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were obtained from a cohort of 24 children infected with EV-A71 and 24 healthy children. Expression of USP21 was determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPCR). Additionally, the impact of USP21 overexpression or knockout on EV-A71 replication was evaluated using a combination of qPCR and western blot (WB) analysis. Furthermore, WB was employed to measure the levels of EV-A71 structural protein VP1, phosphorylated interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) and other key molecules in the RIG-I-like receptor (RLR) signaling pathway. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) was utilized to investigate the effects of USP21 on the ubiquitin levels of EV-A71 nonstructural protein 2A protease (2A pro). Results:In comparison to healthy children, the expression of USP21 mRNA in PBMC of children infected with EV-A71 was notably elevated. The overexpression of USP21 significantly enhanced the cytopathic effects induced by EV-A71, upregulated levels of VP1 mRNA and protein, and facilitated EV-A71 replication, leading to a decrease in cell activity with increasing levels of USP21 transfection. Following the knockout of the USP21 gene, the VP1 mRNA levels were significantly declined in comparison to the control group. Furthermore, the overexpression of USP21 was found to have no impact on the transcriptional activity of EV-A71 2A pro. However, it was observed to enhance the expression of 2A pro protein, reduce the ubiquitination of 2A pro, suppress the protein levels of mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS) and melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5), as well as decrease the phosphorylation of IRF3. Additionally, the induction of IFN-β mRNA by EV-A71 infection was downregulated. Conclusions:USP21 has been shown to enhance the replication of EV-A71 through the downregulation of 2A pro ubiquitination, suppression of MAVS and MDA5 protein expression, and inhibition of the interferon signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the prognosis of postoperative adjuvant therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma after conversion therapy of combined targeted therapy and immunotherapy followed by sequential hepatectomy.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 103 patients with initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who were admitted to 11 medical centers in China, including Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University et al, from November 2019 to May 2023 were collected. There were 83 males and 20 females, aged (54±12)years. All 103 patients underwent conversion therapy of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) successfully followed by sequential hepatectomy, of which 72 patients undergoing postoperative adjuvant therapy were divided into the adjuvant therapy group, and 31 patients undergoing postoperative follow-up monitoring were divided into the follow-up monitoring group. Observation indicators: (1) follow-up and postoperative condi-tions; (2) analysis of factors influencing recurrence-free survival time of patients; (3) stratified ana-lysis. Comparison of count data between group was conducted using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. The R software was used to draw survival curves, and the Log-rank test was used for survival analysis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted using the Cox proportional hazard model. Results:(1) Follow-up and postoperative conditions. All 103 patients were followed up for 21.0(range, 1.9?47.2)months, with the median recurrence-free survival time of 28.7 months and the 1-, 2-, 3-year recurrence-free survival rates of 68.6%, 55.6%, 41.2%. The median overall survival time of 103 patients was unreached, and the 1-, 2-, 3-year overall survival rates were 90.9%, 82.1%, 69.6%, respectively. The median recurrence-free survival time was 33.1 months in patients of the adjuvant therapy group, with the 1-, 2-year recurrence-free survival rates as 77.2%, 61.5%. The median recurrence-free survival time was 11.1 months in patients of the follow-up monitoring group, with the 1-, 2-year recurrence-free survival rates as 46.6%, 40.8%. There was a significant difference in recurrence-free survival between the two groups of patients ( χ2=5.492, P<0.05). (2) Analysis of factors influencing recurrence-free survival time of patients. Results of multivariate analy-sis showed that pathologic complete response and postoperative adjuvant therapy were independent factors influencing recurrence-free survival time of HCC patients undergoing conversion therapy of combined targeted therapy and immunotherapy followed by sequential hepatectomy ( hazard ratio=0.297, 0.492, 95% confidence interval as 0.137?0.647, 0.268?0.903, P<0.05). (3) Stratified analysis. Of the 71 patients with non-pathologic complete response, the median recurrence-free survival time of 48 patients in the adjuvant therapy group was 24.0 months, with the 1-, 2-year recurrence-free survival rates as 67.4%, 48.8%. The median recurrence-free survival time of 23 patients with non-pathological complete response in the follow-up monitoring group was 7.4 months, with the 1-, 2-year recurrence-free survival rates as 35.0%, 26.3%. There was a significant difference in recurrence-free survival between the 48 patients with non-pathologic complete response in the adjuvant therapy group and the 23 patients with non-pathologic complete response in the follow-up monitoring group ( χ2=5.241, P<0.05). Conclusion:For HCC patients with conversion therapy of TKIs and ICIs followed by sequential hepatectomy, postoperative adjuvant therapy, compared to postoperative follow-up monitoring, can prolong the recurrence-free survival time of patients, of whom cases with non-pathologic complete response can benefit from adjuvant therapy.

Objective::To examine the impact of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) on offspring metabolomics.Methods::We searched five databases: PubMed, Ovid Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and included studies that reported metabolomics among human offspring born to HDP-complicated pregnancies.Results::Database search yielded 4054 articles, and after full-text screening, ten observational studies met inclusion criteria. Half of the studies had a sample size of less than 100 and were all observational studies in preeclampsia (PE) and gestational hypertension.Neonates were the most focused group in all included studies. Offspring born to HDP-complicated pregnancies exhibited statistically significant variations in blood metabolomics compared to their counterparts, characterized by amino acids, lipids, carnitine, and others (e.g., 1α,25-(OH) 2-D). Most studies reported a significant increase in differential metabolites of offspring born to HDP-complicated pregnancies. Four studies ( n = 1109) measured lipids-related metabolites, and all consistently showed that offspring born to PE-complicated pregnancies had significantly higher concentrations than non-PE exposed offspring. Conclusion::The existing evidence suggests an intergenerational effect of HDP on offspring metabolomics. Long-term follow-up studies are needed to advance the health effects of related adverse health outcomes and inform the prevention of offspring’s health.

Objective:To explore the potential profile characteristics of family health in patients with chronic diseases, analyze the influencing factors of different family health categories, and further investigate the relationship between family health categories and the quality of life in patients with chronic diseases, providing a scientific basis for targeted intervention strategies.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional survey. The data for the study were obtained from the Chinese Residents' Psychology and Behavior Survey Research Database. A multistage sampling method was employed to select 1 808 patients with chronic diseases as survey respondents from July to September 2021. Data were collected using the General Information Questionnaire, the Family Health Scale, and the European 5-Dimensional 5-Level Health Scale(EQ-5D-5L). Potential profiles of family health in patients with chronic diseases were identified using latent profile analysis. Univariate analysis and multiple Logistic regression were used to examine influencing factors, and generalized linear regression was performed to analyze the impact of different family health categories on quality of life.Results:A total of 1 808 chronic disease patients were enrolled, comprising 986 males and 822 females, with a age of (55.23 ± 7.02) years. The scores of family health, EQ-5D-5L, EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale were 38(34, 43), 0.94(0.84, 1.00), and 78(63, 87) points. The family health of patients with chronic diseases were categorized into three potential profiles: the low family health group (418 cases accounting for 23.1%), the medium family health group (747 cases accounting for 41.3%), and the high family health group (643 cases accounting for 35.6%). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that family type, marital status, nature of household, education level, number of siblings and type of health insurance were significant factors influencing family health categories ( OR values were 0.464-2.503, all P<0.05). The family health was an important factor influencing quality of life ( χ2 values were 4.05-100.68, all P<0.05). Conclusions:There is significant heterogeneity in the family health of patients with chronic diseases, which can be divided into three distinct categories. Patients with higher family health levels have better quality of life. Medical professionals should develop precise intervention programs tailored to the characteristics of each category to improve family health levels and enhance the quality of life of patients with chronic diseases.

OBJECTIVE To explore the construction path and effectiveness of dynamic zoning management model during dengue fever pandemic,and to provide evidence for optimizing hospital-acquired infection control strategies.METHODS Retrospective analysis method was conducted,the practical data of dengue fever epidemic prevention and control in a tertiary general hospital in 2024 as the sample,to evaluate the application effect of the"zoned treatment-dynamic allocation-environmental coordination"trinity prevention and control model.Based on the optimized infection prevention and control strategies implemented during the epidemic,such as the"core ward-specialist collaboration"dynamic zoning,flexible ward expansion,hierarchical disinfection,real-time dynamic re-source allocation mechanism,and precise environmental intervention,a comprehensive evaluation of prevention and control efficiency was conducted across key dimensions including infection control,resource utilization,pre-vention and control costs and patient outcomes.RESULTS Through the construction of flexible wards,the number of expanded isolation beds accounted for 44.13％(331/750)of the total beds,including 144 beds(19.20％)in core wards and 187 beds(24.93％)in specialist collaborative wards.The expansion of specialist collaborative wards increased the isolation admission capacity by 129.86％.The two types of wards admitted 57.27％of single-disease dengue patients and 42.73％of isolated patients with combined diagnosis and treatment needs from inter-nal medicine,surgery,obstetrics,gynecology,and pediatrics.The minimum ratio of flexible buffer isolation beds was 6.34％(21/331),with a maximum daily treatment capacity of 310 patients.Data showed:hospital infec-tion incidence rate was 0,peak adult mosquito density was 0.13 mosquitoes/trap·night,prevention and control cost was 95.22 yuan per case,and patient satisfaction increased by 1.98％(95.09 vs.93.24,P=0.014).CONCLUSIONS The"dynamic zoning"model achieves rapid spatial elastic reconstruction of inpatient wards for"peace-epidemic conversion"through the coordination of three links.Based on effectively blocking in-hospital transmission,it ensures the needs of multi-specialty treatment,enabling the hospital to strike a balance between the bottom line of prevention and control safety and the fulfillment of diversified medical service requirements dur-ing the epidemic outbreak period.It can provide standardized prevention and control solutions for medical institu-tions to respond to public health emergencies of vector-borne infectious diseases,and achieve the goal of zero cross infection of hospital-acquired Dengue.

[Objective]To investigate the dynamic expression profiles and potential regulatory mechanisms of long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs)in male reproductive system aging.[Methods]A naturally aging C57BL/6 mouse model was used and 4 mice were selected each at 3,15,and 21 months of age.RNA was extracted from seven regions of the male reproductive tract(testis,efferent duct,initial segment of epididymis,caput epididymis,corpus epididymis,cauda epididymis,and vas deferens),followed by RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis.[Results]Region-specific dynamic expression profiles of lncRNAs were constructed in the testis,epididymis(efferent duct,initial segment,caput,corpus,and cauda),and vas deferens of male mice.Combined with gene functional enrichment analysis,the functional associations of lncRNAs were elucidated in reproductive system aging.The differentially expressed lncRNAs in the aging testis were primarily involved in hormone biosynthesis and extracellular matrix organization,while those in the initial segment of the epididymis were closely related to cell recognition and epithelial cell migration.A comprehensive lncRNA expression atlas associated with male reproductive aging was established.[Conclusion]LncRNAs may participate in male reproductive aging through the regulation of the reproductive microenvironment,which provides key molecular targets and a research foundation for understanding age-related fertility decline.

Objective To investigate the rehabilitation outcome in hemiplegic stroke patients with upper limb dysfunction treated with electromyographic(EMG)biofeedback therapy in combination with an intelligent Tongluo therapeutic apparatus.Methods A total of 132 stroke patients with hemiplegia were chosen and divided into observation group and control group according to the rehabilitation strategies,with 66 cases in each group.Control group was treated with EMG biofeedback therapy,while observation group was given the integrated therapy of EMG biofeedback therapy and intelligent Tongluo therapeutic apparatus.The two groups were compared for motor function of the hemiplegic upper limb(shoulder,hand and wrist muscle),integrated electromyography(iEMG)in the affected limb flexion and extension(biceps brachii and triceps brachii),range of motion of the shoulder joint(abduction,external rotation,internal rotation)and Barthel index of activities of daily living(ADL).Results The differences in the iEMG of biceps brachii and triceps brachii of the elbow joint,motor function of the hemiplegic upper limb,range of motion of the shoulder joint and ADL between two groups before treatment were trivial(P>0.05).The treatment in observation group increased the iEMG of biceps brachii and triceps brachii in elbow flexion(P<0.05),decreased the iEMG of biceps brachii in elbow extension but increased the iEMG of triceps brachii in elbow extension(P<0.05),and these improvements were more significant than those in control group(P<0.05).After treatment,the scores for shoulder function,hand function,and wrist muscle function in observation group increased from(12.23±2.76)to(26.77±4.28),(6.54±1.34)to(15.35±2.46),and(2.36±0.46)to(8.13±2.52),and the scores of the above indexes were higher than those in control group(P<0.05).The shoulder abduction,external rotation and internal rotation ranges of motion in observation group after treatment were greater than those before treatment[(90.77±8.35)° vs(61.23±6.35)°,(45.36±5.33)° vs(26.33±4.65)°,(52.55±5.86)° vs(32.44±3.87)°],and the observation group had greater shoulder ranges of motion than control group(P<0.05).The ADL score in observation group after treatment was higher than that before treatment[(62.45±5.25)vs(33.35±4.85),P<0.05],and it was also higher than that in control group(P<0.05).Conclusion EMG biofeedback therapy combined with intelligent Tongluo therapeutic apparatus can effectively improve the iEMG in the affected limb flexion and extension,enhance the ranges of motion of the shoulder joint,and ultimately improve the upper limb motor function and life quality of hemiplegic stroke patients.