BACKGROUND:Fibromyalgia syndrome,as a common rheumatic disease,is related to central sensitization and immune abnormalities.However,the specific mechanism has not been elucidated,and there is a lack of specific diagnostic markers.Exploring the possible pathogenesis of this disease has important clinical significance. OBJECTIVE:To screen the potential diagnostic marker genes of fibromyalgia syndrome and analyze the possible immune infiltration characteristics based on bioinformatics methods,such as weighted gene co-expression network analysis(WGCNA),and machine learning. METHODS:Gene expression profiles in peripheral serum of fibromyalgia syndrome patients and healthy controls were obtained from the gene expression omnibus(GEO)database.The differentially co-expressed genes were screened in the expression profile by differential analysis and WGCNA analysis.Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)and support vector machine-recursive feature elimination(SVM-RFE)machine learning algorithm were further used to identify hub biomarkers,and draw receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)to evaluate the accuracy of diagnosing fibromyalgia syndrome.Finally,single sample gene set enrichment analysis(ssGSEA)and gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)were used to evaluate the immune cell infiltration and pathway enrichment in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Eight down-regulated differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were obtained after differential analysis of the GSE67311 dataset according to the conditions of log2|(FC)|>0 and P<0.05.After WGCNA analysis,497 genes were included in the module(MEdarkviolet)with the highest positive correlation(r=0.22,P=0.04),and 19 genes were included in the module(MEsalmon2)with the highest negative correlation(r=-0.41,P=6×10-5).After intersecting DEGs and the module genes of WGCNA,seven genes were obtained.Four genes were screened out by LASSO regression algorithm and five genes were screened out by SVM-RFE machine learning algorithm.After the intersection of the two,three core genes were identified,which were germinal center associated signaling and motility like,integrin beta-8,and carboxypeptidase A3.The areas under the ROC curve of the three core genes were 0.744,0.739,and 0.734,respectively,indicating that they have good diagnostic value and can be used as biomarkers for fibromyalgia syndrome.The results of immune infiltration analysis showed that memory B cells,CD56 bright NK cells,and mast cells were significantly down-regulated in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome compared with the control group(P<0.05),and were significantly positively correlated with the above three biomarkers(P<0.05).The enrichment analysis suggested that there were nine fibromyalgia syndrome enrichment pathways,mainly related to olfactory transduction pathway,neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction,and infection pathway.The above results showed that the occurrence and development of fibromyalgia syndrome are related to the involvement of multiple genes,abnormal immune regulation,and multiple pathways imbalance.However,the interactions between these genes and immune cells,as well as their relationships with various pathways need to be further investigated.

Objective To explore the association between different levels of fluoride exposure and dyslipidemia in elderly people, and to analyze the influencing factors and their interactions. Methods A total of 1 143 elderly people over 60 years old were randomly selected from historical high water fluorosis areas and control areas in Tianjin. Logistic regression model and classification tree model were used to analyze the influencing factors of dyslipidemia, and to analyze the interaction between high fluoride exposure and relevant influencing factors on dyslipidemia. Results The prevalence of elevated low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was 5.69% (65/1 143). There was a significant difference in the prevalence of high LDL-C in different fluoride-exposed areas (2 = 0.092，P = 0.762). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that high fluoride exposure (OR=2.306，95%CI：1.185-4.491) and abdominal obesity (OR=2.274，95%CI：1.299-3.978) were risk factors for high LDL-C, while type B personality (OR=0.529，95%CI：0.308-0.908) was a protective factor for high LDL-C. The results of classification tree model showed that abdominal obesity contributed the most to the prevalence of high LDL-C in the elderly, followed by high fluoride exposure and hyperglycemia. There was a significant multiplicative interaction between high fluoride exposure and abdominal obesity on dyslipidemia (OR=5.191,95%CI：1.609-16.745，P=0.006). Conclusion High fluoride exposure may increase the risk of high LDL-C, and there is a multiplicative interaction between high fluoride exposure and abdominal obesity on dyslipidemia.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the fastest growing cancers in the world, ranking fourth among the causes of cancer-induced death in the world. At present, the field of HCC treatment is developing rapidly, and immunotherapy has been recognized as a promising treatment method, in which T cells play a key role in HCC immunotherapy. However, in the case of virus infection or in tumor microenvironment (TME), T cells will be continuously stimulated by antigens and then fall into the state of T cell exhaustion (Tex). This state will not only reduce the immunity of patients but also lead to poor efficacy of immunotherapy. Therefore, to deeply analyze the mechanism of Tex and to explore effective strategies to reverse Tex is the key point in the immunotherapy for HCC. This review aims to summarize the mechanism of Tex in HCC patients, and the current situation and shortcomings of drug research and development to reverse Tex at this stage, in order to provide theoretical basis for the optimization of immunotherapy regimen for HCC patients.
Humans ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/therapy* ; Liver Neoplasms/therapy* ; Immunotherapy/methods* ; T-Lymphocytes/immunology* ; Tumor Microenvironment/immunology* ; Animals ; T-Cell Exhaustion

Objective:This study aims to investigate the perception of Mandarin aspirated and unaspirated consonants by children with cochlear implants （CIs） under quiet and noisy conditions. It also examines factors that may affect their acquisition, such as auditory conditions, place of articulation, manner of articulation, chronological age, age at implantation, and non-verbal intelligence. Methods:Twenty-eight CI children aged 3 to 5 years who received implantation from 2018 to 2023 were recruited. Additionally, 88 peers with normal hearing （NH） were recruited as controls. Both groups participated in a perception test for aspirated/unaspirated consonants under quiet and noisy conditions, along with tests for speech recognition, speech production, and non-verbal intelligence. The study analyzed the effects of group （CI vs. NH）, auditory condition, and consonant characteristics on children's perception of aspirated/unaspirated consonants in Mandarin, as well as the factors contributing to CI children's acquisition of these consonants. Results:①CI children's ability to perceive aspirated/unaspirated consonants was significantly poorer than that of their NH peers （χ²= 14.16, P<0.01）, and their perception accuracy was influenced by the acoustic features of consonants （P<0.01）; ②CI children's consonant perception abilities were adversely affected by noise （P<0.01）, with accuracy in noisy conditions particularly influenced by the manner of articulation （P<0.05）; ③The age at implantation significantly affected CI children's ability to perceive aspirated/unaspirated consonants （β= -0.223, P=0.012）, with earlier implantation associated with better performance. Conclusion:It takes time for CI children to acquire Mandarin aspirated/unaspirated consonants, and early implantation shows many advantages, especially for the perception ability of fine speech features.
Humans ; Cochlear Implants ; Child, Preschool ; Speech Perception ; Cochlear Implantation ; Male ; Female ; Language

Biosynthesized selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have attracted much attention because of their unique physical, chemical, and biological properties. The microbial reduction of selenium salts to SeNPs has great potential, while there is a lack of elite strains. In this study, we explored the reduction of Na₂SeO₃ by Streptomyces avermitilis into SeNPs. The colonies and hyphae of the strain and the synthesized SeNPs were characterized by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). At the same time, the inhibitory activity of SeNPs on Fusarium oxysporum, the main pathogen causing root rot of Lycium barbarum, was studied. The results showed that S. avermitilis converted Na₂SeO₃ into SeNPs and tolerated 300 mmol/L Na₂SeO₃, demonstrating strong tolerance. S. avermitilis synthesized spherical SeNPs in the cytoplasm, and most of SeNPs had a diameter of about 100 nm and were released by hyphal fracture. The SeNPs synthesized by S. avermitilis were amorphous, and their surfaces were dominated by C and Se, with the existence of O, N and other elements. SeNPs had functional groups such as -OH, C=O, C-N, and C-H, which were closely related to the stability and biological activity of SeNPs. The SeNPs synthesized by S. avermitilis showcased significant inhibitory activity on F. oxysporum, and 25.0 μmol/mL SeNPs showcased the inhibition rate of 77.61% and EC₅₀ of 0.556 μmol/mL. In conclusion, S. avermitilis can tolerate high Na₂SeO₃ stress and mediate the synthesis of SeNPs. The synthesized SeNPs have good stability and strong inhibitory activity, demonstrating the potential application value in the preparation of SeNPs and the control of L. barbarum root rot.
Streptomyces/metabolism* ; Fusarium/drug effects* ; Lycium/microbiology* ; Selenium/metabolism* ; Nanoparticles/chemistry* ; Plant Diseases/microbiology* ; Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry* ; Antifungal Agents/pharmacology*

Objective: To understand the dose response relationship between urinary fluoride and dental fluorosis among children from drinking water borne endemic fluorosis areas in Tianjin, so as to provide a scientific basis for assessing fluoride exposure risk among children from endemic areas and establishing reference values for urinary fluoride. Methods: From January to December 2024, 83 endemic villages were selected in Tianjin. A total of 2 382 children aged 8-12 years from these villages underwent dental fluorosis examination, along with water fluoride and urinary fluoride testing. Additionally, data from areas where the drinking water fluorosis control target was achieved for more than 12 years (10 villages, 50 people per village) were included as controls. A restricted cubic spline model was used to analyze the relationship between urinary fluoride levels and dental fluorosis prevalence, and benchmark dose (BMD) and benchmark dose lower bound (BMDL), as well as reference dose (RfD), were calculated using the benchmark dose method. Results: The prevalence rates of dental fluorosis among children in drinking water borne endemic fluorosis areas and areas of normal fluoride content in water in Tianjin were 10.58%, 7.60%, with a geometric mean urinary fluoride level of 0.72 and 0.60 mg/L,respectively. There were statistically significant differences in both dental fluorosis prevalence and geometric mean urinary fluoride levels between the drinking water borne endemic fluorosis areas group and the areas of normal fluoride content in water ( χ 2/Z = 4.05 , -7.31, both P <0.05). Across different periods of water source improvement, there were statistically significant differences in overall population, male, and female dental fluorosis prevalence rates and geometric mean urinary fluoride levels ( χ 2/H =44.95, 23.96, 21.05; 168.39, 63.93, 107.50, all P <0.01). Significant differences were also observed across age groups among children from drinking water borne endemic fluorosis areas in terms of dental fluorosis prevalence and geometric mean urinary fluoride levels ( χ 2/H =32.14, 79.73, both P <0.01). The results of the restricted cubic spline model showed that the risk of dental fluorosis in different sex, age and overall children in the drinking water borne endemic fluorosis areas increased significantly with rising urinary fluoride concentration(all P-general trend <0.05). The BMD value for the drinking water borne endemic fluorosis areas was 1.72 mg/L, the BMDL was 1.31 mg/L, and the RfD was 1.31 mg/L. Conclusions The prevalence of dental fluorosis among children in the drinking water borne endemic fluorosis areas in Tianjin has been effectively controlled, but it is still higher than that in the areas of normal fluoride content in water. Moreover, urinary fluoride levels and dental fluorosis prevalence among children from drinking water borne endemic fluorosis areas show a clear dose response relationship.

Beta-thalassemia major(β-TM)is an inherited disease caused by a defect in the synthesis of globin. The disease requires long-term blood transfusion and iron chelator treatment, which can cause various secondary changes in the body and eye tissues. Compared with normal peers, β-TM patients will show changes in the eye such as steeper corneal curvature, shallower anterior chamber, increased lens thickness, shorter axial length, and reduced tear secretion. At the same time, nutritional deficiencies and the use of iron chelator drugs will increase the risk of complicated cataract and retinal degeneration, thus affecting the quality of life of β-TM patients.This article combines relevant domestic and foreign literatures to explore and review the changes in the eye of β-TM patients, with a view to providing valuable insights for clinical practice.

Objective To investigate the status and the influencing factors of thyroid volume of children aged 8-10 years in Tianjin. Methods Among the 1-2 primary schools were randomly selected from 12 districts in Tianjin. A total of 1 090 children were selected by class cluster sampling method (half male and half female, with a balanced age distribution). A questionnaire survey was conducted. Children’s height, weight and thyroid volume were measured, and their salt iodine content and urinary iodine content were detected. Results I n this study, the median urinary iodine in children was 161.35 µg/L, the mean thyroid volume was 2.56 mL, and the goiter rate was 3.58%. Univariate analysis showed that age, BSA, salt iodine content, urinary iodine content, eating habits, food taste, eating lunch at school, father's work, anxiety and depression, pressure, and different regional grouping were the influencing factors of thyroid volume (P<0.05). Multivariate linear regression showed that BSA, age, food taste, and urinary iodine content had significant independent effects on thyroid volume (P<0.05). Conclusion In Tianjin, the iodine nutrition level of children aged 8-10 years is at an appropriate level. When evaluating the thyroid volume of children, in addition to age factors, other factors such as physical development level and iodine intake should also be considered.

Objective: To explore the current status and associated factors of bullying behavior among middle school students in Shanghai, so as to provide a reference basis for carrying out bullying intervention work. Methods: From May to June 2021, a stratified cluster sampling method was used to select 19 000 middle school students from 63 schools in 16 districts of Shanghai, and the Shanghai Youth Health Risk Behavior Survey Questionnaire was used to conduct an anonymous questionnaire survey of enrolled students. Chi square test and binary Logistic regression analysis were employed to investigate the associated factors of bullying among middle school students. Results: The prevalence of bullying behaviors in Shanghai was 15.5%, with males and junior high school students exhibiting the higher reporting rate(19.5%,17.2%). And malicious teasing or name calling had the highest reported rate at 9.4%. The results of binary Logistic regression analysis showed that fighting ( OR =5.02), attempting to smoke ( OR =3.22), having a feeling of sadness and hopelessness ( OR =2.50) and getting drunk( OR =1.72) were positively associated with bullying behavior among middle school students. Fighting ( OR =3.83-8.97), attempting to smoke ( OR =2.92-5.52), having a feeling of sadness and hopelessness ( OR =2.40-4.34), and getting drunk ( OR =1.66-2.34) were positively correlated with 6 forms of bullying (malicious teasing or name calling, intentionally damaging someone else s belongings, deliberately excluding someone from activities or isolating someone, threatening or intimidating others, hitting, kicking, or pushing someone, and verbally harassing or attacking someone online) ( P <0.05). Conclusions Bullying behavior of middle school students in Shanghai primarily presents as verbal harassment. In the future, greater attention should be directed towards bullies, and it should recognize potential hazards promptly and implement precise intervention measures.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of myricetin(Myr) on immune function in rats with inflammatory bowel disease(IBD) by regulating the cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling pathway. METHODS IBD rat models were established and separated into control group, model group, low, medium, and high dose Myr(Myr-L, Myr-M, Myr-H, 28, 56, 112 mg·kg−1·d−1 Myr) groups, and high dose Myr+PKA inhibitor H89(Myr-H+H89 112 mg·kg−1·d−1 Myr+7 mg·kg−1·d−1 H89) group. The disease activity index(DAI) of rats was scored; immune function indicators and colon length were measured; the levels of IL-6, IL-17A, TNF-α, and cAMP in serum were determined by the kit; the pathological changes of colon tissue were observed by HE staining; the proportion of Treg cells was determined by flow cytometry; immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of MPO in colon tissue; Western blotting was used to determine cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling pathway related proteins. RESULTS Compared with the control group, the colon tissue cells in the model group were disorderly arranged, with a large number of inflammatory cell infiltration, severe ulceration, a large number of cell necrosis, mucosal edema, the DAI score, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-17A levels, spleen coefficient, thymus coefficient, and MPO optical density values were obviously increased(P<0.05), the colon length, Treg cell ratio, cAMP concentration, p-PKA/PKA, and p-CREB/CREB levels were obviously reduced(P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the arrangement of colon tissue cells in the Myr-L, Myr-M, and Myr-H groups was relatively neat; mucosal edema inflammatory cell infiltration, cell necrosis and ulcer phenomenon were reduced; the DAI score, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-17A levels, spleen coefficient, thymus coefficient, and MPO optical density values were gradually reduced(P<0.05); the colon length, Treg cell ratio, cAMP concentration, p-PKA/PKA, and p-CREB/CREB levels were gradually increased(P<0.05). Compared with the Myr-H group, the pathological changes in the colon tissue of the Myr-H+H89 group worsened, the DAI score, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-17A levels, spleen coefficient, thymus coefficient, and MPO optical density values were obviously increased(P<0.05), the colon length, Treg cell ratio, cAMP concentration, p-PKA/PKA, and p-CREB/CREB levels were obviously reduced(P<0.05). CONCLUSION Myr may inhibit inflammation levels, regulate immune function, and exert protective effects on IBD rats by activating the cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling pathway.