Noise-induced hearing loss is a worldwide public health issue that is characterized by temporary or permanent changes in hearing sensitivity. This condition is closely linked to inflammatory responses, and interventions targeting the inflammatory gene tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) are known to mitigate cochlear noise damage. TNFα-induced proteins (TNFAIPs) are a family of translucent acidic proteins, and TNFAIP6 has a notable association with inflammatory responses. To date, there have been few reports on TNFAIP6 levels in the inner ear. To elucidate the precise mechanism, we generated transgenic mouse models with conditional knockout of Tnfaip6 (Tnfaip6 cKO). Evaluation of hair cell morphology and function revealed no significant differences in hair cell numbers or ribbon synapses between Tnfaip6 cKO and wild-type mice. Moreover, there were no notable variations in hair cell numbers or hearing function in noisy environments. Our results indicate that Tnfaip6 does not have a substantial impact on the auditory system.
Animals ; Mice, Knockout ; Hair Cells, Auditory, Inner/pathology* ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem/physiology*

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are widely acknowledged as primary mediators to the initiation and progression of tumors. The association between microbial infection and cancer stemness has garnered considerable scholarly interest in recent years. Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) is increasingly considered to be closely related to the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Nevertheless, the role of P. gingivalis in the stemness of OSCC cells remains uncertain. Herein, we showed that P. gingivalis was positively correlated with CSC markers expression in human OSCC specimens, promoted the stemness and tumorigenicity of OSCC cells, and enhanced tumor formation in nude mice. Mechanistically, P. gingivalis increased lipid synthesis in OSCC cells by upregulating the expression of stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) expression, a key enzyme involved in lipid metabolism, which ultimately resulted in enhanced acquisition of stemness. Moreover, SCD1 suppression attenuated P. gingivalis-induced stemness of OSCC cells, including CSCs markers expression, sphere formation ability, chemoresistance, and tumor growth, in OSCC cells both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, upregulation of SCD1 in P. gingivalis-infected OSCC cells was associated with the expression of KLF5, and that was modulated by P. gingivalis-activated NOD1 signaling. Taken together, these findings highlight the importance of SCD1-dependent lipid synthesis in P. gingivalis-induced stemness acquisition in OSCC cells, suggest that the NOD1/KLF5 axis may play a key role in regulating SCD1 expression and provide a molecular basis for targeting SCD1 as a new option for attenuating OSCC cells stemness.
Porphyromonas gingivalis/pathogenicity* ; Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase/metabolism* ; Humans ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology* ; Mouth Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Animals ; Neoplastic Stem Cells/microbiology* ; Mice, Nude ; Mice ; Nod1 Signaling Adaptor Protein/metabolism* ; Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors/metabolism* ; Cell Line, Tumor

Objective:To investigate the association between blood selenium levels and sex hormones in Chinese men aged 18-79 years.Methods:Data were derived from the China National Human Biomonitoring survey conducted in 2017-2018, with a final sample size of 5 414 men. General demographic characteristics, behavioral habits, and dietary frequency were collected through questionnaires and physical examinations. Fasting blood samples were collected to measure blood lead, serum testosterone, and estradiol levels. Complex sampling linear regression models were used to analyze the associations between blood selenium levels and testosterone, estradiol, and the testosterone/estradiol ratio, adjusting for confounding factors including age, education level, marital status, smoking status, alcohol consumption, seafood intake, soy product intake, protein supplement intake, BMI, and diabetes status.Results:The mean age of the 5 414 participants was (46.85±27.91) years; 4 774 (91.65%) were of Han ethnicity and 4 505 (86.68%) were married. The median ( Q1, Q3) blood selenium concentration in men was 97.80 (80.64, 116.99) μg/L. After adjusting for confounding factors, the complex sampling linear regression model revealed negative associations between blood selenium levels and both testosterone levels and the testosterone/estradiol ratio, with a significant linear trend ( Ptrend<0.05). Compared with the Q1 group, the β (95% CI) values for testosterone in the Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups were -0.02 (-0.06 to 0.02), -0.03 (-0.08 to 0.01), and -0.06 (-0.09 to -0.02), respectively. Similarly, the β (95% CI) values for the testosterone/estradiol ratio in the Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups were -0.01 (-0.03 to 0.02), -0.01 (-0.04 to 0.04), and -0.03 (-0.06 to -0.01), respectively. Subgroup analysis indicated stronger associations between blood selenium levels and testosterone/estradiol levels in non-smoking and obese men (BMI≥28 kg/m2). Conclusion:Blood selenium levels are negatively associated with testosterone levels and the testosterone/estradiol ratio in Chinese adult males.

Objective:To explore the association of blood and urinary cadmium levels with lipid profile levels and dyslipidemia in Chinese adults aged 18 to 79 years.Methods:Based on the China National Human Biomonitoring (CNHBM) program, a cross-sectional survey was conducted from 2017 to 2018 using a multi-stage stratified random sampling method, including a total of 10 713 adults aged 18 to 79 years. Data was obtained through questionnaires, physical examinations, biological sample collection, and laboratory testing. Multiple linear mixed effect model (MLMM) and generalized linear mixed effect model (GLMM) were used to analyze the association of blood and creatinine-corrected urinary cadmium levels with lipid profile levels as well as dyslipidemia among adults.Results:The age of 10 713 participants was (47.23±0.24) years, with 5 372 males accounting for 61.3% of the national population. The weighted mean±standard error (SE) of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was (5.21±0.03), (1.86±0.03), (2.96±0.03), and (1.43±0.01) mmol/L, respectively. The prevalence rate of hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, mixed hyperlipidemia, low HDL-C, and high LDL-C was 16.0%, 21.6%, 6.6%, 13.5%, and 10.0%, respectively. MLMM showed that, after adjusting for relevant confounders, log-transformed blood cadmium levels were positively associated with increased levels of TC, TG and LDL-C ( P<0.05). When blood cadmium levels were categorized into quartiles, compared to the lowest exposure group ( Q1), participants in the highest blood cadmium exposure group ( Q4) had increases of 0.19 (95% CI: 0.06, 0.32) mmol/L in TC and 0.25 (95% CI: 0.08, 0.43) mmol/L in TG. GLMM indicated that, after adjusting for confounders, higher blood cadmium exposure levels were associated with increased risks of hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, mixed hyperlipidemia, and high LDL-C ( P<0.05). Further analysis by quartiles showed that, compared to the blood cadmium Q1 exposure group, the OR value (95% CI) for the Q4 group was 1.53 (1.12, 2.08) for hypercholesterolemia, 1.54 (1.09, 2.17) for hypertriglyceridemia, 2.24 (1.47, 3.40) for mixed hyperlipidemia, and 1.49 (1.07, 2.09) for high LDL-C. Conclusion:The cadmium internal exposure levels are associated with blood lipid profile levels as well as the incidence of dyslipidemia in Chinese adults aged 18 to 79.

Objective:To investigate the effect of natural plant compound puerarin(PUE)on expression of NLRP3 inflamma-some in macrophages and its effect in ulcerative colitis(UC)in mice.Methods:A mouse model of UC was established using dextran sulfate sodium(DSS).Mice received PUE via gavage for 7 consecutive days,body weight,disease activity index and colon length were measured.HE staining was performed to assess tissue pathological damage.Flow cytometry was used to determine the proportion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in colonic lamina propria.Immunofluorescence was employed to assess the colocalization of NLRP3 inflammasome and macrophages.qRT-PCR was conducted to measure mRNA expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and NLRP3-related genes in colonic tissues.Protein expression levels of ZO-1,Occludin,cleaved caspase-1 and IL-1β in colonic tissues were detected by Western blot.A cell model was established using lipopolysaccharide(LPS)and adenosine triphosphate(ATP).mRNA expression levels of genes related to NLRP3 inflammasome were detected by qRT-PCR.Western blot was used to detect effects of PUE on expression levels of proteins related to NLRP3 inflammasome and NF-κB signaling pathway.Results:PUE treatment signifi-cantly improved symptoms of DSS-induced UC in mice,including body weight,disease index,colon length and pathological damage.Following PUE intervention,infiltration of Ly6C+MHC Ⅱ-monocyte derived macrophages in the colonic lamina propria was reduced.Expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and NLRP3 inflammasome related molecules in colonic tissues were decreased.PUE treatment increased expression levels of ZO-1 and Occludin in intestinal epithelial cells.In vitro experiments confirmed that PUE reduced expression levels of NLRP3 inflammasome-related molecules in macrophages induced by LPS combined with ATP,as well as protein expression level of p-NF-κB p65.Conclusion:PUE significantly alleviates the symptoms of UC by reducing intestinal tissue inflamma-tion and repairing the epithelial barrier.The mechanism may involve regulating NF-κB signaling pathway,thereby reducing the forma-tion and activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages.

The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association,in collaboration with other societies/associations,has issued"the 2023 Multimodality Appropriate Use Criteria for the Detection and Risk Assessment of Chronic Coronary Disease".This guideline aims to provide appropriate use criteria for the use of functional stress testing and anatomical diagnostic methods in the evaluation of known or suspected chronic coronary disease.The updated content of the guideline is of significant importance for guiding clinical practitioners in China to apply cardiovascular imaging techniques rationally,to detect chronic coronary disease patients at an early stage,and to conduct risk assessments accurately,thereby ensuring high-quality clinical management of patients with chronic coronary disease.

Objective To analyze the clinical and immunological characteristics of a rare case of CHARGE syndrome,we summarize the genotype and phenotype in the Chinese patient population,and explore the underlying immunopathogenic mechanisms.Methods Clinical data from a pediatric patient with CHARGE syndrome were collected and analyzed.A comprehensive analysis of the Chinese patient population was conducted.Gene analysis and immunological characterization were performed using flow cytometry,deep sequencing,and quantitative PCR.Results The proband was a premature female infant whose primary clinical manifestations included congenital heart disease,recurrent respiratory infections,respiratory failure,airway dysplasia,hearing impairment,and bilateral choroidal coloboma.Whole-exome sequencing revealed a de novo heterozygous nonsense mutation in the CHD7 gene,c.5122C＞T(p.Gln1708Ter),classified as pathogenic according to ACMG criteria.Immunological studies indicated impaired thymic output of T cells,significant alterations in the number and proportion of CD8+T cell subsets,increased apoptosis,and defective activation and production of key effector cytokines such as IFN-γ by CD8+T cells.However,no significant abnormalities were observed in peripheral lymphocyte proliferation.Conclusion CHARGE syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant genetic disorder primarily caused by mutations in the CHD7 gene.The main clinical features include ocular defects,cardiac disease,choanal atresia/cleft lip and palate,growth retardation,gonadal hypoplasia,and ear anomalies.This case study suggests that CHARGE syndrome is associated with abnormalities in the development,apoptosis,and effector functions of immune cells.

Objective To determine the pathogenicity of a novel mutation(c.109_111del)in DKC1 gene of an adult patient,and to analyze the clinical phenotype,immunophenotype and telomere length,so as to provide clues for early clinical identification and diagnosis.Methods The clinical data and peripheral blood samples of the patient were collected for genetic testing and family analysis.The lymphocyte subsets of the patient were detected by Flow cytometry,and the telomere length of the patient and healthy controls were detected by Flow-FISH.Results The main clinical manifestations of the patient were mucocutaneous triad,bone marrow failure and infection.The telomere length of lymphocytes in the patient was significantly shorter than that of healthy controls of the same age,and the absolute value and percentage of lymphocyte subsets were abnormal.Conclusion The clinical manifestations of DC patients are diverse.Flow-FISH detection of telomere length is helpful for early diagnosis of DC patients.

Objective To explore the mechanism of the long non-coding RNA(lncRNA)small nucleolar RNA host gene 1(SNHG1)/microRNA(miR)-340-5p/pentraxin 3(PTX3)signaling pathway in osimertinib resistance of lung cancer.Methods The expression levels of SNHG1,miR-340-5p and PTX3 in lung cancer tissues,adjacent tissues and osimertinib-sensitive and resistant cell lines were detected by real-time fluores-cence quantitative PCR.SNHG1 was knockdown using siRNA to detect its effects on cell proliferation,apopto-sis and osimertinib sensitivity.The dual-luciferase reporter assay verified the binding relationship between SNHG1 and miR-340-5p,as well as between miR-340-5p and PTX3.Western blotting was used to analyze the expression changes of PTX3 protein.Results SNHG1 was highly expressed in lung cancer tissues and osimer-tinib-resistant cells,while the expression of miR-340-5p was downregulated.SNHG1 inhibits the function of miR-340-5p by directly binding to it and releases the negative regulation of miR-340-5p on PTX3,resulting in the high expression of PTX3 in lung cancer drug-resistant cells.Knockdown of SNHG1 can increase the apop-tosis rate of drug-resistant cells,inhibit the ability of colony formation,and enhance the sensitivity of cells to osimertinib.The miR-340-5p inhibitor upregulated the expression of PTX3 in lung cancer sensitive cells.Con-clusion SNHG1 as competitive endogenous RNA inhibition of miR-340-5p,thus raising PTX3 expression,the drug resistance of lung cancer cells,SNHG1/miR-340-5p/PTX3 shaft may provide potential targets in the treatment of lung cancer drug resistance.

Objective:To examine the regulatory effects of a potential antifibrotic tetrapeptide called N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline (Ac-SDKP) on the expression of epidermal growth factor (EGFR) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in lung tissues with fibrosis induced by silicosis in rats. This study aims to explore the potential therapeutic benefits of Ac-SDKP in the prevention and treatment of fibrotic lung diseases associated with silicosis.Methods:In January 2024, disease targets and Ac-SDKP active ingredients were predicted through GeneCards (https://www.genecards.org) and OMIM (https://www.omim.org) databases. Using R 4.2.1 software, we identified overlapping targets between pulmonary fibrosis and AC-SDKP. Cytoscape 3.10.2 was employed to visualize interactions between active chemical components and these targets, followed by GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway analysis using R 4.2.1. Forty healthy adult Wistar rats were selected to establish silicosis models through single-dose gavage with 50 mg/ml silica suspension (1. 0 ml per rat). The rats were randomly divided into four groups: model control group (4 weeks), silicosis model group (4 weeks), Ac-SDKP preventive treatment group (acquired via intraperitoneal injection of a micro-release pump containing Ac-SDKP [800 μg/ (kg·d) ] during modeling, maintained for 4 weeks), and Ac-SDKP anti-fibrosis treatment group (acquired via intraperitoneal injection of the same pump after 2 weeks of modeling, continued maintenance for 2 weeks). Each group contained 10 rats. The pathological changes in rat lung tissues were observed. Western blot technology was used to detect the protein expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), signal transduction and activation transcription factor 3 (STAT 3), caspase 3, and caspase 8 in lung tissues. Immunohistochemical techniques were employed to assess the expressions of EGFR, STAT3, caspase 3, and caspase 8. Overall differences between groups were compared using one-way ANOVA.Results:Compared with the control group in the silicosis model, rats in the 4-week group exhibited significant fibrotic nodules. The lung tissues of these rats showed statistically significant increases in α-SMA, EGFR, STAT 3, Caspase 3, and Caspase 8 protein expression ( P<0.05). In contrast, the Ac-SDKP prevention and anti-fibrosis treatment group demonstrated markedly reduced expression levels of these proteins compared to the 4-week silicosis model group, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). Immunohistochemical staining revealed that brownish-yellow expression of EGFR, STAT3, Caspase3, and Caspase8 was significantly enhanced in silicotic nodules within the silicosis model group. Conversely, this brownish-yellow expression was notably decreased in the Ac-SDKP prevention and anti-fibrosis treatment group compared to the 4-week silicosis model group. Conclusion:Ac-SDKP may exert antifibrotic effects on the lungs of rats with silicosis by regulating the EGFR/STAT3 pathway.