Objective: To analyze the association between insufficient sleep and score of depressive symptoms among junior and senior high school students, so as to provide a scientific reference for targeted early intervention measures of adolescents depressive symptoms. Methods: From September to November 2023, a stratified cluster random sampling method was used to select 96 080 junior and senior high school students from 409 schools in 113 districts and counties in Shaanxi Province. A questionnaire survey was conducted using the 2023 Shaanxi Provincial Common Student Diseases and Health Influencing Factors Survey Form, and their height and weight were measured. Propensity score (PS) matched (1∶1) analysis was used to match participants with insufficient sleep to those sufficient sleep students. Through the gradual correction of the confounders, three multilevel linear models were established to analyze the association between insufficient sleep and depressive symptoms score, and subgroup analysis was conducted afterward. Results: A total of 70 135 (73.00%) students had insufficient sleep. After PS matching, 25 894 pairs were matched. Before PS matching, after adjusting for gender, educational stage, region, adolescent characteristics, boarding status, smoking, alcohol consumption, outdoor activities and body mass index grouping, linear regression analysis results showed that compared with students who got adequate sleep, students who lacked sleep had an increase of 1.39 scores ( B=1.39, 95%CI =1.28-1.51) in depressive symptoms; after PS matching, students with insufficient sleep got an increase of 1.32 scores ( B=1.32, 95%CI =1.17- 1.45 ) in depressive symptoms score compared with those who had adequate sleep (both P <0.05). Conclusions The insufficient sleep is associated with the increase of the depressive symptoms score of junior and senior high school students. It is recommended that junior and senior high school students should keep a good sleeping habit, so as to reduce the prevalence of depressive symptoms.

ObjectiveTo establish a high-performance liquid chromatography（HPLC） for the quantitative analysis of multiple components in Gegen Qinlian tablets， and to comprehensively evaluate the quality of samples from different manufacturers by integrating chemical pattern recognition and technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution（TOPSIS）， in order to provide a reference basis for quality evaluation and control of Gegen Qinlian tablets. MethodsHPLC was employed to determine the contents of 10 components in 28 batches of Gegen Qinlian tablets collected from 6 manufacturers， and taking the detection results as variables， SIMCA 14.1 and SPSS 26.0 were employed for cluster analysis（CA）， principal component analysis（PCA）， and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis（OPLS-DA） to identify key components affecting the quality. Then， TOPSIS analysis was employed to rank the quality of Gegen Qinlian tablets from the 6 manufacturers and establish a comprehensive quality evaluation method. ResultsA quantitative method for Gegen Qinlian tablets was established. After methodological validation， the method was found to be stable and reliable， and could be used for the quantitative analysis of this preparation. The contents of 3′-hydroxy puerarin， puerarin， 3′-methoxy puerarin， daidzein， coptisine hydrochloride， epiberberine， jatrorrhizine hydrochloride， berberine hydrochloride， palmatine hydrochloride and baicalin in 28 batches of samples were 3.58-7.35， 24.88-42.32， 4.20-9.36， 4.33-7.60， 2.52-6.44， 0.93-4.10， 0.58-3.05， 10.68-22.92， 0.82-4.82， 11.73-60.16 mg·g^-1， respectively. Among them， puerarin， berberine hydrochloride and baicalin all met the limit requirements for this preparation specified in the 2025 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. CA and PCA clustered the 28 batches of samples into 5 categories， PCA extracted 2 principal components with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 90.588%， and OPLS-DA screened out 4 differential markers with variable importance in the projection（VIP） values>1.0， namely baicalin， 3′-hydroxy puerarin， coptisine hydrochloride and palmatine hydrochloride， which might be the main components affecting the quality of Gegen Qinlian tablets. TOPSIS analysis showed that the comprehensive score of each evaluation index（C_i） values of different manufacturers were different. Among them， the C_i of manufacturer B was ranked higher， indicating potentially superior quality， while the C_i of manufacturer A was ranked lower， suggesting potentially inferior quality. ConclusionThis study establishes a quantitative method for Gegen Qinlian tablets， and the content uniformity of the same manufacturer is good， while there are differences in the contents of active components among different manufacturers. Through the chemical pattern recognition analysis， it is found that the content differences of Gegen Qinlian tablets may be related to baicalin， 3′-hydroxy puerarin， coptisine hydrochloride and palmatine hydrochloride.

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease, and its occurrence and development are closely related to the imbalance of local innate immune responses. The caspase family plays a crucial role in regulating inflammatory responses and cell death pathways in periodontal innate immune cells (such as gingival epithelial cells, neutrophils, macrophages, dendritic cells, and natural killer cells). These proteases exhibit a dual regulatory effect on cellular functions. On one hand, apoptotic pathways mediated by caspase-3/7/9 enable the programmed clearance of senescent or damaged cells, while pyroptosis pathways mediated by caspase-1/4 contribute to immune defense and pathogen elimination, collectively helping to maintain tissue homeostasis. On the other hand, excessive activation of the caspase-1/gasdermin D pathway, as well as inflammatory amplification pathways involving caspase-4/6/8, promotes the release of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-18, leading to the disruption of the epithelial barrier and exacerbation of periodontal tissue damage. Caspase regulation exhibits both commonality and cell specificity. In gingival epithelial cells, caspase-1 mediates pyroptosis and inflammation activation, caspase-3 regulates apoptosis and proliferation signaling, and caspase-4 participates in differentiation regulation and pathogen-selective immune responses, collectively adapting to physiological and pathological changes. Neutrophils can utilize the caspase-1/gasdermin D signaling pathway to drive the release of neutrophil extracellular traps without triggering typical pyroptosis. In macrophages, caspase-1 and caspase-8 synergistically promote polarization toward the M1 phenotype, while caspase-3 acts as an apoptosis executor to facilitate macrophage transition to the M2 phenotype in specific microenvironments. This article reviews caspase’s specific mechanism of action in periodontal innate immune-related cells, aiming to provide a new theoretical basis for targeted regulation of caspase in the treatment of periodontitis.

AIM:To investigate the current status of astigmatism and its associated factors among children and adolescents from kindergarten through senior high school in Yangpu District, Shanghai, and to provide scientific evidence for the prevention and control of refractive errors.METHODS:A cluster sampling method was employed. From September to November 2024, students from 14 randomly selected schools in Yangpu District, Shanghai, were enrolled as study subjects. Autorefraction and ocular biometry were performed under non-cycloplegic conditions, and questionnaire surveys were administered. Comparisons of astigmatism degree, detection rate, and axis were made across age groups, educational stages, and sexes. Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with astigmatism.RESULTS:A total of 7 233 students aged 4-18 y were enrolled including 3 731 males, 3 502 females, with the mean age 10.13±4.18 y, astigmatism -0.76±0.82 D, and the detection rate(≤-1.00 D)was 29.23%. Both the degree and detection rate of astigmatism were correlated with age and educational stage, peaking in senior high school, with the most pronounced changes observed during primary school. Besides age, astigmatic refractive power was influenced by spherical equivalent(β=0.105, P<0.001), mean keratometry(β=-0.118, P<0.001), sex(with boys as the reference, girls: β=0.054, P<0.001), frequent sustained near work for 30-40 min(with “almost never” as the reference, β=-0.030, P=0.038), preterm birth(β=-0.023, P=0.044), maternal myopia(β=-0.028, P=0.020), and homework completion time on rest days(β=-0.035, P=0.041). The detection rate of astigmatism was associated with maternal myopia(OR=1.130, P=0.039), male sex(OR=0.773, P<0.001), shorter sleep duration on school days(OR=0.909, P=0.028), shorter sleep duration on rest days(OR=0.937, P=0.046), preterm birth(OR=1.382, P=0.012), frequent excessive head lowering(OR=1.216, P=0.045), homework completion time on rest days(OR=1.043, P=0.046), higher spherical equivalent(OR=0.891, P<0.001), and higher mean keratometry(OR=1.188, P<0.001).CONCLUSION:The degree and detection rate of astigmatism among children and adolescents from kindergarten to senior high school in Yangpu District, Shanghai are correlated with educational stage, and primary school may represent a critical period for astigmatism prevention and control. Male sex, maternal myopia, preterm birth, high-intensity near work, and insufficient sleep and other factors may be associated with the onset and progression of astigmatism. It is recommended that education and health departments strengthen visual health screening during primary school, while promoting behavioral interventions such as scientific eye-use habits and adequate sleep across different educational stages to delay the onset and progression of astigmatism.

OBJECTIVE To establish a high-performance liquid chromatography（HPLC） fingerprint and a multi-component content determination method for Ziziphus jujuba stir-fried with Coptis chinensis juice， a characteristic processed product of Longsha Medical School， and to provide a basis for the inheritance and clinical application of this distinctive variety. METHODS HPLC method was employed to establish the fingerprints of 12 batches of Z. jujuba stir-fried with C. chinensis juice. Similarity evaluation and common peak identification were subsequently carried out. Quantitative determination was performed on coclaurine， magnoflorine， coptisine hydrochloride， epiberberine， jatrorrhizine hydrochloride， spinosin， berberine hydrochloride， palmatine hydrochloride， 6"'-feruloylspinosin， and jujuboside A of samples. RESULTS The fingerprint similarities of all 12 batches of samples were higher than 0.960. A total of 17 common peaks were calibrated， among which 9 peaks were identified as coclaurine， magnoflorine， coptisine hydrochloride， epiberberine， jatrorrhizine hydrochloride， spinosin， berberine hydrochloride， palmatine hydrochloride， and 6"'-feruloylspinosin， respectively. The quantitative results showed that the mass fractions of coclaurine， magnoflorine， coptisine hydrochloride， epiberberine， jatrorrhizine hydrochloride， spinosin， berberine hydrochloride， palmatine hydrochloride， 6"'-feruloylspinosin， and jujuboside A in the 12 batches of samples were 0.044-0.091， 0.908-1.698， 0.325-0.549， 0.163-0.287， 0.103-0.172， 0.712-0.952， 1.185-1.843， 0.341-0.598， 0.228-0.405， and 0.050-0.091 mg/g， respectively. CONCLUSIONS The established HPLC fingerprint and multi-component determination method is stable and reliable， and can provide a basis for the quality standard formulation and clinical application of Z. jujuba stir-fried with C. chinensis juice.

Objective: To analyze the distribution characteristics of fluoride and trichloromethane in drinking water in rural schools in Guizhou Province and assess their health risks, so as to provide a scientific basis for ensuring the safety of drinking water in rural schools. Methods: During the dry season (March to May) and wet season (July to September) of 2020 to 2022, 788 rural primary and secondary schools in agricultural counties (districts) in Guizhou Province were selected for investigation by using a direct sampling method. A total of 1 566 drinking water samples were collected from these schools, and the mass concentrations of fluoride and trichloromethane in the water samples were detected. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for intergroup comparison, and a health risk assessment model was employed to evaluate the health risks of students oral intake of fluoride and trichloromethane. Results: From 2020 to 2022, the mass concentrations of fluoride and trichloromethane in the drinking water of rural schools in Guizhou Province all met the standards, and the ranges were no detection to 0.99 mg/L and (no detection to 0.06)×10 -3 mg/L, respectively. The mass concentrations of fluoride in dry and wet seasons were 0.05(0.05,0.10), 0.05(0.05,0.10) mg/L, the mass concentrations of trichloromethane were [0.02(0.02,1.00)]×10 -3 , [0.02(0.02,1.00)]×10 -3 mg/L, the mass concentrations of fluoride in factory water and terminal water were 0.05(0.05,0.05), 0.05(0.05,0.10) mg/L, and the differences were not statistically significant ( Z=-0.04, -0.88, - 0.98 , P >0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the mass concentration of trichloromethane between factory water and peripheral water [0.02(0.02,0.02)×10 -3 , 0.02(0.02,1.05)×10 -3 mg/L]( Z=-2.16, P < 0.05 ). The non-carcinogenic risk assessment values for students oral exposure to fluoride and trichloromethane were in the range of 0.01(0.01,0.03)-0.03(0.03,0.06) and [0.26( 0.26 ,14.54)]×10 -4 -[0.52(0.52,48.62)]×10 -4 , respectively, all of which were at acceptable levels; the carcinogenic risk assessment values for oral exposure to trichloromethane were in the range of [0.08(0.08, 4.51 )]×10 -7 -[0.16(0.16,15.07)]×10 -7 , indicating a low risk. Conclusions The health risks of students expore to fluoride and trichloromethane in drinking water in rural schools of Guizhou Province are low. It is necessary to strengthen the standardized management of disinfection in some rural drinking water projects and the monitoring of fluoride in water sources to reduce the exposure risk to children.

Objective To explore the correlation between the test panel of serum CC chemokine ligand 3(CCL3),soluble podoplanin(sPDPN),fatty acid-binding protein 5(FABP5)and the severity of lung injury and clinical outcomes in children with severe pneumonia.Methods A total of 168 children with severe pneumonia who visited our hospital from January 2022 to January 2023 were included in this study as severe group.The patients were assigned to good outcome group(137 cases)or poor outcome group(31 cases)based on their prognosis.Additional 80 children with mild or moderate pneumonia were treated as non-severe group.In addition,80 children who underwent health checkup were included as control group.Baseline data such as body mass index and duration of disease were observed and recorded for all children.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was applied to detect the expression levels of C-reactive protein(CRP),procalcitonin(PCT),interleukin-6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),CCL3,sPDPN,and FABP5 in the serum of all children.The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ(APACHEⅡ)score and Lung Injury Prediction(LIPS)score were rated to evaluate the degree of lung injury.Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the impact of various factors on the poor outcome of children with severe pneumonia.Spearman correlation was applied to analyze the correlation between the expression levels of CCL3,sPDPN,FABP5 and poor outcome,the severity of lung injury,APACHE Ⅱ score,and LIPS score in children with severe pneumoniae.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was applied to analyze the diagnostic value of CCL3,sPDPN,and FABP5 expression levels for poor outcome in children with severe pneumonia.Z-test was used to compare the differences in area under the curve(AUC).Results The baseline data such as duration of disease,body mass index,age,and sex did not show significant differences among the control group,non-severe group,and severe group(P＞0.05).The levels of serum CRP,PCT,IL-6,TNF-α,CCL3,sPDPN increased,while the level of FABP5 decreased gradually from the control group to non-severe group,and severe group(P＜0.05).The patients with poor outcomes showed higher serum levels of CRP,PCT,IL-6,TNF-α,CCL3,sPDPN,APACHE Ⅱ score,and LIPS score but lower FABP5 level compared to the patients with good outcomes(P＜0.05).TNF-α,CCL3,sPDPN,APACHE Ⅱ,and LIPS scores were independent risk factors for poor outcomes in children with severe pneumonia,while FABP5 level was independent protective factor for poor outcomes in children with severe pneumonia(P＜0.05).The levels of CCL3 and sPDPN were positively correlated with APACHE Ⅱ score and LIPS score,while FABP5 was negatively correlated with APACHE Ⅱ score and LIPS score(P＜0.05).The AUC of CCL3,sPDPN,and FABP5 alone was 0.802,0.864,and 0.859 respectively for predicting poor prognosis in children with severe pneumonia.The test panel of CCL3+sPDPN+FABP5 was superior to CCL3,sPDPN,or FABP5 alone(Zcombination-CCL3=3.842,Zcombination-sPDPN=2.585,Zcombination-FABP5=2.957,P＜0.05).Conclusions The serum levels of CCL3 and sPDPN are positively correlated with the severity of lung injury,while FABP5 is negatively correlated with the severity of lung injury in children with severe pneumonia.The test panel of CCL3+sPDPN+FABP5 is valuable for predicting poor outcomes in children with severe pneumonia.

China is a high-incidence region for gastric cancer globally. The disease is characterized by a high morbidity rate, low early diagnostic rate, and poor long-term outcomes, imposing a significant burden on both patients and society. Therefore, exploring the pathogenesis of gastric cancer, developing novel therapeutic strategies, and identifying new drug targets is of great importance. Telomerase expression is broadly associated with cancer cell targeting, and its up-regulation is one of the key factors driving the initiation and progression of gastric cancer. Additionally, telomerase is intricately involved in the regulation of autophagy and autophagy-associated cell death. While autophagy can induce chemoresistance, excessive autophagy may lead to cell death, which also constitutes one of the mechanisms of chemotherapy. Telomerase not only directly contributes to gastric cancer pathogenesis but also indirectly influences its development and treatment by modulating autophagy and autophagic cell death. Therefore, telomerase holds promise as a novel therapeutic target in gastric cancer.
Humans ; Stomach Neoplasms/genetics* ; Telomerase/genetics* ; Autophagy/physiology*

Objective To determine the effect of thalamic nucleus reuniens(RE)on sleep spindles and neuronal activity in the medial prefrontal cortex(mPFC)during non-rapid eye movement(NREM)sleep.Methods Thirteen wild-type C57BL/6 male mice(8～12 weeks old,weighing 22～28 g)were randomly divided into an experimental group(n=7)and a control group(n=6).Optogenetic inhibition combined with multi-channel recording technology was used to specifically inhibit RE projections to mPFC during NREM sleep with yellow light for 20 s,in a 5-min interval between 2 times of light stimuli.The types and distribution of neurons were identified based on the waveform width and firing frequency of neurons.The changes in spindle activity in the mPFC following inhibition,as well as in firing of interneurons and pyramidal neurons were analyzed.Results Morphological data confirmed that neural fibers originating from the RE densely projected to the mPFC,primarily distributed in the deep layers.In the experimental group,light stimulation significantly affected the spindle activity in the mPFC when compared with the period before light stimulation,mainly manifested as a decrease in spindle rate,central frequency,and peak-to-peak amplitude(P<0.05).However,no impacts on spindle duration,number of cycles,symmetry,and power were observed.Meanwhile,there were no significant changes in the spindle activity of the control group.The proportion of interneurons in the mPFC area was 21.9%,while pyramidal neurons accounted for 78.1%.The firing rates of interneurons in the experimental group decreased significantly during light stimulation(P<0.05),whereas there was no significant change in the firing rates of pyramidal neurons.In addition,the firing activities of both interneurons and pyramidal neurons in the control group remained unaffected.Conclusion During NREM sleep,RE inputs may participate in the generation of sleep spindles network oscillations in the mPFC by activating interneurons.

Speech prosody is a supra segmental feature of voice,which plays an important role in daily com-munication.Cochlear implantation(CI)can help the hearing-impaired children to normalize their speech,but CI children still have varying degrees of speech prosody obstacles.This paper summarizes the perception,production characteristics and intervention strategies of CI children's speech prosody at home and abroad,in order to attract the attention of education,medical,rehabilitation and academic fields to CI children's speech prosody research,and to provide reference for future intervention of CI children's speech prosody.