A 20-year-old male patient presented to the Department of Dermatology of Peking Union Medical College Hospital with complaints of an 8-year history of facial scarring, swelling of the lower limbs, and a 4-year history of scalp thickening. Physical examination showed thickening furrowing wrinkling of the skin on the face and behind the ears, ciliary body hirsutism, blepharoptosis, and cutis verticis gyrate. Both lower limbs were swollen, especially the knees and ankles. The skin of the palms and soles of the feet was keratinized and thickened. Laboratory examination using bone and joint X-ray showed periostosis of the proximal middle phalanges and metacarpals of both hands, distal ulna and radius, tibia and fibula, distal femurs, and metatarsals.Genetic testing revealed two variants in SLCO2A1, c.1658T > A and c.96+4A > C.Through multidisciplinary consultation, we confirmed the diagnosis of pachydermoperiostosis.

Objective:To analyze and identify the expression profiles of oxidative stress-related genes and circular RNAs(circRNAs)in ricin toxin(RT)-induced pyroptosis of mouse mononuclear macrophages(RAW264.7)using transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics technology,and to preliminarily analyze their potential functions.Methods:The macrophages(RAW264.7 cells)were treated with RT to establish a cell pyroptosis model and divided into control group,40 μg·L-1 RT group,and 80 ng/mL RT group.Transmission electron microscope(TEM)was used to observe the morphology of the RAW264.7 cells in various groups;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of the pyroptosis pathway-related proteins in the cells in various groups;80 μg·L-1 RT was selected for subsequent experiments.Transcriptome sequencing(RNA-Seq)was performed to obtain the circRNA and mRNA expression profiles in the RAW264.7 cells in control group and RT-treated group,followed by bioinformatics analysis.Results:Compared with control group,the cells in 40 and 80 μg·L-1 RT groups underwent morphological changes;the cells in RT groups showed obvious pyroptosis-like morphological changes,characterized by significant swelling of dying cells and the appearance of characteristic large bubbles on the plasma membrane.Compared with control group,the expression level of gasdermin DN-terminal fragment(GSDMD-N)protein in 40 and 80 μg·L-1 RT groups was increased(P<0.05);compared with 40 μg·L-1 RT group,the expression level of GSDMD-N protein in the cells in 80 μg·L-1 RT group was increased(P<0.05);therefore,the subsequent experiments used the RT concentration of 80 μg·L-1.A total of 2930 differentially expressed messenger RNAs(mRNAs)and 24 differentially expressed circRNAs were identified.The constructed circRNA-microRNA(miRNA)-mRNA competing endogenous RNA(ceRNA)regulatory network consisted of 7 circRNAs,12 miRNAs and 13 mRNAs.Gene Ontology(GO)functional enrichment analysis showed that in biological process(BP),the functions regulated by differentially expressed genes mainly included immune response and oxidative stress response;in cellular component(CC),differentially expressed genes were mainly localized to the external side of plasma membrane and cell leading edge;in molecular function(MF),they were mainly involved in transporter transmembrane activity and hormone receptor binding.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis showed that differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in Toll-like receptor signaling pathway,Forkhead box O(FoxO)signaling pathway and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells(NF-κB)signaling pathway.In the protein-protein interaction(PPI)network,the top 10 hub genes with the highest connectivity were screened by CytoHubba,including matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP9),superoxide dismutase 2(SOD2),and v-src sarcoma viral oncogene homolog(Src).Conclusion:The expression profiles of oxidative stress-related genes and circRNAs in RAW264.7 cells are altered after RT treatment.The screened differentially expressed circRNAs and mRNAs may serve as potential targets to regulate RT-induced pyroptosis in RAW264.7 cells through oxidative stress pathways.

Nano/microplastics(NMPs),due to their environmental persistence and resistance to degradation,have emerged as a major contributor to global pollution.NMPs are capable of adsorbing various hazardous chemicals and heavy metals,thereby posing threats to aquatic ecosystem health,which may ultimately cause potential risks to human health.Conventional analytical methods suffered from limited resolution,insufficient chemical information,or destruction of sample,invalidating these assays for on-site detection of NMPs.Surface-enhanced Raman scattering(SERS)offers distinct advantages such as high sensitivity,superior specificity,rich fingerprint information,and non-destructive analysis,thus facilitating the on-site analysis of NMPs in complex matrices.This review summarized recent advances in SERS substrates for detection of NMPs,discussed the construction and applications of SERS-based multimodal detection strategies,and introduced the research progress of SERS detection of NMPs in food safety,environmental pollution,and bioanalysis.Moreover,the main challenges and future directions of SERS-based NMP detection were outlined.

Objective To evaluate the association of different obesity phenotypes and their components with the risk of cognitive impairment in older Chinese adults,and to assess the association between obesity and cognitive impairment in different cognition-related genetic backgrounds.Methods A cross-sectional study based on the West China Health and Aging Cohort was conducted.Logistic regression was applied to estimate the association of obesity phenotypes and components with cognitive impairment in older Chinese adults stratified by APOE gene and polygenic risk scores.Results A total of 7 316 participants were enrolled,of whom 1 820 had cognitive impairment.Weight gains were associated with a reduced risk of cognitive impairment(odds ratio[OR]=0.96,95%CI,0.95-0.97).Being overweight with a normal waist-to-hip ratio was a protective factor for cognition(OR=0.74,95%CI,0.61-0.90),whereas the coexistence of elevated waist-to-hip ratio and overweight did not increase the risk of cognitive impairment.Sarcopenia was associated with an elevated risk of cognitive impairment.This association was found in both overweight(OR=2.03,95%CI,1.71-2.41)and non-overweight older adults(OR=1.86,95%CI,1.58-2.20),and was significant across all polygenic risk score strata.Conclusion Increasing body mass may serve as a key protective factor against cognitive decline in older adults.Having sarcopenia and obesity is associated with an elevated risk of cognitive impairment,independent of genetic susceptibility.

Spine fracture and dislocation are common traumatic spinal conditions that often require surgical intervention due to compromised spinal stability. Surgical approaches include anterior, posterior, and combined anterior-posterior spinal procedures. According to the specific surgical requirements, patients may be placed in the prone position or repositioned between prone and supine positions during surgery. Intraoperative repositioning has become an essential step in patient positioning. However, during repositioning, patients with spinal fracture and dislocation are at increased risk for complications such as hemodynamic instability, nerve injury, and pressure injuries to the skin and soft tissue. Notably, due to the instability of the spinal cord, even minor manipulations can further exacerbate the damage, potentially leading to severe outcomes like paraplegia. Although the current clinical guidelines provide instructive recommendations for standard position, there remains no specific protocols for intraoperative repositioning in patients with spine fracture and dislocation. With a concern for the lack of clinical studies on positioning techniques, risk prevention, and operational norms for special patients, no applicable guidelines or standards are available. A consensus was required to provide clinical reference, meet the requirements of surgical treatment, and minimize the safety risks of patients caused by improper placement of positions. Professional Committee of Operating Room Nursing of Shaanxi Nursing Association organized experts in nursing management and operating room nursing from major hospitals across China to formulate Expert consensus on intraoperative repositioning for patients with spinal fracture and dislocation ( version 2025). The consensus provides 11 recommendations covering pre-repositioning preparation, intraoperative maneuvers, and post-repositioning observation, aiming to provide references for clinical standardization of the intraoperative repositioning process and protection of patients′ safety.

Periodontal bone defects, primarily caused by periodontitis, are highly prevalent in clinical settings and manifest as bone fenestration, dehiscence, or attachment loss, presenting a significant challenge to oral health. In regenerative medicine, harnessing developmental principles for tissue repair offers promising therapeutic potential. Of particular interest is the condensation of progenitor cells, an essential event in organogenesis that has inspired clinically effective cell aggregation approaches in dental regeneration. However, the precise cellular coordination mechanisms during condensation and regeneration remain elusive. Here, taking the tooth as a model organ, we employed single-cell RNA sequencing to dissect the cellular composition and heterogeneity of human dental follicle and dental papilla, revealing a distinct Platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) population with remarkable odontogenic potential. Interestingly, a reciprocal paracrine interaction between PDGFRA⁺ dental follicle stem cells (DFSCs) and CD31⁺ Endomucin⁺ endothelial cells (ECs) was mediated by Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and Platelet-derived growth factor subunit BB (PDGFBB). This crosstalk not only maintains the functionality of PDGFRA⁺ DFSCs but also drives specialized angiogenesis. In vivo periodontal bone regeneration experiments further reveal that communication between PDGFRA⁺ DFSC aggregates and recipient ECs is essential for effective angiogenic-osteogenic coupling and rapid tissue repair. Collectively, our results unravel the importance of MSC-EC crosstalk mediated by the VEGFA and PDGFBB-PDGFRA reciprocal signaling in orchestrating angiogenesis and osteogenesis. These findings not only establish a framework for deciphering and promoting periodontal bone regeneration in potential clinical applications but also offer insights for future therapeutic strategies in dental or broader regenerative medicine.
Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha/metabolism* ; Humans ; Neovascularization, Physiologic/physiology* ; Dental Sac/cytology* ; Single-Cell Analysis ; Transcriptome ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Bone Regeneration ; Animals ; Dental Papilla/cytology* ; Periodontium/physiology* ; Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Regeneration ; Angiogenesis

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality based on the 10-year population-based multicenter prospective study. METHODS: A general population-based multicenter prospective study was conducted at four sites in rural China between 2013 and 2023. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess the association between BMI and mortality. Stratified analyses were performed based on the individual characteristics of the participants. RESULTS: Overall, 19,107 participants with a sum of 163,095 person-years were included and 1,910 participants died. The underweight (< 18.5 kg/m ²) presented an increase in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [ aHR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.66-2.41), while overweight (≥ 24.0 to < 28.0 kg/m ²) and obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m ²) presented a decrease with an aHR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.52-0.73) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.37-0.70), respectively. Overweight ( aHR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67-0.86) and mild obesity ( aHR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87) had a positive impact on mortality in people older than 60 years. All-cause mortality decreased rapidly until reaching a BMI of 25.7 kg/m ² ( aHR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98) and increased slightly above that value, indicating a U-shaped association. The beneficial impact of being overweight on mortality was robust in most subgroups and sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION This study provides additional evidence that overweight and mild obesity may be inversely related to the risk of death in individuals older than 60 years. Therefore, it is essential to consider age differences when formulating health and weight management strategies.
Humans ; Body Mass Index ; China/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Rural Population/statistics & numerical data* ; Aged ; Follow-Up Studies ; Adult ; Mortality ; Cause of Death ; Obesity/mortality* ; Overweight/mortality*

Effective prescriptions are treasures of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). To explore these resources and promote the features of TCM treatments, the core question is to investigate bioactive substances and therapeutic mechanisms of TCM prescriptions by modern science and technical methods. Currently, the bottleneck problem of studying TCM prescriptions is that the complicated components of TCM prescriptions hinder investigations on the therapeutic mechanisms of TCM prescriptions. To address this issue, a method of "fraction-spectrum-effect-mechanism" was proposed based on the essence, attribute, and characteristics of actions of TCM prescriptions, as well as the merits of currently available methods of chemical and pharmacodynamic studies of TCM prescription. The whole prescriptions were chosen as study objects. The bioactive substances and therapeutic mechanisms of TCM prescriptions were investigated by the systematical category of major constituents of TCM prescriptions. This method reflected the essence, attributes, and characteristics of actions of TCM prescriptions and showed comprehensiveness in theory. It also demonstrated feasibility in practices by using the molecular characteristics, physical and chemical properties, and separation methods of components of TCM prescriptions. This method provides a novel way to study TCM prescriptions, which could assist in studying on modern scientific connotation of TCM prescriptions and developing new drugs from effective TCM prescriptions.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Humans ; Drug Prescriptions

Process analytical technology(PAT) is a key means for digital transformation and upgrading of the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) manufacturing process, serving as an important guarantee for consistent and controllable TCM product quality. Near-infrared(NIR) spectroscopy has become the core technology for measuring the TCM manufacturing process. By incorporating NIR spectroscopy into PAT and starting from the construction of a smart platform for the TCM manufacturing process, this paper systematically described the development history and innovative application of the combination of NIR spectroscopy with chemometrics in measuring the TCM manufacturing process by the research team over the past two decades. Additionally, it explored the application of a validation method based on accuracy profile(AP) in the practice of NIR spectroscopy. Furthermore, the software development progress driven by NIR spectroscopy supported by modeling technology was analyzed, and the prospect of integrating NIR spectroscopy in smart factory control platforms was exemplified with the construction practices of related platforms. By integrating with the smart platform, NIR spectroscopy could improve production efficiency and guarantee product quality. Finally, the prospect of the smart platform application in measuring the TCM manufacturing process was projected. It is believed that the software development for NIR spectroscopy and the smart manufacturing platform will provide strong technical support for TCM digitalization and industrialization.
Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared/methods* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/analysis* ; Software ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Quality Control