Objective To investigate the expression of ferritinophagy-related gene ELAV-like RNA binding protein 1(ELAVL1)in multiple myeloma(MM)and elucidate its diagnostic and prognostic value for MM.Methods First,we analyzed ELAVL1 expression level in healthy controls and MM patients using data from the GEO and TCGA databases.Subsequently,bone marrow specimens were collected from 28 newly diagnosed MM patients and 20 healthy controls,and qRT-PCR was employed to validate ELAVL1 expression.The diagnostic and prognostic potential of ELAVL1 was assessed using ROC curve analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival curves.Additionally,univariate and multivariate COX regression analyses were performed to identify independent risk factors for MM prognosis.Finally,KEGG and GO enrichment analyses were performed using the DAVID online platform.Results The level of ELAVL1 expression was significantly higher in newly diagnosed MM patients and refractory/relapsed MM patients than in the healthy controls(P＜0.001).Moreover,ELAVL1 expression was positively correlated with the International Staging System(ISS)stage of MM(P＜0.01).Furthermore,qRT-PCR validation confirmed that ELAVL1 expression was elevated in the 28 newly diagnosed MM patients compared to the 20 healthy controls(P＜0.001).ROC curve analysis demonstrated that ELAVL1 could effectively differentiate between newly diagnosed MM patients,healthy controls,and MGUS patients(P＜0.001 and P=0.000 2,respectively).Survival analysis revealed that high ELAVL1 expression was associated with shorter progression-free survival(P=0.0141)and overall survival(P=0.008 0).Univariate and multivariate COX regression analyses identified high ELAVL1 expression as an independent risk factor for poor MM prognosis(P=0.005 0).KEGG analysis suggested that ELAVL1 might be involved in the Hippo and MAPK signaling pathways.Conclusion High ELAVL1 expression in MM may serve as a biomarker for diagnosis and poor prognosis.ELAVL1 may promote MM initiation and progression via the Hippo and MAPK signaling pathways.

Objective To investigate the expression of ferritinophagy-related gene ELAV-like RNA binding protein 1(ELAVL1)in multiple myeloma(MM)and elucidate its diagnostic and prognostic value for MM.Methods First,we analyzed ELAVL1 expression level in healthy controls and MM patients using data from the GEO and TCGA databases.Subsequently,bone marrow specimens were collected from 28 newly diagnosed MM patients and 20 healthy controls,and qRT-PCR was employed to validate ELAVL1 expression.The diagnostic and prognostic potential of ELAVL1 was assessed using ROC curve analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival curves.Additionally,univariate and multivariate COX regression analyses were performed to identify independent risk factors for MM prognosis.Finally,KEGG and GO enrichment analyses were performed using the DAVID online platform.Results The level of ELAVL1 expression was significantly higher in newly diagnosed MM patients and refractory/relapsed MM patients than in the healthy controls(P＜0.001).Moreover,ELAVL1 expression was positively correlated with the International Staging System(ISS)stage of MM(P＜0.01).Furthermore,qRT-PCR validation confirmed that ELAVL1 expression was elevated in the 28 newly diagnosed MM patients compared to the 20 healthy controls(P＜0.001).ROC curve analysis demonstrated that ELAVL1 could effectively differentiate between newly diagnosed MM patients,healthy controls,and MGUS patients(P＜0.001 and P=0.000 2,respectively).Survival analysis revealed that high ELAVL1 expression was associated with shorter progression-free survival(P=0.0141)and overall survival(P=0.008 0).Univariate and multivariate COX regression analyses identified high ELAVL1 expression as an independent risk factor for poor MM prognosis(P=0.005 0).KEGG analysis suggested that ELAVL1 might be involved in the Hippo and MAPK signaling pathways.Conclusion High ELAVL1 expression in MM may serve as a biomarker for diagnosis and poor prognosis.ELAVL1 may promote MM initiation and progression via the Hippo and MAPK signaling pathways.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between alterations in dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) and spatial navigation abilities in individuals with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) across different Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) constitutions.Methods:Seventy-five participants with SCD, comprising 34 individuals with balanced constitutions and 41 individuals with biased constitutions, were recruited from the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School between August 2022 and January 2025. The participants underwent TCM constitution assessment, spatial navigation ability testing, and neuropsychological scale evaluation. Additionally, each participant was assessed using 3.0 T resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and high-resolution T1-weighted imaging scans. Based on prior research, 20 spatial navigation-related regions of interest (ROIs) were defined. Afterwards, rs-fMRI time series were segmented using a sliding time window approach before calculating the dFC within the spatial navigation brain network.Results:Compared to the balanced constitution group, the biased constitution SCD group showed significantly lower scores on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) ( z=-3.05, P=0.002) and the Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT) measures: immediate recall ( z=-2.12, P=0.035), short-delay recall ( z=-2.22, P=0.026), long-delay recall ( z=-2.88, P=0.004), cued recall ( z=-2.91, P=0.004), and recognition ( z=-2.20, P=0.028). They also exhibited significantly higher average error distances in ego-allocentric navigation ( z=-2.28, P=0.023), egocentric navigation ( z=-2.31, P=0.021), and delayed navigation ( z=-2.02, P=0.043). Participants with SCD who had a biased constitution also demonstrated significantly reduced dFC between the left parahippocampal gyrus (PHG) and left prefrontal cortex (PFC) ( t=2.43), right precuneus and right retrosplenial cortex (RSC) ( t=2.96), and left inferior parietal lobule (IPL) and left hippocampus ( t=2.42) (all P<0.05, Bonferroni-corrected). Conversely, the dFC was significantly increased between the right PHG and left PFC ( t=-2.29, P<0.05, Bonferroni-corrected). Significant correlations were also found in participants with SCD who had biased constitutions: the dFC between the left PHG and left PFC positively correlated with the egocentric navigation average total error ( r=0.34, P=0.030) and negatively correlated with the visuospatial memory cognitive domain ( r=-0.35, P=0.026); the dFC between the left IPL and left hippocampus negatively correlated with the egocentric navigation average total error ( r=-0.32, P=0.043); and the dFC between the right PHG and left PFC positively correlated with the delayed navigation average total error ( r=0.33, P=0.037). The area under the ROC curve for the combined differences in cognitive assessments, spatial navigation behavior, and navigation-related brain network dFC was 0.966 in predicting biased constitution versus balanced constitution in participants with SCD. Conclusions:Individuals with SCD and biased constitutions demonstrated poorer spatial navigation ability, possibly due to altered dFC within the spatial navigation brain network. Furthermore, the integrated model based on spatial navigation behaviors and dFC exhibited a high predictive value in distinguishing between individuals with SCD who had balanced and biased constitutions.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between alterations in dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) and spatial navigation abilities in individuals with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) across different Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) constitutions.Methods:Seventy-five participants with SCD, comprising 34 individuals with balanced constitutions and 41 individuals with biased constitutions, were recruited from the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School between August 2022 and January 2025. The participants underwent TCM constitution assessment, spatial navigation ability testing, and neuropsychological scale evaluation. Additionally, each participant was assessed using 3.0 T resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and high-resolution T1-weighted imaging scans. Based on prior research, 20 spatial navigation-related regions of interest (ROIs) were defined. Afterwards, rs-fMRI time series were segmented using a sliding time window approach before calculating the dFC within the spatial navigation brain network.Results:Compared to the balanced constitution group, the biased constitution SCD group showed significantly lower scores on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) ( z=-3.05, P=0.002) and the Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT) measures: immediate recall ( z=-2.12, P=0.035), short-delay recall ( z=-2.22, P=0.026), long-delay recall ( z=-2.88, P=0.004), cued recall ( z=-2.91, P=0.004), and recognition ( z=-2.20, P=0.028). They also exhibited significantly higher average error distances in ego-allocentric navigation ( z=-2.28, P=0.023), egocentric navigation ( z=-2.31, P=0.021), and delayed navigation ( z=-2.02, P=0.043). Participants with SCD who had a biased constitution also demonstrated significantly reduced dFC between the left parahippocampal gyrus (PHG) and left prefrontal cortex (PFC) ( t=2.43), right precuneus and right retrosplenial cortex (RSC) ( t=2.96), and left inferior parietal lobule (IPL) and left hippocampus ( t=2.42) (all P<0.05, Bonferroni-corrected). Conversely, the dFC was significantly increased between the right PHG and left PFC ( t=-2.29, P<0.05, Bonferroni-corrected). Significant correlations were also found in participants with SCD who had biased constitutions: the dFC between the left PHG and left PFC positively correlated with the egocentric navigation average total error ( r=0.34, P=0.030) and negatively correlated with the visuospatial memory cognitive domain ( r=-0.35, P=0.026); the dFC between the left IPL and left hippocampus negatively correlated with the egocentric navigation average total error ( r=-0.32, P=0.043); and the dFC between the right PHG and left PFC positively correlated with the delayed navigation average total error ( r=0.33, P=0.037). The area under the ROC curve for the combined differences in cognitive assessments, spatial navigation behavior, and navigation-related brain network dFC was 0.966 in predicting biased constitution versus balanced constitution in participants with SCD. Conclusions:Individuals with SCD and biased constitutions demonstrated poorer spatial navigation ability, possibly due to altered dFC within the spatial navigation brain network. Furthermore, the integrated model based on spatial navigation behaviors and dFC exhibited a high predictive value in distinguishing between individuals with SCD who had balanced and biased constitutions.

Objective:To study the influencing factors of thyroid diseases among residents in a coastal area, Dongtai City, and provide scientific basis for further prevention and control of thyroid diseases.Methods:Thyroid disease patients of Dongtai City in the coastal area diagnosed by Dongtai People's Hospital from January to December 2019 were selected as the survey subjects, and diagnosis of various diseases and their gender and age distribution were analyzed. In the case-control study, confirmed new cases were selected as the case group, and healthy individuals matched 1∶1 by village group, gender, and age as the control group. A questionnaire survey and related examinations such as urinary iodine test and thyroid ultrasound examination were conducted. The survey results were summarized and analyzed (Wilcoxon rank sum test, conditional logistic regression multivariate analysis).Results:(1) A total of 3 508 patients with thyroid diseases were diagnosed, accounting for 319.46/100 000 of the total population, including 2 616 female patients, accounting for 74.57%; 2 824 cases aged 30 to 69 years old, accounting for 80.50%; 1 539 cases of hyperthyroidism, accounting for 43.87%; and 961 cases of hypothyroidism, accounting for 27.39%. (2) A total of 984 cases were surveyed in a 1∶1 paired manner. Multivariate analysis showed that the risk factors for thyroid diseases included monthly average income, family history, related surgeries, personality, working pressure, interpersonal relationships, and urinary iodine grading ( P < 0.05). The risk factors for hyperthyroidism included occupation, family history of hyperthyroidism, personality, family financial pressure, and interpersonal relationships ( P < 0.05), while the risk factor for goiter included urinary iodine grading ( P = 0.008). Conclusions:The occurrence of thyroid diseases in a coastal area, Dongtai City, may be related to family history, gender, age, personality, and working pressure. There is a correlation between goiter and low iodine nutrition level, which further confirms the correctness of the strategy of salt iodization in preventing and treating iodine deficiency disorders in coastal areas.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a type of adult stem cells derived from the mesoderm, with the ability for self-renewal and multidirectional differentiation. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSCs-Exo) are bioactive extracellular vesicles secreted by various MSCs into body fluids. They offer advantages such as anti-inflammatory properties, tissue repair, promotion of cell proliferation and differentiation, and regulation of the hair growth cycle. Hair regeneration involves the interaction of various cells and cytokines. Dermal papilla cells (DPCs) are considered as a unique MSCs with the functional properties of autologous stem cells. As the signaling center of the hair follicle, it plays an important role in regulating hair growth. MSCs-Exo can promote the proliferation and differentiation of DPCs by regulating the hair growth cycle. In recent years, research on MSCs-Exo has provided a new strategy for hair regeneration. This article reviewed the research on the use of MSCs-Exo for hair regeneration, aiming to offer new insights for the treatment of alopecia.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a type of highly prevalent heterogeneous degenerative disease that leads to joint pain, deformity, the destruction of articular cartilage, and eventual disability. The current treatment strategies for OA often suffer from systemic side effects, poor anti-inflammatory efficacy, and persistent pain. To address these issues, we develop light-inducible nanomedicine that enables the co-delivery of anti-inflammatory drug (diacerein, DIA) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting nerve growth factor (NGF) for pain relief to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of OA. The nanomedicine is based on poly(β-amino-ester)-coated gold nanocages (AuNCs), which is further incorporated with the phase-change material (lauric acid/stearic acid, LA/SA). Following intra-articular (IA) injection in vivo, the nanomedicine displays high degree of drug accumulation and retention in the joint lesion of OA mouse models. The photothermal effect, induced by AuNCs, not only promotes DIA and siRNA release, but also upregulates the expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP-70) to resist the apoptosis of chondrocytes in the inflammatory condition. The internalization of both DIA and siRNA results in strong anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects, which greatly contribute to the joint repair of OA mice. This study offers a promising combination strategy for OA treatment.

AIM:To investigate the therapeutic effects of syringin(SY)on vascular cognitive impairment(VCI)in rats and its possible mechanisms.METHODS:The rats were allocated into three groups:sham group(n=15);model group(n=21);and SY treatment group(n=19).The VCI rat model was induced via a modified bilateral ligation of the common carotid artery.Three days after the model induction,the SY treatment group received intraperitoneal injec-tions of 50 mg/kg SY once daily for 28 d.In total,15 rats in the sham operation group,17 rats in the model group,and 17 rats in the SY treatment group were included for further investigation.The cognitive and learning functions of the rats were assessed using the Morris water maze test,Y-maze test,and novel object recognition experiment.Cerebral blood flow was monitored through laser speckle imaging,while Evans blue staining was used to assess damage to the blood-brain barrier.Nissl staining,microtubule-associated protein-2(MAP-2),and neuronal nuclear antigen(NeuN)co-localization immuno-fluorescence staining demonstrated the extent of hippocampal damage.ELISA was employed to measure the levels of inter-leukin(IL)-1β,IL-6,and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in the brain tissue.Microglial activation was observed via ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1(IBA1)immunofluorescence staining,and Western blot analysis detected the expression of Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4),myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88)and phosphorylated(p)-P65 pro-teins in the brain tissue.RESULTS:Compared with the sham group,rats in the model group exhibited reduced cognitive function and cerebral blood flow(P＜0.01),increased blood-brain barrier permeability and degree of hippocampal tissue damage(P＜0.01),upregulation of TLR4,MyD88,and p-P65 protein expression in the brain tissue(P＜0.01),elevated levels of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α(P＜0.01),as well as microglia activation(P＜0.01).In contrast to the model group,rats in the SY group demonstrated enhanced cognitive function and cerebral blood flow(P＜0.01),decreased blood-brain barrier permeability and degree of hippocampal tissue damage(P＜0.01),downregulation of TLR4,MyD88 and p-P65 protein expression in the brain tissue(P＜0.01),reduced levels of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α,and reduced microglia density(P＜0.01).CONCLUSION:SY enhances cognitive function in VCI rats by improving cerebral blood flow,safeguarding the integrity of the blood-brain barrier,attenuating neuroinflammation,mitigating neuronal damage within the hippocam-pus,and inhibiting TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathways.

The study used the Delphi method to conduct two rounds of expert consultations involving 23 experts nationwide, aiming to establish the comprehensive index system for field epidemiological investigations of viral respiratory infectious diseases and determine the weights assigned to each index through the hierarchical analysis. Both rounds of consultation witnessed a 100% participation rate among all experts, with a coefficient of authority (Cr) reaching 0.89. The Kendall′s W coefficients for assessing the importance and feasibility in both rounds were 0.108, 0.234, 0.439 and 0.427, respectively. Finally, an index system consisting of seven first-level indicators, 18 second-level indicators, and 36 third-level indicators was constructed for the technical guidelines governing field epidemiological investigations into viral respiratory infectious diseases, and the weight of each indicator was established. The index system constructed in this study has a high degree of scientificity, reliability and operability, but it still needs to be further adjusted and improved in combination with the epidemiological characteristics of viral respiratory infectious diseases.

The study used the Delphi method to conduct two rounds of expert consultations involving 23 experts nationwide, aiming to establish the comprehensive index system for field epidemiological investigations of viral respiratory infectious diseases and determine the weights assigned to each index through the hierarchical analysis. Both rounds of consultation witnessed a 100% participation rate among all experts, with a coefficient of authority (Cr) reaching 0.89. The Kendall′s W coefficients for assessing the importance and feasibility in both rounds were 0.108, 0.234, 0.439 and 0.427, respectively. Finally, an index system consisting of seven first-level indicators, 18 second-level indicators, and 36 third-level indicators was constructed for the technical guidelines governing field epidemiological investigations into viral respiratory infectious diseases, and the weight of each indicator was established. The index system constructed in this study has a high degree of scientificity, reliability and operability, but it still needs to be further adjusted and improved in combination with the epidemiological characteristics of viral respiratory infectious diseases.