OBJECTIVE To predict and validate the mechanisms of Chaiqi yigan granules （CQYG） improving hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）. METHODS The signaling pathways of CQYG intervention in HCC were predicted using network pharmacology. A mice model of transplanted hepatocellular carcinoma was established by injecting H22 hepatoma cells into the axilla. Successfully modeled mice were randomly divided into model group （normal saline）， sorafenib group （positive control， 50 mg/kg）， and CQYG low-， medium- and high-dose groups （24.83， 49.66， 99.32 g/kg）， with 10 mice in each group. Mice in each group were administered the corresponding drug solution or normal saline intragastrically， once a day， for 14 consecutive days. After last administration， pathological morphological changes in the tumor tissues of mice were observed in each group. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect the expression of the nuclear proliferation antigen Ki-67 in tumor tissues of mice. Western blot assay was used to measure the expression of proteins related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT） [N-cadherin， E-cadherin， Vimentin， matrix metalloproteinase 7 （MMP7）] and the mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） signaling pathway [p38 MAPK， phosphorylated p38 MAPK， c-Jun N-terminal kinase （JNK）， phosphorylated JNK， extracellular regulated protein kinase 1/2 （ERK1/2）， phosphorylated ERK1/2] in tumor tissue of mice. RESULTS Network pharmacology analysis revealed that metabolic pathways， pathways in cancer， and the MAPK signaling pathway were key signaling pathways through which CQYG exert their anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effects. In animal experiments， the tumor tissues of mice in the model group exhibited dense tumor cells and vigorous growth. Compared with model group， CQYG high-dose group showed a decreased density of tumor cells in the tumor tissues of mice. Moreover， the expression levels of Ki-67， N-cadherin， MMP7 and Vimentin proteins， along with the phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 and JNK proteins， were all significantly reduced （ P ＜0.05）. The expression level of E-cadherin protein was significantly increased （ P ＜0.05）， the phosphorylation level of p38 MAPK protein was increased， the difference was not statistically significant （ P ＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS CQYG can inhibit EMT by regulating the MAPK signaling pathway， thereby suppressing tumor cell invasion and metastasis and ultimately exerting a therapeutic effect in improving HCC.

Purpose: Dual anti–human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) drugs have become the standard regimen for neoadjuvant systemic treatment (NST) to HER2-positive breast cancer patients. However, the efficacy varies greatly among patients with different HER2 protein expression levels. Materials and Methods: A total of 575 HER2-positive breast cancer patients from multiple centers throughout China from 2013 to 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. We compared clinicopathological features in different HER2 immunohistochemistry classes (HER2 2+/in situ hybridization [ISH] + or HER2 3+), and their difference in response to NST and survival with single or dual anti-HER2 drugs. Drug sensitivity assays were used to evaluate different efficacy of anti-HER2 drugs in vitro. Results: Compared to HER2 3+ subgroup, the HER2 2+/ISH+ group had a higher proportion of hormone receptor–positive status (48.7% vs. 76.1%, p < 0.001), more HER2 protein loss after NST, lower pathological complete response (pCR) rate (46.07% vs. 16.24%, p < 0.001), and tended to have worse disease-free survival (DFS). In HER2 2+/ISH+ patients, treated with pertuzumab and trastuzumab in combination had no significant improvement in pCR (19.12% vs. 12.24%, p=0.287) and DFS (p=0.908) than using alone. Drug sensitivity assay showed poor efficacy with dual anti-HER2 drugs in HER2 2+/ISH+ cell lines; however, fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan drugs had a satisfactory effect. Conclusion Owing to the differences in clinicopathological features and treatment efficacy, we considered the HER2 2+/ISH+ group to be a distinct subtype and defined it as the HER2-moderate–positive subgroup. In this subgroup, dual anti-HER2 drugs did not exert significant improvement in pCR and DFS. Therefore, treatment optimization is warranted, with antibody-drug conjugate drugs as potential options.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by maladaptive epithelial–mesenchymal crosstalk and progressive extracellular matrix accumulation, whereas currently available antifibrotic agents merely decelerate functional decline.This study investigated whether exosomes derived from human mesenchymal stem cells derived from embryonic stem cells (ESC-MSCs) restore epithelial stress responses and attenuate fibrotic remodeling. Human IPF lung transcriptomes were integrated with a bleomycin-induced murine model analyzed by RNA sequencing and protein signaling, together with cigarette smoke extract-induced injury in A549 epithelial cells. ESC-MSCs-derived exosomes exhibited typical morphology and size distribution, enrichment of tetraspanins, and absence of endoplasmic reticulum contamination, consistent with high-purity preparations. Across human IPF and bleomycin-injured lungs, transcriptomic profiling revealed prominent enrichment of extracellular matrix and cytoskeletal gene programs, whereas mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Smad families displayed only modest alterations at the mRNA level. In vivo administration of exosomes during the fibrotic remodeling phase, via either intravenous or intratracheal delivery, resulted in improved body weight, reduced lung weight-to-body weight ratios, and decreased collagen deposition and Ashcroft scores. These structural and functional improvements were accompanied by suppression of profibrotic and mesenchymal markers and selective attenuation of activator protein-1 (AP-1) activity. In epithelial injury models, ESC-MSCs-derived exosomes enhanced cell viability, restored redox homeostasis, and constrained stress-induced mesenchymal gene expression and MAPK phosphorylation in both co-treatment and post-treatment settings. Collectively, these data support an epithelial-centered mechanism in which ESC-MSCs-derived exosomes re-establish oxidative balance and selectively restrict AP-1-driven stress signaling, thereby secondarily limiting extracellular matrix accumulation and fibrotic remodeling.

Objective To understand mosquito density, species composition, and seasonal variations around the Beijing Capital International Airport(BCIA)and provide scientific evidence for mosquito-borne disease prevention and control. Methods Meteorological data were collected from 2016 to 2022, and mosquito density was monitored at seven surveillance sites around the BCIA from May to October each year using CO2-baited mosquito traps to analyze the relationship between mosquito density and meteorological factors. Results In total,68 518 female mosquitoes were captured, with a mosquito density of 10.20 per light · hour. The dominant species was Culex pipiens pallens(73.90%), followed by Aedes albopictus(9.71%)and Ae. vexans(9.29%);the mosquito density was highest in 2016(14.8 per light·hour)and lowest in 2022(4.46 per light·hour). Significant statistical differences were observed in mosquito density among different species(F=18.118, P<0.05). The density of Cx. pipiens pallens and other mosquito species showed a mutually exclusive trend; the peak of mosquito density varied based on years and habitats, with significant statistical differences in mosquito density among different habitats(F=8.504, P<0.05). The highest mosquito density was observed near the Wenyu River(21.50 per light·hour), whereas the lowest was recorded at the BCIA construction site(2.44 per light· hour). The monthly average temperature(r=0.595), monthly average highest temperature(r=0.575), and monthly average lowest temperature(r=0.624)showed moderate positive correlations, whereas the monthly average air pressure(r=-0.484)showed a moderate negative correlation. The monthly average minimum temperature was included in the regression model(F=25.575, P<0.000), and the equation Y=1.029X4-8.181 was used. The monthly average air pressure 2 months prior(b=-2.418, β=-1.619, P<0.05)and the monthly average relative humidity(b=-0.739, β=-1.201, P<0.05)significantly negatively predicted the mosquito density. Notably, the regression equation used was y=2526.170+(-2.418)X9+(-0.739)X13. The exposure-response analysis revealed that the density of mosquitoes was not linearly related to the average monthly air pressure, rainfall, and duration of sunshine. Conclusions The dominant mosquito species around the BCIA was Cx. pipiens pallens, Ae. albopictus, and Ae. vexans. During the control of Cx. pipiens pallens, the impact on other mosquito species must also be considered. Environmental management, breeding sites, and scientific use of pesticides should be prioritized based on the activity periods of mosquitoes. Further studies on mosquitoes and meteorological factors should be conducted to provide references and novel avenues for mosquito control.

ObjectiveTo apply and systematically evaluate the care-need grading assessment tool for adults with disabilities in welfare institutions. MethodsFrom June to July, 2025, four disability care institutions in Shanghai were selected, and a total of 1 002 adults with disabilities were assessed using the self-developed care-need grading assessment tool for adults with disabilities in welfare institutions. The application effectiveness of the tool was evaluated by analyzing the classification results of care need grading and the reclassification in grade distribution. The application validity was assessed through score differences across functional dimensions, reduced-dimension clustering scatter plots for each grade, and external variables. The application efficiency was evaluated based on the average assessment duration and learning curves. The application utility value was assessed through the distribution characteristics and mapping relationships of service lists across different grades. ResultsThe distribution across disability levels was 84 in Level 1, 298 in Level 2, 92 in Level 3, 246 in Level 4, and 282 in Level 5, indicating a trend where individuals from higher levels in the original system shifted toward the middle and lower levels of the new system. The tool demonstrated strong discriminatory power across the four functional dimensions (P < 0.001), indicating favorable discriminant validity. The five classified levels exhibited clear clustering boundaries in the reduced-dimension space, reflecting robust structural validity. The classification results were consistent with theoretical expectations regarding external variables, including age, disability type, disability grade, number of comorbidities, and primary clinical diagnoses (P < 0.05), demonstrating sound external validity. The median assessment duration was 5.80 minutes, with a significant learning effect (P = 0.037), showcasing high efficiency. Finally, service lists tailored to different care levels were developed, where service content exhibited graded differences across care levels and accurately mapped the care-need characteristics of each grade, reflecting substantial utility value. ConclusionThis tool can classify the care needs of adults with disabilities into five levels, with sound validity and high assessment efficiency; while the resulting service lists for different care levels can be used to guide practical implementation, which can be used for the graded assessment of care needs among adults with disabilities.

ObjectiveTo explore the characteristics of ecological niche and interspecific relationships of mosquitoes in different habitats in Dongcheng District, Beijing, and to provide a basis for mosquito ecological monitoring, control and the development or optimization of prevention and control strategies for related mosquito-borne diseases. MethodsFrom May to October 2023, the ecological monitoring in residential areas, parks, tourist attractions and medical institutions in Dongcheng District of Beijing was carried out using the carbon dioxide (CO₂) mosquito trapping method, and the ecological niche characteristics and interspecific relationships of mosquitoes in different habitats were analyzed using Levins ecological niche breadth index, Pinaka ecological niche overlap index and ecological niche similarity coefficients. ResultsThe temporal ecological niche of Culex pipiens pallens (10.62) was higher than that of Aedes albopictus (8.29) in different habitats in Dongcheng District of Beijing, and the temporal ecological niche overlap index of the two mosquitoes was as high as 0.87. The ecological niche breadth of Culex pipiens pallens was higher than that of Aedes albopictus in different monitoring habitats, and the order of the ecological niche breadth of Culex pipiens pallens in different monitoring habitats was, from high to low, as follows: residential areas (11.09) > tourist attractions (10.25) > medical institutions (9.15) > parks (9.07), while the ecological niche breadth of Aedes albopictus in different habitats was, in descending order, residential areas (8.56) > medical institutions (7.68) > parks (7.44) > tourist attractions (5.73). The results of niche overlap analysis showed that the overlap index between Culex pipiens pallens and Aedes albopictus was the largest in residential areas (0.86), as for in other habitats, which was, in descending order, parks (0.81) > medical institutions (0.68) > tourist attractions (0.60). Besides, the ecological similarity coefficients further verified that similarity coefficients, between the two mosquito species, were highest in residential areas (0.712), lowest in tourist attractions (0.497), and which were 0.675 in parks and 0.598 in medical institutions, respectively. ConclusionIn different monitoring habitats in Dongcheng District of Beijing, Culex albopictus pallens demonstrates a stronger spatio-temporal resource utilization ability than Aedes albopictus, and the two species exhibit more similar spatio-temporal resource utilization patterns in residential areas. Corresponding control strategies targeting the characteristics of ecological niches and interspecific relationships of these two mosquito species in different habitats should be developed to enhance the prevention and control effect.

Objective To investigatethe relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms and clinicopathological characteristics, p53 expression, and survival of Chinese patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma. Methods A total of 3882 patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma, 970 matched patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and 970 matched patients with gastric cardia adenocarcinoma were included to compare the incidence of GERD symptoms. Patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma were divided into two groups according to the presence and absence of GERD symptoms. The differences in clinicopathological characteristics and p53 expression between the two groups were compared by chi-square test, and the differences in survival between the two groups were compared by landmark analysis. Results The incidence of GERD symptoms increased successively in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, esophageal adenocarcinoma, and gastric cardia adenocarcinoma. In patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma, the proportions of male, less than 65 years old, lower thoracic tumors, tumors without squamous cell carcinoma, poorly differentiation, early tumors (stage 0-I), and p53-positive tumors in the group with GERD symptoms were higher than those in the group without GERD symptoms; moreover, the long-term survival (≥15 years) was better. Conclusion GERD symptom is an important clinical sign of esophageal adenocarcinoma. It is closely related to specific clinicopathological characteristics, p53 overexpression, and good long-term prognosis.

Objective To investigate the association between lifestyle and risk of heart disease and diabetes in the elderly population in Xi'an City. Methods From January 2021 to January 2024, a staged cluster sampling method was used to investigate the lifestyle and the occurrence of heart disease and diabetes in elderly population aged 60 years and above in the communities of Xi'an. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between lifestyle and the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Results A total of 413 elderly people were investigated, of which 31.96% had heart disease, 27.12% had diabetes, and 10.90% had diabetes with heart disease. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age, BMI, family history, sweet food preference, smoking, and sitting and lying for a long time were risk factors for diabetes in the elderly population (P<0.05). Age, BMI, family history, history of diabetes, preference for salted products, smoking, drinking, and sitting and lying for a long time were risk factors for heart disease in the elderly population (P<0.05). Conclusion The incidence rates of heart disease and diabetes are high in the elderly population in Xi'an City. The risk of diabetes is related to unhealthy lifestyles such as sweet food preference, smoking, and sitting and lying for a long time, while heart disease is related to unhealthy lifestyles such as preference for salted products, smoking, drinking, and sitting and lying for a long time.

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of hospitalized injury cases in Huangpu District, Guangzhou City in 2022, so as to provide evidence for optimizing injury prevention interventions. Methods: Data on hospitalized injury cases admitted between January to December 2022 were collected through the hospitalization registry system from 17 healthcare institutions in Huangpu District. The population distribution characteristics, causes of injury, injury sites, duration of hospital stay, and hospitalization costs were descriptively analyzed. Results: A total of 6 729 hospitalized injury cases were reported in Huangpu District in 2022, including 4 277 males and 2 452 females, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.74∶1. The average age was (49.57±19.82) years, with 2 064 cases (30.67%) aged 45 to <60 years and 1 921 cases (28.55%) aged ≥60 years. The median length of hospitalization was 9.00 (interquartile range, 11.00) days, with median hospitalization costs of 15 968.93 (interquartile range, 25 786.69) yuan. In the months of June to August, there were more cases of injury hospitalization,with 1 904 cases accounting for 28.30%. The top three causes of injury were falls (2 895 cases, 43.02%), transportation accidents (1 247 cases, 18.53%) and exposure to inanimate mechanical forces (1 104 cases, 16.41%). The top three injured sites were lower limb injuries (1 850 cases, 27.49%), upper limb injuries (1 596 cases, 23.72%) and other sites (1 178 cases, 17.51%). The three leading causes of injury with longest hospitalization duration were burns and scalds, transport accidents and falls, with the median duration being 12.00 (interquartile range, 8.00) days, 10.00 (interquartile range, 13.00) days and 10.00 (interquartile range, 11.00) days, respectively. The top three injury sites associated with the longest hospitalization duration were others, lower limb injuries, and head and neck injuries, with the median duration being 11.00 (interquartile range, 13.00) days, 11.00 (interquartile range, 11.00) days, and 10.00 (interquartile range, 12.00) days, respectively. The causes of injury associated with higher hospitalization costs were falls and transportation accidents, with the median hospitalization cost being 23 550.13 (interquartile range, 30 087.76) yuan for falls and 20 301.94 (interquartile range, 30 589.86) yuan for transportation accidents. The injury sites associated with higher hospitalization costs were lower limb injuries and upper limb injuries, with the median hospitalization cost being 24 257.32 (interquartile range, 34 145.54) yuan for lower limb injuries and 16 506.33 (interquartile range, 20 052.27) yuan for upper limb injuries. Conclusions In Huangpu District, hospitalized injury mainly occurred among males and individuals aged ≥45 years, with the higher incidence observed between June and August. Fall was the primary cause of injury, while lower limb injuries was the main injury sites. The injury resulted in substantially higher hospitalization costs.