Background Deoxynivalenol (DON), a priority contaminant for food safety risk monitoring, is produced by Fusarium spp. infesting crops, and its common derivatives are 3-acetyl-DON (3A-DON) and 15-acetyl-DON (15A-DON), which have been shown to possess gastrointestinal toxicity, immunotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, and cytotoxicity. Due to the stable physicochemical properties of the DON family of toxins (DONs), they cannot be effectively removed during food processing, thus following the food chain, entering the human body, and posing health risks. Objective To understand the contamination status of DONs in commercial foods (cereals and bakery products) in Shanghai in 2022–2023, and to assess the exposure risk of DONs in pregnant women by combining their dietary consumption data. Methods Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to determine the contamination level of DONs in 1 100 food samples (cereals and baked goods) collected in 2022 and 944 samples collected in 2023 from Shanghai. The dietary monitoring data of pregnant women in Shanghai from 2016 to 2017 were adopted. The monitoring employed the food frequency questionnaire distributed among pregnant women through a combination of online telephone enquiry and offline on-site face-to-face survey to estimate their food consumption levels. An exposure assessment model was established to calculate the exposure level to DONs, and the probability distribution of the DONs exposure level in the pregnant women group in Shanghai was obtained by applying @Risk 7.5 software and simulating the calculation according to the Monte Carlo principle. With reference to the tolerable daily intake (TDI) of DONs [1.00 µg·(kg·d)⁻¹] proposed by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, the risk of exposure to DONs from commercial cereals and bakery products in pregnant women in Shanghai was assessed. Results DONs were detected in cereal and bakery samples collected in 2022 and 2023 with different levels of contamination. The level of DONs in cereal foods in 2023 (mean: 36.33 µg·kg⁻¹) decreased compared to 2022 (mean: 23.64 µg·kg⁻¹). However, the positive rate (71.67%) and level (mean: 51.22 µg·kg⁻¹) of DONs in bakery products increased significantly compared with 2022 (positive rate: 10.00%, mean: 24.39 µg·kg⁻¹). The mean consumption of cereals in 783 pregnant women was 222.48 g·d⁻¹ and the mean consumption of bakery products was 36.07 g·d⁻¹, and there was no statistically significant difference in the intake of all types of cereals and bakery products across the early, middle, and late stages of pregnancy. The modelled intakes of DONs via commercial cereals and bakery products for pregnant women in Shanghai were calculated to be 0.20 and 0.57 µg·(kg·d)⁻¹ in 2022 for the mean level and the 95th percentile level, respectively, and 0.16 µg·(kg·d)⁻¹ and 0.35 µg·(kg·d)⁻¹ in 2023, respectively. The results of the health risk assessment showed that pregnant women in Shanghai had 2.6% and 1.4% probability of exposure to DONs from cereal consumption in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Conclusion The risk of exposure of pregnant women in Shanghai to DONs via commercial cereals and bakery products is relatively low (1.4%-2.6%). However, considering the physical sensitivity of pregnant women, they should avoid consuming moldy grains and appropriately reduce intake of bakery products.

Hearing loss is the most prevalent disabling disease. Cochlear implantation（CI） serves as the primary intervention for severe to profound hearing loss. This consensus systematically explores the value of genetic diagnosis in the pre-operative assessment and efficacy prognosis for CI. Drawing upon domestic and international research and clinical experience, it proposes an evidence-based medicine three-tiered prognostic classification system（Favorable, Marginal, Poor）. The consensus focuses on common hereditary non-syndromic hearing loss（such as that caused by mutations in genes like GJB2, SLC26A4, OTOF, LOXHD1） and syndromic hereditary hearing loss（such as Jervell & Lange-Nielsen syndrome and Waardenburg syndrome）, which are closely associated with congenital hearing loss, analyzing the impact of their pathological mechanisms on CI outcomes. The consensus provides recommendations based on multiple round of expert discussion and voting. It emphasizes that genetic diagnosis can optimize patient selection, predict prognosis, guide post-operative rehabilitation, offer stratified management strategies for patients with different genotypes, and advance the application of precision medicine in the field of CI.
Humans ; Cochlear Implantation ; Prognosis ; Hearing Loss/surgery* ; Consensus ; Connexin 26 ; Mutation ; Sulfate Transporters ; Connexins/genetics*

Oroxylin A (OA), a natural compound extracted from Scutellaria baicalensis, demonstrates preventive potential against ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), the most prevalent cancer worldwide with increasing incidence. Utilizing SKH-1 hairless mice exposed to UVB, this study showed that OA delayed NMSC onset and alleviated acute skin damage. Mechanistic investigations revealed its dual action: inhibiting inflammation and enhancing nucleotide excision repair (NER) by stabilizing XPA, a crucial deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) repair protein. This stabilization occurred through OA's interaction with glucose-regulated protein 94 (GRP94), which disrupted murine double minute 2 (MDM2)-mediated XPA ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. By maintaining XPA levels, OA expedited photoproduct clearance and diminished genomic instability, ultimately impeding NMSC development. These findings suggest OA as a promising chemopreventive agent targeting the GRP94/MDM2-XPA axis to counteract UVB-induced carcinogenesis.
Animals ; Ultraviolet Rays/adverse effects* ; Skin Neoplasms/prevention & control* ; Flavonoids/pharmacology* ; Mice ; Xeroderma Pigmentosum Group A Protein/genetics* ; Humans ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2/genetics* ; DNA Repair/drug effects* ; Scutellaria baicalensis/chemistry* ; Mice, Hairless ; Skin/radiation effects*

Objective To investigate the effect of age on the incidence of cirrhosis and liver cancer in patients with chronic hepatitis B.Methods 279 patients with chronic hepatitis B were divided into the senior group and the younger group according to the age of the patients.The cumulative incidence of cirrhosis and liver cancer during 25 years of follow-up was calculated by using SPSS and R language through the long-term follow-up of HIS system,and the risk factors were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression.Results During follow-up,24 cases developed cirrhosis and 12 cases developed liver cancer.The cumulative incidence of liver cirrhosis was 1.5%,2.1%,5.4%,11.6%and 15.5%in the 5-year,10-year,15-year,20-year and 25-year group,and 5.5%,9.8%,22.9%,29.0%and 52.1%in the elderly,respectively.The difference between the younger age group and senior age group was statistically significant(P<0.001).A total of 2 risk factors(age and follow-up time)were included in the regression model.Two cases in the younger group developed into liver cancer after 17 and 21 years of follow-up,respectively.The cumulative incidence rates at 5,10,15,20 and 25 years were 1.8%,3.8%,18.5%,21.8%and 26.7%.A total of five factors(initial age,HBV-DNA load,HBV-DNA turned negative before the end-point,follow-up time,and sex)were included in the regression model.Conclusions The incidence of cirrhosis and liver cancer in CHB patients aged≥40 years,especially in male patients,is significantly higher than younger CHB patients.Timely initiation of antiviral therapy can delay disease progression and reduce the incidence of termi-nal liver disease.Whether antiviral therapy should be initiated for people aged 30 to 40 years remains to be studied.

BACKGROUND:Currently,there have been studies on the regulatory mechanism of lncRNA\miRNA\mRNA co-expression network on the occurrence and development of osteoarthritis.Our research group has screened qualified NONHSAT248596.1 and miR-146a-5p through the database in the previous stage,but the corresponding in vivo experiments to verify the above regulatory mechanisms are still lacking. OBJECTIVE:To explore the role of NONHSAT248596.1 in regulating competitive endogenous RNA of miR-146a-5p in cartilage degeneration mediated by stromal cell derived factor type 1/chemokine receptor 4 axis in vivo. METHODS:The models of osteoarthritis were established in 36 New Zealand rabbits by injecting stromal cell derived factor 1 solution into the knee joint of the right hind limb.According to the random number table method,they were divided into four groups.lncRNA group,miRNA group,ceRNA group and control group were injected with lentivirus vector overexpressing NONHSAT248596.1,lentivirus vector overexpressing miR-146a-5p,lentivirus vector overexpressing miR-146a-5p+NONHSAT248596.1 and empty lentivirus vector into the molded knee joint,respectively.At 4,8 and 12 weeks of modeling,cartilage tissues and subchondral bone tissues of the knee joint were taken for relevant detection. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Hematoxylin-eosin staining and safranin fast green staining showed different degrees of degeneration in the four groups.At 4 weeks,the cartilage tissue of the lncRNA group showed swelling of chondrocytes,loss of cell polarity,destruction of extracellular matrix,surface erosion,fracture formation and partial or full layer loss of cartilage tissue.The degree of cartilage injury was gradually aggravated with time.The progression of articular cartilage inflammation in the miRNA group was the slowest among the four groups.qRT-PCR showed that at the same time point,mRNA expression levels of NONHSAT248596.1,chemokine receptor 4,matrix metalloproteinase 3,matrix metalloproteinase 9 and matrix metalloproteinase 13 in cartilage tissue of the lncRNA group were higher than those of the other three groups(P＜0.05).The mRNA expression levels of miR-146a-5p,aggrecan and type Ⅱ collagen were lower than those of the other three groups(P＜0.05).The mRNA expression levels of NONHSAT248596.1,chemokine receptor 4,matrix metalloproteinase 3,matrix metalloproteinase 9 and matrix metalloproteinase 13 in the miRNA group were lower than those in the ceRNA group and control group at 8 and 12 weeks after the model construction(P＜0.05).The mRNA expressions of miR-146a-5p,aggrecan and type Ⅱ collagen were higher than those of the ceRNA group and control group(P＜0.05).Western blot assay showed that at the same time point,the expression levels of aggrecan and type Ⅱ collagen in cartilage tissue of the lncRNA group were always lower than those of the other three groups(P＜0.05).The expression levels of aggrecan and type Ⅱ collagen in cartilage tissue of the miRNA group at 8 and 12 weeks after modeling were higher than those of the ceRNA group and control group(P＜0.05).The results showed that miR-146a-5p,as the target of NONHSAT248596.1,could be inhibited by the effect of its ceRNA.After acting on miR-146a-5p,NONHSAT248596.1 regulates the stromal cell derived factor type 1/chemokine receptor 4 axis to affect the expression of matrix metalloprotein,type Ⅱ collagen,and aggrecan in osteoarthritis chondrocytes,resulting in the degradation of extracellular matrix and the loss of proteoglycan.

Hearing loss has become increasingly prevalent and causes considerable disability, thus gravely burdening the global economy. Irreversible loss of hair cells is a main cause of sensorineural hearing loss, and currently, the only relatively effective clinical treatments are limited to digital hearing equipment like cochlear implants and hearing aids, but these are of limited benefit in patients. It is therefore urgent to understand the mechanisms of damage repair in order to develop new neuroprotective strategies. At present, how to promote the regeneration of functional hair cells is a key scientific question in the field of hearing research. Multiple signaling pathways and transcriptional factors trigger the activation of hair cell progenitors and ensure the maturation of newborn hair cells, and in this article, we first review the principal mechanisms underlying hair cell reproduction. We then further discuss therapeutic strategies involving the co-regulation of multiple signaling pathways in order to induce effective functional hair cell regeneration after degeneration, and we summarize current achievements in hair cell regeneration. Lastly, we discuss potential future approaches, such as small molecule drugs and gene therapy, which might be applied for regenerating functional hair cells in the clinic.
Infant, Newborn ; Humans ; Hair Cells, Auditory, Inner/physiology* ; Ear, Inner/physiology* ; Hair Cells, Auditory/physiology* ; Regeneration/genetics* ; Stem Cells

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients undergoing extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR), and to explore the risk factors leading to poor prognosis.Methods:The clinical data of 95 patients with ECPR admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2020 to May 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the survival status at the time of discharge, the patients were divided into the survival group and death group. The difference of clinical data between the two groups was compared to explore the risk factors related to death and poor prognosis. Risk factors associated with death were identified by Binary Logistic regression analysis. Results:A total of 95 patients with ECPR were included in this study, 62 (65.3%) died and 33 (34.7%) survived at discharge. Patients in the death group had longer low blood flow time [40 (30, 52.5) min vs. 30 (24.5, 40) min ] and total cardiac arrest time[40 (30, 52.5) min vs. 30(24.5, 40) min], shorter total hospital stay [3 (2, 7.25) d vs. 19 (13.5, 31) d] and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) assisted time [26.5 (17, 50) h vs. 62 (44, 80.5) h], and more IHCA patients (56.5% vs. 33.3%) and less had spontaneous rhythm recovery before ECMO (37.1% vs. 84.8%). Initial lactate value [(14.008 ± 5.188) mmol/L vs.(11.23 ± 4.718) mmol/L], APACHEⅡ score [(30.10 ± 7.45) vs. (25.88 ± 7.68)] and SOFA score [12 (10.75, 16) vs. 10 (9.5, 13)] were higher ( P< 0.05). Conclusions:No spontaneous rhythm recovery before ECMO, high initial lactic acid and high SOFA score are independent risk factors for poor prognosis in ECPR patients.

[Objective] To investigate the pathological characteristics of false-positive lesions of prostate cancer on ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT based on the pathology of whole mount specimens, in order to more accurately assess the degree of malignancy within the prostate tissue and avoid overdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment. [Methods] A total of 77 patients who underwent ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT before radical prostatectomy in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital during Jan.2018 and Dec.2022 were retrospectively analyzed.The pathology of whole mount specimens was detected.Two nuclear physicians examined all imaging plates without knowing the pathological results.Two pathological physicians completed all pathological diagnosis without knowing the imaging results.The pathological characteristics of false-positive lesions were determined by matching ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT and pathological specimens.To analyze the pathological features of false-positive lesions, true-negative lesions were randomly delineated and defined.The pathological features of false-positive and true-negative lesions were analyzed and compared using Fisher exact test. [Results] After the imaging and pathological sections were matched, 21(16.3%) false-positive lesions were identified.The pathological characteristics of the 21 false-positive lesions were as follows: 16 (76.2%) simple atrophy with cyst formation, 3(14.3%) prostatic nodular hyperplasia, and 2(9.5%) inflammation.The pathological characteristics of 21 true-negative lesions were: 13(61.9%) normal glands, 5(23.8%) prostatic nodular hyperplasia and 3(14.3%) simple atrophy with cyst formation.Fisher exact test showed that the proportion of simple atrophy with cyst formation in the pathological features of false-positive lesions and true-negative lesions was statistically significant (76.2% vs.14.3%, P<0.001). [Conclusion] Simple atrophy with cyst formation may be a characteristic pathological type of the false-positive lesions of prostate cancer on ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT.

Objective:To investigate the effect of puerarin on myocardial inflammation in rats with heart failure from the Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/nuclear transcription factor-κB(NF-κB)inflammatory pathway.Methods:The rat model of heart failure was established by subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol(5 mg/kg for 7 days),and was divided into model group,puerarin group,TLR4 activator group(RS09,25 μg/kg),TLR4 inhibitor group(TAK-242,0.5 mg/kg),puerarin+TLR4 activator group,with 20 rats in each group.Another 20 rats were selected as normal control group.Echocardiography was used to detect heart function;HE staining was used to observe pathological damage of myocardial tissue;TUNEL method was used to detect apoptosis of myocardial tissue cells;ELISA method was used to detect the levels of inflammatory factors IL-6,IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in myocardial tissue;immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of TLR4 and macrophage activation marker-F4/80;Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of TLR4/NF-κB pathway,MyD88,IL-1 receptor-associated kinase(IRAK)and Galec-tin-3.Results:Compared with the normal control group,the necrosis,inflammatory infiltration and apoptosis of rat myocardial cells were severe in the model group,the heart function was decreased,the inflammatory factor release,macrophage activation,and TLR4/NF-κB pathway protein expression were increased(P<0.05).Puerarin and TLR4 inhibitors could improve the pathological damage of heart failure rats such as myocardial cell necrosis,inflammatory infiltration and apoptosis to the same extent,improve heart function,reduce inflammatory response,inhibit macrophage activation and reduce TLR4/NF-κB pathway activation(P<0.05).TLR4 activator could promote the activation of TLR4/NF-κB pathway,aggravate myocardial cell damage,apoptosis and cardiac function damage in rats with heart failure,and weaken the above-mentioned effects of puerarin(P<0.05).Conclusion:Puerarin may inhibit the activation of TLR4/NF-κB pathway,reduce myocardial inflammation,and play an anti-heart failure effect.

Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas(PPGLs)cause symptoms by altering the circulation levels of catecholamines and peptide hormones.Currently,the diagnosis of PPGLs relies on diagnostic imaging and the detection of catecholamines.In this study,we used ultra-performance liquid chromatography(UPLC)/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(Q-TOF MS)analysis to identify and measure the perioperative differential metabolites in the plasma of adrenal pheochromocytoma patients.We identified differentially expressed genes by comparing the transcriptomic data of pheochromocytoma with the normal adrenal medulla.Through conducting two steps of metabolomics analysis,we identified 111 differential metabolites between the healthy group and the patient group,among which 53 metabolites were validated.By integrating the information of differential metabolites and differentially expressed genes,we inferred that the cysteine-methionine,pyrimidine,and tyrosine metabolism pathways were the three main metabolic pathways altered by the neoplasm.The analysis of transcription levels revealed that the tyrosine and cysteine-methionine metabolism pathways were downregulated in pheochromocytoma,whereas the pyrimidine pathway showed no significant difference.Finally,we developed an optimized diagnostic model of two metabolites,L-dihydroorotic acid and vanylglycol.Our results for these metabolites suggest that they may serve as potential clinical biomarkers and can be used to supplement and improve the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma.