ObjectiveThe widespread adoption of portable fundus cameras for primary care and community screening is hindered by limitations in current autofocus(AF) technologies. Image-based methods relying on sharpness evaluation require iterative searches, resulting in slow convergence, while projection-based techniques are susceptible to optical artifacts and calibration errors. To address these challenges, this study introduces a novel AF system based on direct wavefront sensing, designed to deliver simultaneous high speed, high precision, and operational robustness within the compact form factor essential for portable ophthalmic devices. MethodsOur approach fundamentally reimagines the AF process by directly measuring the ocular wavefront aberration. We developed a custom portable fundus camera integrating a miniaturized Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor (SHWS) into the optical path. An 850 nm laser diode projects a point source onto the retina via oblique illumination to minimize corneal reflections. Light scattered from this spot carries the eye’s refractive error through the imaging optics and is directed to the SHWS, positioned at a plane optically conjugate to the primary color CMOS imaging sensor. A microlens array within the SHWS samples the incident wavefront, generating a pattern of focal spots on a CCD. Real-time centroid analysis of these spots provides a map of local wavefront slopes. These measurements are processed through a singular value decomposition (SVD) algorithm to fit a Zernike polynomial basis set, enabling real-time reconstruction of the wavefront phase. The defocus component (S) is extracted from the second-order Zernike coefficients, providing a direct, quantitative measure of the refractive error in diopters. This value serves as a precise error signal in a closed-loop control system, which commands a voice-coil actuated focusing lens to its null position in a single, deterministic step, eliminating the need for iterative search algorithms. ResultsComprehensive evaluation demonstrated the system’s high performance. Testing on a calibrated model eye (OEMI-7) established a highly linear relationship between the computed defocus S and the focusing lens position across a ±20 Diopter (D) compensation range, achievable within a 5 mm mechanical travel. The system achieved a focusing precision of 0.08 D, corresponding to an 18-fold improvement over a conventional projection spot-size method tested under identical conditions. The total focus acquisition time, encompassing wavefront measurement, computation, and lens actuation, averaged under 0.5 s. Clinical validation with 25 human volunteers (50 eyes, refractive range -15 D to +10 D) confirmed practical efficacy. The wavefront-sensing AF succeeded in 92% of attempts with a mean time of 0.5 s, substantially outperforming a projection-based benchmark which achieved only a 32% success rate with an average time of 4.25 s. The system provided instantaneous directional guidance and maintained stability during minor ocular movements. Objective assessment of image quality, via amplitude contrast of retinal vasculature, showed consistent and significant enhancement following AF correction across the entire tested diopter range. ConclusionThis work successfully implements and validates a direct wavefront-sensing autofocus paradigm for portable fundus cameras. By directly quantifying and compensating for the optical defocus aberration, this method bypasses the fundamental limitations of image-processing and projection-based techniques, enabling rapid, precise, and deterministic diopter compensation. The developed system delivers an exceptional combination of a wide operational range (±20 D), high accuracy (0.08 D), fast convergence (0.5 s), and a compact physical footprint. This technology provides a practical and high-performance focusing solution capable of enhancing the reliability, throughput, and diagnostic utility of portable retinal imaging in large-scale screening applications. Future efforts will be directed towards system cost optimization and performance adaptation for diverse ocular conditions.

ObjectiveThe present study aimed to investigate alterations in white matter microstructure and spontaneous neural activity in male college smokers, and to further explore their associations with nicotine dependence. Given that adolescence and early adulthood represent critical periods for brain maturation, particularly for white matter development, understanding the neural correlates of smoking behavior during this stage is of substantial importance for both neuroscience and public health. MethodsA total of 115 male undergraduate students were initially recruited for this study. After quality control and exclusion procedures, 52 male college smokers and 42 demographically matched healthy non-smokers were included in the final analysis. All participants underwent multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI). White matter fiber tracts were reconstructed using the automated fiber quantification (AFQ) method, which enables precise identification and quantification of major fiber bundles. Eighteen major white matter tracts were segmented for each participant. Along the core trajectory of each tract, 100 equidistant nodes were sampled. Fractional anisotropy (FA) was calculated at each node to assess white matter microstructural integrity, while amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) was computed to evaluate spontaneous neural activity within white matter tracts. Between-group differences in FA and ALFF were assessed using two-sample t-tests, with appropriate corrections applied for multiple comparisons. Furthermore, Pearson correlation analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between imaging-derived metrics (FA and ALFF values in regions showing significant group differences) and nicotine dependence severity, as measured by the Fagerström test for nicotine dependence (FTND). ResultsCompared with healthy non-smokers, male college smokers exhibited significantly increased FA values in several white matter tracts, including the left thalamic radiation, right corticospinal tract, forceps major of the corpus callosum, left uncinate fasciculus, and right arcuate fasciculus. These findings suggest altered microstructural organization or increased directional coherence within these pathways. In addition, smokers demonstrated significantly elevated ALFF values in the forceps major, right uncinate fasciculus, and left arcuate fasciculus, indicating enhanced spontaneous neural activity in these white matter regions. Correlation analyses revealed that FA values in the left thalamic radiation and right corticospinal tract were negatively correlated with FTND scores, suggesting that higher levels of nicotine dependence were associated with reduced microstructural integrity or altered fiber organization in these regions. In contrast, ALFF values in the forceps major and right uncinate fasciculus were positively correlated with FTND scores, indicating that greater nicotine dependence was associated with increased spontaneous neural activity in specific white matter pathways. ConclusionThe present study provides evidence that male college smokers exhibit distinct alterations in both white matter microstructure and functional activity. These abnormalities are not uniformly distributed but rather localized to specific fiber tracts implicated in sensorimotor processing, interhemispheric communication, and higher-order cognitive and emotional regulation. Importantly, the observed associations between imaging metrics and nicotine dependence severity suggest that these structural and functional alterations may reflect neurobiological mechanisms underlying addiction. The combination of AFQ-based tract profiling and multimodal MRI offers a sensitive approach for detecting subtle changes along white matter pathways, highlighting its potential utility in identifying neuroimaging biomarkers of nicotine dependence. Overall, these findings indicate that smoking during early adulthood may disrupt ongoing white matter maturation, potentially leading to long-term consequences for brain function. This study provides novel insights into the neural basis of nicotine dependence and underscores the importance of early intervention and prevention strategies targeting young smokers.

Objective To explore the correlation between alterations in intestinal microbiota composition and abnormal cytokine expression in patients with gastric cancer. Methods Fecal and peripheral blood samples were collected from 81 patients with gastric cancer (gastric cancer group) and 85 healthy subjects (healthy control group). Fecal bacterial DNA was sequenced through 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, and the serum levels of 17 cytokines were measured with the AimPlex multiplex assay technology: IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-15, IL-17A, TNF-α, TNF-β, GM-CSF, G-CSF, IFN-γ, IP-10, MCP-1, and VEGF-A. Results In the gastric cancer group, the abundances of 11 butyrate-producing bacteria, including certain genera of the Lachnospiraceae family (such as Lachnospira and Roseburia) and Faecalibacterium, considerably decreased. By contrast, the abundances of nine bacterial taxa, including Escherichia–Shigella, Streptococcus, Veillonella, and Parabacteroides, significantly increased. Correlation analysis showed that the decrease in the abundance of butyrate-producing bacteria were significantly negatively correlated with the high expression levels of pro-angiogenic and immunosuppressive cytokines in the gastric cancer group, including IP-10, IL-10, MCP-1, IL-8, IL-6, and VEGF-A. However, the decrease was significantly positively correlated with the downregulation of antitumor immune-related cytokines, including IL-2, IL-17A, IL-1β, TNF-β, and GM-CSF. Conversely, the enriched bacterial taxa exhibited opposite correlation patterns with these cytokines. Conclusion A close correlation is observed between intestinal microbiota dysbiosis and abnormal cytokine expression in patients with gastric cancer. The findings suggest that restoring the intestinal microbiota through fecal microbiota transplantation is a promising strategy for regulating cytokines and is a potential research direction for the adjuvant therapy of gastric cancer.

Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) is a frequent form of skeletal muscle microdamage that occurs after high-intensity, prolonged, or unaccustomed exercise, especially exercise dominated by eccentric contractions. It is commonly characterized by delayed-onset muscle soreness, transient loss of muscle strength, local inflammation, structural disruption of myofibers, and delayed functional recovery. Although mild EIMD may serve as a stimulus for training adaptation, excessive or insufficiently recovered muscle damage can impair exercise performance, disturb training continuity, and reduce participation in physical activity. Therefore, clarifying the molecular mechanisms that underlie the initiation, amplification, and resolution of EIMD is important for optimizing athletic training, improving post-exercise recovery, and guiding evidence-based public fitness practice. Necroptosis is a regulated form of programmed cell death mediated primarily by the receptor-interacting protein kinase (RIPK) 1/RIPK3/mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) signaling axis. Recent studies have shown that necroptosis is closely involved in tissue injury, sterile inflammation, and repair remodeling. However, whether necroptosis acts as an initiating driver, a secondary damage amplifier, or an adaptive signal required for repair after EIMD remains unclear. This review aimed to summarize the potential role of necroptosis in EIMD and to establish a mechanistic framework linking regulated cell death, inflammatory amplification, immune regulation, and skeletal muscle repair. Relevant studies concerning EIMD, necroptosis, RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL signaling, damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), inflammatory responses, immune cell recruitment, extracellular matrix remodeling, and muscle regeneration were reviewed and integrated. On this basis, the possible temporal and functional involvement of necroptosis in different phases of EIMD was analyzed. The main evidence summarized in this review suggests that EIMD is not merely a consequence of primary mechanical disruption. Instead, it develops through a dynamic sequence that includes sarcolemmal instability, calcium overload, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammatory mediator production, immune cell infiltration, necrotic tissue clearance, and regeneration-associated remodeling. Necroptosis may participate in this process through at least two interconnected mechanisms. First, in the early or progressive phase of EIMD, activation of the RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL signaling axis may promote MLKL phosphorylation and plasma membrane permeabilization, leading to the release of DAMPs such as high-mobility group box 1, ATP, mitochondrial DNA, and other intracellular components. These signals may activate innate immune pathways, amplify inflammatory cytokine production, and enhance the recruitment of neutrophils and macrophages, thereby aggravating secondary inflammation and extending muscle fiber injury. Second, during the resolution and repair phases, necroptosis-related signaling may also contribute indirectly to the formation of a regenerative microenvironment. By influencing the clearance of necrotic debris, the recruitment and phenotypic transition of immune cells, and the remodeling of extracellular matrix components, necroptosis may affect satellite cell activation, myogenic repair, and the eventual structural and functional recovery of injured skeletal muscle. Thus, the biological effect of necroptosis in EIMD may be context dependent rather than uniformly harmful. Its outcome may depend on exercise intensity, the extent of tissue damage, the timing of pathway activation, the involved cell types, inflammatory status, training background, age, and metabolic condition. In conclusion, necroptosis may represent an important molecular link between skeletal muscle injury, sterile inflammation, and tissue repair after damaging exercise. It may exert a dual role in EIMD by amplifying secondary damage while also contributing to repair coordination under appropriate temporal and microenvironmental conditions. Future studies should determine the activation pattern of RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL signaling after different exercise protocols, identify the major cell populations undergoing necroptosis in injured skeletal muscle, and examine whether targeted modulation of necroptosis can reduce excessive inflammation without impairing necessary regenerative responses. This review provides a theoretical basis for understanding the pathogenesis of EIMD and for developing targeted strategies to improve skeletal muscle recovery after exercise-induced injury.

ObjectiveType I interferon (IFN-I) signaling is essential for antiviral innate immunity, yet its sustained or excessive activation contributes to the pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases and interferonopathies, such as systemic lupus erythematosus and Aicardi-Goutières syndrome. Current strategies targeting this pathway, exemplified by JAK inhibitors, act mainly on downstream signal transduction and provide limited direct control over upstream IFN-I production, while also carrying the risk of broad immunosuppression. Phyllanthus emblica L. has long been used in traditional medicine for inflammatory disorders, but the bioactive constituent responsible for its regulation of IFN-I signaling and the underlying molecular mechanism have not been clearly defined. This study aimed to identify the active anti-inflammatory component of P. emblica and to characterize its mechanism of action on the IFN-I pathway in macrophages. MethodsActive components ofP. emblica and their candidate targets were screened by network pharmacology using the TCMSP and DrugBank databases (oral bioavailability≥30%, drug-likeness≥0.18) and intersected with inflammation-related genes retrieved from public databases. The predicted interaction between EGCG and IFN-I pathway proteins (TBK1, IRF3, STAT1) was evaluated by molecular docking, with BX795 and GSK8612 used as reference TBK1 inhibitors. Mechanistic experiments were performed in THP-1-derived macrophages and primary bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM). Upstream signaling was activated by transfection of the nucleic acid analogs poly(I∶C) and poly(dA∶dT) or by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, whereas downstream signaling was activated by exogenous IFN-β. An siRNA-mediated TREX1 knockdown model was used to mimic endogenous nucleic acid-driven interferonopathy. Expression of IFN-β1 and interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) was measured by RT-qPCR, protein phosphorylation by Western blot, and IFN-β secretion by ELISA. Cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) and drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) were used to probe the interactionbetween EGCG and IRF3. ResultsNetwork pharmacology identified (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) as a candidate IFN-I-suppressive constituent of P. emblica, with predicted binding to TBK1, IRF3, and STAT1. Molecular docking yielded binding energies of -9.2, -7.2, and -8.2 kcal/mol for TBK1, IRF3, and STAT1, respectively, indicating an affinity for TBK1 comparable to that of the reference inhibitors BX795 (-5.7 kcal/mol) and GSK8612 (-6.4 kcal/mol). EGCG suppressed IFN-β1 and ISG mRNA expression under poly (I∶C), poly (dA∶dT), and LPS stimulation in both THP-1 macrophages and BMDM. At the protein level, EGCG reduced the phosphorylation of TBK1 and IRF3 without affecting the levels of the upstream sensors cGAS and RIG-I, and lowered IFN-β secretion in a concentration-dependent manner. CETSA and DARTS showed that EGCG did not enhance the thermal stability or protease resistance of IRF3, indicating that its effect on IRF3 is indirect. Following IFN-β stimulation, prolonged EGCG treatment reduced STAT1 phosphorylation in a time-dependent manner without an apparent change in IRF9, and partially attenuated ISG transcription; this effect was not monotonicly concentration-dependent, and CXCL10 showed the most consistent suppression. In TREX1-knockdown cells, the elevated mRNA levels of ISG15, ISG56, and CXCL10 were reduced by EGCG. ConclusionEGCG suppresses IFN-I responses by concurrently inhibiting TBK1-IRF3-dependent IFN‑β production and JAK-STAT1-mediated downstream transcription. These in vitro findings provide a mechanistic basis for the anti-inflammatory use of P. emblica in traditional medicine and identify EGCG as a candidate for further evaluation in interferon-driven autoimmune disease models.

ObjectiveTo explore the anti-eczema efficacy and mechanism of Mongolian medicine Cymbaria dahurica n-butanol extract. MethodsThe compounds of C. dahurica n-butanol extract were obtained by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbital trap high resolution mass spectrometry （UPLC-Q-Exactive MS） analysis and literature mining. GEO chip analysis and network pharmacology were employed to predict potential targets and pathways for the anti-eczema effect. Seventy-five mice were randomized into a normal group （10 mice） and a modeling group （65 mice）. The model was induced by 1% dinitrochlorobenzene （DNCB） for 3 days. The modeled mice were grouped as follows： Positive drug （hydrocortisone butyrate cream， 250 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） and low-， medium-， and high-dose （95.94， 191.88， and 383.76 mg·kg^-1·d^-1， respectively） C. dahurica n-butanol extract， with 13 mice in each group. From day 5 of the experiment， 0.5% DNCB was applied， once every other day， until day 22. At the same time， drugs were applied daily from day 5. The appearance damage of back skin of mice in each group was analyzed. The pathological changes of the back skin of mice in each group were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and toluidine blue （TB） staining. The levels of inflammatory factors ［histamine （HIS）， interleukin-4 （IL-4）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， interleukin-8 （IL-8）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TFN-α）］， thymic stromal lymphopoietin （TSLP）， and immunoglobulin E （IgE） in the serum were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Metabolomics analysis was performed for the mouse skin. The HaCaT cell model of eczema was induced with TNF-α/interferon-γ （IFN-γ）. The secretion levels of IL-6， IL-8， thymus and activation-regulated chemokine （TARC/CCL17）， macrophage-derived chemokine （MDC）， and TSLP in the cell supernatant from each group were measured by ELISA， while the protein levels of phosphorylated （p）-Janus kinase 2 （JAK2）， JAK2， p-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3）， and STAT3 were assessed by Western blot. ResultsThrough UPLC-Q-Exactive MS and literature review， a total of 125 compounds of C. dahurica n-butanol extract were obtained. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway enrichment analysis showed that the anti-eczema mechanism of C. dahurica n-butanol extract may be related to the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription （JAK/STAT） pathway. The results of animal experiments showed that compared with the normal group， the modeling group exhibited redness， swelling， exudation， erosion， and scab formation on the back skin surface， and thickened dermis and epidermis with inflammatory cell infiltration. Compared with the modeling group， the positive drug and C. dahurica n-butanol alleviated the skin lesions （including redness， swelling， exudation， roughness， and keratosis and scab formation on the back）， reduced the thickness of dermis and epidermis， mitigated inflammatory cell infiltration， and restored the skin tissue structure. Compared with the normal group， the modeling group showed elevated levels of HIS， IL-4， IL-6， IL-8， TNF-α， TSLP， and IgE （P<0.05， P<0.01）， which were reversed in the positive drug group and C. dahurica n-butanol extract groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The results of metabolomics analysis showed that 12 differential metabolites might be the key substances for mitigating metabolic disorders of the skin and were closely related to the JAK/STAT signaling pathway. The cell experiement showed that compared with the normal group， the model group exhibited upregulated expression levels of IL-6， IL-8， MDC， TARC， TSLP， p-JAK2， p-STAT3， p-JAK2/JAK2， and p-STAT3/STAT3 in HaCaT cells （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， C. dahurica n-butanol extract and dexamethasone downregulated the expression levles of these molecules （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionC. dahurica n-butanol extract may play an anti-eczema role by inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway， reducing the inflammatory response， and correcting the metabolic disorder.

Objective:To investigate the role and potential mechanism of m 6A demethylase ALKBH5 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) . Methods:Real time fluorogenic quantitative PCR and Western blotting were used to detect ALKBH5 expression in normal esophageal epithelial cells (Het-1A) and ESCC cell lines (Eca109, KYSE30, KYSE150, KYSE410). Transient cell lines with overexpression/knockdown of ALKBH5 (siRNA transfection was divided into si-ALKBH5-1 group and si-ALKBH5-2 group) and control cell lines were constructed. The effects of ALKBH5 on ESCC cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis were studied by MTT assay, cell scratch assay and cell apoptosis assay respectively. The differentially expressed gene was screened by the intersection of RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP-seq) techniques, and the effect of ALKBH5 on the gene expression was detected by RT-qPCR.Results:Real time fluorogenic quantitative PCR results showed that, the relative expression levels of ALKBH5 RNA in Het-1A, Eca109, KYSE30, KYSE150 and KYSE410 were 1.03±0.28, 0.46±0.02, 0.23±0.10, 0.04±0.02, 0.05±0.00, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=444.60, P<0.001). Western blotting showed that, the relative expression levels of ALKBH5 protein in Het-1A, Eca109, KYSE30, KYSE150 and KYSE410 were 1.14±0.03, 0.88±0.04, 0.66±0.01, 0.69±0.01, 0.95±0.01, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=139.90, P<0.001). MTT test showed that the absorbance ( A) values of KYSE30 control group and ALKBH5 overexpression group were 0.86±0.01 and 1.25±0.01 after 72 hours, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( t=46.93, P<0.001). The A values of KYSE150 control group and ALKBH5 overexpression group were 1.00±0.03 and 1.43±0.02 after 72 hours, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( t=16.80, P<0.001). The A values of KYSE30 control group, si-ALKBH5-1 group and si-ALKBH5-2 group were 0.98±0.01, 0.85±0.02 and 0.80±0.09 after 96 hours, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=72.97, P<0.001). The A values of KYSE30 control group were higher than those of si-ALKBH5-1 and si-ALKBH5-2 groups (both P<0.001). The A values of KYSE410 control group, si-ALKBH5-1 group and si-ALKBH5-2 group were 1.28±0.02, 1.15±0.02 and 1.08±0.05 after 72 hours, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=16.97, P=0.003). The A values in KYSE410 control group were higher than those in si-ALKBH5-1 group and si-ALKBH5-2 group ( P=0.020; P=0.003). The cell scratch test showed that 48 hours after scratch, the migration rates of KYSE30 cells in control group and ALKBH5 overexpression group were (27.39±0.54) % and (48.89±5.12) %, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( t=5.90, P=0.004). The migration rates of KYSE150 cells in control group and ALKBH5 overexpression group were (39.67±0.43) % and (62.20±0.60) %, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( t=43.15, P<0.001). The migration rates of KYSE30 cells in control group, si-ALKBH5-1 group and si-ALKBH5-2 group were (25.08±1.86) %, (18.75±1.59) % and (7.67±0.52) %, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=74.28, P<0.001). The migration rates of KYSE30 cells in control group were higher than those of si-ALKBH5-1 group and si-ALKBH5-2 group ( P=0.010; P<0.001). The migration rates of KYSE410 cells in control group and si-ALKBH5-1 group, si-ALKBH5-2 group were (38.70±0.41) %, (28.27±1.01) % and (19.40±0.47) %, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=400.20, P<0.001). The migration rates of KYSE410 cells in control group were higher than those of si-ALKBH5-1 group and si-ALKBH5-2 group (both P<0.001). Apoptosis test showed that the apoptosis rates of KYSE30 cells in control group and ALKBH5 overexpression group were (9.59±0.88) % and (4.81±0.89) %, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( t=6.23, P=0.006). The apoptosis rates of KYSE150 cells in control group and ALKBH5 overexpression group were (8.36±0.09) % and (6.42±0.19) %, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( t=12.90, P<0.001). The apoptosis rates of KYSE30 cells in control group, si-ALKBH5-1 group and si-ALKBH5-2 group were (4.31±0.19) %, (5.72±0.30) % and (8.94±0.71) %, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=53.46, P<0.001). The apoptosis rates in KYSE30 cells in control group were lower than those in si-ALKBH5-1 group and si-ALKBH5-2 group ( P=0.049; P<0.001). The apoptosis rates of KYSE410 control group, si-ALKBH5-1 group and si-ALKBH5-2 group were (4.45±0.36) %, (5.40±0.11) % and (6.64±0.15) %, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=43.36, P<0.001). The apoptosis rates in KYSE410 cells in control group were lower than those in si-ALKBH5-1 group and si-ALKBH5-2 group ( P=0.016; P<0.001). The differentially expressed gene IGF2BP3 was screened by the intersection of RNA-seq and MeRIP-seq techniques, and the RT-qPCR results showed that, the relative expression levels of IGF2BP3 in KYSE30 were 1.01±0.10 and 1.41±0.10 in control group and ALKBH5 overexpression group, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( t=4.06, P=0.015). The relative expression levels of IGF2BP3 in KYSE150 were 1.00±0.10 and 1.94±0.24 in control group and ALKBH5 overexpression group, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( t=5.08, P=0.007). The relative expression levels of IGF2BP3 in KYSE410 were 1.01±0.14, 0.67±0.04 and 0.41±0.04 in control group, si-ALKBH5-1 group and si-ALKBH5-2 group, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=24.36, P=0.001). The relative expression levels of IGF2BP3 in KYSE410 control group were higher than those in si-ALKBH5-1 group and si-ALKBH5-2 group ( P=0.017; P=0.001) . Conclusions:ALKBH5 is underexpressed in ESCC cell lines, but the overexpression of ALKBH5 can promote the proliferation and migration of ESCC cells and inhibit cell apoptosis, which may be related to some negative feedback regulation mechanism. IGF2BP3 may be the downstream target of ALKBH5.

Cellular death in the body can occur through different processes,including apoptosis,pyroptosis and necrotic apoptosis,etc.PANoptosis is a newly discovered form of inflammatory cell death in recent years.It can be triggered by various stimulating factors and integrates multiple components that can induce cell death to assemble into various types of macromolecular complexes-PANoptosome,which then mediates cell death.Given the impact of PANoptosis on the entire disease spectrum,promoting or inhibiting its occurrence process may prevent the development of various diseases.The review summarizes the research progress on the occurrence mechanism of PANoptosis and its role in some diseases,and explores the crosstalk among multiple programmed cell death pathways,aiming to provide new ideas for the treatment of related diseases.

Objective To investigate the causal relationship between cathepsin(CTS)and thyroid cancer by using Mendelian randomization(MR).Methods Aggregate data for CTS GWAS was obtained from the IEU Open Genome-wide Association Study(GWAS)database(https://gwas.mrcieu.ac.uk/),and thyroid cancer GWAS data was obtained from the EBI database(https://www.ebi.ac.uk/).Five different MR analysis methods were utilized,with the inverse variance-weighted method(IVW)as the main approach,complemented by the weighted median method,MR-Egger regression,simple mode method and weighted majority method.These methods were employed to analyze the relationship between 9 CTS genes and thyroid cancer through 9 double-sample analyses.MR-Egger intercept,MR-PRESSO for gene pleiotropy detection,Cochran Q test,and leave-one-out method were applied to assess pleiotropy and sensitivity,followed by reverse MR analysis.Results MR analysis showed that elevated level of CTS B was positively correlated with the risk of thyroid cancer(IVW OR=1.60,95%CI 1.12-2.30,P=0.01),while elevated CTS O level was negatively correlated with the risk of thyroid cancer(IVW OR=0.65,95%CI 0.45-0.95,P=0.02).Reverse MR analysis revealed no significant causal relationship between thyroid cancer and CTS B and CTS O(P>0.05).Conclusion CTS B may promote the development of thyroid cancer,whereas CTS O may inhibit its progression.