Background Sunshine duration is closely associated with population mental health and emotional states, although its relationship with mental and behavioral disorders (MBD) remains insufficiently studied. Objective To analyze the effect of sunshine duration on hospital admissions for MBD in Zigong City, Sichuan Province. Methods Hospital admission records for MBD from 10 medical institutions, meteorological data, and ambient air pollutant concentrations were collected in Zigong City from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2024. A distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM) was employed to calculate single-day and cumulative lag effects of different sunshine duration exposures—0 h (P₀, P₅, P₂₅), 6 h (P₇₅), and 10.4 h (P₉₅)—on hospitalization risks for MBD, stratified by diagnostic category, sex, and age groups. Results This study analyzed 36597 hospital admissions for MBD in Zigong City. The exposure-response curve for sunshine duration at lag 0 d exhibited an inverted N-shaped pattern, with minimum relative risk (RR) of hospitalizations observed at 14 h sunshine duration. The immediate effects of different levels of sunshine duration on the hospitalization risk for MBD, schizophrenia, schizotypal and delusional disorders (SSDD), and neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders (NSSD) were significant, with the cumulative effect peaking at lags 12–13 days. For extremely short sunshine duration 0 h, the maximum relative risk (RR) values (with 95% confidence intervals, 95%CI) of hospitalization risk were 1.209 (1.001, 1.459) at lag 1 d for SSDD patients and 1.398 (1.133, 1.724) at lag 0 d for NSSD patients, respectively. The cumulative effect on hospitalization risk induced by short sunshine duration 6 h was higher than that induced by extremely short sunshine duration 0 h and long sunshine duration 10.4 h. Among populations stratified by gender and age, male patients and those aged over 70 years had higher hospitalization risks. For short sunshine duration 6 h, the cumulative RR (CRR) value (95%CI) of hospitalization risk for male MBD patients was 3.373 (1.362, 8.358) at cumulative lag 0–12 d, which was higher than that for female patients [2.943 (1.471, 5.889) at cumulative lag 0–13 d]. The population aged over 70 years was more sensitive to single-day and cumulative lag effects on hospitalization risk than other age groups. For short sunshine duration 6 h, the RR and CRR values (95%CI) of single-day and cumulative lag effects on hospitalization risk were 1.336 (1.002, 1.783) at lag 0 day and 5.085 (1.680, 15.392) at cumulative lag 0–12 d, respectively. At lag 13 d, long sunshine duration 10.4 h exposure was associated with depression hospitalizations in patients <20 years with RR=1.127 (95%CI: 1.002, 1.270). Conclusion When the daily sunshine duration is less than 14 h, it will increase the hospitalization risk of MBD in the population to varying degrees, with both single-day and cumulative lag effects. It is recommended that the public, especially vulnerable groups such as people with MBD aged 70 years and above and those with depression under 20 years, strengthen health protection to reduce the health risks caused by changes in sunshine.

Olfactory receptors (ORs) form the largest superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Traditionally recognized for their role in the nasal olfactory epithelium, where they mediate the sense of smell, accumulating evidence has firmly established their ectopic expression in non-olfactory tissues, including the intestine, lungs, and kidneys. The intestine, as the primary site for nutrient digestion and absorption, harbors a highly complex chemical environment. To adapt to this environment, the gut employs a sophisticated network of “chemosensors” to monitor luminal contents and maintain homeostasis. Among these sensors, intestinal ORs have emerged as crucial functional components, serving as a molecular bridge that connects environmental chemical signals—such as food-derived odorants—to specific physiological responses. This discovery has significantly deepened our understanding of how dietary flavors and compounds influence intestinal physiology at the molecular level. This review systematically summarizes the expression profiles, ligand classification, and biological functions of ORs within the gastrointestinal tract. Studies indicate that intestinal ORs exhibit distinct spatial distribution patterns across different gut segments and display cell-type specificity, particularly within enterocytes and enteroendocrine cells. These receptors function as versatile sensors capable of recognizing a wide variety of ligands, including exogenous dietary components, gut microbiota metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids, and endogenous small molecules like azelaic acid. Upon activation by specific ligands, intestinal ORs trigger intracellular signaling cascades, primarily involving the AC-cAMP-PKA pathway or calcium influx channels. A major focus of this review is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which these receptors regulate the secretion of gut hormones. Activation of specific ORs in enteroendocrine cells has been shown to stimulate the release of hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), peptide YY (PYY), and serotonin (5-HT), thereby modulating systemic energy metabolism, glucose homeostasis, and gastrointestinal motility. Furthermore, the review addresses the critical roles of ORs in immune regulation and pathology. Evidence suggests that specific ORs contribute to the maintenance of intestinal immune homeostasis and may offer protection against inflammation. Beyond their involvement in inflammatory responses, ORs such as Olfr78 have been shown to regulate the differentiation and function of intestinal endocrine cells. Similarly, Olfr544 has been demonstrated to alleviate intestinal inflammation by remodeling the gut microbiome and metabolome. These findings collectively suggest that specific ORs hold promise as therapeutic targets for mitigating intestinal inflammation and maintaining gut homeostasis. Additionally, the review explores the emerging role of ORs in cancer. Although OR expression is often downregulated in tumor tissues compared to normal mucosa, activation of specific ORs by certain ligands can inhibit tumor cell proliferation and migration and induce apoptosis via pathways such as MEK/ERK and p38 MAPK. Conversely, other receptors, such as OR7C1, may serve as biomarkers for cancer-initiating cells. In conclusion, intestinal ORs represent a vital component of the gut’s sensory network. The review also discusses the translational potential of these findings. By elucidating the precise pairing relationships between dietary components and specific ORs, novel therapeutic strategies could be developed. Intestinal ORs may thus emerge as promising targets for nutritional and pharmacological interventions in metabolic diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, and malignancies.

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.

Background Arsenic exposure has been implicated as an important environmental contributor to pulmonary fibrosis, the pathogenesis of which is closely associated with abnormal activation of pulmonary fibroblasts. However, the specific mechanism remain incompletely understood. Objective To examine sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) expression during arsenite-induced fibrotic responses in lung fibroblasts, and to investigate its effects on aerobic glycolysis and profibrotic progression, as well as its underlying mechanisms. Methods Human embryonic lung fibroblasts (HELF) were treated with sodium arsenite (NaAsO₂) at different concentrations (0, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 μmol·L⁻¹) for 48 h. Cell viability was assessed, and lactate and hydroxyproline (HYP) levels were measured as indicator of glycolytic activity and fibrotic response. Western blot and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) were used to determine the protein and mRNA expression levels of SIRT3, hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α), fibrosis-related genes [Collagen type Ⅰ (Collagen-Ⅰ), and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)], and glycolysis-related genes [pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), hexokinase 2 (HK2), and lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA)]. Results Based on the cell viability results, the NaAsO₂ concentrations of 2.5, 5, and 10 μmol·L⁻¹ for 48 h were selected for subsequent experiments. Compared with the control group, HYP levels were significantly increased in the 2.5, 5, and 10 μmol·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ exposure groups (P <0.05). The protein and mRNA expression levels of HIF-1α, glycolysis-related genes (PKM2, HK2, and LDHA) and fibrosis-related genes (Collagen-Ⅰ, and α-SMA) were significantly upregulated, whereas SIRT3 protein and mRNA expression levels were significantly down-regulated, in the NaAsO₂ treated groups compared with the control group (P<0.05). SIRT3 overexpression significantly reduced HYP levels and downregulated the protein and mRNA expression levels of HIF-1α, glycolysis-related genes (PKM2, HK2, and LDHA), fibrosis-related genes (Collagen-Ⅰ, and α-SMA) compared with the NaAsO₂ + negative control group (P<0.05). Similarly, HIF-1α knockdown significantly decreased HYP levels and downregulated the protein and mRNA expression levels of glycolysis-related genes (PKM2, HK2, and LDHA) and fibrosis-related genes (Collagen-Ⅰ, and α-SMA) compared with the NaAsO₂ + negative control group (P<0.05). In contrast, simultaneous overexpression of SIRT3 and HIF-1α abolished the inhibitory effects of SIRT3 overexporession, as HYP levels and the expression of glycolysis- and fibrosis-related markers showed no statistically significant differences compared with the NaAsO₂ + negative control group (P>0.05). Conclusion NaAsO₂ exposure could induce profibrotic and glycolysis-related responses in HELF cells, accompanied by SIRT3 downregulation and HIF-1α activation. These findings suggest that the SIRT3/HIF-1α regulatory axis may be a potential target for preventing or attenuating arsenic exposure-related pulmonary fibrotic responses.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Tangning Tongluo tablets in the treatment of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy （DR）. MethodsFourteen research centers participated in this study， which spanned a time interval from September 2021 to May 2023. A total of 240 patients with nonproliferative DR were included and randomly assigned into an observation group （120 cases） and a control group （120 cases）. The observation group was treated with Tangning Tongluo tablets， and the control group with calcium dobesilate capsules. Both groups were treated for 24 consecutive weeks. The vision， DR progression rate， retinal microhemangioma， hemorrhage area， exudation area， glycosylated hemoglobin （HbA1c） level， and TCM syndrome score were assessed before and after treatment， and the safety was observed. ResultsThe vision changed in both groups after treatment （P<0.05）， and the observation group showed higher best corrected visual acuity （BCVA） than the control group （P<0.05）. The DR progression was slow with similar rates in the two groups. The fundus hemorrhage area and exudation area did not change significantly after treatment in both groups， while the observation group outperformed the control group in reducing the fundus hemorrhage area and exudation area. There was no significant difference in the number of microhemangiomas between the two groups before treatment. After treatment， the number of microhemangiomas decreased in both the observation group （Z=-1.437， P<0.05） and the control group （Z=-2.238， P<0.05）， and it showed no significant difference between the two groups. As the treatment time prolonged， the number of microhemangiomas gradually decreased in both groups. There was no significant difference in the HbA1c level between the two groups before treatment. After treatment， the decline in the HbA1c level showed no significant difference between the two groups. The TCM syndrome score did not have a statistically significant difference between the two groups before treatment. After treatment， neither the TCM syndrome score nor the response rate had significant difference between the two groups. With the extension of the treatment time， both groups showed amelioration of TCM syndrome compared with the baseline. ConclusionTangning Tongluo tablets are safe and effective in the treatment of nonproliferative DR， being capable of improving vision and reducing hemorrhage and exudation in the fundus.

ObjectiveTo analyze the characteristics and influencing factors of elderly hospitalized patients with carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacillus (CRO) infection in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a gradeⅡ level A general hospital in Yangpu District of Shanghai, and to provide scientific basis for the prevention and control of hospital-acquired CRO infection in such hospitals. MethodsThe clinical data of elderly ICU patients (age ≥60 years) from January 2019 to December 2023 were retrospectively collected. A total of 122 cases with hospital-acquired CRO infection were used as the case group, and a total of 68 cases with carbapenem-sensitive gram-negative (CSO) infection were used as the control group. The clinical characteristics of the two groups were analyzed, and univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis were performed for screening for possible influencing factors on hospital-acquired CRO infection. ResultsThe main pathogens of CRO infection were carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) (53 cases, 43.44%) and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) (46 cases, 37.70%), and 17 patients (13.93%) had more than two types of CRO infection. Among the CRO infection, the main sites were lower respiratory tract infection (58 cases, 47.54%), ventilator-associated pneumonia (21 cases, 17.21%), and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (16 cases, 13.11%). The incidence rate of poor prognosis was higher in the CRO infection group (54.10%) than that in the CSO infection group (36.76%) (P=0.021). The results of univariate analysis showed that male, history of hospitalization within three months, chronic respiratory disease, hypoproteinemia, anemia, and history of invasive procedures prior to infection, including indwelling central venous catheter, invasive mechanical ventilation, urinary catheter, gastric tube placement and parenteral nutrition, in addition, heparin anticoagulation, the use of broad-spectrum penicillin, third-generation cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, carbapenems, carbapenems combined with fluoroquinolones, carbapenems combined with glycopeptides, use of ≥3 antibiotics and long time of antibiotic use prior to infection were all associated with the CRO infection (P<0.05). The results of logistic regression analysis showed that use of carbapenems (OR=7.739, 95%CI: 2.226‒26.911), ≥3 types of antibiotics (OR=6.307, 95%CI: 1.674‒23.754), invasive mechanical ventilation (OR=4.082, 95%CI: 1.795‒9.281), urinary catheter (OR=3.554, 95%CI: 1.074‒11.758), and comorbid hypoproteinemia (OR=4.741, 95%CI: 2.039‒11.022) and diabetes (OR=3.245, 95%CI: 1.344‒7.839) were positively correlated with the risk of CRO infection. ConclusionConcurrent use of carbapenems with multiple other antibiotics, as well as the use of invasive mechanical ventilation, urinary catheter, and comorbid hypoproteinemia and diabetes, may be associated with an increased influencing of CRO infection. More attention should be paid to the prevention and control of infection in elderly patients with the above-mentioned risk factors, and active screening of drug-resistant bacteria should be strengthened. Besides, the rational use of broad-spectrum antibiotics such as carbapenems, avoiding unnecessary invasive operations, and paying attention to patient nutrition and blood glucose control all can reduce the incidence of CRO infection and help to improve clinical outcomes.

ObjectiveBased on functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), we investigated the brain activity characteristics of gross motor tasks in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and motor dysfunctions (MDs) to provide a theoretical basis for further understanding the mechanism of MDs in children with ASD and designing targeted intervention programs from a central perspective. MethodsAccording to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 48 children with ASD accompanied by MDs were recruited into the ASD group and 40 children with typically developing (TD) into the TD group. The fNIRS device was used to collect the information of blood oxygen changes in the cortical motor-related brain regions during single-handed bag throwing and tiptoe walking, and the differences in brain activation and functional connectivity between the two groups of children were analyzed from the perspective of brain activation and functional connectivity. ResultsCompared to the TD group, in the object manipulative motor task (one-handed bag throwing), the ASD group showed significantly reduced activation in both left sensorimotor cortex (SMC) and right secondary visual cortex (V2) (P<0.05), whereas the right pre-motor and supplementary motor cortex (PMC&SMA) had significantly higher activation (P<0.01) and showed bilateral brain region activity; in terms of brain functional integration, there was a significant decrease in the strength of brain functional connectivity (P<0.05) and was mainly associated with dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and V2. In the body stability motor task (tiptoe walking), the ASD group had significantly higher activation in motor-related brain regions such as the DLPFC, SMC, and PMC&SMA (P<0.05) and showed bilateral brain region activity; in terms of brain functional integration, the ASD group had lower strength of brain functional connectivity (P<0.05) and was mainly associated with PMC&SMA and V2. ConclusionChildren with ASD exhibit abnormal brain functional activity characteristics specific to different gross motor tasks in object manipulative and body stability, reflecting insufficient or excessive compensatory activation of local brain regions and impaired cross-regions integration, which may be a potential reason for the poorer gross motor performance of children with ASD, and meanwhile provides data support for further unraveling the mechanisms underlying the occurrence of MDs in the context of ASD and designing targeted intervention programs from a central perspective.

This article reports a diagnostically and therapeutically challenging case of small intestinal marginal zone lymphoma. The patient presented with recurrent abdominal pain as the chief complaint, and imaging revealed multifocal small bowel wall thickening with high uptake, multisegmental luminal stenosis, and proximal dilation. Initial diagnostic workup, including gastroscopy, colonoscopy, and enteroscopy with biopsy, failed to establish a definitive diagnosis. Empirical anti-tuberculosis therapy was ineffective. A repeat enteroscopic biopsy performed over eight months after symptom onset eventually confirmed the diagnosis of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) extranodal marginal zone lymphoma. Despite three different chemotherapy regimens, the patient's intestinal obstruction symptoms persisted, with imaging still showing multifocal bowel wall thickening and hypermetabolic activity. A critical diagnostic dilemma arose regarding whether the PET/CT-positive lesions represented residual lymphoma or fibrotic scarring, whether further chemotherapy adjustments were warranted, and whether surgical resection was necessary. Multidisciplinary discussion concluded that imaging had limited discriminatory value in this scenario and that surgical intervention should be pursued if feasible. The patient successfully underwent partial small bowel resection, with postoperative pathology confirming no residual lymphoma but significant fibrotic changes. The patient has since resumed a normal diet, with body weight nearly restored to pre-illness levels. This case highlights that fibrotic transformation is a common sequela of treated marginal zone lymphoma and that PET/CT may misleadingly suggest residual disease, potentially leading to unnecessary chemotherapy. Timely surgical intervention is crucial in such scenarios.

INTRODUCTION: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with significant long-term impacts, yet few interventions specifically target ACE exposure, especially in Asian populations. Anchor, Singapore's first home visitation programme, addresses maltreat-ment among preschool children. This study evaluated Anchor's impact on children's developmental and behavioural outcomes. METHOD: We conducted a prospective evaluation of children under 4 years assessed for maltreatment from November 2019 to July 2023. Developmental and behavioural progress was measured every 6 months using the Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ-3) and ASQ:Social-Emotional (ASQ:SE-2), and annually using the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL). RESULTS: The results of 125 children (mean age 20.0 months, 48% female) were analysed. The mean length of stay in programme was 21.2 (7.3) months. At baseline, 92 (73.6%) children were at risk of develop-mental delay and 25 (31.7%) children aged ≥18 months had behavioural concerns. The programme was associated with significant improvements in gross motor (P=0.002) and fine motor (P=0.001) domains of the ASQ-3 and internalising problem scale (P=0.001) of the CBCL. CONCLUSION Anchor effectively enhances develop-mental and behavioural outcomes for children exposed to maltreatment. Targeted early intervention through such programmes can mitigate adverse impacts, optimising developmental trajectories and potentially reducing the long-term clinical and economic burdens associated with ACEs.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Child Abuse/therapy* ; Child, Preschool ; Singapore ; House Calls ; Infant ; Prospective Studies ; Child Development ; Developmental Disabilities/epidemiology* ; Program Evaluation ; Child Behavior Disorders ; Child Behavior

In a healthy human, the airway mucus forms a thin, protective liquid layer covering the surface of the respiratory tract. It comprises a complex blend of mucin, multiple antibacterial proteins, metabolic substances, water, and electrolytes. This mucus plays a pivotal role in the lungs' innate immune system by maintaining airway hydration and capturing airborne particles and pathogens. However, heightened mucus secretion in the airway can compromise ciliary clearance, obstruct the respiratory tract, and increase the risk of pathogen colonization and recurrent infections. Consequently, a thorough exploration of the mechanisms driving excessive airway mucus secretion is crucial for establishing a theoretical foundation for the eventual development of targeted drugs designed to reduce mucus production. Across a range of lung diseases, excessive airway mucus secretion manifests with unique characteristics and regulatory mechanisms, all intricately linked to mucin. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the characteristics and regulatory mechanisms associated with excessive airway mucus secretion in several prevalent lung diseases.
Humans ; Mucus/metabolism* ; Mucins/physiology* ; Lung Diseases/metabolism* ; Respiratory Mucosa/metabolism* ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/physiopathology* ; Asthma/physiopathology* ; Cystic Fibrosis/physiopathology* ; Mucociliary Clearance/physiology*