Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that occurs in the glandular epithelium of the breast, and it is one of the most common tumors that seriously affect the physical and mental health of women. With the aggravation of population aging, the incidence of breast cancer in the elderly has increased year by year in recent years. Elderly patients with breast cancer often have a variety of underlying diseases, and their prognosis is usually related to many factors such as cancer staging, cancer classification, treatment status and health status, with a significant difference in survival rate among patients. Due to the unique clinical and pathological characteristics of elderly patients with breast cancer compared to young and middle-aged patients, there are many studies on the treatment of elderly breast cancer patients in the past, and there are few reviews on the influencing factors of prognosis in elderly patients. This paper reviews the research progress of influencing factors of prognosis in elderly patients with breast cancer from the aspects of clinicopathological factors, treatment options and prognosis factors, in order to provide a reference for clinical determination of treatment options for elderly patients with breast cancer in the future.

Objective: To assess the effect of 12-year-old children s pit and fissure sealants on the health of first permanent molars, so as to provide evidence for optimizing caries prevention strategies among children. Methods: In March 2025, a cluster random sampling method was used to conduct oral examinations on 965 students aged 12 from Chengdu s 2021 Comprehensive Intervention Program for Pediatric Oral Diseases. Data from the Comprehensive Intervention System for Children s Oral Diseases were referenced. Participants were divided into a sealed group ( n =755) and an unsealed group ( n =210) based on whether they had received sealants on their first permanent molars. Chi square test or analysis of variance were used to compare indicators such as caries incidence, new caries detection rate, and new caries mean (DMFT increment) between the two groups Results: The sealed group showed significantly lower caries incidence, new caries detection rate, and new caries mean (33.38%, 17.65%, 0.59±1.00) compared to the unsealed group (43.81%, 24.70%, 0.87±1.22)( χ 2/F =7.79, 18.26, 9.55, all P <0.05). However, no significant difference was found in the filled teeth ratio between the two groups (20.38% , 20.16%; χ 2=0.01, P =0.94). In girls, the sealed group exhibited significantly lower caries incidence, new caries detection rate, and new caries mean (36.78%, 20.99%, 0.69± 1.10 ) than the unsealed group (57.55%, 33.52%, 1.15±1.29) ( χ 2/F =14.42, 23.76, 10.92, all P <0.05), whereas no significant differences were observed between boys in the sealed (30.47%, 14.85%, 0.50±0.89) and unsealed groups (29.81%, 16.18%, 0.59± 1.08) ( χ 2/F =0.02, 0.41, 0.74, all P >0.05). Boys had significantly lower new caries detection rates and new caries means than girls in both groups ( χ 2/F =16.20, 6.94; 29.93, 11.84, all P <0.05). In urban areas, the sealed group had lower new caries detection rates and new caries means (19.37%, 0.68±1.04) than the unsealed group (24.66%, 0.90±1.20) ( χ 2/F =6.86, 3.94, both P <0.05). In suburban areas, all indicators for the sealed group (24.71%, 13.77%, 0.42±0.87) were significantly lower than those for the unsealed group (38.81%, 24.77%, 0.82±1.28) ( χ 2/F =5.28, 15.36, 6.00, all P <0.05). Indicators from specialized dental institutions (11.25%, 4.81%, 0.16±0.56) were significantly lower than those from county level or above general hospitals (33.33%, 19.11%, 0.38±1.00) and primary healthcare institutions (37.59%, 19.24%, 0.67±1.05) ( χ 2/F =20.99, 34.31, 21.08 , all P <0.01). Conclusions The 12-year-old children s pit and fissure sealants effectively reduce the caries incidence in first permanent molars, particularly showing significant effectiveness in girls and suburban children. Intervention strategies should be optimized according to gender.

We examined the longitudinal hypothalamic morphology in the progression of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We used multivariable linear modelling to differentiate the structural volumetric change in the hypothalamic nuclei in nine females who developed MCI after 5 years and 61 healthy controls. We found significantly decreased left anterior-inferior (p<0.01), left anterior-superior (p<0.05), and left posterior (p<0.01) hypothalamic regions among females with MCI compared to healthy controls. There was also a significant asymmetry at the anterior-superior hypothalamus (p<0.05) in MCI females than in healthy controls. Thus, the degradation of the specific left hypothalamic subregions and leftward lateralization over time highlight the impact of early- stage MCI on the morphology of hypothalamus.

Objective To characterize Schistosoma japonicum Class F G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), and to decipher the biological function of S. japonicum Smoothened receptor (SjSMO), so as to provide insights into screening of novel anti-schistosomal drug targets. Methods Six Class F GPCRs were identified from the S. japonicum GPCR library using a hidden Markov model (HMM) and genome annotation filese, including five frizzled (FZD) receptors (SjFZD4, SjFZD5, SjFZD7, SjFZD8, SjFZD10) and one Smoothened receptor (SjSMO). Protein domain analysis was performed at the SMART website, and a phylogenetic tree was built with the software MEGA 11.0 and refined with the Interactive Tree Of Life (iTOL) tool. The expression profile and tissue localization of S. japonicum class F GPCRs were analyzed using the real-time fluorescence-based quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assay and in situ hybridization, and the effects of SjSMO on parasite growth, development, reproduction, and oviposition were examined using in vivo and in vitro RNA interference (RNAi). S. japonicum adult worms were selected for double-stranded RNAi (dsRNA) in in vitro experiments, and a green fluorescent protein (GFP) negative control group and SjFZD4, SjFZD5, SjFZD7, SjFZD8, SjFZD10, and SjSMO dsRNAi groups were assigned to observe the parasite vitality and state and calculate the female and male rating rate. For in-vivo animal experiments, 6-week-old SPF female mice of the Kunming strain were randomly divided into a GFP dsRNA negative control group and SjFZD4, SjFZD5, SjFZD7, SjFZD8, SjFZD10, and SjSMO dsRNAi groups. Worms and liver tissues were collected for measurement of the worm length and estimation of the worm burdens, and changes in the parasite reproductive organs were observed using alum carmine staining. In addition, the number of S. japonicum eggs in mouse livers was counted and the pathological damages of mouse livers were recorded. Results The five FZD receptors and one Smoothened receptor all contained a conserved Frizzled domain. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that SjSMO formed an independent evolutionary clade, which exhibited a far genetic distance from the FZD family. RT-qPCR assay quantified stable SjSMO expression in male worms but gradually decreased in female worms with worm development, and in situ hybridization revealed high systemic expression of SjSMO. In vitro RNAi results revealed a significant difference in pairing rates among all groups (χ² = 130.530, P < 0.000 1). Only the SjSMO interference group exhibited a markedly reduced worm pairing rate of 20.00%, which was significantly lower than that of the control group (94.74%) (P < 0.000 1), accompanied by decreased worm vitality. In contrast, no statistically significant differences in pairing rates were observed between each FZD family gene interference group and the control group (all P > 0.05). In vivo RNAi assay revealed that SjSMO dsRNAi 1 to 26 days post-infection resulted in a significant reduction in worm length, with reductions in the male worm length by 32.27% and female worm length by 36.77% as compared to controls [male worms: (6.51 ± 1.77) mm vs. (9.62 ± 1.44) mm, t = 7.196, P < 0.000 1; female worms: (5.49 ± 1.36) mm vs. (8.68 ± 2.60) mm, t = 5.953, P < 0.000 1], as well as arrest of testicular development in male worms and ovarian development in females. In addition, SjSMO dsRNAi 26 to 42 days post-infection was found to significantly reduce hepatic egg burdens in mice, with a 49.10% reduction in the count of liver eggs in the SjSMO dsRNAi group relative to the GFP dsRNA negative control group [(2 824 ± 844) eggs per gram vs. (5 548 ± 797) eggs per gram; t = 4.064, P < 0.05], and to alleviate granuloma formation and severity of hepatic fibrosis. Conclusion SjSMO is a key receptor that regulates the growth, development, reproduction, and oviposition of S. japonicum, which provides a new potential target for development of anti-schistosomal drugs.

By exploring theories related to yin-yang， body and spirit， and the relationship between nature and human beings， this study proposed the holistic functional perspective in Traditional Chinese Medicine （TCM） rehabi-litation. This perspective emphasizes the influence of various internal and external factors on the body's function and health status， with the integration of form and spirit as its core concept. It integrates the principles of correspondence between nature and human beings， as well as the unity of individuals and society， positioning holistic function as the key focus in TCM rehabilitation practice. It guides the prevention， assessment， and rehabilitation treatment of functional disorders， ultimately achieving the goal of comprehensive recovery of health. Additionally， the study reviewed the current application status of the holistic functional perspective in clinical TCM rehabilitation， clarified its integration throughout the entire TCM rehabilitation process， with the goal of providing a theoretical and practical foundation for further research and application in TCM rehabilitation.

Background: s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model. Methods: Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort. Results: In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM). Conclusions Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.

Background: Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) due to variants of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-beta (HNF1β) (MODY5) has not been well studied in the Chinese population. This study aimed to estimate its prevalence and evaluate the application of a clinical screening method (Faguer score) in Chinese early-onset diabetes (EOD) patients. Methods: Among 679 EOD patients clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (age at diagnosis ≤40 years), the exons of HNF1β were sequenced. Functional impact of rare variants was evaluated using a dual-luciferase reporter system. Faguer scores ≥8 prompted multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for large deletions. Pathogenicity of HNF1β variants was assessed following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines. Results: Two rare HNF1β missense mutations (E105K and G454R) were identified by sequencing in five patients, showing functional impact in vitro. Another patient was found to have a whole-gene deletion by MLPA in 22 patients with the Faguer score above 8. Following ACMG guidelines, six patients carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant were diagnosed with MODY5. The estimated prevalence of MODY5 in Chinese EOD patients was approximately 0.9% or higher. Conclusion MODY5 is not uncommon in China. The Faguer score is helpful in deciding whether to perform MLPA analysis on patients with negative sequencing results.

Background: s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model. Methods: Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort. Results: In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM). Conclusions Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.

OBJECTIVES: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) poses a major threat to global health. Evaluating atherosclerosis in asymptomatic individuals can help identify those at high risk of CVD. This study aims to establish an individualized nomogram prediction model to estimate the risk of vascular plaque formation in asymptomatic individuals. METHODS: A total of 5 655 participants who underwent CVD screening at the Health Management Center of The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, between January 2022 and June 2024 we retrospectively enrolled. Using simple random sampling, participants were divided into a training set (n=4 524) and a validation set (n=1 131) in an 8꞉2 ratio. Demographic and clinical data were collected and compared between groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent factors associated with vascular plaques and to construct a nomogram prediction model. The predictive performance and clinical utility of the model were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test, calibration plots, and decision curve analysis (DCA). RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 52 years old. There were 3 400 males (60.12%). The overall detection rate of vascular plaque in the screening population was 49.87% (2 820/5 655). No statistically significant differences were observed in clinical indicators between the training and validation sets (all P>0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis identified age, systolic blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), lipoprotein(a), male sex, smoking history, hypertension history, and diabetes history as independent risk factors for vascular plaque in asymptomatic individuals (all P<0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) of the nomogram model for predicting vascular plaque risk were 0.778 (95% CI 0.765 to 0.791, P<0.001) in the training set and 0.760 (95% CI 0.732 to 0.787, P<0.001) in the validation set. The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test indicated good model calibration (training set: P=0.628; validation set: P=0.561). The calibration curve plotted using the Bootstrap method demonstrated good agreement between predicted probabilities and actual probabilities. DCA showed that the nomogram provided a clinical net benefit for predicting vascular plaque risk when the threshold probability ranged from 0.02 to 0.99. CONCLUSIONS The nomogram prediction model for vascular plaque risk, constructed using readily available and cost-effective physical examination indicators, exhibited good predictive performance. This model can assist in the early identification and intervention of asymptomatic individuals at high risk for cardiovascular disease.
Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Female ; Nomograms ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic/diagnosis* ; Aged ; Adult ; Physical Examination ; Logistic Models ; Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology* ; ROC Curve

Ferroptosis has received great attention as an iron-dependent programmed cell death for efficient cancer therapy. However, with the accumulation of iron in tumor cells, the antioxidant system is activated by reducing glutathione (GSH) with glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), which critically limits the ferroptosis therapeutic effect. Herein, an iron and GPX4 silencing siRNA (siGPX4) co-encapsulated ferritin nanocage (HFn@Fe/siGPX4) was developed to enhance ferroptosis by disruption of redox homeostasis and inhibition of antioxidant enzyme synergistically. The siGPX4 were loaded into the nanocages by pre-incubated with iron, which could significantly improve the loading efficiency of the gene drugs when compared with the reported gene drug loading strategy by ferritin nanocages. And more iron was overloaded into the ferritin through the diffusion method. When HFn@Fe/siGPX4 was taken up by human breast cancer cell MCF-7 in a TfR1-mediated pathway, the excess iron ions in the drug delivery system could for one thing induce ferroptosis by the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), for another promote siGPX4 escaping from the lysosome to exert gene silencing effect more effectively. Both the in vitro and in vivo results demonstrated that HFn@Fe/siGPX4 could significantly inhibit tumor growth by synergistical ferroptosis. Thus, the developed HFn@Fe/siGPX4 afforded a combined ferroptosis strategy for ferroptosis-based antitumor as well as a novel and efficient gene drug delivery system.