Objective To elucidate the changes in the gut microbiota and molecular mechanism of huaier in enhancing the efficacy of oxaliplatin (OXA) chemotherapy in gastric cancer (GC). Methods The effects of huaier on the gut microbiota structure and intestinal barrier function in MKN45-bearing mice were analyzed by using 16S rRNA sequencing, RT-qPCR, and IHC. UPLC-MS and network pharmacology, as well as in vivo experimental approaches, were employed to investigate the key bioactive constituents of huaier systematically and elucidate the underlying mechanisms by which huaier exerts therapeutic effects against GC. The expression of the PI3K/AKT/SREBP pathway was detected in cancer cells and tissues via Western blot analysis. The safety profile of huaier combined with OXA was verified through serum biochemistry and HE-stained tissue section analyses. Results Huaier inhibited the PI3K/AKT/SREBP pathway by increasing the abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila, reduced lipid droplet deposition, and ultimately enhanced the sensitivity to OXA in the treatment of GC. Conclusion This study demonstrates the value of huaier in gastric cancer treatment by enhancing chemosensitivity and provides novel insights into its systemic therapeutic effects through molecular mechanisms and gut microbiota modulation.

Objective: To explore the bidirectional associations among body mass index Z scores (BMI Z scores) and weight stigma with depressive symptoms in adolescents, thereby providing evidence for targeted intervention strategies. Methods: A stratified cluster random sampling method was employed to select 18 301 adolescents aged 12-18 years from all 12 prefectures (103 counties) in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and two waves of longitudinal surveys were conducted in September 2023 (T1) and September 2024 (T2) among the adolescents. Weight stigma was assessed by using a self developed questionnaire, depressive symptom was measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and BMI Z scores were calculated according to the World Health Organization standards. Pearson correlation analysis was used to examine associations among variables, and cross lagged panel models were constructed to investigate the dynamic bidirectional relationships among the three variables. Results: Adolescents BMI Z scores and weight stigma with depressive symptoms all exhibited autoregressive stability across the two time points (autoregressive paths, all P <0.01). Cross lagged model comparisons indicated that the bidirectional path model achieved the best fit ( χ 2=12.65, RMSEA =0.017, CFI =1.000; △ χ 2=193.39, P <0.01), supporting dynamic bidirectional associations among the three variables. After adjusting for gender, age, subjective social status and only child status, T1 BMI Z scores among adolescents positively predicted T2 weight stigma ( β =0.061), and T1 weight stigma positively predicted T2 depressive symptoms ( β =0.608); in the reverse direction, T1 depressive symptoms predicted T2 weight stigma ( β =0.003), and T1 weight stigma predicted T2 BMI Z scores ( β =0.081) (all P <0.01). Conclusions There is a bidirectional cross lagged relationship among adolescents BMI Z scores and weight stigma with depressive symptoms, suggesting that weight stigma may serve as a key psychological variable linking obesity and depressive symptoms. Greater attention should be paid to the potential threat of weight stigma to adolescents mental health, with intervention strategies expanded from a solely physiological focus to encompass psychosocial dimensions.

The gradient field, one of the core magnetic fields in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems, is generated by gradient coils and plays a critical role in spatial encoding and the generation of echo signals. The uniformity or linearity of the gradient field directly impacts the quality and distortion level of MRI images. However, traditional point measurement methods lack accuracy in assessing the linearity of gradient fields, making it difficult to provide effective parameters for image distortion correction. This paper introduced a spherical measurement-based method that involved measuring the magnetic field distribution on a sphere, followed by detailed magnetic field calculations and linearity analysis. This study, applied to assess the nonlinearity of asymmetric head gradient coils, demonstrated more comprehensive and precise results compared to point measurement methods. This advancement not only strengthens the scientific basis for the design of gradient coils but also provides more reliable parameters and methods for the accurate correction of MRI image distortions.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging/instrumentation* ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods* ; Nonlinear Dynamics ; Magnetic Fields ; Algorithms ; Phantoms, Imaging

Nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVF), predominantly affecting the elderly, can lead to intractable pain, vertebral collapse, progressive kyphotic deformity, and neurological impairment, significantly compromising patients′ quality of life. There exists considerable debate on diagnosis and management of OVF, encompassing key issues such as clinical diagnosis and staging criteria for nonunion, surgical indications and procedure selection, and postoperative rehabilitation planning. Currently, there lacks standardized clinical guideline and expert consensus on the diagnosis and management of OVF nonunion in China. To address this gap, Minimally Invasive Surgery Group of Chinese Orthopedic Association, Osteoporosis Committee of Chinese Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee for Osteoporosis of Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine and Minimally Invasive Orthopedic Surgery Branch of China Association for Geriatric Care jointly organized domestic experts in spinal surgery, endocrinology, and rehabilitation to formulate the Clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment for nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures ( version 2025), based on existing literature and clinical experience and adhering to principles of scientific rigor and practicality. The guideline provided 13 evidence-based recommendations encompassing diagnosis and treatment of OVF nonunion, aiming to standardize its clinical management.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of wasting, spinal curvature abnormalities and multimorbidity among children and adolescents aged 6-18 in Inner Mongolia and explore the related factors of these two health problems.Methods:In September 2022, a stratified random cluster sampling method was employed to select 188 635 children and adolescents aged 6-18 in Inner Mongolia for physical examinations and questionnaire surveys. Data on height, weight, as well as dietary behavior, physical activity, classroom environment, academic tasks, writing posture, and screen behavior were collected. The epidemiological characteristics of wasting, spinal curvature abnormalities and multimorbidity were analyzed. Additionally, a multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the factors associated with wasting, spinal curvature abnormalities and multimorbidity.Results:A total of 188 635 children and adolescents aged 6-18 years participated in this study, including 95 393 boys (50.6%) with an average age of (11.53±3.32) years. The detection rate of wasting was 3.79%, with a higher detection rate in boys (4.18%) than in girls (3.38%) ( P<0.001). The detection rate of spinal curvature abnormalities was 3.64%, with a higher detection rate in girls (4.04%) than in boys (3.25%) ( P<0.001). The detection rate of multimorbidity between wasting and spinal curvature abnormalities was 0.17%, and there was no statistically significant difference between genders ( P>0.05). The detection rates of wasting, spinal curvature abnormalities, and multimorbidity all increased with age ( P t<0.001). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that, after adjusting for gender, age, urban/rural status, and school grade, compared to children and adolescents who exercised ≥1 hour of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for at least 5 days per week and had daily screen time <2 hours, those who exercised <5 days per week ( OR=1.28, 95% CI: 1.19-1.37) and had daily screen time ≥2 hours ( OR=1.11, 95% CI: 1.03-1.19) had a higher risk of wasting. Compared to children and adolescents who had ≥5 physical education (PE) classes per week, adjusted desk and chair height,<1 hour of after-school study/writing time, and whose parents or teachers rarely or never reminded them about posture, those with <5 PE classes per week ( OR=1.11, 95% CI: 1.02-1.21), unadjusted desk and chair height ( OR=1.08, 95% CI: 1.01-1.15),≥1 hour of after-school study/writing time ( OR=1.15, 95% CI: 1.07-1.24), frequent reminders from parents ( OR=1.16, 95% CI: 1.09-1.23), and frequent reminders from teachers ( OR=1.10, 95% CI: 1.04-1.16) had a higher risk of spinal curvature abnormalities. Compared to children and adolescents who did not consume sugary drinks daily, exercised ≥1 hour of MVPA for at least 5 days per week, and whose teachers rarely or never reminded them about posture, those who consumed sugary drinks daily ( OR=1.61, 95% CI: 1.00-2.46), exercised <5 days per week ( OR=1.33, 95% CI: 1.01-1.79), and had teachers who frequently reminded them about posture ( OR=1.35, 95% CI: 1.05-1.75) had a higher risk of multimorbidity between wasting and spinal curvature abnormalities. Conclusion:The detection rates of wasting, spinal curvature abnormalities and multimorbidity among children and adolescents aged 6-18 in Inner Mongolia are generally low, with an increasing trend observed with age. Both lifestyle and school environmental factors are associated with wasting, spinal curvature abnormalities and multimorbidity.

Objective:To understand the occurrence of different patterns of multimorbidity among children and adolescents aged 9-18 in Tianjin City and analyze the cumulative effects of lifestyle on these patterns of multimorbidity.Methods:From September to November 2022, a stratified cluster random sampling method was used to select students from primary schools, junior high schools, general high schools, and vocational schools in 16 districts of Tianjin to screen for height, weight, blood pressure, distant vision, and diopter. One year later, a follow-up measurement and questionnaire survey were conducted. The log-binomial model was used to analyze the strength of the association between lifestyle factors and different patterns of multimorbidity.Results:The age of 9 488 students was (12.37±2.49) years old, including 4 999 boys and 4 489 girls. The detection rates of three patterns of multimorbidity of overweight obesity and high blood pressure, overweight obesity and myopia, and overweight obesity with high blood pressure and myopia were 6.63%, 9.32%, and 4.21%, respectively. The detection rates of the three types of multimorbidity in boys were higher than those in girls (all P<0.001). The detection rate of overweight obesity and high blood pressure in suburban areas was higher than that in urban areas ( P=0.002). The detection rate of overweight obesity and myopia in suburban areas was lower than that in urban areas ( P=0.034). The detection rate of overweight obesity and myopia among those aged 9-12 years old was higher than other age groups (all P<0.001). The ARR (95% CI) for the association between favorable physical activity and the occurrence of overweight obesity and high blood pressure was 0.79 (0.68-0.92). The ARR (95% CI) for the association between favorable physical activity and the occurrence of overweight obesity with high blood pressure and myopia was 0.82 (0.67-0.99). Compared with children and adolescents with 0-2 favorable lifestyle factors, those with 4-5 favorable lifestyle factors had a lower risk of overweight obesity and high blood pressure ( ARR=0.84, 95% CI: 0.59-0.92). Conclusion:Boys aged 9-18 in Tianjin City are more prone to multimorbidity of overweight obesity and high blood pressure, overweight obesity and myopia, and overweight obesity with high blood pressure and myopia. Children and adolescents with 4-5 favorable lifestyle factors have a reduced risk of occurrence of overweight obesity and high blood pressure. Lifestyle has cumulative effects on multimorbidity of overweight obesity and high blood pressure.

The plant F-box protein more axillary growth 2 (MAX2) is a key factor in the signal transduction of strigolactones (SLs) and karrinkins (KARs). As the main component of the SKP1-CUL1-FBX (SCF) complex ubiquitin ligase E3, MAX2 is responsible for specifically recognizing the target proteins, suppressor of MAX2 1/SMAX1-like proteins (SMAX1/SMXLs), which would be degraded after ubiquitination. It can thereby regulate plant morphogenesis and stress responses. There exist homologous genes of MAX2 in the important grain and oil crop soybean (Glycine max). However, its role in plant defense responses has not been investigated yet. Here, GmMAX2b, a homologous gene of MAX2, was successfully cloned from stressed soybean. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that there were two MAX2 homologous genes, GmMAX2a and GmMAX2b, with a similarity of 96.2% in soybean. Their F-box regions were highly conserved. The sequence alignment and cluster analysis of plant MAX2 homologous proteins basically reflected the evolutionary relationship of plants and also suggested that soybean MAX2 might be a multifunctional protein. Expression analysis showed that plant pathogen infection and salicylic acid treatment induced the expression of GmMAX2b in soybean, which is consistent with that of MAX2 in Arabidopsis. Ectopic expression of GmMAX2b compensated for the susceptibility of Arabidopsis max2-2 mutant to pathogen, indicating that GmMAX2b positively regulated plant disease resistance. In addition, yeast two hybrid technology was used to explore the potential target proteins of GmMAX2b. The results showed that GmMAX2b interacted with SMXL6 and weakly interacted with SMXL2. In summary, GmMAX2b is a positive regulator in plant defense responses, and its expression is induced by pathogen infection and salicylic acid treatment. GmMAX2b might exert its effect through interaction with SMXL6 and SMXL2. This study expands the theoretical exploration of soybean disease resistant F-box and provides a scientific basis for future soybean disease resistant breeding.
Glycine max/metabolism* ; Disease Resistance/genetics* ; Plant Diseases/immunology* ; Plant Proteins/genetics* ; Cloning, Molecular ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; F-Box Proteins/genetics* ; Arabidopsis/genetics* ; Phylogeny

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of wasting, spinal curvature abnormalities and multimorbidity among children and adolescents aged 6-18 in Inner Mongolia and explore the related factors of these two health problems.Methods:In September 2022, a stratified random cluster sampling method was employed to select 188 635 children and adolescents aged 6-18 in Inner Mongolia for physical examinations and questionnaire surveys. Data on height, weight, as well as dietary behavior, physical activity, classroom environment, academic tasks, writing posture, and screen behavior were collected. The epidemiological characteristics of wasting, spinal curvature abnormalities and multimorbidity were analyzed. Additionally, a multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the factors associated with wasting, spinal curvature abnormalities and multimorbidity.Results:A total of 188 635 children and adolescents aged 6-18 years participated in this study, including 95 393 boys (50.6%) with an average age of (11.53±3.32) years. The detection rate of wasting was 3.79%, with a higher detection rate in boys (4.18%) than in girls (3.38%) ( P<0.001). The detection rate of spinal curvature abnormalities was 3.64%, with a higher detection rate in girls (4.04%) than in boys (3.25%) ( P<0.001). The detection rate of multimorbidity between wasting and spinal curvature abnormalities was 0.17%, and there was no statistically significant difference between genders ( P>0.05). The detection rates of wasting, spinal curvature abnormalities, and multimorbidity all increased with age ( P t<0.001). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that, after adjusting for gender, age, urban/rural status, and school grade, compared to children and adolescents who exercised ≥1 hour of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for at least 5 days per week and had daily screen time <2 hours, those who exercised <5 days per week ( OR=1.28, 95% CI: 1.19-1.37) and had daily screen time ≥2 hours ( OR=1.11, 95% CI: 1.03-1.19) had a higher risk of wasting. Compared to children and adolescents who had ≥5 physical education (PE) classes per week, adjusted desk and chair height,<1 hour of after-school study/writing time, and whose parents or teachers rarely or never reminded them about posture, those with <5 PE classes per week ( OR=1.11, 95% CI: 1.02-1.21), unadjusted desk and chair height ( OR=1.08, 95% CI: 1.01-1.15),≥1 hour of after-school study/writing time ( OR=1.15, 95% CI: 1.07-1.24), frequent reminders from parents ( OR=1.16, 95% CI: 1.09-1.23), and frequent reminders from teachers ( OR=1.10, 95% CI: 1.04-1.16) had a higher risk of spinal curvature abnormalities. Compared to children and adolescents who did not consume sugary drinks daily, exercised ≥1 hour of MVPA for at least 5 days per week, and whose teachers rarely or never reminded them about posture, those who consumed sugary drinks daily ( OR=1.61, 95% CI: 1.00-2.46), exercised <5 days per week ( OR=1.33, 95% CI: 1.01-1.79), and had teachers who frequently reminded them about posture ( OR=1.35, 95% CI: 1.05-1.75) had a higher risk of multimorbidity between wasting and spinal curvature abnormalities. Conclusion:The detection rates of wasting, spinal curvature abnormalities and multimorbidity among children and adolescents aged 6-18 in Inner Mongolia are generally low, with an increasing trend observed with age. Both lifestyle and school environmental factors are associated with wasting, spinal curvature abnormalities and multimorbidity.

Objective:To understand the occurrence of different patterns of multimorbidity among children and adolescents aged 9-18 in Tianjin City and analyze the cumulative effects of lifestyle on these patterns of multimorbidity.Methods:From September to November 2022, a stratified cluster random sampling method was used to select students from primary schools, junior high schools, general high schools, and vocational schools in 16 districts of Tianjin to screen for height, weight, blood pressure, distant vision, and diopter. One year later, a follow-up measurement and questionnaire survey were conducted. The log-binomial model was used to analyze the strength of the association between lifestyle factors and different patterns of multimorbidity.Results:The age of 9 488 students was (12.37±2.49) years old, including 4 999 boys and 4 489 girls. The detection rates of three patterns of multimorbidity of overweight obesity and high blood pressure, overweight obesity and myopia, and overweight obesity with high blood pressure and myopia were 6.63%, 9.32%, and 4.21%, respectively. The detection rates of the three types of multimorbidity in boys were higher than those in girls (all P<0.001). The detection rate of overweight obesity and high blood pressure in suburban areas was higher than that in urban areas ( P=0.002). The detection rate of overweight obesity and myopia in suburban areas was lower than that in urban areas ( P=0.034). The detection rate of overweight obesity and myopia among those aged 9-12 years old was higher than other age groups (all P<0.001). The ARR (95% CI) for the association between favorable physical activity and the occurrence of overweight obesity and high blood pressure was 0.79 (0.68-0.92). The ARR (95% CI) for the association between favorable physical activity and the occurrence of overweight obesity with high blood pressure and myopia was 0.82 (0.67-0.99). Compared with children and adolescents with 0-2 favorable lifestyle factors, those with 4-5 favorable lifestyle factors had a lower risk of overweight obesity and high blood pressure ( ARR=0.84, 95% CI: 0.59-0.92). Conclusion:Boys aged 9-18 in Tianjin City are more prone to multimorbidity of overweight obesity and high blood pressure, overweight obesity and myopia, and overweight obesity with high blood pressure and myopia. Children and adolescents with 4-5 favorable lifestyle factors have a reduced risk of occurrence of overweight obesity and high blood pressure. Lifestyle has cumulative effects on multimorbidity of overweight obesity and high blood pressure.

Nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVF), predominantly affecting the elderly, can lead to intractable pain, vertebral collapse, progressive kyphotic deformity, and neurological impairment, significantly compromising patients′ quality of life. There exists considerable debate on diagnosis and management of OVF, encompassing key issues such as clinical diagnosis and staging criteria for nonunion, surgical indications and procedure selection, and postoperative rehabilitation planning. Currently, there lacks standardized clinical guideline and expert consensus on the diagnosis and management of OVF nonunion in China. To address this gap, Minimally Invasive Surgery Group of Chinese Orthopedic Association, Osteoporosis Committee of Chinese Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee for Osteoporosis of Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine and Minimally Invasive Orthopedic Surgery Branch of China Association for Geriatric Care jointly organized domestic experts in spinal surgery, endocrinology, and rehabilitation to formulate the Clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment for nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures ( version 2025), based on existing literature and clinical experience and adhering to principles of scientific rigor and practicality. The guideline provided 13 evidence-based recommendations encompassing diagnosis and treatment of OVF nonunion, aiming to standardize its clinical management.