ObjectiveTo decipher the mechanism by which Zuoguiwan （ZGW） treat hyperthyroidism in rats with kidney-Yin deficiency based on the dopamine receptor D4 （DRD4）/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate （NADPH） oxidase 4 （NOX4） signaling pathway. MethodsThe rat model of kidney-Yin deficiency was induced by unilateral intramuscular injection of dexamethasone （0.35 mg·kg^-1）. After successful modeling， the rats were randomized into model， methimazole （positive control， 5 mg·kg^-1）， low-， medium-， and high-dose （1.85， 3.70， 7.40 g·kg^-1， respectively） ZGW， and normal control groups. After 21 days of continuous gavage， the behavioral indexes and body weight changes of rats were evaluated. The pathological changes of the renal tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The serum levels of thyroid hormones ［triiodothyronine （T₃）， thyroxine （T₄）， thyroid-stimulating hormone （TSH）］， renal function indexes ［serum creatine （Scr） and blood urea nitrogen （BUN）］， energy metabolism markers ［cyclic adenosine monophosphate （cAMP） and cyclic guanosine monophosphate （cGMP）］， and oxidative stress-related factors ［superoxide dismutase （SOD）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， and NADPH）］ were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Western blot was employed to analyze the expression of DRD4， NOX4， mitochondrial respiratory chain complex proteins ［NADH：ubiquinone oxidoreductase subunit S4 （NDUFS4） and cytochrome C oxidase subunit 4 （COX4）］， and inflammation-related protein ［tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-α）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK）］ pathway in the renal tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed mental malaise， body weight decreases （P<0.01）， inflammatory cell infiltration in the renal tissue， a few residual parotid glands in the thyroid， elevations in serum levels of T₃， T₄， Scr， BUN， cAMP， cAMP/cGMP， MDA， and NADPH （P<0.01）， down-regulation in protein levels of TSH， SOD， and DRD4 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and up-regulation in expression of NOX4， p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK， and inflammatory factors （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， ZGW increased the body weight （P<0.05， P<0.01）， reduced the infiltration of renal interstitial inflammatory cells， restored the thyroid structure and follicle size， lowered the serum levels of T₃， T₄， Scr， BUN， cAMP， cAMP/cGMP， MDA and NADPH （P<0.05， P<0.01）， up-regulated the expression of TSH， SOD and DRD4 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and down-regulated the expression of NOX4， p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK， and inflammatory factors （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Moreover， high-dose ZGW outperformed methimazole （P<0.05）. ConclusionBy activating DRD4， ZGW can inhibit the expression of NOX4 mediated by the p38 MAPK pathway， reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory response， thereby ameliorating the pathological state of hyperthyroidism due to kidney-Yin deficiency. This study provides new molecular mechanism support for the clinical application of ZGW.

Background The moderation role of environmental factors in the spread of hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) has attracted much attention, but the existing conclusions are inconsistent. For example, some scholars believe that high temperature, high humidity, and high concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) increase the risk of HFMD, but other scholars have reached the opposite conclusion, or believe that there is no significant relationship. Objective Based on distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM), to investigate the relationship between the incidence of HFMD and meteorological and air pollutant variables in Lianyungang City, and to provide scientific basis for early warning. Methods Daily data of meteorological factors and air pollutants in Lianyungang City from 2021 to 2024 were retrieved. Meteorological factors included average daily temperature, average wind speed, average air pressure, and relative humidity. Air pollutant indicators included PM_2.5, inhalable particulate matter (PM₁₀), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), NO₂, and ozone (O₃). Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze their correlations with HFMD, and the R package (version 4.3.1) dlnm was used to construct a DLNM model. Results During the study period, a total of 10503 cases were reported, with a male to female ratio of 1.47∶1 and the highest proportion of scattered children (49.97%). The Spearman correlation analysis results showed that daily average temperature (r=0.40), relative humidity (r=0.17) and O₃ (r=0.14) were positively correlated with the incidence of HFMD (all Ps<0.01), while average air pressure (r=−0.34), PM_2.5 (r=−0.24), PM₁₀ (r=−0.24), CO (r=−0.22), and NO₂ (r=−0.06) were negatively correlated with it (all Ps<0.05). There was no statistical relationship of SO₂ and average wind speed with the incidence of HFMD (both Ps>0.05). The cumulative risk effect was greatest when the daily average temperature was 28.50 ℃ (CRR=4.63, 95%CI: 2.68, 8.01). The average wind speed below 0.50 m·s⁻¹ and in the range of 2.50-3.50 m·s⁻¹ showed an acute risk effect, and low pressure (below 1016.00 hPa) could immediately increase the risk of the disease. The cumulative risk effect was greatest when the relative humidity was 100% (CRR=3.16, 95%CI: 1.77, 5.65). The greatest cumulative protective effects of PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ were present at concentrations of 158.00 μg·m⁻³ (CRR=0.12, 95%CI: 0.01, 0.99) and 561.50 μg·m⁻³ (CRR=0.01, 95%CI: 0.01, 0.99) respectively. The protective effect of CO was the strongest at the highest concentration (67.00 μg·m⁻³) (RR=0.67, 95%CI: 0.34, 0.64). The cumulative protective effects of SO₂ and NO₂ were both most significant at the concentration of 0.50 μg·m⁻³. Low concentrations of O₃ (below 48.00 μg·m⁻³) showed a risk effect, and the single-day protective effect was significant when the concentration was 141.00 μg·m⁻³. Conclusion There is a nonlinear and hysteretic relationship between environmental factors and the incidence of HFMD. A rational and efficient early warning and prevention and control system can be constructed accordingly.

Objectives: . This study aimed to investigate the regulatory functions of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neural circuits from the inferior colliculus (IC) to the medial geniculate body (MGB) in salicylate-induced tinnitus. Methods: . Mice were treated with salicylate to induce tinnitus, and tinnitus-like behaviors were evaluated via gap prepulse inhibition of acoustic startle. Using combined viral tracing methodologies, we identified and mapped the pathways and connections from the IC to the MGB. Furthermore, we employed Gq-coupled human M3 designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs) and Gi-coupled human M4 DREADDs to achieve targeted excitation or suppression of GABAergic neurons in the IC and MGB. Following the administration of clozapine N-oxide, which binds to these receptors, we modulated these neural circuits to assess their impact on tinnitus severity in a mouse model. Results: . Our findings demonstrated that mice exposed to salicylate exhibited tinnitus-like behaviors. GABAergic neurons projecting retrogradely from the MGB to the IC were primarily concentrated in the external nucleus of the IC. After clozapine N-oxide administration, chemogenetic activation of IC-MGB GABAergic neurons aggravated salicylate-induced tinnitus. Additionally, activation of GABAergic neurons between the IC and MGB induced the perception of tinnitus even without salicylate. However, chemogenetic inhibition of the IC-MGB GABAergic circuit did not reverse salicylate-induced tinnitus. Conclusion . These findings suggest that activation of the IC-MGB GABAergic neural circuit may contribute to tinnitus generation through a mechanism distinct from that of salicylate-induced tinnitus. This study provides novel insights into the mechanisms underlying tinnitus.

Hand degloving injury represents one of the most severe forms of hand trauma, characterised by challenging treatment and a complex prognostic outcome. It is crucial to effectively utilise the degloved tissues in emergency or primary repair of a hand degloving injury. This consensus provides a comprehensive review of the existing literature on definition, classification, emergency assessment, debridement, judgment of skin viability, in situ repair of the degloved skin, and adjunctive treatment for degloving injury of hand. Based on conclusion of both domestic and international experiences, this expert consensus on the classification of hand degloving injury and the emergency repair with the avulsed skin is established, aiming to provide a guidance to surgeons on standardised treatment strategy and improve the management of hand degloving injury.

Background/Aims: Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation (ERFA) is a treatment option for superficial esophageal squamous cell neoplasia (ESCN), with a relatively low risk of stenosis; however, the long-term outcomes remain unclear. We aimed to compare the long-term outcomes of patients with widespread superficial ESCN who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) or ERFA. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients with superficial ESCN who underwent ESD or ERFA between January 2015 and December 2021. The primary outcome measure was recurrence-free survival. Results: Ninety-two and 33 patients with superficial ESCN underwent ESD and ERFA, respectively. The en bloc, R0, and curative resection rates for ESD were 100.0%, 90.2%, and 76.1%, respectively. At 12 months, the complete response rate was comparable between the two groups (94.6% vs 90.9%, p=0.748). During a median follow-up of 66 months, recurrence-free survival was significantly longer in the ESD group than in the ERFA group (p=0.004), while no significant differences in overall survival (p=0.845) and disease-specific survival (p=0.494) were observed.Preoperative diagnosis of intramucosal cancer (adjusted hazard ratio, 5.55; vs high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia) was an independent predictor of recurrence. Significantly fewer patients in the ERFA group experienced stenosis compare to ESD group (15.2% vs 38.0%, p=0.016). Conclusions The risk of recurrence was higher for ERFA than ESD for ESCN but overall survival was not affected. The risk of esophageal stenosis was significantly lower for patients who underwent ERFA.

Objective:To summarize the clinicopathologic characteristics of malignant hypertension (MHT) patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) and application of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor (RAASi).Methods:It was a retrospective cohort study. The adult patients with MHT and AKI admitted to Peking University First Hospital from January 1, 2012 to July 14, 2022. The patients were categorized into RAASi group and non-RAASi group based on RAASi administration from AKI onset to discharge. The clinicopathological data between the two groups were compared, and application of RAASi was analyzed.Results:A total of 179 patients were enrolled with age of 31 (26, 37) years and 148 males (82.7%). Ninety-five patients (53.1%) received dialysis treatment. The common causes of MHT were essential hypertension (125 patients, 69.8%), renal hypertension (39 patients, 21.8%) and endocrine hypertension (7 patients, 3.9%). AKI severity distribution showed 41 patients (22.9%) in stage 1, 1 patient (0.5%) in stage 2 and 137 patients (76.5%) in stage 3. Among MHT patients, 94 patients (52.5%) had been treated with RAASi before AKI, and 13 patients (7.3%) discontinued RAASi after AKI. Among 85 patients (47.5%) without receiving RAASi treatment before AKI, 68 new patients (38.0%) received RAASi treatment after AKI, and 40 patients (22.3%) were treated with the support of dialysis. Compared with non-RAASI group ( n=30), proportions of chronic kidney disease ( χ2=6.324, P=0.012) and post-AKI hyperkalemia ( χ2=4.048, P=0.044) in RAASi group ( n=149) were lower, and the proportion of dialysis treatment ( χ2=5.638, P=0.018), admission diastolic blood pressure ( Z=-3.609, P<0.001) and maximum diastolic blood pressure during hospitalization ( Z=-1.978, P=0.048) were higher. There were no statistically significant differences in the rates of target blood pressure control and renal function recovery between the two groups during hospitalization (all P>0.05). During hospitalization, 64 patients received renal biopsies, of which 50 patients (78.1%) had typical MHT vascular lesions such as "onion skin" in renal arterioles. Twenty-seven patients (42.2%) were complicated with glomerular diseases, and IgA nephropathy was the most common type (85.2%, 23/27). The proportions of glomerular ischemia and sclerosis, endothelial cell proliferation and acute renal tubular injury in RAASi group ( n=54) were lower than those in non-RAASi group ( n=10), and proportions of thrombosis and "onion skin" change were higher than those in RAASi group ( n=10), but the differences were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). Renal function recovery occurred in 47 patients (26.3%) by discharge. Among 95 dialysis patients, 26 patients (27.4%) achieved dialysis independence at discharge. Conclusions:MHT patients with AKI exhibit severe renal pathology and short-term poor prognosis. RAASi is primarily prescribed to those with relatively better kidney function or those receiving dialysis support.

Background/Aims: Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation (ERFA) is a treatment option for superficial esophageal squamous cell neoplasia (ESCN), with a relatively low risk of stenosis; however, the long-term outcomes remain unclear. We aimed to compare the long-term outcomes of patients with widespread superficial ESCN who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) or ERFA. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients with superficial ESCN who underwent ESD or ERFA between January 2015 and December 2021. The primary outcome measure was recurrence-free survival. Results: Ninety-two and 33 patients with superficial ESCN underwent ESD and ERFA, respectively. The en bloc, R0, and curative resection rates for ESD were 100.0%, 90.2%, and 76.1%, respectively. At 12 months, the complete response rate was comparable between the two groups (94.6% vs 90.9%, p=0.748). During a median follow-up of 66 months, recurrence-free survival was significantly longer in the ESD group than in the ERFA group (p=0.004), while no significant differences in overall survival (p=0.845) and disease-specific survival (p=0.494) were observed.Preoperative diagnosis of intramucosal cancer (adjusted hazard ratio, 5.55; vs high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia) was an independent predictor of recurrence. Significantly fewer patients in the ERFA group experienced stenosis compare to ESD group (15.2% vs 38.0%, p=0.016). Conclusions The risk of recurrence was higher for ERFA than ESD for ESCN but overall survival was not affected. The risk of esophageal stenosis was significantly lower for patients who underwent ERFA.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of quercetin on cuproptosis and L-type calcium currents in the myocardium of diabetic rats. METHODS: Forty SD rats were randomized into control group and diabetic model groups. The rat models of diabetes mellitus (DM) induced by high-fat and high-sugar diet combined with streptozotocin (STZ) injection were further divided into DM model group, quercetin treatment group, and empagliflozin treatment group (n=10). Blood glucose and body weight were measured every other week, and cardiac function of the rats was evaluated using echocardiography. HE staining, Sirius red staining, and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) analysis were used to observe the changes in myocardial histomorphology, and serum copper levels and myocardial FDX1 expression were detected. In cultured rat cardiomyocyte H9c2 cells with high-glucose exposure, the effects of quercetin and elesclomol, alone or in combination, on intracellular CK-MB and LDH levels and FDX1 expression were assessed, and the changes in L-type calcium currents were analyzed using patch-clamp technique. RESULTS: The diabetic rats exhibited elevated blood glucose, reduced body weight, impaired left ventricular function, increased serum copper levels and myocardial FDX1 expression, decreased L-type calcium currents, and prolonged action potential duration. Quercetin and empagliflozin treatment significantly lowered blood glucose, improved body weight, and restored cardiac function of the diabetic rats, and compared with empagliflozin, quercetin more effectively reduced serum copper levels, downregulated FDX1 expression, and enhanced myocardial L-type calcium currents in diabetic rats. In H9c2 cells, high glucose exposure significantly increased myocardial expressions of FDX1, CK-MB and LDH, which were effectively lowered by quercetin treatment; Elesclomol further elevated FDX1, CK-MB and LDH levels in the exposed cells, and these changes were not significantly affected by the application of quercetin. CONCLUSIONS Quercetin ameliorates myocardial injury in diabetic rats possibly by suppressing myocardial cuproptosis signaling and restoring L-type calcium channel activity.
Animals ; Quercetin/pharmacology* ; Calcium Channels, L-Type/metabolism* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Myocytes, Cardiac/drug effects* ; Myocardium/pathology* ; Male

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), the most commonly-occurring form of hearing loss, is caused mainly by injury to or the loss of hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons in the cochlea. Numerous environmental and physiological factors have been shown to cause acquired SNHL, such as ototoxic drugs, noise exposure, aging, infections, and diseases. Several programmed cell death (PCD) pathways have been reported to be involved in SNHL, especially some novel PCD pathways that have only recently been reported, such as ferroptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis. Here we summarize these PCD pathways and their roles and mechanisms in SNHL, aiming to provide new insights and potential therapeutic strategies for SNHL by targeting these PCD pathways.
Humans ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/metabolism* ; Necroptosis/drug effects* ; Pyroptosis/drug effects* ; Ferroptosis/drug effects* ; Animals

Extensive epigenetic reprogramming involves in memory CD8+ T-cell differentiation. The elaborate epigenetic rewiring underlying the heterogeneous functional states of CD8+ T cells remains hidden. Here, we profile single-cell chromatin accessibility and map enhancer-promoter interactomes to characterize the differentiation trajectory of memory CD8+ T cells. We reveal that under distinct epigenetic regulations, the early activated CD8+ T cells divergently originated for short-lived effector and memory precursor effector cells. We also uncover a defined epigenetic rewiring leading to the conversion from effector memory to central memory cells during memory formation. Additionally, we illustrate chromatin regulatory mechanisms underlying long-lasting versus transient transcription regulation during memory differentiation. Finally, we confirm the essential roles of Sox4 and Nrf2 in developing memory precursor effector and effector memory cells, respectively, and validate cell state-specific enhancers in regulating Il7r using CRISPR-Cas9. Our data pave the way for understanding the mechanism underlying epigenetic memory formation in CD8+ T-cell differentiation.
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism* ; Cell Differentiation ; Chromatin/immunology* ; Animals ; Mice ; Immunologic Memory ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; SOXC Transcription Factors/immunology* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/immunology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Gene Regulatory Networks ; Enhancer Elements, Genetic