The circadian clock plays a critical role in regulating various physiological processes, including gene expression, metabolic regulation, immune response, and the sleep-wake cycle in living organisms. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) are crucial regulatory mechanisms to maintain the precise oscillation of the circadian clock. By modulating the stability, activity, cell localization and protein-protein interactions of core clock proteins, PTMs enable these proteins to respond dynamically to environmental and intracellular changes, thereby sustaining the periodic oscillations of the circadian clock. Different types of PTMs exert their effects through distincting molecular mechanisms, collectively ensuring the proper function of the circadian system. This review systematically summarized several major types of PTMs, including phosphorylation, acetylation, ubiquitination, SUMOylation and oxidative modification, and overviewed their roles in regulating the core clock proteins and the associated pathways, with the goals of providing a theoretical foundation for the deeper understanding of clock mechanisms and the treatment of diseases associated with circadian disruption.
Protein Processing, Post-Translational/physiology* ; Circadian Rhythm/physiology* ; Humans ; Animals ; CLOCK Proteins/physiology* ; Circadian Clocks/physiology* ; Phosphorylation ; Acetylation ; Ubiquitination ; Sumoylation

OBJECTIVES: To study the clinical characteristics of rashes induced by trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) in children treated for pertussis and to inform safe medication practices. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 238 children diagnosed with pertussis and treated with TMP-SMZ at Wuhu First People's Hospital from January to August 2024. The incidence and clinical features of rashes were summarized. RESULTS: Of 238 children, 34 (14.3%) developed rashes; 19 (55.9%) were boys, and the 5 to <10-year age group accounted for the highest proportion (70.6%, 24/34). A history of allergic disease was present in 50.0% (17/34). Rashes typically appeared on or after day 7 of therapy (82%, 28/34) and were predominantly erythematous or maculopapular eruptions (97%, 33/34); 71% (24/34) were pruritic. Fever occurred in 56% (19/34); among those who were tested for respiratory viruses, 77% (10/13) were positive for viruses such as rhinovirus and adenovirus. After discontinuation of TMP-SMZ, rashes resolved within 3 days in 97% (33/34) of patients (41% within 1 day; 56% within more than 1 but within 3 days). There was no significant difference in rash incidence between photoprotection and non-photoprotection groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS TMP-SMZ for pertussis can induce rashes, particularly in children aged 5 to <10 years. The eruption is usually a pruritic erythematous or maculopapular rash, with over half of cases accompanied by fever and frequent concomitant viral infections. Most rashes resolve within 3 days after drug withdrawal. The potential association between the rash and sun exposure warrants further investigation.
Humans ; Male ; Child, Preschool ; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination/therapeutic use* ; Child ; Female ; Exanthema/chemically induced* ; Retrospective Studies ; Infant ; Whooping Cough/drug therapy* ; Adolescent

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a hospital-made resuscitation pack, a Chinese medicinal herbal compound formula designed to enhance recovery in post-bronchoscopy patients. METHODS: In this randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, eligible patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to either the treatment or control groups. The patients in the treatment group applied the resuscitation pack, which contained aromatic compounded Chinese herbs. The patients in the control group applied a hospital-made, single herb placebo pack. Packs were placed on the Tiantu (CV 22) acupuncture point for 4 h as soon as the bronchoscopy finished. Efficacy indicators, such as recovery time, patients' symptoms including nausea and dizziness, and adverse events (AEs) were observed and compared. The outcome indices were evaluated at baseline, 1 and 24 h after the bronchoscopy. Subgroup analysis was further performed by patients' age and depth of sedation. RESULTS: When applying generalized estimating equations (GEE) to evaluate the intensity of post-bronchoscopy nausea and vomiting, the intensity was lower in the treatment group (163 cases) compared with the control group (162 cases; 95% CI: 0.004, 0.099, P=0.03]. Also, significantly lower intensity of nausea was observed in the 60-70 years of age subgroup (95% CI: 0.029, 0.169, P=0.006) and deep sedation subgroup (95% CI: 0.002, 0.124; P=0.04). There was no significant difference in dizziness between two groups by GEE (95% CI: -0.134, 0.297; P=0.459). In addition, no serious AEs were observed in either group. CONCLUSIONS Our study found that the resuscitation pack markedly improved patients' symptoms by reducing nausea and vomiting after bronchoscopy without AEs, compared with placebo in the perioperative period. (Trial registration No. ChiCTR2000038299).
Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Female ; Bronchoscopy/adverse effects* ; Single-Blind Method ; Aged ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Treatment Outcome ; Resuscitation ; Adult ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

OBJECTIVES: Anxiety is a common negative emotion. Under current social circumstances, university young teachers face multiple stressors and are more prone to anxiety, seriously threatening their physical and mental health. This study aims to investigate the impact of job insecurity on anxiety of university young teachers, while exploring the mediating roles of perceived stress and insomnia on this relationship. METHODS: Using convenience sampling, young teachers from a general university in a Chinese province were surveyed online. Scores of the Job Insecurity Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, Athens Insomnia Scale-Short Form, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale were collected. A chain mediation analysis was conducted using the PROCESS macro. RESULTS: A total of 798 subjects were finally included. The detection rate of anxiety among university young teachers was 36.47%. Mediation analysis showed that job insecurity not only had a direct effect on anxiety, but also indirectly affected anxiety via perceived stress (46.42% of the total effect) and insomnia (7.45%), as well as through the chain-mediating path of perceived stress→ insomnia (13.18%; all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Job insecurity is a significant predictor of anxiety in young university faculty. Perceived stress and insomnia serve as sequential mediators in this relationship. Targeted interventions addressing job insecurity, stress perception, and sleep disturbances, alongside efforts to improve mental health literacy and the working environment, may help promote the overall well-being of university young teachers.
Humans ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/epidemiology* ; Universities ; Female ; Anxiety/psychology* ; Male ; Stress, Psychological/psychology* ; Adult ; Faculty/psychology* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; China/epidemiology* ; Occupational Stress ; Job Security

Colorectal cancer(CRC)is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide,and its incidence and fatality rates rank at the forefront of malignant tumors.In recent years,with the maturity of laparoscopic and robotic technology,and the application of new staplers,the efficacy and safety of surgery for CRC have improved;however,postoperative complications still seriously affect postoperative quality of life and survival time.Identification of nutritional predictors of CRC is conducive to the early identification of high-risk patients,reinforce-ment of individualized care,enhancement of the quality of peri-operative management,reduction in the incidence of postoperative complic-ations,and improvement of the short-and long-term prognosis.In this paper,the literature on nutritional predictors of postoperative com-plications of CRC was reviewed,the evaluation contents and efficacy of nutritional predictors were summarized,and their advantages and disadvantages were analyzed.The aim is to provide a reference for identifying nutritional predictors of postoperative complications of CRC that are readily accessible,low-cost,and adjustable pre-operatively.

Objective To explore the roles of the mechanoreceptor Yes-associated protein 1(YAP1)and piezo type mechanosensitive ion channel component 2(PIEZO2)in mechanotransduction in mouse bladder urothelial cells.Methods Mouse bladder urothelial cells were subjected to mechanical stretching using the FX-6000T cell stretching system and treated with the YAP1-specific inhibitor verteporfin(VP).The expressions of PIEZO2,YAP1 and connective tissue growth factor(CTGF)at the mRNA and protein levels,as well as changes in cellular adenosine triphosphatase(ATP)concentration,were detected using reverse transcription quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)and Western blotting(WB).Results After stretching stimulation,under the fluorescence microscope,it was observed that the diameter length of the stretched cells were longer than that before stretching,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The expressions of YAP1,PIEZO2 and CTGF at the mRNA and protein levels were increased in the stretched group compared to those of the non-stretched group(P＜0.05).VP effectively reduced the expressions of YAP1,PIEZO2 and CTGF at the mRNA and protein levels after stretching stimulation(P＜0.05).Stretching stimulation significantly increased the intracellular ATP concentration,while VP was able to inhibit the increase in ATP concentration,with a statistically significant difference(P＜0.000 1).Conclusion Stretching stimulation increased the expressions of YAP1 and PIEZO2 in bladder urothelial cells and promoted the release of ATP;verteporfin inhibited the increase in YAP1 activity and the overexpression of PIEZO2 caused by stretching,thereby reducing the release of ATP.It is suggested that mouse bladder urothelial cells may primarily sense mechanical signals through the YAP1-PIEZO2-ATP pathway.

Depression is a prevalent mental and emotional disor-der that often results in significant emotional disturbances,cog-nitive dysfunction,and memory impairments.It is characterized by a high incidence rate,a substantial disability burden,and limited therapeutic efficacy.Currently,the long-term use of medications for the treatment of depression can result in a range of adverse reactions,highlighting the urgent need to explore no-vel approaches that can effectively alleviate depressive symptoms while minimizing side effects.Curcumin,a natural polyphenolic compound derived from the rhizome of turmeric,demonstrates considerable potential in the prevention and treatment of depres-sion,owing to its diverse array of biological activities.In recent years,numerous studies have investigated the use of curcumin for the treatment of depression.This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of the mechanisms of action underlying curcumin's efficacy in treating depression.Specifically,it focu-ses on its ability to improve neurotransmitter imbalances,restore neural plasticity,alleviate neural damage,mitigate dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal(HPA)axis,regulate in-flammatory factors and neuroinflammatory signaling pathways,and inhibit oxidative stress.This review is intended to offer in-sights and methodological references for basic research on curcu-min,as well as for the development of novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of depression.

Objective To explore the roles of the mechanoreceptor Yes-associated protein 1(YAP1)and piezo type mechanosensitive ion channel component 2(PIEZO2)in mechanotransduction in mouse bladder urothelial cells.Methods Mouse bladder urothelial cells were subjected to mechanical stretching using the FX-6000T cell stretching system and treated with the YAP1-specific inhibitor verteporfin(VP).The expressions of PIEZO2,YAP1 and connective tissue growth factor(CTGF)at the mRNA and protein levels,as well as changes in cellular adenosine triphosphatase(ATP)concentration,were detected using reverse transcription quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)and Western blotting(WB).Results After stretching stimulation,under the fluorescence microscope,it was observed that the diameter length of the stretched cells were longer than that before stretching,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The expressions of YAP1,PIEZO2 and CTGF at the mRNA and protein levels were increased in the stretched group compared to those of the non-stretched group(P＜0.05).VP effectively reduced the expressions of YAP1,PIEZO2 and CTGF at the mRNA and protein levels after stretching stimulation(P＜0.05).Stretching stimulation significantly increased the intracellular ATP concentration,while VP was able to inhibit the increase in ATP concentration,with a statistically significant difference(P＜0.000 1).Conclusion Stretching stimulation increased the expressions of YAP1 and PIEZO2 in bladder urothelial cells and promoted the release of ATP;verteporfin inhibited the increase in YAP1 activity and the overexpression of PIEZO2 caused by stretching,thereby reducing the release of ATP.It is suggested that mouse bladder urothelial cells may primarily sense mechanical signals through the YAP1-PIEZO2-ATP pathway.

Medical ultrasound technology is widely used for diagnosis and therapy in clinical practice.Ultrasound probes,which are directly contact with patients,pose a potential risk of pathogen transmission.This expert consen-sus was developed by a multidisciplinary team based on international guidelines,standards in China,and the results of a national survey,aiming to reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infection through standardizing reprocessing of medical ultrasound probes,and formulating consensus recommendations with the Delphi method.The consensus clarifies the reprocessing principles for three types of ultrasound probes of different infection risks:external-use ul-trasound probes,interventional percutaneous ultrasound probes,and internal-use ultrasound probes,puts forward systematic suggestions on the reprocessing standards and disinfection levels of ultrasound probe isolation covers and coupling agents,the reprocessing procedures and methods of ultrasound probes,as well as architectural layout and management of reprocessing,so as to provide a scientific prevention and control framework for ensuring ultrasound diagnosis and therapy safety.

To investigate the clinical value of endoscopic ultrasound-guided puncture drainage in the treatment for liver abscess and abdominal and pelvic abscess with difficulty in conventional puncture drainage. Data of 12 such patients in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2015 to November 2023 were retrospectivly analyzed. Results showed liver abscess in 4 cases, abdominal and pelvic abscess in 8 cases. All patients had fever with varying degrees of abdominal pain. Twelve patients with liver abscess and abdominal and pelvic abscess received 13 times of endoscopic ultrasound-guided puncture (1 patient with a large abdominal and pelvic cyst complicated with infection received transgastric and transrectal puncture of 2 times). The puncture needle was successfully penetrated into the pus cavity. Four patients with liver abscess underwent endoscopic ultrasound-guided suction and irrigation, and the abscess was almost completely aspirated. Seven patients with abdominal and pelvic abscess underwent endoscopic ultrasound-guided suction and irrigation, of which 5 cases were almost completely aspirated, and 2 cases had poor drainage effect due to the viscous pus (1 case returned to normal temperature after anti-infection treatment; 1 case had recurrent fever after the operation, and septic shock and death occurred 2 weeks after the operation). A patient with recurrent abdominal and pelvic sclerosis after the operation had multiple abscesses in the abdomen and pelvis, and percutaneous CT-guided drainage was performed for abdominal abscess, but the fever was still repeated. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided balloon dilation plus double pig tail and nasobiliary duct drainage were performed. The patient's temperature returned to normal and abdominal pain was relieved 48 hours after the operation. The total effective rate of abscess drainage was 83.3% (10/12), and the effective rate of suction combined with irrigation for abscess drainage was 81.8% (9/11), and no operation-related complications were observed in all patients. After 3 months of follow-up, no recurrence occurred in 10 patients with effective drainage of abscess, and abscess was self-absorbed in 1 patient with pelvic abscess without effective drainage and no recurrence was observed. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided puncture drainage is of certain clinical value for some liver abscesses and abdominal and pelvic abscesses that are difficult to be drained by conventional puncture, and can reduce the secondary trauma caused by surgical operations.