Objective: To characterize longitudinal trajectories of testicular development in boys and breast development in girls, so as to provide reference data for understanding patterns of pubertal sexual maturation. Methods: Based on the Shanghai Pudong New Area Cohort Study on Growth, Development and Health in Children and Adolescents, a baseline survey was conducted in 2020 using a mult stage cluster random sampling method. A total of 2 184 children who completed all follow ups during the primary school period from 13 elementary schools in Pudong New Area,Shanghai,with annual follow ups during 2021-2025. Testicular volume and Tanner stage of breast development were assessed by professional physicians using standardized visual inspection and palpation. The age distribution of testicular volume and breast development was fitted by using cumulative link mixed models and Turnbull s nonparametric maximum likelihood estimation method. Results: Median ages for testicular volumes of 2, 3, 4 and 5 mL in boys were 7.07, 9.24, 10.29, and 11.57 years old, respectively. Median ages for Tanner breast stages Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ, and Ⅴ in girls were 8.55 , 10.17, 11.18, and 13.78 years old, respectively. Based on overweight and obesity, stratified analysis showed that earlier pubertal onset among overweight/obesity children, and the key milestones for pubertal initiation were testicular volume reaching 4 mL in boys and breast Tanner II in girls for 10.29, 10.83; 8.18, 9.00 years. Conclusion Overweight and obesity are associated with earlier pubertal initiation,but there are certain gender and developmental stage specific patterns.

Objective: To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and spatial-temporal clustering of varicella in Changchun City from 2020 to 2024, so as to provide the evidence for formulating local varicella prevention and control measures. Methods: The individual case data of varicella were collected through the Surveillance and Reporting Management System of the Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System in Changchun City from 2020 to 2024. Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the population ,regional, and temporal distribution. Spatial autocorrelation and spatio-temporal scanning analyses were used to identify the spatial-temporal clustering characteristics. Results: A total of 8 850 varicella cases were reported in Changchun City from 2020 to 2024, with an average annual incidence of 19.64/105. There were 4 929 male cases and 3 921 female cases, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.26∶1. The age was mainly 0-<20 years (6 649 cases, 75.13%), and students were the predominant occupation (6 036 cases, 68.20%). The top three counties (cities, districts) with the highest number of cases were Chaoyang District (1 944 cases), Gongzhuling City (1 054 cases) and Nanguan District (987 cases), accounting for 45.03%. The peak incidence periods were from April to June and from October to December, with 2 166 and 4 226 cases, accounting for 24.47% and 47.75%, respectively. Spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that spatial clustering existed from 2020 to 2024. The high-high clustering areas were mainly some townships (streets) in Chaoyang District, Nanguan District, Changchun New District and Jingyue District. Spatio-temporal scanning analysis identified 6 high-risk clustering areas. The class Ⅰ clustering area was Nanhu Street in Chaoyang District, with the clustering period from September 2020 to February 2022. Conclusions Varicella cases in Changchun City were mainly males and students aged 0-<20 years from 2020 to 2024. The peak incidence was mainly in winter. Chaoyang District was a high-risk area, with obvious spatial-temporal clustering.

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:Sarcopenia is an age-related condition characterized by the loss of skeletal muscle mass,strength,and/or physical function.Currently,effective treatments for sarcopenia remain limited.A new therapeutic approach to improve symptoms and prognosis of sarcopenia patients clinically was important.OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of canine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells and their exosomes on a dexamethasone-induced sarcopenia in mice.METHODS:Mesenchymal stem cells were isolated and cultured from canine adipose tissue,and identified and functionally evaluated through flow cytometry and differentiation assays for osteogenesis,adipogenesis,and chondrogenesis.Subsequently,exosomes from adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells were extracted and characterized using transmission electron microscopy,western blot assay,and nanocoulter tracking analysis.In vitro,the effects of canine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells and their exosomes on myotube growth and the expression of muscle atrophy-related genes were investigated using dexamethasone-induced C2C12 myotube atrophy and aging C2C12 models.In vivo,a dexamethasone-induced mouse sarcopenia model was established and received intraperitoneal or intravenous injection of canine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells.Therapeutic efficacy was assessed through mouse rotarod performance,histopathological analysis,and muscle atrophy-related genes testing.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The isolated canine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells highly expressed CD73,CD90,and CD105,and lowly expressed MHC-Ⅱ,CD14,CD19,CD34,and CD45,and successfully differentiated into osteoblasts,adipocytes,and chondrocytes in vitro.(2)The adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomes met the identification criteria in terms of particle size,electron microscopy morphology,and positive expression of specific markers.(3)Compared to the dexamethasone-induced C2C12 atrophy group,treatment with adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells and their exosomes promoted the recovery and growth of myotubes,inhibited the expression of muscle atrophy-related genes MuRF1 and Atrogin-1.(4)Compared to the aging C2C12 group,adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells and their exosomes significantly enhanced the recovery and growth of aged muscle tubes in aging cells.(5)Compared to the control group,the rotarod time in dexamethasone-induced sarcopenia model mice was significantly decreased(P＜0.01).After 7 days(P＜0.01,P＜0.01)and 10 days(P＜0.01,P＜0.05)of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells treatment via intraperitoneal and intravenous injection,rotarod time was significantly increased,respectively.After 14 days,all treatment groups showed longer rotarod times than the model group,although with no significant differences between them.(6)Compared to the control group,the cross-sectional area of anterior tibial muscle in the model group was significantly reduced(P＜0.01),and it was significantly increased after intraperitoneal and intravenous administration of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).(7)Compared to the model group,intraperitoneal and intravenous administration of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells significantly inhibited the mRNA expression of MuRF1 and Atrogin-1 genes(P＜0.01,P＜0.01,P＜0.01,P＜0.01).The results indicated that adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells and their exosomes promoted recovery and growth of atrophic myotube cells by inhibiting the expression of muscle atrophy-related genes,and both intraperitoneal and intravenous administration of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells provided good therapeutic effects on sarcopenia in mice.

BACKGROUND:Sarcopenia is an age-related condition characterized by the loss of skeletal muscle mass,strength,and/or physical function.Currently,effective treatments for sarcopenia remain limited.A new therapeutic approach to improve symptoms and prognosis of sarcopenia patients clinically was important.OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of canine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells and their exosomes on a dexamethasone-induced sarcopenia in mice.METHODS:Mesenchymal stem cells were isolated and cultured from canine adipose tissue,and identified and functionally evaluated through flow cytometry and differentiation assays for osteogenesis,adipogenesis,and chondrogenesis.Subsequently,exosomes from adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells were extracted and characterized using transmission electron microscopy,western blot assay,and nanocoulter tracking analysis.In vitro,the effects of canine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells and their exosomes on myotube growth and the expression of muscle atrophy-related genes were investigated using dexamethasone-induced C2C12 myotube atrophy and aging C2C12 models.In vivo,a dexamethasone-induced mouse sarcopenia model was established and received intraperitoneal or intravenous injection of canine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells.Therapeutic efficacy was assessed through mouse rotarod performance,histopathological analysis,and muscle atrophy-related genes testing.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The isolated canine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells highly expressed CD73,CD90,and CD105,and lowly expressed MHC-Ⅱ,CD14,CD19,CD34,and CD45,and successfully differentiated into osteoblasts,adipocytes,and chondrocytes in vitro.(2)The adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomes met the identification criteria in terms of particle size,electron microscopy morphology,and positive expression of specific markers.(3)Compared to the dexamethasone-induced C2C12 atrophy group,treatment with adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells and their exosomes promoted the recovery and growth of myotubes,inhibited the expression of muscle atrophy-related genes MuRF1 and Atrogin-1.(4)Compared to the aging C2C12 group,adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells and their exosomes significantly enhanced the recovery and growth of aged muscle tubes in aging cells.(5)Compared to the control group,the rotarod time in dexamethasone-induced sarcopenia model mice was significantly decreased(P＜0.01).After 7 days(P＜0.01,P＜0.01)and 10 days(P＜0.01,P＜0.05)of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells treatment via intraperitoneal and intravenous injection,rotarod time was significantly increased,respectively.After 14 days,all treatment groups showed longer rotarod times than the model group,although with no significant differences between them.(6)Compared to the control group,the cross-sectional area of anterior tibial muscle in the model group was significantly reduced(P＜0.01),and it was significantly increased after intraperitoneal and intravenous administration of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).(7)Compared to the model group,intraperitoneal and intravenous administration of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells significantly inhibited the mRNA expression of MuRF1 and Atrogin-1 genes(P＜0.01,P＜0.01,P＜0.01,P＜0.01).The results indicated that adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells and their exosomes promoted recovery and growth of atrophic myotube cells by inhibiting the expression of muscle atrophy-related genes,and both intraperitoneal and intravenous administration of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells provided good therapeutic effects on sarcopenia in mice.

This paper explores the differentiation and treatment strategies for pediatric IgA vasculitis based on the correlation between blood trubidity theory and oxidative stress. It is proposed that pediatric IgA vasculitis follows an evolution of pathogenesis characterized by "deficiency of healthy qi leading to turbidity generation， accumulation of turbid toxin， and toxin damage to the collateral vessels"， which corresponds to the pathological process of oxidative stress， namely decreased antioxidant capacity with accumulation of reactive oxygen species， metabolite deposition， and endothelial cell injury. A staged treatment strategy is proposed. In the acute stage， wind-toxin invading the colla-terals and reckless movement of heat in the blood are the main manifestations， for which the treatment should focus on dispelling wind and venting pathogens， resolving toxins and unblocking the collaterals， with a modified Yinqiao Powder （银翘散） and Xijiao Dihuang Decoction （犀角地黄汤） to regulate oxidative stress burst. In the prolonged stage， intermingling of turbidity and stasis with collateral obstruction is emphasized； treatment should focus on resolving turbidity and dispelling stasis， harmonizing the blood and stabilizing the collaterals， and a modified Simiao Powder （四妙散） and Taohong Siwu Decoction （桃红四物汤） can be used to improve microcirculatory dysfunction. In the remission stage， when healthy qi remains insufficient and residual pathogens persist， treatment should focus on strengthening the root and clearing the source， reinforcing healthy qi and nourishing the collaterals， for which modified Zhibai Dihuang Pill （知柏地黄丸） and Yupingfeng Powder （玉屏风散） is suggested to rebuild the antioxidant defense system.

Keratoconus is an adolescent-onset blinding eye disease characterized by the protrusion and thinning of the central or paracentral cornea. The cause of keratoconus remains unclear, though its onset and progression arise from a multifactorial interplay involving a polygenic background, environmental exposures, and biomechanical decompensation. Recent studies have demonstrated significant gender differences in the pathogenesis and progression of keratoconus.At the epidemiological level, most studies suggest that the disease shows a male predominance; in terms of clinical features, male patients tend to experience an earlier onset and present with more severe clinical phenotypes, such as more serious corneal morphological deterioration; at the pathological mechanism level, sex hormone expression differences and genetic susceptibility differences play a key role in disease progression; this difference further affects the formulation of clinical prevention and treatment strategies, such as early warning screening for high-risk male groups and individualized corneal cross-linking intervention timing. This article reviews gender differences in keratoconus from the perspectives of epidemiology, clinical characteristics, prevention and treatment, and pathological mechanisms, providing relevant references and insights for future clinical practice.

ObjectiveTo observe the influence and therapeutic effect of quercetin on cuproptosis in rheumatoid arthritis rats and to explore its possible mechanism based on the solute carrier family 31 member 1 （SLC31A1）/ferredoxin 1 （FDX1） pathway. MethodsSixty male SD rats were divided into six groups： A control group， a model group， high- and low-dose quercetin groups （150 and 50 mg·kg^-1）， a cuproptosis inhibitor （tetrathiomolybdate， TTM） group （10 mg·kg^-1）， and a methotrexate group （2 mg·kg^-1）， 10 rats in each group. Except for the control group， the model of rheumatoid arthritis （CIA） rats was established by type Ⅱ collagen induction method. After successful modeling， each drug group was intervened according to the corresponding dose of drugs， and the control group and the model group were given the same amount of normal saline by gavage， once a day， which lasted for 4 weeks. The swelling degree of rats' feet was observed， and the clinical arthritis scores were determined. The levels of serum rheumatoid factor （RF）， matrix metalloproteinase-3 （MMP-3）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-10 （IL-10）， and ceruloplasmin （Cp） were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The content of copper ion （Cu）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， and glutathione （GSH） in joint tissue was detected. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the pathological changes of joint tissue. The levels of reactive oxygen species （ROS） and dihydrolipoic acid transacetylase （DLAT） were detected by immunofluorescence （IF）. The protein and mRNA expression of SLC31A1， FDX1， lipoic acid synthase （LIAS）， heat shock protein 70 （HSP70）， pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 subunit β （PDHB）， and copper transporting P-type ATPase β （ATP7B） was detected by immunohistochemistry （IHC） and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultsCompared to the control group， the model group exhibited joint swelling and deformity， significantly increased clinical arthritis scores， obvious bone destruction， synovial hyperplasia， and inflammatory cell infiltration in joint tissue. In addition， the serum levels of RF， MMP-3， TNF-α， IL-1β， and Cp showed significant elevation， while the level of IL-10 was significantly reduced. The levels of Cu， MDA， ROS， and DLAT in joint tissue were markedly increased， whereas SOD and GSH content was significantly decreased. The protein and mRNA expression of SLC31A1 and HSP70 was significantly up-regulated， while the protein and mRNA expression of FDX1， LIAS， PDHB， and ATP7B was significantly down-regulated （P<0.01）. Compared to the model group， each treatment group exhibited varying degrees of improvement in joint swelling and deformation as well as clinical arthritis scores in rats. Additionally， there was a reduction in joint bone destruction， inflammatory cell infiltration， and synovial hyperplasia in rats. Furthermore， the serum levels of RF， MMP-3， TNF-α， IL-1β， and Cp significantly decreased， while the level of IL-10 increased significantly. In joint tissue， the levels of Cu， MDA， ROS， and DLAT showed significant decreases， while SOD and GSH content exhibited significant increases. The protein and mRNA expression of SLC31A1 and HSP70 was down-regulated， while the protein and mRNA expression of FDX1， LIAS， PDHB， and ATP7B was up-regulated （P<0.05）. ConclusionQuercetin effectively reduces synovial hyperplasia and inflammatory infiltration in rats with rheumatoid arthritis， thereby alleviating pathological damage to joint tissue. This effect may be attributed to the blockade of the SLC31A1/FDX1 signaling pathway activation and inhibition of excessive cuproptosis.

ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanism of Xiezhuo Jiedu prescription in regulating autophagy in the treatment of ulcerative colitis （UC） by bioinformatics and animal experiments. MethodsThe differentially expressed genes （DEGs） in the colonic mucosal tissue of UC patients was obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus （GEO）， and those overlapped with autophagy genes were obtained as the differentially expressed autophagy-related genes （DEARGs）. DEARGs were imported into Metascape and STRING， respectively， for gene ontology/Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomics （GO/KEGG） enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction （PPI） analysis. Finally， 15 key DEARGs were obtained. The core DEARGs were obtained by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator （LASSO） regression and receiver operating characteristic curve （ROC） analysis. The CIBERSORT deconvolution algorithm was used to analyze the immunoinfiltration of UC patients and the correlations between core DEARGs and immune cells. C57BL/6J mice were assigned into a normal group and a modeling group. The mouse model of UC was established by free drinking of 2.5% dextran sulfate sodium. The modeled mice were assigned into low-， medium-， and high-dose Xiezhuo Jiedu prescription and mesalazine groups according to the random number table method and administrated with corresponding agents by gavage for 7 days. The colonic mucosal morphology was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The protein and mRNA levels of cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase 1 （Caspase-1）， cathepsin B （CTSB）， C-C motif chemokine-2 （CCL2）， CXC motif receptor 4 （CXCR4）， and hypoxia-inducing factor-1α （HIF-1α） in the colon tissue were determined by Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction， respectively. ResultsThe dataset GSE87466 was screened from GEO and interlaced with autophagy genes. After PPI analysis， LASSO regression， and ROC analysis， the core DEARGs （Caspase-1， CCL2， CTSB， and CXCR4） were obtained. The results of immunoinfiltration analysis showed that the counts of NK cells， M0 macrophages， M1 macrophages， and dendritic cells in the colonic mucosal tissue of UC patients had significant differences， and core DEARGs had significant correlations with these immune cells. This result， combined with the prediction results of network pharmacology， suggested that the HIF-1α signaling pathway may play a key role in the regulation of UC by Xiezhuo Jiedu prescription. The animal experiments showed that Xiezhuo Jiedu prescription significantly alleviated colonic mucosal inflammation in UC mice. Compared with the normal group， the model group showed up-regulated protein and mRNA levels of caspase-1， CCL2， CTSB， CXCR4， and HIF-1α， which were down-regulated after treatment with Xiezhuo Jiedu prescription or mesalazine. ConclusionCaspase-1， CCL2， CTSB， and CXCR4 are autophagy genes that are closely related to the onset of UC. Xiezhuo Jiedu prescription can down-regulate the expression of core autophagy genes to alleviate the inflammation in the colonic mucosa of mice.

BackgroundDepression is a prevalent emotional problem in adolescents， and parental psychological control is an important predictor of adolescent depression. However， existing research on the acting mechanism between the two is not adequate. ObjectiveTo explore the pathway of negative perfectionism and academic stress between parental psychological control and depressive symptoms among secondary school students， so as to provide references for reducing the incidence risk of depression in such population. MethodsFrom February to April 2023， 1 100 students across 2 middle schools and 2 high schools in Zhongshan city were selected as subjects. The survey was conducted adopting Parental Psychological Control Questionnaire， Chinese Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale （CFMPS）， sense of academic stress subscale in Mental Health Inventory of Middle School Student （MMHI-60） and Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale （CES-D）. Spearman correlation analysis was adopted to examine the correlation between scores of all scales above， and Amos 24.0 was used to test the mediating path of negative perfectionism and academic stress between parental psychological control and depressive symptoms among secondary school students. ResultsAmong the 1 009 valid questionnaires withdrew （91.73% of the total）， 261 students were detected to have depressive symptoms （25.87%）. As the results of Spearman correlation analysis showed， the scores of the Parental Psychological Control Questionnaire， score of negative perfectionism dimension in CFMPS， score of sense of academic stress subscale in MMHI-60 and CES-D score were positively correlated with each other （r=0.323~0.644， P<0.05 or 0.01）. The direct effect value of parental psychological control on depressive symptoms in secondary school students was 0.128 （95% CI： 0.061~0.201）， accounting for 31.37% of the total effect. Negative perfectionism and academic stress played independently as intermediatory roles between parental psychological control and depressive symptoms in secondary school students， and the indirect effect values were 0.099 （95% CI： 0.068~0.133） and 0.100 （95% CI： 0.060~0.143）， accounting for 24.27% and 24.51% of the total effect， respectively. Negative perfectionism and academic stress acted combinedly as the chain effect pathway between parental psychological control and depressve symptoms in secondary school students， with the indirect effect value of 0.081 （95% CI： 0.060~0.106） accounting for 19.85% of the total effect. ConclusionParental psychological control can affect the depressive symptoms among secondary school students directly， and through independent or chain paths of negative perfectionism and academic stress indirectly. ［Funded by Zhongshan Social Welfare Technology Research Project （number， 2022B1060）］