Background Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in children and adolescents. Current research suggests that environmental factors, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), may be associated with an increased risk of ADHD in offspring. However, most epidemiological evidence originates from non-Chinese populations, with limited research investigating the association between prenatal PFAS and ADHD-like symptoms in Chinese school-aged children. Objective To examine the association between prenatal PFAS exposure and ADHD-like symptoms in 7-year-old children. Methods Based on the Shanghai Birth Cohort, this study included 488 mother-child pairs. PFAS were measured in maternal serum during the second trimester using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The analysis focused on eight specific compounds from three PFAS categories [perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS)]. The hyperactivity subscale of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used to assess ADHD-like symptoms in children at age 7. Basic demographic information was collected via questionnaires and medical records. Negative binomial regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between individual exposures to the three typical PFAS categories (PFOA, PFOS, and PFHxS) and children's ADHD-like symptoms, while the bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) mixture model was employed to assess the overall effect of PFAS mixture exposure on ADHD-like symptoms. Results The detection rates of the eight target PFAS in maternal second-trimester serum were all above 85%, with PFOA exhibiting the highest median concentration (10.21 ng·mL⁻¹). Overall, 14.75% of the children exhibited ADHD-like symptoms. Results from the negative binomial regression models showed that second-trimester exposures to PFOA (IRR=1.15, 95%CI: 1.05, 1.26), n-PFOS (IRR=1.08, 95%CI: 1.01, 1.15), 6m-PFOS (IRR=1.13, 95%CI: 1.05, 1.21), and 1m-PFOS (IRR=1.11, 95%CI: 1.03, 1.18) were associated with an increased risk of ADHD-like symptoms in 7-year-old children. Stratified analyses suggested potentially statistically significant associations in girls [e.g., for PFOA, boys vs. girls: 1.09 (0.96, 1.23) vs. 1.25 (1.09, 1.44), P-int=0.31]. The BKMR mixture model indicated that the risk of ADHD-like symptoms trended upward with increasing PFAS mixture concentrations, although this association was statistically significant only among girls (P < 0.05). Conclusion Prenatal PFAS exposure may be associated with an increased risk of ADHD-like symptoms in 7-year-old children, and this adverse association appears to be more prominent in girls.

Objective To investigate the protective effect and underlying mechanisms of HydroMg, a novel sustained-release hydrogen donor, in a model of doxorubicin (DOX)-induced chronic cardiotoxicity. Methods H9C2 cells were treated with 1 μmol/L DOX and/or 1 μg/mL HydroMg, and mitochondrial membrane potential, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and apoptosis were measured. In the animal experiment, mice were divided into control, HydroMg, DOX, and DOX＋HydroMg groups. The HydroMg group received intraperitoneal injection of HydroMg (100 mg/kg). Chronic cardiotoxicity was established by intraperitoneal injection of DOX (5 mg/kg every week) for four consecutive weeks; In the DOX＋HydroMg group, HydroMg (100 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally 4–5 h prior to each DOX injection. Cardiac function and remodeling were evaluated by echocardiography and heart weight index (HWI). The long-term survival of mice were analyzed. Subsequently, transcriptome sequencing was performed on myocardial tissues from the DOX group to identify key molecular alterations compared with controls. Results At the cellular level, HydroMg treatment effectively reversed DOX-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress, as evidenced by restored membrane potential, reductions in total ROS and mitochondrial superoxide levels by approximately 30% and 9%, respectively, and a decrease in the apoptosis rate from 34.13% to 18.27%. In the animal model, compared with the DOX group, HydroMg intervention increased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and fractional shortening (LVFS) by 9.62% and 5.82%, respectively, attenuated the reduction in HWI (4.41 mg/mm vs 3.53 mg/mm), and improved the 4-week survival rate (80% vs 60%). Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the core molecular features of DOX-induced cardiotoxicity, including widespread suppression of oxidative phosphorylation and antioxidant pathways. Conclusions HydroMg protects against DOX-induced chronic cardiotoxicity by alleviating oxidative stress and improving mitochondrial function, and provides a potential therapeutic strategy against DOX-related cardiotoxicity.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the therapeutic mechanism of Sangma Zhike Formula (SMZKF) for relieving cough sensitivity and airway inflammation in rats with postinfectious cough (PIC). METHODS: Male SD rat models were established by cigarette smoke exposure with intranasal LPS instillation and capsaicin aerosol inhalation. From day 19 following the start of PIC modeling, the rats received daily treatment with saline (model group), low-, medium-, and high-dose SMZKF, and compound methoxyphenamine (ASM) via gavage for 10 consecutive days (n=8). The assessments included behavioral changes, cough sensitivity (latency and frequency), lung histopathology, inflammatory cell counts and cytokine/mediator levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), oxidative stress markers in the lung tissue, and expressions of proteins related with cough hypersensitivity and pyroptosis. RESULTS: The rat models of PIC exhibited reduced mental alertness, accelerated respiration, and pronounced symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, and facial scratching with significantly shortened cough latency and increased 5-min cough frequency. Histopathological analysis revealed collapsed alveolar structures, thickened alveolar septa, and extensive inflammatory cell infiltration in the bronchi and peribronchial regions, accompanied by elevated bronchial and alveolar inflammation scores of the rat models. In the BALF, inflammatory cell counts and the levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, COX-2, PGE-2, and TXA-2 were all markedly elevated, and the pulmonary oxidative stress markers (ROS and MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were also significantly increased. The pulmonary expressions of cough hypersensitivity-related proteins (TRPV1, SP, CGRP, and NK1R) and pyroptosis-associated markers (P-NF-κB, NLRP3, ACS, cleaved caspase-1, cleaved IL-1β, and GSDMD-N) were significantly upregulated in the model group. SMZKF interventions significantly ameliorated these pathological changes in the rat models, and high-dose SMZKF produced a similar therapeutic efficacy to that of ASM. CONCLUSIONS SMZKF alleviates cough sensitivity and airway inflammation in PIC rats possibly by inhibiting TRPV1-mediated SP/NK1R signaling and the NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD pyroptosis pathway.
Animals ; Cough/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Pyroptosis/drug effects* ; Male ; TRPV Cation Channels/metabolism* ; Rats ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Inflammation ; Signal Transduction

Neuropathic pain, a debilitating condition caused by dysfunction of the somatosensory nervous system, remains difficult to treat due to limited understanding of its molecular mechanisms. Bioinformatics analysis identified cerebellin 2 (CBLN2) as highly enriched in human and murine proprioceptive and nociceptive neurons. We found that CBLN2 expression is persistently upregulated in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) following spinal nerve ligation (SNL) in mice. In addition, transcription factor SOX11 binds to 12 cis-regulatory elements within the Cbln2 promoter to enhance its transcription. SNL also induced SOX11 upregulation, with SOX11 and CBLN2 co-localized in nociceptive neurons. The siRNA-mediated knockdown of Sox11 or Cbln2 attenuated SNL-induced mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia. High-throughput sequencing of DRG following intrathecal injection of CBLN2 revealed widespread gene expression changes, including upregulation of numerous NF-κB downstream targets. Consistently, CBLN2 activated NF-κB signaling, and inhibition with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate reduced CBLN2-induced pain hypersensitivity, proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines production, and neuronal hyperexcitability. Together, these findings identified the SOX11/CBLN2/NF-κB axis as a critical mediator of neuropathic pain and a promising target for therapeutic intervention.
Animals ; Neuralgia/metabolism* ; Ganglia, Spinal/metabolism* ; Up-Regulation ; Mice ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; SOXC Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Male ; Neuroinflammatory Diseases/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics* ; Hyperalgesia/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; Spinal Nerves

Instrument separation is a critical complication during root canal therapy, impacting treatment success and long-term tooth preservation. The etiology of instrument separation is multifactorial, involving the intricate anatomy of the root canal system, instrument-related factors, and instrumentation techniques. Instrument separation can hinder thorough cleaning, shaping, and obturation of the root canal, posing challenges to successful treatment outcomes. Although retrieval of separated instrument is often feasible, it carries risks including perforation, excessive removal of tooth structure and root fractures. Effective management of separated instruments requires a comprehensive understanding of the contributing factors, meticulous preoperative assessment, and precise evaluation of the retrieval difficulty. The application of appropriate retrieval techniques is essential to minimize complications and optimize clinical outcomes. The current manuscript provides a framework for understanding the causes, risk factors, and clinical management principles of instrument separation. By integrating effective strategies, endodontists can enhance decision-making, improve endodontic treatment success and ensure the preservation of natural dentition.
Humans ; Root Canal Therapy/adverse effects* ; Consensus ; Root Canal Preparation/adverse effects*

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality based on the 10-year population-based multicenter prospective study. METHODS: A general population-based multicenter prospective study was conducted at four sites in rural China between 2013 and 2023. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess the association between BMI and mortality. Stratified analyses were performed based on the individual characteristics of the participants. RESULTS: Overall, 19,107 participants with a sum of 163,095 person-years were included and 1,910 participants died. The underweight (< 18.5 kg/m ²) presented an increase in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [ aHR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.66-2.41), while overweight (≥ 24.0 to < 28.0 kg/m ²) and obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m ²) presented a decrease with an aHR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.52-0.73) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.37-0.70), respectively. Overweight ( aHR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67-0.86) and mild obesity ( aHR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87) had a positive impact on mortality in people older than 60 years. All-cause mortality decreased rapidly until reaching a BMI of 25.7 kg/m ² ( aHR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98) and increased slightly above that value, indicating a U-shaped association. The beneficial impact of being overweight on mortality was robust in most subgroups and sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION This study provides additional evidence that overweight and mild obesity may be inversely related to the risk of death in individuals older than 60 years. Therefore, it is essential to consider age differences when formulating health and weight management strategies.
Humans ; Body Mass Index ; China/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Rural Population/statistics & numerical data* ; Aged ; Follow-Up Studies ; Adult ; Mortality ; Cause of Death ; Obesity/mortality* ; Overweight/mortality*

ObjectiveThis nested case-control study, based on the Shanghai Birth Cohort (SBC), aimed to explore the impact of early pregnancy exposure to organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) on attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD)-like symptoms in 4-year-old children, so as to provide epidemiological evidence regarding the health effects of emerging contaminant OPFRs in children. MethodsStrengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used to assess ADHD like symptoms in 4-year-old children. Children with an SDQ hyperactivity subscale score ≥6 points were defined as cases, while those with a score <5 points were considered as controls. The case and control groups were matched at 1∶1 based on the child’s age (±6 months), sex, and parental or primary caregiver’s education level. A total of 105 cases and 112 controls were included eventually. Concentrations of eight OPFRs metabolites in early pregnancy urine samples were measured using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), including di-phenyl phosphate (DPHP), di-m-cresylphosphate (DmCP), di-o-cresylphosphate (DoCP), di-p-cresylphosphate (DpCP), di-n-butyl phosphate (DnBP), di-iso-butyl phosphate (DiBP), bis(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (BBOEP), and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (BEHP). Basic demographic information of mothers and children were collected through questionnaire surveys and medical records extraction. Binary logistic regression models were used to analyze the effect of individual OPFRs exposure during early pregnancy on ADHD-like symptoms, while a quantile g-computation (Qgcomp) regression model was employed to assess the effects of mixed OPFRs exposure (with detection rates >75%) on ADHD-like symptoms in 4-year-old children. ResultsIn this study, the detection rates of DPHP, DoCP, and the DmCP&DpCP in the urine of early pregnancy women were higher than 75%, with DPHP having the highest detection rate (86.18%). The median concentrations of DPHP were highest in both the case and control groups (0.396 μg·L^-1 and 0.305 μg·L^-1, respectively). Binary logistic regression analyses revealed that exposure to DPHP during early pregnancy increased the risk of ADHD-like symptoms in 4-year-old children (OR=1.262, 95%CI: 1.017‒1.565). The mixed exposure model analyses showed that early pregnancy co-exposure to OPFRs increased the risk of ADHD-like symptoms (OR=1.508, 95%CI: 1.012‒2.258), with DPHP being the primary contributor to the association. ConclusionEarly pregnancy exposure to DPHP is positively associated with an increased risk of ADHD-like symptoms in 4-year-old children. Additionally, DPHP contributed the most to the adverse effects of mixed OPFRs exposure on ADHD-like symptoms. However, these findings require further validation through other large-scale prospective cohort studies.

AIM To investigate the clinical effects of Cinobufosin Injection combined with RALOX-HAIC regimen on patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.METHODS Ninety-two patients were randomly assigned into control group(46 cases)for intervention of RALOX-HAIC regimen,and observation group(46 cases)for intervention of both Cinobufosin Injection and RALOX-HAIC regimen.The changes in short-term effects,survival situation,inflammatory indices(LCN2,NLRP3 inflammasome,NLR,PLR),immune indices(NK cells,CD8+T cells,IL-17,Th17/Treg)and incidence of toxic and side effects were detected.RESULTS Based on mRECIST,the observation group demonstrated higher disease control rate and objective remission rate than the control group(P＜0.05),along with lower disease progression(P＜0.05).After the treatment,the two groups displayed decreased inflammatory indices,IL-17,Th17/Treg(P＜0.05),and increased NK cells,CD8+T cells(P＜0.05),especially for the observation group(P＜0.05).The observation group exhibited lower incidence of abdominal pain,nausea,vomiting,diarrhea,leukopenia and thrombocytopenia than the control group(P＜0.05),and no significant differences in overall survival and incidence of other toxic and side effects were found between the two groups(P＞0.05).CONCLUSION For the patients with hepatocellular carcinoma,Cinobufosin Injection combined with RALOX-HAIC regimen can safely and effectively enhance body immune functions,and reduce in vivo immune indices.

AIM To investigate the clinical effects of Cinobufosin Injection combined with RALOX-HAIC regimen on patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.METHODS Ninety-two patients were randomly assigned into control group(46 cases)for intervention of RALOX-HAIC regimen,and observation group(46 cases)for intervention of both Cinobufosin Injection and RALOX-HAIC regimen.The changes in short-term effects,survival situation,inflammatory indices(LCN2,NLRP3 inflammasome,NLR,PLR),immune indices(NK cells,CD8+T cells,IL-17,Th17/Treg)and incidence of toxic and side effects were detected.RESULTS Based on mRECIST,the observation group demonstrated higher disease control rate and objective remission rate than the control group(P＜0.05),along with lower disease progression(P＜0.05).After the treatment,the two groups displayed decreased inflammatory indices,IL-17,Th17/Treg(P＜0.05),and increased NK cells,CD8+T cells(P＜0.05),especially for the observation group(P＜0.05).The observation group exhibited lower incidence of abdominal pain,nausea,vomiting,diarrhea,leukopenia and thrombocytopenia than the control group(P＜0.05),and no significant differences in overall survival and incidence of other toxic and side effects were found between the two groups(P＞0.05).CONCLUSION For the patients with hepatocellular carcinoma,Cinobufosin Injection combined with RALOX-HAIC regimen can safely and effectively enhance body immune functions,and reduce in vivo immune indices.

The underlying cause of low response rates to existing immunotherapies is that tumor cells dominate tumor immune escape through surface antigen deficiency and inducing tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment (TIME). Here, we proposed an in situ tumor cell engineering strategy to disrupt tumor immune escape at the root by restoring tumor cell MHC-I/tumor-specific antigen complex (MHC-I/TSA) expression to promote T-cell recognition and by silencing tumor cell CD55 to increase the ICOSL⁺ B-cell proportion and reverse the TIME. A doxorubicin (DOX) and dual-gene plasmid (MAC pDNA, encoding both MHC-I/ASMTNMELM and CD55-shRNA) coloaded drug delivery system (LCPN@ACD) with tumor targeting and charge/size dual-conversion properties was prepared. LCPN@ACD-induced ICD promoted DC maturation and enhanced T-cell activation and infiltration. LCPN@ACD enabled effective expression of MHC-I/TSA on tumor cells, increasing the ability of tumor cell recognition and killing. LCPN@ACD downregulated tumor cell CD55 expression, increased the proportion of ICOSL⁺ B cells and CTLs, and reversed the TIME, thus greatly improving the efficacy of αPD-1 and CAR-T therapies. The application of this in situ tumor cell engineering strategy eliminated the source of tumor immune escape, providing new ideas for solving the challenges of clinical immunotherapy.