Atherosclerosis(AS),a chronic and multifactorial vascular disease,involves diverse pathological processes including dyslipidemia,reactive oxygen species(ROS)generation,inflammatory cell infiltration,and local thrombosis.In recent years,cuproptosis,a novel form of copper-dependent programmed cell death,has attracted considerable attention.It is primarily triggered by the binding of excessive copper ions to lipoylated proteins,resulting in disruption of the tricarboxylic acid(TCA)cycle,damage to iron-sulfur cluster proteins,and consequent functional impairment of related enzymes and proteins,ultimately inducing cell death through multiple pathways.Previous studies have revealed the close association between cuproptosis and AS pathogenesis.Cuproptosis promotes ROS production,induces lipid peroxidation via the Fenton reaction,triggers inflammatory responses and disrupts mitochondrial TCA cycle,thereby compromising the functions of vascular cells(macrophages,endothelial cells,and smooth muscle cells),destabilizing plaques and exacerbating AS progression.Therefore,targeting cuproptosis may present a new direction for AS treatment and its complication prevention.Specifically,cuproptosis-related genes may serve as potential diagnostic biomarkers for AS,and pharmacological inhibition of cuproptosis has been shown to significantly modulate disease progression,highlighting the potential value of targeting cuproptosis in AS management.This review systematically summarizes the molecular mechanisms of copper metabolism and cuproptosis,their pathophysiological roles in AS,and recent advances in targeting cuproptosis for AS diagnosis and treatment,aiming to provide novel insights into clinical strategies for AS prevention and therapy.

Human herpesvirus-6B (HHV-6B) reactivation is a significant contributor to nonrelapse mortality following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). This retrospective analysis describes three cases of HHV-6B reactivation following allo-HSCT, all of which achieved viral clearance with maribavir treatment following failure or intolerance to first-line antiviral therapy with foscarnet sodium. One patient diagnosed with HHV-6B encephalitis recovered without neurological sequelae. No adverse drug reactions to maribavir were observed. These findings provide preliminary evidence that maribavir may serve as an effective and safe salvage therapy for HHV-6B reactivation in patients receiving allo-HSCT.

Objectives:To investigate the clinical efficacy of the distal tension-offloading cosmetic suture technique in reducing hypertrophic scar formation following open thyroidectomy.Methods:Clinical data and postoperative incision appearance of 138 patients undergoing open thyroidectomy at the Department of Thyroid and Neck Oncology of Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, as well as the Department of Head and Neck Oncology of Tianjin Cancer Hospital Airport Hospital, from Aug 2023 to Jan 2024 was enrolled. Patients were devided into two groups based on the incision closure method: the distal tension-offloading cosmetic suture group (tension reduction group, 37 cases) and ordinary intradermal suture group (control group A, 55 cases evaluated 3 months post-surgery; control group B, 46 cases evaluated 6 months post-surgery). The Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) was employed to assess the appearance of the wounds at 3 and 6 months post-surgery .Results:On 3 and 6 months post-surgery, the total VSS scores for patients in the tension reduction group were 2.8 ± 2.3 and 2.5 ± 2.5, respectively,while that in control group A on 3 months was 5.2 ± 3.0, and in group B on 6 months was 5.3 ± 3.4. The differences were statistically significant (all P<0.001). On 3 and 6 months post-surgery, the proportions of hypertrophic scars in the tension reduction group were 14% (5/37) and 11% (4/37), respectively , while in control group A it was 35% (19/55) , and in control group B was 35% (16/46) at 6 months, with differences being statistically significant ( P=0.024, 0.011 ). On 6 months post-surgery, 51 % (19/37) of patients in the tension reduction group achieved 'socially invisible aesthetic incisions', while only 15% (7/46) of patients in control group B achieved the same outcome ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Distal tension-offloading cosmetic suture significantly reduces the incidence of incision hypertrophic scars in open thyroid surgery.

Objective:To study the effects of Tongmai Huazheng Decoction on the fibrosis of lesions in mice with adenomyosis (AM); To explore its mechanism.Methods:The ICR mouse model of adenomyosis was established by using tamoxifen modeling method. The 30 mice successfully modeled were divided into model group, Tongmai Huazheng Decoction group and progesterone group according to the random number table method with 10 mice in each group, and 10 female mice were set as the blank group. Tongmai Huazheng Decoction group was intragastrically administered with Tongmai Huazheng Decoction 30.47 g/kg, once/d; The gestrinone group was intragastrically administered with gestrinone suspension 0.32 mg/kg, twice a week; the blank group and model group were intragastrically administered with 0.1 ml/10 g normal saline, once a day. After 8 weeks of intervention, HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of uterine tissue; Masson staining was used to observe the degree of uterine tissue fibrosis; immunofluorescence method was used to detect the protein expressions of CollagenⅠ, CollagenⅢ and fibronectin in uterine tissue of each group; Western bolt method was used to detect the protein expressions of TGF-β1 and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in each group.Results:Compared with the model group, the ratio of collagen fiber area in uterine tissue in Tongmai Huazheng Decoction group and progesterone group decreased ( P<0.05), the immunofluorescence intensity of CollagenⅠ, CollagenⅢ and Fibronectin decreased ( P<0.05), and the expressions of TGF-β1 and α-SMA proteins decreased ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Tongmai Huazheng Decoction can reduce the ratio of collagen fiber area in the uterus of mice with adenomyosis model, downregulate the expression of CollagenⅠ, Collagen Ⅲ, Fibronectin, TGF-β1, and α-SMA proteins, alleviate the degree of fibrosis in adenomyosis lesions, and thus inhibit or slow down disease progression.

AIM: To investigate the mechanism of Hexue Mingmu Tablets(HXMMT)in improving diabetic retinopathy(DR)based on transcriptomics.METHODS: Zebrafish DR models were established by 3-day glucose induction(130 mmol/L)starting at 3 days post-fertilization(dpf). Larvae were randomized into four groups: control group(CG; aquaculture water), model group(MG; 130 mmol/L glucose), low-dose HXMMT treatment group(L-HX; 130 mmol/L glucose +7.5 mg/L HXMMT), and high-dose HXMMT treatment group(H-HX; 130 mmol/L glucose +75 mg/L HXMMT), with a 3-day intervention period until 6 dpf. The area and length of eyes, and body length of zebrafish were observed by stereomicroscopy, retinal morphology was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining(HE), and retinal vessel diameter was observed under fluorescence microscope. Differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were identified by RNA-sequencing(RNA-seq)technology to further elucidate the molecular mechanism of HXMMT in improving DR in zebrafish, and the sequencing accuracy was validated through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR).RESULTS: HE staining demonstrated that the intervention with HXMMT significantly improved the disordered cell arrangement, widened gaps, and thickened inner nuclear layer(INL)in ganglion cell layer GCL); retinal vascular diameter quantification revealed that the retinal vessel diameter of the MG significantly increased compared with the CG, and it was significantly changed after the intervention of HXMMT, with significant efficacy in the H-HX(P<0.05); transcriptomics profiling identified 1 470 reversed DEGs, predominantly enriched in the AMPK signaling pathway, FoxO signaling pathway, retinal developmental processes, and tight junction regulation. Technical validation confirmed strong correlation between qRT-PCR and RNA-seq data(R2=0.8571, P<0.05).CONCLUSION: HXMMT may improve retinal vascular microcirculation disorders in DR by regulating core targets including vsx1, pde6c, arr3a, plk1, fbp1b, foxo1a, pcna, and cdk1, as well as synergistically modulating processes such as retinal development in camera-type eyes, visual perception, microtubule cytoskeletal organization, tight junctions, and the AMPK signaling pathway, Foxo signaling pathway.

Allogeneic haemopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT)-related nephrotic syndrome is a rare complication, recognized as a clinical manifestation of chronic graft versus host disease (GVHD). T cell dysfunction is thought to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of allo-HSCT-related nephrotic syndrome, but the precise mechanism remains unclear. This paper reported a case of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) who had good control of the disease after allo-HSCT, but developed proteinuria and progressed to nephrotic syndrome after immunosuppressive therapy was tapered. Kidney biopsy revealed secondary membranous nephropathy, which responded well to treatment with glucocorticoids and tacrolimus. Limited literature exist on allo-HSCT-related nephrotic syndrome in children. This study provides a comprehensive summary of its mechanism, clinical features, pathology, diagnosis,and treatment, offering valuable insights for diagnosing and managing allo-HSCT-related nephrotic syndrome in pediatric patients.

Objective:To determine the prevalence of self-reported food allergies among children in the grasslands of North China and to analyze its associated risk factors.Methods:In this study, a cross-sectional epidemiological survey method was used to select children under 14 years old by multi-stage, stratified and random cluster sampling in the grassland ecological area of Zhangbei County, Hebei Province, China from May to July 2018. Face-to-face questionnaires were administered to gather food allergy-related information from the participants. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors associated with self-reported food allergy.Results:A total of 2 086 children completed the survey. The prevalence of self-reported food allergies was 22.0%(459/2 086). The prevalence of multiple food allergies (≥3 types) was 3.1%(64/2 086) versus 16.3% (341/2 086) for a single food allergy among all children. Mango allergy (6.1%, 127/2 086) was the most common, followed by peach allergy (4.1%, 85/2 086). Children who reported food allergies had a significantly higher prevalence of all 4 atopic disorders (eczema, asthma, allergic rhinitis, and allergic conjunctivitis than those without food allergies(35.73% vs. 20.65%, 5.88% vs. 2.77%, 17.86% vs. 7.38%, 16.78% vs. 10.45%, χ2 =44.663 1, 10.434 3, 45.038 3, 13.728 4, all P<0.001).Significantly associated risk factors of food allergy were found to be pollen allergy ( OR: 2.29; 95% CI: 1.80-2.92) and drug allergy ( OR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.12-2.09). Conclusions:The prevalence of self-reported food allergies among children in the Zhangbei County area of the North China Grassland was relatively high. Pollen allergy and drug allergy are major risk factors.

Objective:To determine the prevalence of self-reported food allergies among children in the grasslands of North China and to analyze its associated risk factors.Methods:In this study, a cross-sectional epidemiological survey method was used to select children under 14 years old by multi-stage, stratified and random cluster sampling in the grassland ecological area of Zhangbei County, Hebei Province, China from May to July 2018. Face-to-face questionnaires were administered to gather food allergy-related information from the participants. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors associated with self-reported food allergy.Results:A total of 2 086 children completed the survey. The prevalence of self-reported food allergies was 22.0%(459/2 086). The prevalence of multiple food allergies (≥3 types) was 3.1%(64/2 086) versus 16.3% (341/2 086) for a single food allergy among all children. Mango allergy (6.1%, 127/2 086) was the most common, followed by peach allergy (4.1%, 85/2 086). Children who reported food allergies had a significantly higher prevalence of all 4 atopic disorders (eczema, asthma, allergic rhinitis, and allergic conjunctivitis than those without food allergies(35.73% vs. 20.65%, 5.88% vs. 2.77%, 17.86% vs. 7.38%, 16.78% vs. 10.45%, χ2 =44.663 1, 10.434 3, 45.038 3, 13.728 4, all P<0.001).Significantly associated risk factors of food allergy were found to be pollen allergy ( OR: 2.29; 95% CI: 1.80-2.92) and drug allergy ( OR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.12-2.09). Conclusions:The prevalence of self-reported food allergies among children in the Zhangbei County area of the North China Grassland was relatively high. Pollen allergy and drug allergy are major risk factors.

Atherosclerosis(AS),a chronic and multifactorial vascular disease,involves diverse pathological processes including dyslipidemia,reactive oxygen species(ROS)generation,inflammatory cell infiltration,and local thrombosis.In recent years,cuproptosis,a novel form of copper-dependent programmed cell death,has attracted considerable attention.It is primarily triggered by the binding of excessive copper ions to lipoylated proteins,resulting in disruption of the tricarboxylic acid(TCA)cycle,damage to iron-sulfur cluster proteins,and consequent functional impairment of related enzymes and proteins,ultimately inducing cell death through multiple pathways.Previous studies have revealed the close association between cuproptosis and AS pathogenesis.Cuproptosis promotes ROS production,induces lipid peroxidation via the Fenton reaction,triggers inflammatory responses and disrupts mitochondrial TCA cycle,thereby compromising the functions of vascular cells(macrophages,endothelial cells,and smooth muscle cells),destabilizing plaques and exacerbating AS progression.Therefore,targeting cuproptosis may present a new direction for AS treatment and its complication prevention.Specifically,cuproptosis-related genes may serve as potential diagnostic biomarkers for AS,and pharmacological inhibition of cuproptosis has been shown to significantly modulate disease progression,highlighting the potential value of targeting cuproptosis in AS management.This review systematically summarizes the molecular mechanisms of copper metabolism and cuproptosis,their pathophysiological roles in AS,and recent advances in targeting cuproptosis for AS diagnosis and treatment,aiming to provide novel insights into clinical strategies for AS prevention and therapy.

Human herpesvirus-6B (HHV-6B) reactivation is a significant contributor to nonrelapse mortality following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). This retrospective analysis describes three cases of HHV-6B reactivation following allo-HSCT, all of which achieved viral clearance with maribavir treatment following failure or intolerance to first-line antiviral therapy with foscarnet sodium. One patient diagnosed with HHV-6B encephalitis recovered without neurological sequelae. No adverse drug reactions to maribavir were observed. These findings provide preliminary evidence that maribavir may serve as an effective and safe salvage therapy for HHV-6B reactivation in patients receiving allo-HSCT.