Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder that severely affects the health of the elderly, marked by its incurability, high prevalence, and extended latency period. The current approach to AD prevention and treatment emphasizes early detection and intervention, particularly during the pre-AD stage of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which provides an optimal “window of opportunity” for intervention. Clinical detection methods for MCI, such as cerebrospinal fluid monitoring, genetic testing, and imaging diagnostics, are invasive and costly, limiting their broad clinical application. Speech, as a vital cognitive output, offers a new perspective and tool for computer-assisted analysis and screening of cognitive decline. This is because elderly individuals with cognitive decline exhibit distinct characteristics in semantic and audio information, such as reduced lexical richness, decreased speech coherence and conciseness, and declines in speech rate, voice rhythm, and hesitation rates. The objective presence of these semantic and audio characteristics lays the groundwork for computer-based screening of cognitive decline. Speech information is primarily sourced from databases or collected through tasks involving spontaneous speech, semantic fluency, and reading, followed by analysis using computer models. Spontaneous language tasks include dialogues/interviews, event descriptions, narrative recall, and picture descriptions. Semantic fluency tasks assess controlled retrieval of vocabulary items, requiring participants to extract information at the word level during lexical search. Reading tasks involve participants reading a passage aloud. Summarizing past research, the speech characteristics of the elderly can be divided into two major categories: semantic information and audio information. Semantic information focuses on the meaning of speech across different tasks, highlighting differences in vocabulary and text content in cognitive impairment. Overall, discourse pragmatic disorders in AD can be studied along three dimensions: cohesion, coherence, and conciseness. Cohesion mainly examines the use of vocabulary by participants, with a reduction in the use of nouns, pronouns, verbs, and adjectives in AD patients. Coherence assesses the ability of participants to maintain topics, with a decrease in the number of subordinate clauses in AD patients. Conciseness evaluates the information density of participants, with AD patients producing shorter texts with less information compared to normal elderly individuals. Audio information focuses on acoustic features that are difficult for the human ear to detect. There is a significant degradation in temporal parameters in the later stages of cognitive impairment; AD patients require more time to read the same paragraph, have longer vocalization times, and produce more pauses or silent parts in their spontaneous speech signals compared to normal individuals. Researchers have extracted audio and speech features, developing independent systems for each set of features, achieving an accuracy rate of 82% for both, which increases to 86% when both types of features are combined, demonstrating the advantage of integrating audio and speech information. Currently, deep learning and machine learning are the main methods used for information analysis. The overall diagnostic accuracy rate for AD exceeds 80%, and the diagnostic accuracy rate for MCI also exceeds 80%, indicating significant potential. Deep learning techniques require substantial data support, necessitating future expansion of database scale and continuous algorithm upgrades to transition from laboratory research to practical product implementation.

BACKGROUND:Recent research indicates that disc degeneration is closely related to abnormal stress load,and mechanotransduction proteins play a key role in it. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the role and mechanism of mechanotransduction proteins in the mechanotransduction process induced by abnormal mechanical stimulation in disc degeneration,and to summarize the current treatment strategies targeting mechanotransduction to delay intervertebral disc degeneration. METHODS:Using"intervertebral disc,nucleus pulposus,annulus fibrosus,cartilaginous endplate,cell,mechanics,signal transduction,protein,biomechanics"as Chinese search terms,and"intervertebral disc,nucleus pulposus,annulus fibrosus,cartilaginous endplate,cell,mechanical stimulation,signal transduction,protein,biomechanics"as English search terms,relevant literature in the PubMed and CNKI databases was searched.A total of 88 articles were ultimately included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Disc cells can sense external mechanical stimulation through various mechanotransduction proteins and convert it into biological responses within the cells.These transduction proteins mainly include collagen proteins in the extracellular matrix,cell membrane surface receptors(such as integrins and ion channels),and cytoskeleton structural proteins.Their regulation of mechanotransduction processes primarily involves the activation of multiple pathways,such as the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway,nuclear factor-kB signaling pathway,and Ca2+/Calpain2/Caspase3 pathway.Mechanotransduction proteins play a key role in the mechanotransduction of disc cells.Abnormal expression of these proteins or resulting changes in the extracellular matrix environment can disrupt the mechanical balance of disc cells,leading to disc degeneration.In-depth study of the expression and regulatory mechanisms of mechanotransduction proteins in disc cells,and identification of key pathological links and therapeutic targets,is of significant importance for developing treatment strategies for disc degeneration.Current strategies to delay intervertebral disc degeneration by targeting mechanotransduction mainly include regulation of transduction proteins and improvement of the extracellular matrix.However,research in this area is still in its early stages.As research continues,new breakthroughs are expected in the regulation of disc degeneration by mechanotransduction proteins.

There is a substantial unmet need for treatments in the field of pediatric rare diseases, and investigator initiated trial(IIT) provide a critical pathway for testing and developing new drugs or treatment strategies. However, healthcare institutions, when conducting such research, must address compliance risks related to project approval, contract management, data protection, and conflict of interest management. This study aims to analyze the particularities and challenges of IIT in pediatric rare diseases, review relevant regulations and regulatory requirements, and provide healthcare institutions with a reference framework for compliance risk management to maximize the benefits of IIT. Based on literature review, analysis of laws and regulations, practical work experience, and frameworks from other institutions, we summarize the unique aspects of pediatric rare disease IIT in terms of participant characteristics, innovative technologies, and organizational structures.On this basis, targeted compliance management recommendations are proposed, which include establishing a risk rating and full-cycle risk monitoring mechanism, a consent and ethical review mechanism tailored to pediatric participants, a robust contract management mechanism, a comprehensive data security management mechanism, and a multidisciplinary team and multi-channel compensation mechanism. The study concludes that healthcare institutions, funders, and other collaborating entities should implement compliance management in line with the characteristics of IIT to ensure the safety and effectiveness of research and facilitate innovation and development in the treatment of pediatric rare diseases.

Objective: To investigate the influencing factors of overactive bladder (OAB) in college freshmen and the impacts of OAB on their mental health, quality of life and social interaction. Methods: An epidemiological questionnaire survey was conducted in an anonymous manner on the prevalence of OAB among 5300 freshmen aged 17 to 22 years enrolled in the 2023—2024 academic year in Xinxiang Medical University and Sanquan College of Xinxiang Medical University.The questionnaire included questions on basic information, history of urinary tract infection, constipation, smoking, history of alcohol consumption, history of coffee/strong tea drinking, history of carbonated beverage drinking, redundant prepuce, phimosis, holding urine, chronic insomnia, self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), quality of life score (QoL), and social avoidance and distress scale (SADS).The influencing factors of OAB were analyzed with multivariate logistic regression analysis.The subjects were grouped according to whether they had OAB, and the differences in SAS, QoL and SADS between the OAB group and non-OAB group were compared.The impacts of OAB on the anxiety level, quality of life, and social interaction were analyzed with multiple linear regression analysis. Results: The overall prevalence rate of OAB was 4.9% (244/5018).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the history of urinary tract infection (OR=0.177), constipation (OR=0.636), smoking (OR=0.582), alcohol consumption (OR=0.685), coffee/strong tea drinking (OR=0.387), carbonated beverage drinking (OR=0.631), redundant prepuce (OR=0.673), phimosis (OR=0.311), urine holding (OR=0.593), and chronic insomnia (OR=0.256) were influencing factors for the occurrence of OAB (P＜0.05).The OAB group had higher SAS score [(41.18±6.54) vs. (38.61±6.36)], QoL score [(3.65±1.20) vs. (2.79±0.95)], social avoidance score [(6.25±1.86) vs. (5.86±1.51)], social distress score [(6.27±1.59) vs. (5.97±1.32)], and total SADS score [(12.51±2.35) vs. (11.84±2.01)] than the non-OAB group (P＜0.05).The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that OAB could independently affect the scores of QoL, SAS, and SADS.The OAB group had higher scores of QoL, SAS, and SADS compared with the non-OAB group (P＜0.001). Conclusion: History of urinary tract infection, constipation, smoking, alcohol consumption, coffee/strong tea drinking, carbonated beverage drinking, redundant prepuce, phimosis, urine holding, and chronic insomnia are influencing factors for the occurrence of OAB in male college students.Moreover, OAB has negative impacts on their mental health, quality of life, and social interaction.

Thrombus is a major factor leading to cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction and stroke. Although fibrinolytic anti-thrombotic drugs have been widely used in clinical practice, they are still limited by narrow therapeutic windows, short half-lives, susceptibility to inactivation, and abnormal bleeding caused by non-targeting. Therefore, it is crucial to effectively deliver thrombolytic agents to the site of thrombus with minimal adverse effects. Based on the long blood circulation and excellent drug-loading properties of human serum albumin (HSA), we employed genetic engineering techniques to insert a functional peptide (P-selectin binding peptide, PBP) which can target the thrombus site to the N-terminus of HSA. The fusion protein was expressed using Pichia pastoris and purified by Ni-chelating affinity chromatography. After being loaded with gold nanoparticles (Au NPs), the fusion protein formed homogeneous and stable nanoparticles (named as PBP-HSA@Au) with a diameter of 17.7 ± 1.0 nm and a zeta potential of -11.3 ± 0.2 mV. Cytotoxicity and hemolysis tests demonstrated the superb biocompatibility of PBP-HSA@Au. Platelet-targeting experiments confirmed the thrombus-targeting ability conferred by the introduction of PBP into PBP-HSA@Au. Upon near-infrared ray (NIR) irradiation, PBP-HSA@Au rapidly converted light energy into heat, thereby disrupting fibrinogen and exhibiting outstanding thrombolytic efficacy. The designed HSA fusion protein delivery system provides a precise, rapid, and drug-free treatment strategy for thrombus therapy. This system is characterized by its simple design, high biocompatibility, and strong clinical applicability. All animal experiments involved in this study were carried out under the protocols approved by the Animal Experiment Ethics Committee of Jiangnan University [JN. No20230915S0301015(423)].

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Buzhong Yiqitang in ameliorating ferroptosis in autoimmune thyroiditis （AIT） mice based on the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2）/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ （PPARγ）/glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4） pathway. Method120 SPF-grade 7-8-week-old NOD.H-2^h4 mice were randomly divided into control group， model group， low-， medium-， and high-dose Buzhong Yiqitang groups， and western medicine group， with 20 mice in each group. Except for the control group， all mice were fed with classic high-iodine water （0.05% NaI） to induce AIT models after 8 weeks. The low-， medium-， and high-dose Buzhong Yiqitang groups were administered 4.78， 9.56， 19.12 g·kg^-1 of Buzhong Yiqitang， respectively， via gavage. The western medicine group was given 3.033×10^-5 g·kg^-1 selenium yeast tablet suspension via gavage， while the control and model groups were given an equal volume of distilled water via gavage. After 8 weeks of continuous treatment， samples were collected. The pathological morphology of mouse thyroid tissue was observed through hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining，the content of serumantithyroid peroxidase autoantibody（TPOAb）and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies（TGAb）was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA），the kit was used to detect the levels of superoxide dismutase （SOD）， and malondialdehyde （MDA） in mouse serum. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the localized expression of GPX4 in thyroid tissue. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the expression of Nrf2， PPARγ， solute carrier family 7 member 11 （SLC7A11）， solute carrier family 3 member 2 （SLC3A2）， lysolipid lecithin acyltransferase 3 （LPCAT3）， and GPX4 mRNA in thyroid tissue. Western blot was used to detect the expression of Nrf2， PPARγ， SLC7A11， SLC3A2， LPCAT3， and GPX4 proteins in thyroid tissue. ResultCompared with control group， model group under light microscopy showed significant lymphocyte infiltration in the thyroid tissue， significantly increased levels of TGAb and TPOAb in serum （P<0.01）， significantly increased MDA levels and decreased SOD levels in serum （P<0.01）， significantly decreased expression of Nrf2， PPARγ， SLC7A11， SLC3A2， and GPX4 （P<0.01） in thyroid tissue， while the expression of LPCAT3 was significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with model group， the Buzhong Yiqitang groups and the western medication group under light microscopy showed lymphocyte infiltration in the thyroid tissue of was decreased， significantly decreased levels of TPOAb and TGAb in serum （P<0.05，P<0.01）， decreased MDA levels and increased SOD levels in serum（P<0.05，P<0.01），significantly increased expression of Nrf2， PPARγ， SLC7A11， SLC3A2， and GPX4， while the expression of LPCAT3 was significantly decreased （P<0.05，P<0.01） in the thyroid tissue. Compared with western medication group， Buzhong Yiqitang groups showed significant overall trends in the expression of Nrf2， PPARγ， SLC7A11， SLC3A2， GPX4， and LPCAT3 （P<0.05，P<0.01）. ConclusionBuzhong Yiqitang can effectively improve the inflammatory injury of AIT， and its mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of Nrf2/PPARγ/GPX4 to inhibit ferroptosis.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Buzhong Yiqitang in improving autoimmune thyroiditis （AIT） by regulating helper T cell 17（Th17） cells through microRNA-155 （miR-155）/Nedd4 family interaction protein 1 （Ndfip1）/phosphatase and tensin homology （Pten） axis. MethodThe 100 SPF grade 8 week-old NOD.H-2^h4 mice were fed with high iodine water （0.05% NaI） for 8 weeks， and AIT model was made. They were divided into model group， Buzhong Yiqitang low-，medium-，and high-dose groups （4.78，9.56，19.12 g·kg^-1·d^-1） and selenium yeast tablet group （3.033×10^-5 g·kg^-1） according to random number table method. There were 20 mice in each group and 20 mice in the control group. The control group and the model group were given the same amount of distilled water. After 8 weeks of continuous administration， Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the expression of miR-155-5p， Ndfip1， Pten， protein tyrosine kinase 1 （Jak1）， signaling and transcriptional activator 3 （Stat3） retinoic acid-associated orphan receptor γt （RORγt）， and interleukin-17 （IL-17） mRNA in mouse thyroid tissue. Western blot was used to detect the expression of Ndfip1， Pten， Jak1， Stat3， RORγt， and IL-17 proteins in mouse thyroid tissue， immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of Ndfip1 and Pten proteins in mouse thyroid tissue； flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of Th17 cells in mouse spleen. ResultCompared with the control group， the proportion of Th17 cells was increased （P<0.01）. The expressions of miR-155-5p， Jak1， Stat3， RORγt and IL-17 were increased （P<0.01）， while the expressions of Ndfip1 and Pten were decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with model group， the proportion of Th17 cells was decreased （P<0.05，P<0.01）. The expressions of miR-155-5p， Jak1， Stat3， RORγt and IL-17 were decreased （P<0.05，P<0.01）， while the expressions of Ndfip1 and Pten were increased （P<0.05，P<0.01）. ConclusionThe application of Buzhong Yiqitang can improve the autoimmune disorder of AIT mice， the mechanism of which may be related to the regulation of Ndfip1/Pten axis by miR-155 and then the regulation of Th17 cell differentiation.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Buzhong Yiqitang on the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 6 （Fas）/Fas related death domain protein （FADD）/Caspase-8 cell apoptotic signaling pathway in mice model with autoimmune thyroiditis （AIT）. MethodThere were 120 SPF grade NOD.H-2^h4 mice aged 8 weeks， 100 of which were fed with high iodine water （0.05% NaI）， and the AIT model was made after 8 weeks. According to random number table method， they were divided into model group， Buzhong Yiqitang low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose groups （4.78， 9.56， 19.12 g·kg^-1）， selenium yeast tablet group （3.033×10^-5 g·kg^-1）， with 20 mice in each group and 20 control group. The apoptosis of thyroid cells was detected by in situ end labeling （TUNEL） after 8 weeks of administration. The real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expression of Fas， FADD， Caspase-8， and Caspase-3 in thyroid tissue. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of Fas， FADD， Caspase-8， Caspase-3， cleaved Caspase-8， and cleaved Caspase-3 in thyroid tissue， and the immunohistochemical method was used to detect the protein expression of Fas and Caspase-3 in thyroid tissue. ResultCompared with control group， there were more positive expressions of apoptotic cells in model group under fluorescence microscope， and the expressions of Fas， FADD， Caspase-8， Caspase-3， cleaved Caspase-8 and cleaved Caspase-3 were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with model group， the positive expression of thyroid apoptotic cells in each administration group was decreased under fluorescence microscope， and the expressions of Fas， FADD， Caspase-8， Caspase-3， cleaved Caspase-8， cleaved Caspase-3 were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionBuzhong Yiqitang can effectively improve thyroid cell apoptosis and inflammatory injury in AIT mice. The mechanism may be related to the inhibition of Fas/FADD/Caspase-8 signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of rhubarb Tangluo pill on liver injury in type 2 diabetic rats.Methods ZDF(fa/fa)rats were given high-fat diet to induce type 2 diabetes model,and were randomly divided into model group,positive control group(0.18 g·kg-1 metformin)and experimental-L,-M,-H groups(0.54,1.08 and 2.16 g·kg-1 rhubarb Tangluo pill),with 8 rats in each group.Eight ZDF(fa/+)rats were selected as control group.The control group and model group were given equal volume of pure water once a day for 12 weeks.An oral glucose tolerance test(OGTT)was performed after administration.Fasting blood glucose level,body mass and liver mass of rats were measured and liver index was calculated.The contents of glutamic-pyruvic transaminase(GPT),glutamic oxalacetic transaminase(GOT),triglyceride(TG)and total cholesterol(TC)in serum were detected.The histomorphologic changes of liver were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining and Masson staining.The protein expression of phosphorylated insulin receptor substrate 1(p-IRS1),phosphorylated protein kinase B(p-Akt)and glucose transporter 4(GLUT4)were detected by Western blotting.Results After administration,the fasting blood glucose levels of control group,model group,positive control group and experimental-H group were(4.71±0.45),(29.9±2.97),(15.28±4.52)and(13.84±1.55)mmol·L-1,respectively;the liver index were 2.31±0.46,4.03±0.18,3.37±0.23 and 3.38±0.24;the relative expression level of p-IRS1 protein were 1.00±0.36,4.00±0.11,1.62±0.27 and 1.90±0.17,respectively;the relative expression levels of p-Akt protein were 1.00±0.25,0.21±0.04,0.73±0.15 and 0.54±0.04,respectively;GLUT4 protein relative expression levels were 1.00±0.11,0.40±0.08,0.86±0.04 and 0.70±0.06,respectively.Compared with the model group,the above indexes in the experimental-H group were statistically significant(P＜0.01,P＜0.05).Conclusion Rhubarb Tanglu pill can effectively improve glycolipid metabolism and liver injury in type 2 diabetes mellitus,and its mechanism may be related to the activation of IRS1/Akt signaling pathway.

Objective:This study aims to obtain the prevalence and features associated with Violence Against Children (VAC) in China and, thus, formulate a prevention strategy.Methods:The mortality-related data of VAC was sourced from the National Disease Surveillance Points System (DSP) during 2013-2021. We analyzed the DSP data regarding children aged 0-17 years old who died from violence. The hospital cases of VAC was sourced from the National Injury Surveillance System (NISS), 2013-2021. We analyzed the data from NISS with the parameter of "intentional injury" caused by VAC in children aged between 0-17 years. Using robust linear regression, we analyze the time trend in the proportion of violence incidence. To understand the variations in the incidence of different types of violence across genders, we apply the chi-square test and adjusted Pearson residuals.Results:The overall trend of death caused by VAC has declined; it was reduced to 0.14/100 000 in 2021 from 0.33/100 000 in 2013. In 2021, male VAC mortality (0.15/100 000) was higher than females (0.13/100 000). The proportion of VAC cases to all injury cases has declined from 3.34% in 2013 to 2.29% in 2021. Among 9 344 VAC cases supervised by hospitals in 2021, the number of males (7 503 cases) was around 4 times that of females (1 841 cases), and the top three modes of violence were blunt tools (64.77%), falls (7.46%) and sharp instruments (6.18%), and 45 cases of sexual violence included 38 girls and 7 boys.Conclusions:The declining death rate due to VAC may be related to the benign development of Chinese society. Prevention strategies targeting training in parenting skills and problem-solving should be prioritized.