Objective: To analyze the relationship between body mass index(BMI) during pre pregnancy, maternal lipid levels during early pregnancy and childhood overweight and obesity, as well as the mediating role of maternal lipid levels during early pregnancy in pre pregnancy BMI and childhood overweight and obesity, providing scientific evidence for developing obesity prevention strategies in preschool children. Methods: Using data from Peking University Birth Cohort in Tongzhou (PKUBC-T) collected between June 2018 and September 2022, the study included 1 292 mother-child pairs. Participants were stratified into two groups based on children s BMI Z scores at age 3: an overweight/obesity risk group (BMI Z >1, n =173) and a non overweight/obesity risk group (BMI Z ≤1, n =1 119).Multivariate Logistic regression was conducted to analyze the associations between pre pregnancy BMI, maternal lipid levels[total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride（TG）,high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),TC/HDL-C,TG/HDL-C,LDL-C/HDL-C] during early pregnancy and childhood overweight and obesity. The mediating effect of maternal lipid levels during early pregnancy on pre pregnancy BMI and childhood overweight and obesity was further explored. Results: There were statistically significant differences in pregnancy BMI levels, early pregnancy blood LDL-C ,TC/HDL-C,LDL-C/HDL-C levels between the overweight and obesity risk group and the non overweight and obesity risk group ( χ 2/Z =19.01, 2.48, 2.48, 2.71, all P <0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that pre pregnancy BMI, LDL-C, TC/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C in early pregnancy were significantly associated with childhood overweight and obesity ( OR =1.09, 1.42, 1.49, 1.60, all P <0.05). LDL-C, TC/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C in early pregnancy played a significant mediating role on pre pregnancy BMI and childhood obesity and the mediating effects accounted for 7.3%, 10.2%, 23.5% of the total effects, respectively (all P <0.05). Conclusions Maternal hyperlipidemia during early pregnancy partially mediated the association between pre pregnancy obesity and childhood obesity. Both pre pregnancy obesity and maternal hyperlipidemia during early pregnancy are risk factors for obesity in preschool children.

The activation of the sirtuin1 (SIRT1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) pathway has been shown to mitigate oxidative stress-induced apoptosis and mitochondrial damage by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Clinical trials have demonstrated that Zhongfeng Xingnao Liquid (ZFXN) ameliorates post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI). However, the underlying mechanism, particularly whether it involves protecting mitochondria and inhibiting apoptosis through the SIRT1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, remains unclear. This study employed an oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) cell model using SH-SY5Y cells and induced PSCI in rats through modified bilateral carotid artery ligation (2VO). The effects of ZFXN on learning and memory, neuroprotective activity, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and the SIRT1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway were evaluated both in vivo and in vitro. Results indicated that ZFXN significantly increased the B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2)/Bcl2-associated X (Bax) ratio, reduced terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end-labeling (TUNEL)⁺ cells, and markedly improved cognition, synaptic plasticity, and neuronal function in the hippocampus and cortex. Furthermore, ZFXN exhibited potent antioxidant activity, evidenced by decreased ROS and malondialdehyde (MDA) content and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) levels. ZFXN also demonstrated considerable enhancement of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), Tom20 fluorescence intensity, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and energy charge (EC) levels, and mitochondrial complex I and III activity, thereby inhibiting mitochondrial damage. Additionally, ZFXN significantly increased SIRT1 activity and elevated SIRT1, nuclear Nrf2, and HO-1 levels. Notably, these effects were substantially counteracted when SIRT1 was suppressed by the inhibitor EX-527 in vitro. In conclusion, ZFXN alleviates PSCI by activating the SIRT1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and preventing mitochondrial damage.
Sirtuin 1/genetics* ; Animals ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/genetics* ; Cognitive Dysfunction/genetics* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Humans ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Heme Oxygenase-1/genetics* ; Stroke/complications* ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Neuroprotective Agents

The oral microbiota has been dynamically changing in the process of formation, development and prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and the two promote and complement each other inseparably. Oral microbiota is different in healthy people, patients with precancerous lesions of OSCC, and patients with OSCC, which means it can be used as a biomarker for the diagnosis of precancerous lesions of OSCC or OSCC. In addition, there are differences in the levels of oral microbiota both at baseline and after treatment among different OSCC patients, which can be used as a prognostic biomarker for OSCC. Furthermore, the modulation of oral microbiota can be used as a microbial therapy to improve the prognosis of OSCC patients by being added to the existing standard therapies.

As early as the 20 th century, it has been observed that radiotherapy (RT), as a local therapy, can activate the adaptive immune system, resulting in spontaneous regression of tumors out of the radiation field, which is known as "abscopal effect". Although the occurrence of abscopal effect is still rare, with the gradual increase in the application of immunotherapy, more and more clinical cases of abscopal effect have been reported. Increasing attention has been paid to the therapeutic potential of RT in inducing systemic anti-tumor response. Especially, the combination of RT and immunotherapy enhances the research value of abscopal effect. However, its mechanism has not been fully elucidated, and the optimal timing, dose and fractionation of RT are also under study. How to classify the beneficiary groups is also a key issue. In this article, the history of abscopal effect, and the role of RT and immunotherapy in this phenomenon were briefly introduced, and the existing controversies in clinical application were illustrated, aiming to clarify the direction of current research and development and open a new chapter for tumor treatment in a short period of time.

The syndrome of dampness stagnancy due to spleen deficiency (DSSD) is relatively common globally. Although the pathogenesis of DSSD remains unclear, evidence has suggested that the gut microbiota might play a significant role. Radix Astragali, used as both medicine and food, exerts the effects of tonifying spleen and qi. Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) comprises a macromolecule substance extracted from the dried root of Radix Astragali, which has many pharmacological functions. However, whether APS mitigates the immune disorders underlying the DSSD syndrome via regulating gut microbiota and the relevant mechanism remains unknown. Here, we used DSSD rats induced by high-fat and low-protein (HFLP) diet plus exhaustive swimming, and found that APS of moderate molecular weight increased the body weight gain and immune organ indexes, decreased the levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and endotoxin, and suppressed the Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-‍κB (TLR4/NF-‍κB) pathway. Moreover, a total of 27 critical genera were significantly enriched according to the linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe). APS increased the diversity of the gut microbiota and changed its composition, such as reducing the relative abundance of Pseudoflavonifractor and Paraprevotella, and increasing that of Parasutterella, Parabacteroides, Clostridium XIVb, Oscillibacter, Butyricicoccus, and Dorea. APS also elevated the contents of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Furthermore, the correlation analysis indicated that 12 critical bacteria were related to the body weight gain and immune organ indexes. In general, our study demonstrated that APS ameliorated the immune disorders in DSSD rats via modulating their gut microbiota, especially for some bacteria involving immune and inflammatory response and SCFA production, as well as the TLR4/NF-κB pathway. This study provides an insight into the function of APS as a unique potential prebiotic through exerting systemic activities in treating DSSD.
Rats ; Animals ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Spleen ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; Polysaccharides/pharmacology* ; Astragalus Plant/metabolism* ; Immune System Diseases/drug therapy* ; Body Weight

Objective:To investigate genetic characteristics of human rhinovirus (HRV) in adult inpatients with pneumonia in autumn and winter in Bengbu, Anhui province, 2021.Methods:The pharyngeal swabs of inpatients with pneumonia in Bengbu were collected for the detection of 14 common respiratory pathogens by Real-time PCR during September to December 2021. VP4/VP2 coding regions of HRV positive samples were amplified by nested PCR and phylogenetic tree was constructed using MEGA7.0.Results:A total of 146 samples were collected from inpatients with pneumonia; 35.62% (52/146) samples were positive with at least one pathogen. The four viruses with high detection rate were HRV, adenovirus, human coronavirus OC43 and influenza B virus. HRV positive samples accounted for 44.23% (23/52) of the positive samples, among which 9 cases (39.13%, 9/23) co-infected with HRV. Phylogenetic analysis found that HRV infection were dominated by HRV-A and HRV-B groups. The analysis based on clinical syndrome found that the white blood cells count and the proportion neutrophils of patients with HRV co-infection were higher that of HRV single infection. The proportion of patients with hypertension, diabetes, mechanical ventilation and poor prognosis in the HRV co-infection group were higher than that of HRV single infection group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:HRV is the predominant pathogen among the adult inpatients with pneumonia in Bengbu. HRV-A and HRV-B groups are common. Patients accompanied by hypertension, diabetes were easily co-infected with HRV. Patients coinfeted with HRV are more likely to be mechanical ventilation and poor prognosis.

Objective:To analyze the metabolic status of forest encephalitis patients, research the effect of forest encephalitis on lipid metabolism, and clarify the possible pathogenesis.Methods:Based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), lipidomics analysis was performed in 50 patients with tick-borne encephalitis and 39 healthy samples from Hulunbuir region. The patients′ serum samples were analyzed by utilizing the multivariate statistical analysis method such as principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA).Results:A total of 465 peaks were detected in the samples, and metabolites such as phospholipids and glycerides were identified. To identify the significant differential metabolites ( P<0.01, VIP>1, FC>2), a total of 26 biomarkers were screened, which phospholipids tend to be upregulated[log 2(Fold change)>0], such as phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE); while glycerides tend to be decreased[log 2(Fold change)<0], such as diacylglycerol (DAG) and triacylglycerol (TAG), and those metabolites were closely related to anti-inflammatory and other metabolic pathways. The AUC value of potential biomarkers obtained was 0.999, which could be used for diagnosis of disease group and healthy group. Conclusions:The study showed that phospholipid metabolism and glyceride metabolism pathways would have some change after human infected by virus, and the differential metabolites could be used as potential markers for the diagnosis of tick-borne encephalitis, which provide a theoretical basis for disease research.

Objective:To evaluate the application value of SPECT lung perfusion imaging in guiding radiotherapy path, optimizing the radiotherapy plan for lung cancer and protecting lung function during radiotherapy for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer.Methods:In this study, 84 patients with stage Ⅲ non-resectable non-small cell lung cancer were randomly divided into the control group ( n=44) and observation group ( n=40). In the control group, radiotherapy plan based on conventional CT images was delivered, and two plans based on the lung function information suggested by conventional CT and SPECT lung perfusion imaging: P1 and P2 were given in the observation group. All patients in the observation group were finally treated according to the P2 plan. The incidence of radiation pneumonitis, and changes in lung function before and after radiotherapy were statistically compared between two groups. The dose-volume parameters of P1 and P2 were statistically compared. Results:After the plan was optimized, the incidence of radiation pneumonitis in the observation group was significantly reduced and the decline of lung function was significantly improved (both P≤0.001). The functional dose parameters were significantly improved in the P2 plans (both P<0.05), whereas the irradiation dose of organs at risk did not significantly change ( P>0.05). Conclusion:SPECT lung perfusion imaging optimizes the intensity-modulated radiotherapy plan, which can reduce the functional lung dose and increase the tumor radiotherapy dose without increasing the irradiation dose of other organs at risk.

Primary hepatic carcinoma has ranked as the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer and the third leading cause of cancer death. China shares about 50% of new liver cancer cases, including 80% of hepatic carcinoma. Non-surgical therapy continues to make breakthroughs. The authors report a case of hepatic carcinoma with intrahepatic metastasis and tumor thrombus in the left portal vein, which has achieved continious partial response after the treatment of atezoli-zumab combined with bevacizumab, without adverse reactions such as liver and kidney function damage. The life quality of the patient was improved, showing safety and efficacy of the treatment.

Objective:To analyze the differential gene expression of Shufeng Xuanfei Jiedu formula on whole expression profiles of the inflammation-related cytokines in mice infected with influenza virus by the gene chip technology.Methods:Male ICR mice were divided into normal group (N group), influenza virus pneumonia model group (M group), oseltamivir control group (C group) and Shufeng Xuanfei Jiedu formula high, medium and low dose groups (SH, SM, SL groups) according to the random number table method, with 10 mice in each group. A mouse model of influenza virus pneumonia was established by nasal drip of influenza virus strain FM1 (0.05 mL); in group N, 0.05 mL normal saline was used. In SH, SM and SL groups, Shufeng Xuanfei Jiedu formula was prescribed after 2 hours of intranasal infection (drug concentration approximately 3.8, 1.9 and 1.0 kg/L), 0.2 mL once a day for 4 days; in group C, the dosage of oseltamivir was 2.5 kg/L; in group N and group M, distilled water was given. On the 5th day, the whole lung of mice was harvested, and the total RNA of lung tissue was extracted and detected after hybridization with mice whole gene expression spectrum chip. Differential expressed genes of cytokines involved in inflammatory pathways were selected. The intensity expression ratio of the chip probe signal in each group vs. M group was calculated, and P < 0.05 and log2 ratio > 1 were defined as up-regulated genes, while P < 0.05 and log2 ratio < -1 were down-regulated genes. The mRNA expressions of interleukin (IL-1, IL-8) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results:Compared with group N, the differential gene expressions of IL-1, IL-8 and ICAM-1 in group M were significantly up-regulated [log2 (N/M) were 2.62, 2.07, 1.41, respectively, all P < 0.05]. Compared with group M, the gene expressions of IL-1, IL-8, ICAM-1 were significantly down-regulated in SH, SM, SL and C groups [log2 (SH/M) were -1.91, -1.85, -0.88; log2 (SM/M) were -3.10, -1.74, -1.84; log2 (SL/M) were -1.89, -1.39, -0.53; log2 (C/M) were -2.46, -1.52, -1.44, respectively, all P < 0.05]. RT-PCR showed that the mRNA expressions of IL-1, IL-8 and ICAM-1 in group M were significantly higher than those in group N [IL-1 (2 -ΔΔCT): 4.63±0.24 vs. 1.01±0.13, IL-8 (2 -ΔΔCT): 6.28±0.13 vs. 1.02±0.09, ICAM-1 (2 -ΔΔCT): 2.90±0.18 vs. 1.02±0.12, all P < 0.05]. The mRNA expressions of IL-1, IL-8, ICAM-1 in SH, SM, SL and C groups were lower than those in group M [IL-1 (2 -ΔΔCT): 2.12±0.32, 1.71±0.07, 2.05±0.16, 1.66±0.13 vs. 4.63±0.24; IL-8 (2 -ΔΔCT): 3.89±0.13, 2.08±0.19, 2.98±0.20, 2.02±0.12 vs. 6.28±0.13; ICAM-1 (2 -ΔΔCT): 1.72±0.93, 1.34±0.14, 1.53±0.25, 1.17±0.12 vs. 2.90±0.18, all P < 0.05]. There was no significant difference among the SH, SM, SL and C groups. Conclusion:Shufeng Xuanfei Jiedu formula inhibits inflammatory damage in mice after influenza virus infection by down-regulating the expressions of IL-1, IL-8, and ICAM-1 inflammatory cytokine-related genes.