The liver has diverse functions such as metabolism， detoxification， and immune defense， and the maintenance of hepatic microenvironment homeostasis is crucial for overall bodily health. The hepatic microenvironment consists of the components such as parenchymal cells， non-parenchymal cells， and non-cellular components. Chronic inflammatory responses induced by various etiological factors may promote the formation and progression of liver fibrosis. During the dynamic progression of liver fibrosis， from the early to advanced stages， various components within the hepatic microenvironment undergo a series of changes， which can promote the malignant progression of liver fibrosis. An in-depth exploration of the mechanisms underlying such changes in each component of the liver fibrosis microenvironment is of great significance for understanding the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis and discovering potential treatment strategies.

ObjectiveTo investigate the changes in coagulation system in acute decompensated cirrhosis （ADC） patients with or without sepsis and the association of these changes with short-term prognosis. MethodsA prospective study was conducted among 116 ADC patients who were hospitalized in Nanfang Hospital from January 2021 to July 2023， among whom there were 86 patients with sepsis and 30 patients without sepsis， and 54 patients with sepsis alone who had no chronic liver disease were enrolled as control group. Thromboelastography （TEG） and other conventional coagulation parameters were used to comprehensively evaluate the coagulation function of patients. The data including TEG results and short-term prognosis were collected， and a correlation analysis was performed. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups， and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups； the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. The Spearman correlation coefficient was calculated to investigate the correlation between different variables. The Logistic regression model was used to perform the univariate and multivariate analyses. ResultsFor the ADC patients with sepsis， the lungs and bloodstream were the main infection sites， and bacteria were the main pathogenic microorganism. TEG results showed that compared with the patients with sepsis alone， the patients with ADC and sepsis had a significant reduction in median maximum amplitude （MA）， a significant increase in coagulation time （K time）， and a significant reduction in α angle （all P<0.05）； the patients with ADC and sepsis had a significantly longer reaction time （R time） than those with ADC alone （P=0.02）， and the patients with sepsis alone had a significantly longer R time than those with ADC and sepsis （P=0.04）. There was no correlation between MA and platelet count in the patients with ADC and sepsis （r=-0.133， P=0.057）， while there was a significant correlation between MA and platelet count in the patients with sepsis alone （r=0.595， P=0.001）. SOFA score was negatively correlated with MA in sepsis patients with or without ADC （r=-0.503 and -0.561， both P<0.001）， and for the patients with ADC and sepsis， R time， K time， and α angle were weakly correlated with SOFA score and had a relatively strong correlation with APTT （all P<0.05）. The patients with ADC alone all survived within 90 days， and compared with the death group， the patients with sepsis alone who survived had significantly higher values of MA and α angle （all P<0.05）； there was a significant difference in α angle on day 90 between the survival group and the death group， no matter whether the patients were comorbid with ADC or not （both P<0.01）， while for the patients with ADC and sepsis， there was no significant difference in MA value on day 90 between the survival group and the death group （P>0.05）. ConclusionFor ADC patients comorbid with sepsis， coagulation function assessment and monitoring should be taken seriously in clinical practice， and TEG parameters and SOFA score should be monitored when necessary to develop individualized treatment regimens.

Objective To investigate how culture duration affects the expression of immune membrane proteins in human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) and their exosomes (DEXs). Methods Human monocytes were induced with recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin 4 (IL-4) to differentiate into DCs and were subsequently matured with tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α). Exosomes were isolated by ultracentrifugation, and DEXs were identified by transmission electron microscopy and Amnis imaging flow cytometry, which were also used to quantify the expression of immune membrane proteins on DCs and DEXs. Results On the 10th day of culture, DCs displayed high surface expression of CD11c, CD80, CD86, major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I), and MHC-II. Expression peaked at day 18(CD11c: 78.66%±20.33%, CD80: 76.41%±10.02%, CD86: 96.43%±0.43%, MHC-I: 84.71%±2.96%, MHC-II: 80.01%±7.03%). After day 24, the overall expression showed a declining trend, with statistically significant differences observed for all markers except CD80 and MHC-II. By day 30, 80% of the DCs still expressed CD80, CD86, and MHC-II. The expression of immune membrane proteins on DEX surfaces also reached its peak on day 18, followed by an overall decline with prolonged culture time, with statistically significant differences observed for all markers except CD80. Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between the expression levels of immune membrane proteins on DC and DEX surfaces (CD11c: r=0.98; CD80: r=0.65; CD86: r=0.82; MHC-I: r=0.86; MHC-II: r=0.93). Conclusion Human monocyte-derived DCs in vitro express high expression of immune membrane proteins and maintain stable expression over a specific period. The exosomes secreted by these cells similarly demonstrate high surface expression of immune membrane proteins, with temporal trends aligned with those of the parent DCs.
Humans ; Dendritic Cells/immunology* ; Exosomes/immunology* ; Monocytes/metabolism* ; Cells, Cultured ; Time Factors ; B7-1 Antigen/metabolism* ; Membrane Proteins/immunology* ; Cell Culture Techniques/methods* ; B7-2 Antigen/metabolism* ; Cell Differentiation ; CD11c Antigen/metabolism* ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor/pharmacology*

Debates persist regarding the efficacy and safety of azvudine, particularly its real-world outcomes. This study involved patients aged ≥60 years who were admitted to 25 hospitals in mainland China with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between December 1, 2022, and February 28, 2023. Efficacy outcomes were all-cause mortality during hospitalization, the proportion of patients discharged with recovery, time to nucleic acid-negative conversion (T _NANC), time to symptom improvement (T _SI), and time of hospital stay (T _HS). Safety was also assessed. Among the 5884 participants identified, 1999 received azvudine, and 1999 matched controls were included after exclusion and propensity score matching. Azvudine recipients exhibited lower all-cause mortality compared with controls in the overall population (13.3% vs. 17.1%, RR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.67-0.90; P = 0.001) and in the severe subgroup (25.7% vs. 33.7%; RR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.66-0.88; P < 0.001). A higher proportion of patients discharged with recovery, and a shorter T _NANC were associated with azvudine recipients, especially in the severe subgroup. The incidence of adverse events in azvudine recipients was comparable to that in the control group (2.3% vs. 1.7%, P = 0.170). In conclusion, azvudine showed efficacy and safety in older patients hospitalized with COVID-19 during the SARS-CoV-2 omicron wave in China.

Objective To investigate the differences in clinical and radiographic features between severe influenza A H1N1 and H3N2 in children.Methods The clinical and radiographic data of children diagnosed with severe influenza A H1N1 and H3N2 were analyzed retrospectively.According to the pathogen subtypes,they were divided into H1N1 group(34 cases)and H3N2 group(23 cases).Differences in clinical data,laboratory results,treatment,hospitalization time,outcome,and radiographic features between the two groups were analyzed.The t-test was used for the comparison of normally distributed measurement data between the groups,and Mann-Whitney U test was used for the comparison of non-normally distributed measurement data between the groups.Chi-square test or Fisher's exact probability method was used for the analysis of counting data,depending on the situation.Results There were differences in the season of onset,clinical and radiographic features between the two groups.H1N1 subtype mostly occurred in win-ter,and mainly manifested as respiratory symptoms(wheezing/shortness of breath)and respiratory complications(severe pneumonia).H3N2 subtype was mainly observed in summer,and more likely to involve the central nervous system(CNS),presenting with neuro-logical symptoms(convulsions),abnormal electroencephalogram,and concurrent influenza associated encephalopathy(IAE).Conclusion There are significant differences in epidemiology,clinical and radiographic features between severe influenza A H1N1 and H3N2.H3N2 has a higher probability of concurrent IAE and should be highly vigilant in clinical practice.

ObjectiveSerum metabolomics of acute lung injury（ALI） in rats was conducted using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-TOF-MS） to explore the similarities and differences in the mechanism of Qingqiao（harvested when the fruits of Forsythiae Fructus were initially ripe and still green in color） and Laoqiao（harvested when the fruits of Forsythiae Fructus were ripe） in the treatment of ALI. MethodA total of 24 SD male rats were acclimatized and fed for 1 week， 6 of them were randomly selected for the blank group and 18 for the experimental group. The ALI model was induced in the experimental group by tracheal intubation with lipopolysaccharide（LPS）. After successfully constructing the ALI model， these rats was randomly divided into model group， Qingqiao group and Laoqiao group， with 6 rats in each group. The Qingqiao and Laoqiao groups were administered orally once a day at a dose of 1.5 g·kg^-1， while the blank and model groups received an equivalent volume of saline for 3 consecutive days. The pathological conditions of rat lung tissues were comprehensively assessed by hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining， wet-to-dry mass ratio（W/D） of lung tissues， and protein concentration in rat bronchoalveolar lavage fluid（BALF）. The levels of interleukin（IL）-6， IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor（TNF）-α in BALF were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA）. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS was used to identify and analyze the chemical compositions of Qingqiao and Laoqiao， and serum metabolomics of rats in each group was analyzed， combined with multivariate statistical analysis with variable importance in the projection（VIP） value>1， P<0.05 from t-test， and fold change（FC）≥1.5 or FC≤0.5 to screen the differential metabolites Qingqiao and Laoqiao for the treatment of ALI. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes（KEGG） database was used in combination with MetaboAnalyst for the metabolic pathway analysis of the screened differential metabolites. ResultCompared with the blank group， rats in the model group exhibited enlarged alveolar lumen， ruptured alveoli， interstitial hemorrhage， bronchial exudation of a large number of neutrophils and erythrocytes， and a significant increase in the protein concentration in the BALF and the W/D value of the lung tissues（P<0.01）. In contrast， compared with the model group， rats in the Qingqiao group and the Laoqiao group showed reduced bronchial hemorrhage in the lungs， and the protein concentration in the BALF and the W/D value of the lung tissues were significantly decreased（P<0.01）， the lung injury was significantly alleviated， but more obvious in the Qingqiao group. Compared with the blank group， the expression levels of IL-6， IL-1β and TNF-α in the BALF of the model group were significantly higher（P<0.01）. Additionally， compared with the model group， the expression levels of IL-6， IL-1β and TNF-α in the Qingqiao and Laoqiao groups were significantly lower（P<0.01）. The chemical composition analysis of Qingqiao and Laoqiao revealed that 63 components were detected in Qingqiao and 55 components were detected in Laoqiao， with 47 common components， 16 components unique to Qingqiao and 8 components unique to Laoqiao. Characterizing the differences in serum metabolomics in rats， 19 and 12 metabolites were called back by Qingqiao and Laoqiao， respectively. The metabolic pathway enrichment analysis showed that Qingqiao exerted its therapeutic effects by affecting 6 key metabolic pathways， including linoleic acid metabolism， phenylalanine metabolism， phenylalanine， tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis， glycerophospholipid metabolism， α-linolenic acid metabolism， and arachidonic acid metabolism， and Laoqiao exerted therapeutic effects by affecting 6 key metabolic pathways， including linoleic acid metabolism， arachidonic acid metabolism， sphingolipid metabolism， phenylalanine metabolism， ascorbate and aldarate metabolism， and glycerophospholipid metabolism. ConclusionQingqiao and Laoqiao have therapeutic effects on ALI， and Qingqiao is more effective. Both of them can play a therapeutic role in ALI by regulating amino acid metabolism and lipid metabolism， but the metabolic pathways affected by them are different.

Objective We aimed to establish and evaluate a rat model of post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome(PI-IBS)with the pattern of liver depression and spleen deficiency coupled with dampness.Methods First,200 rats were randomly divided into the normal group,the infection group,the infection+stress group,the infection+stress+external dampness group,and the acetic acid+stress group(n=40 rats per group)for eight weeks.The rats were treated with Trichinella spiralis infection,chronic restraint stress,an artificial high-humidity climate,and/or acetic acid enema.Weight growth rate,24-hour food intake and water intake,and the fecal moisture percentage were recorded.The open field test and the sucrose consumption test were used to determine the behavioral characteristics of rats in each group.The abdominal withdrawal reflex(AWR)test was used to determine visceral sensitivity.The contents of 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)and aquaporin 4(AQP4)in colon tissue were detected by ELISA.Results Compared with the normal group,the weight growth rate of rats in the infection+stress+external dampness group and the acetic acid+stress group was lower from Week 1 to Week 8 of modeling.The 24-hour food intake of rats in the infection+stress+external dampness group and the infection+stress group was lower than that in the normal group from Week 2 to Week 8 of modeling.At the end of week 2 of modeling,the 24-hour water intake of rats in the infection+stress+external dampness group,the acetic acid+stress group,and the infection+stress group was lower than that in the normal group.The fecal moisture percentage of rats in the infection+stress+external dampness group was higher than that in the normal group at the end of Week 1,6,and 8(P＜0.05).At the end of Week 4 of modeling,the total distance in the open field test in the infection+stress+external dampness group and the acetic acid+stress group was shorter than that in the normal group.The sugar preference rate in the infection+stress+external dampness group was lower than that in the normal group at the end of 1,4,and 8 weeks and lower than that in the acetic acid+stress group at the end of Week 4 and 8(P＜0.05).The AWR scores of rats in the infection+stress+external dampness group were higher than those in the normal group after week 1 at 60 and 80 mmHg(1 mmHg≈0.133 kPa),after Week 4 at 40,60,and 80 mmHg,and after Week 6 and 8 at 20,40,and 80 mmHg(P＜0.05).At the end of Week 2 and 4,a large number of inflammatory cells were infiltrated in the colonic mucosa of the intervention groups,and the inflammation score was higher than that of the normal group(P＜0.05).At the end of weeks 6 and 8,the inflammatory cell infiltration in the intestinal mucosa of the intervention groups was not obvious,and the colonic mucosa returned to normal.At the end of weeks 6 and 8,the 5-HT content was higher in the infection+stress group,the infection+stress+external dampness group,and the acetic acid+stress group than in the normal group(P＜0.05).After Week 4,the AQP4 content was lower in the infection+stress+external dampness group and the acetic acid+stress group than that in the normal group(P＜0.05).After week 6,compared to the normal group,the AQP4 content was lower in all groups except for the acetic acid+stress group,and the AQP4 content in the infection+stress+external dampness group was lower than that in the acetic acid+stress group.After week 8,only in the infection+stress+external dampness group the AQP4 content was lower than in the normal group(P＜0.05).Conclusion The combination of Trichinella spiralis infection,chronic restraint stress,and an artificial high-humidity climate can be used to prepare a relatively stable and reliable rat model of PI-IBS with the pattern of liver depression and spleen deficiency with dampness.

Objective:To investigate the relation between rs2298771 genotype in voltage-gated sodium channels 1A ( SCN1A) polymorphism and antiepileptic drug (AED) response in children with epilepsy. Methods:Sixty-two children with epilepsy admitted to Department of Neurology, Zhangjiakou First Hospital from June 2022 to December 2023 were divided into AED response group and AED resistance group ( n=31) according to their response to AED. In addition, 31 children with pharyngitis or mild gastroenteritis admitted to Department of Pediatrics at the same period were selected as control group. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to analyze the rs2298771 genotype in SCN1A polymorphism, and differences in rs2298771 genotype and allele in SCN1A polymorphism were compared among the 3 groups. Relation between rs2298771 genotype in SCN1A polymorphism and AED response was analyzed. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors for AED response in children with epilepsy. Results:(1) Significant differences in type of first seizure and AEDs were noted between AED response group and AED resistance group ( P<0.05); compared with the AED resistance group, the AED response group had significantly lower seizure frequency, significantly longer duration after last seizure, and statistically higher proportions of children with normal EEG or with one kind of AED ( P?0.05). (2) Compared with the control group and AED response group, the AED resistance group had significantly higher rs2298771 GC genotype and G allele, and statistically lower rs2298771 AA genotype and A allele in SCN1A polymorphism ( P?0.05). (3) In the AED response group, rs2298771 AA and AG genotype in SCN1A polymorphism were positively correlated with levetiracetam ( P?0.05); in AED resistance group, rs2298771 AG genotype in SCN1A polymorphism was positively correlated with topiramate and valproic acid ( P<0.05). (4) Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that duration after last seizure ( OR=3.249, 95% CI=1.097-9.621, P=0.033), rs2298771 genotype in SCN1A polymorphism ( OR=9.660, 95% CI=4.680-19.970, P=0.011) and seizure frequency ( OR=0.160, 95% CI=0.032-0.804, P=0.026) were independent influencing factors for AED response in children with epilepsy. Conclusion:Epilepsy children with shorter duration after last seizure, rs2298771 GG genotype in SCN1A polymorphism, and high seizure frequency are susceptible to AED resistance; especially, AG genotype is correlated with topiramate and valproic acid.

Photon Counting Detector(PCD)is a device used to detect X-ray photons,which can directly convert the energy of photons into electrical signals to achieve photon counting and measurement.PCD-based energy spectrum computed tomography(PCD-CT)technology can provide additional energy spectral imaging information,and improve imaging quality while reducing radiation dose.Compared with energy integrating detectors(EID),PCD has advantages of high energy conversion efficiency,good imaging quality,exquisite structural design,and wide application range.It has broad application prospects in ultra-low-dose CT,specific disease diagnosis,and industrial inspection.The application of PCD-CT in spectral CT imaging was reviewed to provide a useful reference for its application in clinical medical diagnosis and industrial applications.