Objective To explore the correlation between serum angiotensin-converting enzyme(SACE),matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9)and haptoglobin(HPT)with pulmonary infection in patients with schizophrenia.Methods A total of 83 patients with schizophrenia were selected and divided into the infected group(40 cases)and the non-infected group(43 cases)according to whether they had pulmonary infection.Data of antipsychotic drugs,length of hospital stay,course of disease and electroconvulsive therapy were collected.Serum SACE,MMP-9 and HPT levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Spearman correlation analysis was used to determine serum SACE,MMP-9 and HPT and pulmonary infection in patients with schizophrenia.Logistic regression was used to analyze risk factors for pulmonary infection in patients with schizophrenia,and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were used to evaluate the predictive value of serum SACE,MMP-9 and HPT in patients with pulmonary infection.Results Before treatment,the types of antipsychotic drugs≥2,the proportion of electroconvulsive therapy,serum SACE,MMP-9 and HPT levels were higher in the infected group than those in the non-infected group(P＜0.05).After treatment,there were no significant differences in serum SACE,MMP-9 and HPT levels between the infected group and the non-infected group(P＞0.05).Serum SACE,MMP-9 and HPT were positively correlated with pulmonary infection in patients with schizophrenia(P＜0.05).More than 2 types of antipsychotic drugs,electroconvulsive therapy and elevated SACE,MMP-9 and HPT were risk factors for pulmonary infection in schizophrenia patients(P＜0.05).The ROC curve analysis showed that the combined serum SACE,MMP-9 and HPT for pneumonia in schizophrenic patients were better than each of these indicators alone in predicting pulmonary infection in patients with schizophrenia.Conclusion Serum SACE,MMP-9 and HPT are related with pulmonary infection in patients with schizophrenia,and which can be used as potential indicators for predicting pulmonary infection in patients with schizophrenia.

Objective To explore the correlation between serum angiotensin-converting enzyme(SACE),matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9)and haptoglobin(HPT)with pulmonary infection in patients with schizophrenia.Methods A total of 83 patients with schizophrenia were selected and divided into the infected group(40 cases)and the non-infected group(43 cases)according to whether they had pulmonary infection.Data of antipsychotic drugs,length of hospital stay,course of disease and electroconvulsive therapy were collected.Serum SACE,MMP-9 and HPT levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Spearman correlation analysis was used to determine serum SACE,MMP-9 and HPT and pulmonary infection in patients with schizophrenia.Logistic regression was used to analyze risk factors for pulmonary infection in patients with schizophrenia,and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were used to evaluate the predictive value of serum SACE,MMP-9 and HPT in patients with pulmonary infection.Results Before treatment,the types of antipsychotic drugs≥2,the proportion of electroconvulsive therapy,serum SACE,MMP-9 and HPT levels were higher in the infected group than those in the non-infected group(P＜0.05).After treatment,there were no significant differences in serum SACE,MMP-9 and HPT levels between the infected group and the non-infected group(P＞0.05).Serum SACE,MMP-9 and HPT were positively correlated with pulmonary infection in patients with schizophrenia(P＜0.05).More than 2 types of antipsychotic drugs,electroconvulsive therapy and elevated SACE,MMP-9 and HPT were risk factors for pulmonary infection in schizophrenia patients(P＜0.05).The ROC curve analysis showed that the combined serum SACE,MMP-9 and HPT for pneumonia in schizophrenic patients were better than each of these indicators alone in predicting pulmonary infection in patients with schizophrenia.Conclusion Serum SACE,MMP-9 and HPT are related with pulmonary infection in patients with schizophrenia,and which can be used as potential indicators for predicting pulmonary infection in patients with schizophrenia.

The Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT) control natural killer (NK) cells development and cytotoxic functions, however, whether long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in this pathway remains unknown. We found that miR155HG was elevated in activated NK cells and promoted their proliferation and effector functions in both NK92 and induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived NK (iPSC-NK) cells, without reliance on its derived miR-155 and micropeptide P155. Mechanistically, miR155HG bound to miR-6756 and relieved its repression of JAK3 expression, thereby promoting the JAK-STAT pathway and enhancing NK cell proliferation and function. Further investigations disclosed that upon cytokine stimulation, STAT3 directly interacts with miR155HG promoter and induces miR155HG transcription. Collectively, we identify a miR155HG-mediated positive feedback loop of the JAK-STAT signaling. Our study will also provide a power target regarding miR155HG for improving NK cell generation and effector function in the field of NK cell adoptive transfer therapy against cancer, especially iPSC-derived NK cells.

Objective To determine the effects of cardiac resynchronization therapy at different pacing sites on electrocardiogram(ECG),left ventricular(LV)function and adverse events in elderly patients with heart failure(HF).Methods A total of 214 elderly HF patients admitted to our department between July 2021 and July 2024 were retrospectively recruited.According to different pacing sites in cardiac resynchronization therapy,they were divided into His bundle group(102 cases)and left bundle branch group(112 cases).Their grades of New York Heart Association(NYHA)cardiac function,duration of QRS complex,pacing parameters(pacing threshold,pacing perception,pacing resistance),cardiac function indicators,LV function,LV systolic synchrony[standard deviation of time to peak longitudinal strain,to peak radial strain and to peak circumferential strain(Tls-SD,Trs-SD and Tcs-SD)],and incidence of adverse events were compared between the two groups before and at 6 months after cardiac pacemaker implantation.Results In 6 months after surgery the left bundle branch group had significantly lower N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide level,smaller LV end-diastolic diameter and LV end-systolic diameter,decreased Tls-SD,Trs-SD and Tcs-SD,and shorter duration of QRS complex,but higher LV ejection fraction,cardiac index and cardiac output when compared with the His bundle group(P＜0.01).The incidence of adverse events was obviously lower in the left bundle branch group than the His bundle group(6.25％vs 15.69％,P＜0.05).Conclusion Left bundle branch pacing shows significant improvement for cardiac function in elderly HF patients,and can effectively maintain ECG stability and improve LV function.It is a safe and effective cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Pathological interaction between CD4 + T cells and B cells is one of the important mechanisms of systemic autoimmune diseases. Follicular helper T cells (Tfh) and peripheral helper T cells (Tph) are key cells for assisting B cells. Tph cell is a newly discovered helper T cell subset, and their phenotype is PD-1 highCXCR5 -CD4 +. Tph cell and Tfh cell have certain differences in phenotype, function, and site of action. It interacts with B cells, promoting the differentiation of B cells into plasma cells and the production of autoantibodies, as well as promoting the formation of ELS to maintain local inflammation and antibody responses. Tph cells have recently been reported in various autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren′s syndrome, and IgG4-related diseases. This review summarizes the progress in peripheral immune response of Tph cells in different systemic autoimmune diseases, aiming to explore the new mechanism of autoantibody production and help to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic targets in the future.

Urolithiasis represents a prevalent clinical challenge marked by high recurrence rates and morbidity，with existing preventive strategies struggling to effectively curb its epidemic trajectory，thereby posing a significant threat to public health. The etiology of this condition is intricate，involving a complex network of interactions spanning classical supersaturation-crystallization theory，Randall’s plaque theory，and multifactorial elements such as cellular injury，inflammatory responses，metabolic derangements，the gut-kidney axis，immune dysregulation，and genetic predisposition. However，the critical mechanisms initiating stone formation and the early pathophysiological processes remain incompletely elucidated，constituting the core impasse in current preventive strategies. This review systematically synthesizes classical theories and cutting-edge advancements in urolithiasis etiology research，emphasizing the urgent need to integrate emerging technologies，including high-dimensional omics，advanced imaging modalities，and artificial intelligence，to dissect pivotal pathological nodes in early stone formation. Such interdisciplinary efforts are essential to overcome cognitive bottlenecks and ultimately achieve personalized，precision-based prevention strategies.

The core update of the 2025 edition of the European Association of Urology（EAU）Guidelines on Urolithiasis is reflected in the addition of a new section titled "Genetic Factors and Testing"，which systematically defines the clinical application standards for genetic testing in urolithiasis. Given the significant impact of genetic factors on the pathogenesis of urolithiasis，the guidelines recommend genetic testing for specific populations，including urolithiasis patients aged ≤ 25 years，adult patients aged > 25 years with suspected hereditary or metabolic diseases，patients with recurrent stones，bilateral stones，or a family history of urolithiasis. In terms of testing technology，the guidelines suggest using next-generation sequencing（NGS）technology to identify pathogenic genetic variants，while emphasizing that testing should be combined with patients’ metabolic assessment and professional genetic counseling to improve diagnostic accuracy. If hereditary urolithiasis is confirmed，further genetic screening of the patient’s family members is required. The guideline update of this newly added section provides precise guidance on genetic testing for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of urolithiasis，which is conducive to promoting the practice of personalized treatment for urolithiasis and thereby improving the clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Objective To explore the preoperative assessment of the differentiation degree of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),based on the imaging features observed on gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid(Gd-EOB-DTPA)enhanced MRI HCC.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 198 patients with HCC confirmed by surgery or biopsy pathology,all of whom underwent Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced examination before operation.According to pathological results,HCC patients were divided into poorly-differentiated group(group A,69 cases),moderately-differentiated group(group B,97 cases)and well-differentiated group(group C,32 cases).The signal-to-noise ratio(SNR),contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR),relative intensity ratio(RIR,,RIR2),and enhancement ratio(ER)of hepatobiliary phase HCC were calculated and analyzed.Results The CNR was the high-est in the group A and the lowest in the group C.Conversely,the SIHCC unenhanced,SIHCC hepatobiliary phase,and RIR1,RIR2 all were the highest in the group C and the lowest in the group A.There were statistically significant differences between the group C and the group B,as well as the group C and the group A(P＜0.05).Regarding signal characteristics during the hepatobiliary phase,the group A had the highest proportion of low/slightly low signal,while the group C had the lowest proportion.A statistically significant difference was observed between the group C and the group A(P＜0.05).Conclusion The Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced MRI is helpful to preoperative assessment the differentiation degree of HCC.The higher the signal in the hepatobiliary phase,the smaller the CNR,the larger val-ues for the SIHCCunenhanced,SIHCC hepatobiliaryphase and RIR1,RIR2 are associated with the better the differentiation degree of HCC.

Objective To explore the impact of national volume-based procurement policies on the use of medicines in treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia （BPH） and provide data support for the rational clinical use of medicines in BPH treatment. Methods Data on the use of BPH treatment medications from 2019 to 2023 were extracted from the Chinese Medicine Economic Information Network （CMEI）, covering 892 hospitals （including 645 tertiary hospitals and 247 secondary hospitals）. The changes in various indicators, including the consumption sum, Defined daily doses （DDDs）, Defined daily dose cost （DDDc）, and the ranking ratio （B/A） of these drugs were analyzed and compared. Results From 2019 to 2023, due to the influence of relevant policies, the overall consumption sums of medicines used in the sample hospitals in BPH treatment showed a trend of decreasing first and then rising steadily. The DDDs showed an overall upward trend, while the DDDc demonstrated a gradual decline. Tamsulosin and finasteride consistently ranked first and second in DDDs. The B/A value for tamsulosin was significantly higher than that of other BPH treatment medications. Conclusion The implementation of national centralized drug volume-based procurement policies and other policies from 2019 to 2023 had effectively reduced the economic burden of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Tamsulosin and finasteride, which had the highest B/A in the two categories of α-blockers and 5α-reductase inhibitors, dominated the market for BPH treatment. The clinical use of BPH treatment medications was relatively rational.

N-acetyl-p-aminophenol （APAP） is an antipyretic analgesic commonly used in clinical practice， and APAP overdose can cause severe liver injury and even death. In recent years， the incidence rate of APAP-induced liver injury （AILI） tends to increase， and it has become the second most common cause of liver transplantation worldwide. Autophagy is a highly conserved catabolic process that removes unwanted cytosolic proteins and organelles through lysosomal degradation to achieve the metabolic needs of cells themselves and the renewal of organelles. A large number of studies have shown that autophagy plays a key role in the pathophysiology of AILI， involving the mechanisms such as APAP protein conjugates， oxidative stress， JNK activation， mitochondrial dysfunction， inflammatory response and apoptosis. This article elaborates on the biological mechanism of autophagy in AILI， in order to provide a theoretical basis for the treatment of AILI and the development of autophagy regulators.