Objective To explore the safety and effects of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) in patients with ischemic heart failure (IHF). Methods A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was designed (ClinicalTrial.gov registration number NCT03491969). From January 2019 to January 2023, 300 patients with IHF were enrolled in four medical centers in China, and were randomly assigned at a 1∶1 ratio to receive ALA (600 mg daily) or placebo on top of standard care for 24 months. The primary outcome was the composite outcome of hospitalization for heart failure (HF) or all-cause mortality events. The second outcome included non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), non-fatal stroke, changes of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) from baseline to 24 months after randomization. Results Finally, 138 patients of the ALA group and 139 patients of the placebo group attained the primary outcome. Hospitalization for HF or all-cause mortality events occurred in 32 patients (23.2%) of the ALA group and in 40 patients (28.8%) of the placebo group (HR＝0.753, 95%CI 0.473-1.198, P＝0.231; Figure 1A-1C). The absolute risk reduction (ARR) was 5.6%, the relative risk reduction (RRR) associated with ALA therapy was approximately 19.4% compared to placebo, corresponding to a number needed to treat (NNT) of 18 patients to prevent one event. In the secondary outcome analysis, the composite outcome of the major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) including the hospitalization for HF, all-cause mortality events, non-fatal MI or non-fatal stroke occurred in 35 patients (25.4%) in the ALA group and 47 patients (33.8%) in the placebo group (HR＝0.685, 95%CI 0.442-1.062, P＝0.091; Figure 1D). Moreover, greater improvement in LVEF (β＝3.20, 95%CI 1.14-5.23, P＝0.002) and 6MWD (β＝31.7, 95%CI 8.3-54.7, P＝0.008) from baseline to 24 months after randomization were observed in the ALA group as compared to the placebo group. There were no differences in adverse events between the study groups. Conclusions These results show potential long-term beneficial effects of adding ALA to IHF patients. ALA could significantly improve LVEF and 6MWD compared to the placebo group in IHF patients.

Gene therapy, harnessing the power of CRISPR-Cas9 and/or DNAzyme systems, stands as a pivotal approach in cancer therapy, enabling the meticulous manipulation of genes pivotal to tumorigenesis and immunity. However, the pursuit of precise gene therapy encounters formidable hurdles. Herein, a near-infrared upconversion theranostic nanomachine is devised and tailors for CRISPR-Cas9/DNAzyme systems mediate precise gene therapy. An ingenious logic DNAzyme system consists of Chain 1 (C1)/Chain 2 (C2) and endogenous lncRNA is designed. We employ manganese modified upconversion nanoparticles for carrying ultraviolet-responsive C1-PC linker-C2 (C₂P) chain and Cas9 ribonucleoprotein (RNP), with outermost coats with hyaluronic acid. Upon reaching tumor microenvironment (TME), the released Mn²⁺ ions orchestrate a trifecta: facilitating endosomal escape, activating cGAS-STING signaling, and enabling T1-magnetic resonance imaging. Under near-infrared irradiation, Cas9 RNP/C₂P complex dissociates, releasing Cas9 RNP into the nucleus to perform gene editing of Ptpn2, while C1/C2 chains self-assemble with endogenous lncRNA to form a functional DNAzyme system, targeting PD-L1 mRNA for gene silencing. This strategy remodels the TME by activating cGAS-STING signaling and dual immune checkpoints blockade, thus realizing tumor elimination. Our theranostic nanomachine armed with the CRISPR-Cas9/DNAzyme logic systems, represents a resourceful and promising strategy for advancing cancer systemic immunotherapy and precise gene therapy.

Objective:To explore the specific role and molecular mechanism of octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (Oct4) in promoting the progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and radioresistance.Methods:The Gene Expression Profile Data Dynamic Analysis (GEPIA) database was used to analyze the expression differences of the Oct4 gene in different types of tumor tissues and their corresponding adjacent normal tissues. The clinical data and surgical resection tissue specimens of 196 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who received surgery combined with radiotherapy at Henan Provincial Chest Hospital from January 2013 to May 2022 were collected. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of Oct4 protein in the tumor and adjacent tissues. The lentiviral packaging system was used to construct esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell lines that up-regulated or down-regulated Oct4. The cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) was used to detect the cell proliferation ability, the scratch test was used to detect the cell migration ability, and the clone formation test was used to detect the cell radiosensitivity. Immunofluorescence experiment was used to detect DNA damage level, and Western blot was used to detect the expressions of Oct4, human phosphorylated histone (γ-H2AX), E-cadherin, N-cadherin, vimentin, and zinc finger E box binding homology box 1 (ZEB1).Results:The analysis of GEPIA database showed that the expression level of Oct4 mRNA in esophageal carcinoma was higher than that in paracancerous tissues. The expression level of Oct4 protein in tumor tissues was 78.35±1.42, which was higher than that in adjacent tissues (16.27±0.49). The survival time of patients with a high expression of Oct4 was significantly shorter than that of patients with a low expression of Oct4 (25.40 and 47.00 months). Compared with the control group, the proliferation ability of KYSE510 cells in the Oct4 up-regulated group was enhanced after 72-h culture, and the cell migration ability of these cells was also enhanced, with the migration rate being (41.67±1.20)% vs (23.67±1.86)% after 24-h culture. The radiosensitivity of cells in this group decreased, with the radiosensitivity enhancement ratio being 0.69±0.06 vs 1.00±0.02. After radiotherapy, the expressions of γ-H2AX and E-cadherin decreased, while the expressions of ZEB1, vimentin and N-cadherin increased. Compared with the control group, the proliferation ability of KYSE150 cells in the Oct4 down-regulated groups 1 and 2 decreased (absorbance being 2.51±0.17, 2.38±0.16, and 3.33±0.07, respectively, P＜0.01) after 72-h culture, and the migration ability also decreased, with the migration rate being (13.33±0.88)%, (13.00±1.00)%, and (40.33±2.03)%, respectively (all P＜0.001), after 24-h culture. The radiosensitivity was enhanced, with the radiosensitivity enhancement ratio being 1.34±0.11,1.24±0.07, and 1.00±0.02, respectively (all P＜0.05). After radiotherapy, the expressions of γ-H2AX and E-cadherin increased, while the expressions of ZEB1, vimentin and N-cadherin decreased. Compared with the control group, the proliferation ability of KYSE510 cells in the ZEB1 down-regulated group decreased [absorbance being 1.33±0.15 vs 1.81±0.16 ( P=0.002)] after 72-h culture. The radiosensitivity was enhanced, with the radiosensitivity enhancement ratio being 1.37±0.11 vs 1.00±0.01 ( P=0.037), and after radiotherapy the expression of γ-H2AX increased. Conclusion:Oct4 is involved in the regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transformation of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, which promotes the proliferation, migration, and radioresistance of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective:We genetically modified our non-replicating vaccinia virus NTV to improve its immunogenicity.Methods:We constructed NTV-modified strain NTV-ΔF1L-C7L by homologous recombination of vaccinia virus based on CRISPR-Cas9 technology by inserting the C7L gene while deleting the F1L gene. The recombinant virus NTV-ΔF1L-C7L was then immunized with 10 7 PFU in BALB/c mice, and the levels of humoral and cellular immunity induced by NTV-ΔF1L-C7L were detected by ELISA and ELISpot method, respectively, and the levels of neutralizing antibodies were determined by the phage-reduced neutralization assay. Results:The PCR and western- blot identification proved that the F1L gene of the constructed NTV-modified strain NTV-ΔF1L-C7L was missing, while the C7L gene was inserted back in the region, and the C7L gene could be expressed normally, indicating that the recombinant virus was constructed correctly. After immunization of mice with NTV-ΔF1L-C7L, ELISA result showed that the recombinant virus NTV-ΔF1L-C7L induced a higher level of IgG antibody than NTV; ELISpot result also showed that the recombinant virus was able to induce a higher level of IFN-γ; and the result of plaque reduction neutralization test showed that the recombinant virus was able to induce a higher level of IFN-γ antibody than that of NTV.Conclusions:We correctly constructed the NTV gene-modified strain NTV-ΔF1L-C7L, which induced stronger humoral and cellular immunity compared with NTV, and provided reference data for the research and development of replacement products for smallpox or monkeypox vaccines.

Objective:To investigate the role of RNA m6A methylation in mediating cerebellar dysplasia through analyzing the phenotypes of the mouse cerebella and the expression of several key m6A regulators upon hypobaric hypoxia treatment.Methods:Five-day old C57/BL6 mice were exposed to hypobaric hypoxia for 9 days. The status of mouse cerebellar development was analyzed by comparing the body weights, brain weights and histological features. Immunostaining of cell-type-specific markers was performed to analyze the cerebellar morphology. Real-time PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemical staining were performed to detect the expression of key m6A regulators in the mouse cerebella.Results:Compared with the control, the body weights, brain weights and cerebellar volumes of hypobaric hypoxic mice were significantly reduced ( P<0.01). The expression of specific markers in different cells, including NeuN (mature neuron), Calbindin-D28K (Purkinje cell) and GFAP (astrocyte), was decreased in hypobaric hypoxic mouse cerebella ( P<0.01), accompanied with disorganized cellular structure. The expression of methyltransferase METTL3 was significantly down-regulated in the cerebella of hypobaric hypoxic mice ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Hypobaric hypoxia stimulation causes mouse cerebellar dysplasia, with structural abnormalities in mature granular neurons, Purkinje cells and astrocytes. Expression of METTL3 is decreased in hypobaric hypoxic mice cerebellum compared with that of normobaric normoxic mice, suggesting that its mediated RNA m6A methylation may play an important role in hypobaric hypoxia-induced mouse cerebellar dysplasia.

Objective:To investigate the role of RNA m6A reader YTHDF2 in neurodegeneration of the aged mice.Methods:Eighteen 18-month-old control C57BL/6 mice and 22 Ythdf2 conditional knockout (cKO) mice of the same age (that exhibited significant aging characteristics) were used. Five pairs of mice were used for morphological analysis. Thirteen control mice and 17 cKO mice were used for behavioral experiments. Immunofluorescence analysis was performed to detect the expression of YTHDF2 in the brains of 18-month-old C57BL/6 mice. After establishing the neural progenitor cell-specific knockout mice of Ythdf2, their phenotypes were analyzed through comparison of body weight, brain weight and H&E staining. Subsequently, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence analyses were used to detect the expression of various neural cell-specific markers in the aged control mice and Ythdf2 cKO mice. Finally, behavioral tests, including the open field test, new object recognition, and water maze, were used to assess the levels of anxiety, depression, learning and memory abilities.Results:Immunofluorescence staining showed that YTHDF2 was mainly expressed in the neurons. Compared with the age-matched control mice, there was no significant change in the body weight of the Ythdf2 cKO mice, but the brain weight decreased significantly ( P<0.05). The immunostaining showed that Ythdf2 cKO mice had fewer neurons, fewer astrocytes with defective morphology, more microglia and activation of microglia ( P<0.05). Behavioral tests showed that the aged Ythdf2 cKO mice exhibited impaired movement, learning and memory abilities ( P<0.05). Conclusions:YTHDF2 is mainly expressed in the neurons of the aged brain. Conditional knockout of Ythdf2 causes quantitative and structural abnormalities in hippocampal neuronal cells, and impairs motor ability and learning and memory of the aged mice, suggesting that YTHDF2 plays an important role in neurodegeneration of the aged mice.

Objective:To evaluate the correlation between ultrasound parameters of internal carotid artery blood flow and regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rScO 2) in elderly patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Methods:Sixty-four elderly patients undergoing elective CABG under CPB, aged 60-80 yr, regardless of gender, with body mass index of 18.1-28.9 kg/m 2, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅱ or Ⅲ, with New York Heart Association class Ⅱ or Ⅲ, with left ventricular ejection fraction≥50%, were selected. The rScO 2 and ultrasonic parameters of internal carotid artery including peak systolic velocity (PSV-ICA), end-diastolic velocity (EDV-ICA), diameter (D-ICA) and blood flow volume (Q-ICA) were recorded before anesthesia induction (T 0), at surgical skin incision (T 1), at 30 and 60 min of CPB (mean value was calculated, T 2), and at 30 and 60 min after termination of CPB (mean value was calculated, T 3). The ratio of unilateral internal carotid artery blood flow to cardiac output (Q/CO) was calculated. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to analyze the accuracy of ultrasound parameters of internal carotid artery blood flow in predicting rScO 2 < 60%. Results:PSV-ICA was positively correlated with rScO 2 at T 0, T 1 and T 3 ( P<0.05), but no correlation was found between PSV-ICA and rScO 2 at T 2 ( P>0.05). There was no correlation between EDV-ICA and rScO 2 at each time point ( P>0.05). Q-ICA was positively correlated with rScO 2 at each time point ( P<0.05). Q/CO was not correlated with rScO 2 at T 1 ( P>0.05), but Q/CO was positively correlated with rScO 2 at T 2 and T 3 ( P<0.05). During the non-CPB period (T 0, T 1, T 3), the cutoff values of PSV-ICA and Q-ICA in predicting rScO 2< 60% were 51.35 cm/s and 283.5 ml/min respectively, the sensitivity was 0.900 and 0.900 respectively, and the specificity was 0.610 and 0.857 respectively (AUC=0.761, P=0.006; AUC=0.903, P< 0.001). During the CPB period, the cutoff values of Q-ICA and Q/CO in predicting rScO 2<60% were 296.5 ml/min and 5.84% respectively, the sensitivity was 0.900 and 0.800, and the specificity was 0.545 and 0.659 (AUC=0.764, P=0.001; AUC=0.748, P=0.002), respectively. Conclusions:PSV-ICA and Q-ICA are positively correlated with rScO 2 during the non-CPB period, and Q-ICA and Q/CO are positively correlated with rScO 2 during the CPB period in elderly patients undergoing CABG. PSV-ICA, Q-ICA and Q/CO can accurately predict rScO 2<60%.

Objective:To investigate the bacterial isolate distribution and differences of antimicrobial resistance among community-acquired infection，healthcare-associated infection and hospital-acquired infection.Methods:Bacterial isolates from clinical specimens were collected in Xi'an No.1 Hospital between January 2019 and December 2023 and categorized into community-acquired infection（CAI），healthcare-associated infection（HCAI）and hospital-acquired infection（HAI）. The bacterial distribution and antimicrobial resistance differences among the three groups were compared. Data were analyzed with SPSS 22.0 statistical software.Results:A total of 9 762 bacterial strains were collected：2 258 strains（23.1%）in CAI group，763 strains（7.8%）in HCAI group and 6 741 strains（69.1%）in HAI group. In HCAI group，the detection rate of Escherichia coli was lower than that in CAI group，and higher than that in HAI group（ χ2=106.335 and 69.603，both P<0.001）. The detection rates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii in HCAI group were higher than those in CAI group（ χ2=35.749 and 65.098，both P<0.001），and lower than those in HAI group（ χ2=26.350 and 115.885，both P<0.001）. The detection rate of Staphylococcus aureus in HCAI group was higher than that in CAI and HAI groups（ χ2=5.745 and 13.992，both P<0.05）. In HCAI group，the detection rate of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus（MRSA）was lower than that in HAI group（ χ2=69.005， P<0.001）；and MRSA in HCAI demonstrated higher resistance to levofloxacin and moxifloxacin than that in CAI group（ χ2=13.634 and 13.083，both P<0.001），and lower than that in HAI group（ χ2=17.927 and 21.937，both P<0.001）. The resistance rates of Escherichia coli to piperacillin/tazobactam，ceftriaxone，ceftazidime，cefoperazone/sulbactam，ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin in HCAI group were higher than those in CAI group，and the resistance rates to cefoperazone/sulbactam，meropenem，imipenem and amikacin in HCAI group were lower than those in HAI group（all P<0.05）. For Klebsiella pneumoniae，the resistance rate in HCAI group was higher than that in CAI group and lower than that in HAI group to all antibacterial agents，except for nitrofurantoin（all P<0.01）. For Pseudomonas aeruginosa，the resistance rate in HCAI group was higher than that in CAI group（ χ2=14.107，14.819，16.822 and 15.998，all P<0.001）and lower than that in HAI group（ χ2=7.821，4.671，18.070 and 17.552，all P<0.05）to piperacillin/tazobactam，cefoperazone/sulbactam，meropenem and imipenem. Acinetobacter baumannii in HCAI group demonstrated lower resistance to piperacillin/tazobactam，meropenem，imipenem，ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin than that in HAI group（ χ2=32.263，31.526，42.417，25.277 and 6.798，all P<0.01）. Conclusion:The bacterial distribution and antimicrobial resistance in HCAI group are different from CAI and HAI groups. It is recommended to carry out precise antibiotic resistance surveillance in different categories of infections for rational antibiotic use.

Objective To assess the impact of intravenous esketamine administered prior to car-diopulmonary bypass(CPB)initiation on ventricular function and internal carotid artery blood flow in pa-tients undergoing heart valve replacement surgery.Methods Sixty patients underwent elective CPB heart valve replacement,38 males and 22 females,aged 18-75 years,BMI 18.5-30.0 kg/m2,ASA physical status Ⅱ or Ⅲ,NYHA cardiac function classification Ⅰ-Ⅲ,and a left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)of≥45％,were selected.The patients were randomly divided into two groups:esketamine group(group E)and normal saline group(group C),30 patients in each group.Total intravenous anesthesia was used during the operation.Following the initiation of CPB,group E received an intravenous infusion of es-ketamine at a rate of 0.5 mg·kg-1·h-1 until the conclusion of the procedure,while group C received an equivalent volume of normal saline concurrently at the same rate.HR,MAP,CVP,and cardiac output index(CI)were recorded before anesthesia induction,during skin resection,and within 60 minutes after stopping CPB.LVEF,left ventricular global longitudinal strain(GLS),global longitudinal time-to-peak strain standard deviation(GLTSD),global circumferential strain(GCS),global circumferential time-to-peak strain standard deviation(GCTSD),right ventricular ejection fraction(RVEF),right ventricular GLS,and GLTSD were obtained during skin resection,within 40 minutes of CPB,and 60 minutes after stopping CPB.rScO2,BIS,concentrations of Hb and lactic acid(Lac),peak systolic flow velocity(SPV),quantity of flow-internal carotid artery(Q-ICA),and blood flow resistance index(RI)were recorded before anesthesia induction,during skin resection,within 40 minutes of CPB,and within 60 minutes after stopping CPB.Concentrations of cardiac troponin Ⅰ(cTnⅠ),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),creatinine(Cr),and neuron-specific enolase(NSE)were recorded before anesthesia induction and 6 hours after operation.Spon-taneous resuscitation after CPB,postoperative extubation time,duration of ICU stay,total hospital stay,in-cidence of adverse cardiac events,and 30-day postoperative mortality were recorded.Results Compared with group C,group E exhibited a significant increase in CI within 60 minutes after stopping CPB(P＜0.05).The LVEF,RVEF,and right ventricular GLS demonstrated significant increases within 60 minutes after stopping CPB in group E compared with group C(P＜0.05).The left ventricular GLS and left ven-tricular GCTSD displayed significant increases 30 minutes after stopping CPB in group E compared with group C.The RI exhibited a significant increase within 40 minutes of CPB in group E compared with group C(P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in cTnⅠ,ALT,Cr,NSE,spontaneous resuscitation affter CPB,postoperative extubation time,duration of ICU stay,total hospital stay,incidence of cardiac adverse events,and 30-day postoperative mortality between the two groups.Conclusion Administration of esket-amine following the onset of CPB in patients undergoing cardiac surgery demonstrates a significant elevation in CI post-CPB cessation.Furthermore,it may augment ventricular longitudinal strain,thereby enhancing myocardial contraction,leading to increased postoperative ventricular ejection fraction,and sustaining hemo-dynamic stability.

Objective To investigate the effects of cinnamaldehyde,the main active component of cinnamon,on benzene-induced immune injury in mice and the related mechanism.Methods Forty male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the control group,model group(benzene 500 mg/kg),cinnamaldehyde low,medium and high dose groups(5,25,50 mg/kg),with 8 mice in each group.Except the control group,mice in each group were treated with benzene by intragastric administration daily to induce immune and oxidative stress damage,but the intervention group was treated with cinnamaldehyde 5 times/week for 3 weeks.After medication,peripheral blood was collected 24 h after the last gavage for blood cell count,and the changes in body weight of mice in each group were observed.The pathological structure of the spleen and thymus was observed via hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining.Peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)of mice were extracted and the amounts of reactive oxygen species(ROS)and ATP in mitochondria were measured.Plasma levels of malondialdehyde(MDA)were measured using the barbituric acid method,the activity of glutathione peroxidase(GSH-PX)in plasmawith the dithiodinitrobenzoic acid methodand the activity of total superoxide dismutase(SOD)in plasma using the hydroxylamine method.Results After exposure to benzene,the body weight of the model group became lower(P<0.05).The spleen and thymus were damaged,and the indexes of the spleen and thymus were decreased(P<0.05).Counts of peripheral white blood cells and lymphocyteswere decreased(P<0.05).The activities of GSH and SOD in plasma were decreased(P<0.05),but the content of MDA was increased(P<0.05).The amount of mitochondrial ROS in PBMC was increased,while the ATP content was decreased(P<0.05).The weight of mice increased after treatment with cinnamaldehyde.The spleen and thymus tissues recovered well,and the indexes of the spleen and thymus were increased(P<0.05).Counts of peripheral white blood cells and lymphocytesin the high dose cinnamaldehyde group were increased(P<0.05).The activities of GSH and SOD in plasma were increased,while the content of MDA was decreased(P<0.05).The amount of mitochondrial ROS in PBMC was decreased,but the ATP content was increased(P<0.05).Treatment with cinnamaldehyde could alleviate the damage to the mitochondrial function of PBMC induced by benzene in mice,and 50 mg/kg was the best dose(P<0.05).The therapeutic effect of cinnamaldehyde had a dose-response relationship.Conclusion Cinnamaldehyde can inhibit benzene-induced immune injury and oxidative stress injury in mice by delivering an antioxidant effect and improving mitochondrial enhancement of PBMC.