With the widespread adoption of low-dose CT screening and the extensive application of high-resolution CT, the detection rate of sub-centimeter lung nodules has significantly increased. How to scientifically manage these nodules while avoiding overtreatment and diagnostic delays has become an important clinical issue. Among them, lung nodules with a consolidation tumor ratio less than 0.25, dominated by ground-glass shadows, are particularly worthy of attention. The therapeutic challenge for this group is how to achieve precise and complete resection of nodules during surgery while maximizing the preservation of the patient's lung function. The "watershed topography map" is a new technology based on big data and artificial intelligence algorithms. This method uses Dicom data from conventional dose CT scans, combined with microscopic (22-24 levels) capillary network anatomical watershed features, to generate high-precision simulated natural segmentation planes of lung sub-segments through specific textures and forms. This technology forms fluorescent watershed boundaries on the lung surface, which highly fit the actual lung anatomical structure. By analyzing the adjacent relationship between the nodule and the watershed boundary, real-time, visually accurate positioning of the nodule can be achieved. This innovative technology provides a new solution for the intraoperative positioning and resection of lung nodules. This consensus was led by four major domestic societies, jointly with expert teams in related fields, oriented to clinical practical needs, referring to domestic and foreign guidelines and consensus, and finally formed after multiple rounds of consultation, discussion, and voting. The main content covers the theoretical basis of the "watershed topography map" technology, indications, operation procedures, surgical planning details, and postoperative evaluation standards, aiming to provide scientific guidance and exploration directions for clinical peers who are currently or plan to carry out lung nodule resection using the fluorescent microscope watershed analysis method.

ObjectiveTo study the pharmacological substances and mechanisms through which sesquiterpene ZH-13 from Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum improves neuroinflammation. MethodsBV-2 microglial cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide （LPS） to induce neuroinflammation. The cells were divided into the normal group， the model group， and the ZH-13 low- and high-dose treatment groups （10， 20 μmol·L^-1）. The model group was treated with 1 μmol·L^-1 LPS. Cell viability was assessed using the cell proliferation and activity assay （CCK-8 kit）. Nitric oxide （NO） release in the cell supernatant was measured using a nitric oxide kit （Griess method）. The mRNA expression levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）， and interleukin-6 （IL-6） were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. The phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） pathway proteins was assessed by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the model group， ZH-13 dose-dependently reduced NO release from BV-2 cells under LPS stimulation （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In the 20 μmol·L^-1 ZH-13 treatment group， the mRNA expression levels of IL-1β， TNF-α， iNOS， and IL-6 were significantly reduced compared to the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In both the low- and high-dose ZH-13 groups， the expression of the inflammatory factor TNF-α and the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase （JNK） in the upstream MAPK pathway were significantly reduced （P<0.05）. After stimulation with the JNK agonist anisomycin （Ani）， both low- and high-dose ZH-13 treatment groups showed reduced phosphorylation of JNK proteins compared to the Ani-treated group （P<0.01）. ConclusionThe sesquiterpene compound ZH-13 from Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum significantly ameliorates LPS-induced neuroinflammatory responses in BV-2 cells by inhibiting excessive JNK phosphorylation and reducing TNF-α expression. These findings elucidate the pharmacological substances and mechanisms underlying the sedative and calming effects of Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum.

Objective To develop GTKO (α-1,3-galactosyltransferase gene-knockout, GTKO)/hCD55 (human CD55) gene-edited xenotransplant donor pigs and verify their function. Methods In this study, CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)/Cas9 (CRISPR-associated nuclease 9), PiggyBac transposon technology and somatic cell nuclear transfer technology were used to construct GTKO/hCD55 gene-edited Diannan miniature pigs. The phenotype and function of GTKO/hCD55 pigs were analyzed by Sanger sequencing, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, bisulfite sequencing, antigen-antibody binding assays, and complement-dependent cytotoxicity assays. Results After transfection of PX458 and PiggyBac gene editing vectors into wild-type fetal pig fibroblasts, 48 single-cell colonies were obtained through puromycin drug screening. Two single-cell colonies were selected for somatic cell nuclear transfer, resulting in two fetal pigs at 33 days of gestation. The GGTA1(α-1,3-galactosyltransferase) genotypes of fetal pig F01 were -17 bp and wild type (WT), while the GGTA1 genotypes of fetal pig F02 were -26 bp/+2 bp and -3 bp. The hCD55 mRNA expression levels of both fetal pigs were significantly higher than those of WT pigs (P＜0.01). The fetal pig F02 was selected as the donor cell source for recloning, 11 surviving piglets were obtained, all identified as GTKO/hCD55 gene-edited pigs. These pigs showed absence of α-Gal antigen expression, but weak or no expression of hCD55 was observed. Methylation analysis of the hCD55 gene's CpG island showed hypermethylation in kidney tissue lacking hCD55 expression, whereas it was not methylated or partially methylated in kidney tissue expressing hCD55. Moreover, codon optimization of the CpG island of the hCD55 gene to reduce CG content could achieve stable expression of the hCD55 gene. In addition, antigen-antibody binding experiment showed that the amount of human IgM binding to GTKO/hCD55 gene-edited pig fibroblasts was significantly lower than that of WT pigs (P＜0.01). Complement-dependent cytotoxicity experiment showed that the survival rate of fibroblasts in GTKO/hCD55 pigs was significantly higher than that in WT pigs (P＜0.01). Conclusion This study demonstrates the successful generation of GTKO/hCD55 gene-edited xenotransplant donor pigs. Methylation-induced gene silencing of the hCD55 gene can be effectively avoided by reducing the CG content of the CpG island through codon optimization. This study provides a reference for the development of xenotransplant donor pigs and guides subsequent research on xenotransplantation.

Objective To investigate the effective components and therapeutic mechanism of Chaihu-Guizhi-Ganjiang decoction in treating chronic non-atrophic gastritis. Methods The primary and secondary ion fragments of chemical components of Chaihu-Guizhi-Ganjiang decoction were obtained by UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS. Comparing with reference standards and literature information, a comprehensive characterization of the chemical constituents of Chaihu-Guizhi-Ganjiang decoction was conducted. Then, the network pharmacology approach was applied to explore the therapeutic mechanism of Chaihu-Guizhi-Ganjiang decoction in treatment of chronic non-atrophic gastritis based on the components in plasma and verified by immunohistochemical results. Results A total of 24 absorbed components of Chaihu-Guizhi-Ganjiang decoction were characterized, including 11 flavonoid glycosides, 3 fatty acids, 3organic acids, 2 gingerols, 2 flavonoids and, 1 each of fatty aldehydes, triterpenoids and amino acids, which mainly acted on TNF-α, IL-6, STAT3, and PTGS2. It exerted therapeutic effects by modulating signaling pathways, including the IL-17 signaling pathway and the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway, etc. Conclusion This study provided the first exploration of the effective components and therapeutic mechanism of Chaihu-Guizhi-Ganjiang decoction in treatment of chronic non-atrophic gastritis by UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS, which could offer scientific references for its further research.

OBJECTIVE To study the improvement effect and mechanism of Shengmai powder on heart failure （HF） mice with qi-yin deficiency. METHODS The mice were randomly divided into blank group （water）， model group （water）， Shengmai powder low-， medium-， and high-dose groups [2.61， 5.22 and 10.44 g/kg （based on crude drug dosage）] and positive control group （metoprolol， 30 mg/kg）， with 10 mice in each group. Except for the blank group， all other groups were subcutaneously injected with D-galactose， and a qi-yin deficiency HF mice model was established by continuous food restriction and weight-bearing swimming. At the same time of modeling， the corresponding medicine/water was gavaged once a day for five weeks. The general state of mice was recorded and the traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome score was evaluated. Behavioral experiments were conducted to investigate the total distance of open field action， the percentage of immobility time， and the swimming exhaustion time of mice. The contents of aspartate transaminase （AST）， creatine kinase （CK） and lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） in the serum of mice were detected； cardiac function indexes [heart rate， left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF）， left ventricular end systolic diameter （LVESD）， left ventricular end diastolic diameter （LVEDD）， left ventricular mass index and whole heart mass index] were all detected； the histopathological morphology of mice myocardium was observed； the level of cardiomyocyte apoptosis in mice was detected； mRNA expression levels of B-cell lymphoma 2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2 associated X protein （Bax）， and Cleaved-caspase-3 in myocardial tissue of mice were detected； the phosphorylation levels of sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium regulatory related proteins [ryanodine receptor 2 （RyR2） and phospholamban （PLB）] in myocardial tissue of mice were detected. RESULTS Compared with the blank group， the body weight， total distance of open field action， swimming exhaustion time， LVEF， LVEDD， Bcl-2 mRNA expression level in myocardial tissue and PLB protein phosphorylation level in the model group were significantly reduced/shortened （P＜0.05）； TCM syndrome score， the percentage of immobility time， heart rate， LVESD， left ventricular mass index， whole heart mass index， cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate， the contents of CK， LDH and AST in serum， mRNA expression levels of Cleaved-caspase-3 and Bax and the phosphorylation level of RyR2 protein in myocardial tissue were significantly increased （P＜0.05）； there were inflammatory cell infiltration， disordered cell arrangement and obvious myocardial interstitial fibrosis in myocardial tissue. After the intervention of Shengmai powder， most of the above quantitative indexes in mice were significantly reversed （P＜0.05）， the inflammatory cell infiltration in myocardial tissue was reduced， and the degree of fibrosis was significantly reduced. CONCLUSIONS Shengmai powder can improve cardiac function， reduce the level of cardiomyocyte apoptosis and myocardial fibrosis in HF mice with qi-yin deficiency. Its mechanism may be related to the regulation of the expression of sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium regulation related proteins.

Background/Aims: Liver cirrhosis involves chronic inflammation and progressive fibrosis.Among various immune cells, CD8+ T cells are considered a major contributor to hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. However, the exact molecular pathways governing CD8+ T-cell-mediated effects in cirrhosis remain unclear. Methods: This study analyzed transcriptomic and single-cell sequencing data to elucidate CD8+ T-cell heterogeneity and implications in cirrhosis. Results: Weighted gene co-expression analysis of bulk RNA-seq data revealed an association between cirrhosis severity and activated T-cell markers like HLA and chemokine genes. Furthermore, single-cell profiling uncovered eight CD8+ T-cell subtypes, notably, effector memory (Tem) and exhausted (Tex) T cells. Tex cells, defined by PDCD1, LAG3, and CXCL13 expression, were increased in cirrhosis, while Tem cells were decreased. Lineage tracing and differential analysis highlighted CXCL13+ Tex cells as a terminal, exhausted subtype of cells with roles in PD-1 signaling, glycolysis, and T-cell regulation. CXCL13+ Tex cells displayed T-cell exhaustion markers like PDCD1, HAVCR2, TIGIT, and TNFRSF9. Functional analysis implicated potential roles of these cells in immunosuppression. Finally, a CXCL13+ Tex-cell gene signature was found that correlated with cirrhosis severity and poorer prognosis of liver cancer. Conclusions In summary, this comprehensive study defines specialized CD8+ T-cell subpopulations in cirrhosis, with CXCL13+ Tex cells displaying an exhausted phenotype associated with immune dysregulation and advanced disease. Key genes and pathways regulating these cells present potential therapeutic targets.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of imprinted differentially methylated regions (iDMRs) in placentas and their correlation with preeclampsia (PE). Methods A total of 43 healthy pregnant women (control group) and 33 pregnant women with PE (PE group) at Shanghai Putuo Maternity and Infant Hospital and International Peace Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from September 2021 to September 2023 were selected. A total of 3 362 CpG sites in 62 iDMRs were analyzed in 76 placenta and 5 maternal blood samples using BisCap targeted bisulfite resequencing (BisCap-seq) assays. The CpG sites in the CpG islands of the iDMRs were assessed for their methylation levels and methylation linkage disequilibrium (MLD). Imprinted methylation haplotype blocks (iMHBs) were constructed based on MLD. The methylation levels and variablility of CpG sites and iMHBs were compared among the healthy placenta, PE placenta and blood samples. Results The CpG sites in the CpG islands of the iDMRs exhibited intermediate methylation, with adjacent sites displaying high MLD (methylation levels: 0.35-0.65, D’ ＞ 0.8). A total of 185 iMHBs were constructed using these coupled CpG sites, 60 placenta-specific iMHBs and 38 somatic iMHBs were found to be differentially methylated in the placenta compared with maternal blood (P_adj＜0.05). Twenty-seven iMHBs were identified with differentially variable methylation patterns in the placenta. The iMHBs methylation was unchanged in the PE placentas compared to the healthy placentas. Twenty-seven differentially methylated cytosines (DMCs) were identified outside the iMHBs structure, among which the methylation levels of 19 CpG sites showed statistically significant differences between the PE group and the control group (P_adj＜0.05). The quantitative results of placental compositions of maternal plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) using placenta-specific haplotype (PSH) were highly correlated with those estimated by a deconvolution methodology (r＝0.973, P＜0.01). Conclusions The genomic imprinting features in the PE placentas were obvious, and PSH could be a potential marker of the placenta to quantify the placental compositions of maternal plasma cfDNA.

Background/Aims: Liver cirrhosis involves chronic inflammation and progressive fibrosis.Among various immune cells, CD8+ T cells are considered a major contributor to hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. However, the exact molecular pathways governing CD8+ T-cell-mediated effects in cirrhosis remain unclear. Methods: This study analyzed transcriptomic and single-cell sequencing data to elucidate CD8+ T-cell heterogeneity and implications in cirrhosis. Results: Weighted gene co-expression analysis of bulk RNA-seq data revealed an association between cirrhosis severity and activated T-cell markers like HLA and chemokine genes. Furthermore, single-cell profiling uncovered eight CD8+ T-cell subtypes, notably, effector memory (Tem) and exhausted (Tex) T cells. Tex cells, defined by PDCD1, LAG3, and CXCL13 expression, were increased in cirrhosis, while Tem cells were decreased. Lineage tracing and differential analysis highlighted CXCL13+ Tex cells as a terminal, exhausted subtype of cells with roles in PD-1 signaling, glycolysis, and T-cell regulation. CXCL13+ Tex cells displayed T-cell exhaustion markers like PDCD1, HAVCR2, TIGIT, and TNFRSF9. Functional analysis implicated potential roles of these cells in immunosuppression. Finally, a CXCL13+ Tex-cell gene signature was found that correlated with cirrhosis severity and poorer prognosis of liver cancer. Conclusions In summary, this comprehensive study defines specialized CD8+ T-cell subpopulations in cirrhosis, with CXCL13+ Tex cells displaying an exhausted phenotype associated with immune dysregulation and advanced disease. Key genes and pathways regulating these cells present potential therapeutic targets.