Objectives:This study aimed to observe the disintegration of clopidogrel and ticagrelor in vitro solution with different pH levels and in human digestive tract.Methods:(1)In vitro study:0.9% normal saline was mixed with hydrochloric acid and sodium bicarbonate respectively to mimic fasting gastric fluid,postprandial gastric fluid,gastric fluid after taking acid-inhibiting agent,acid-free gastric fluid and small intestine fluid.The disintegration of clopidogrel and ticagrelor in different pH solutions was observed.(2)In vivo study:12 patients who were admitted to the Department of Geriatric,Peking University First Hospital from 2022.11 to 2023.6 were included and underwent magnetic controlled capsule endoscopy.We observed the disintegration of clopidogrel(n=6)and ticagrelor(n=6)in the digestive tract.Results:(1)In vitro study:clopidogrel began to disintegrate earlier than ticagrelor([21.67±7.53]s vs.[40.00±6.33]s,P=0.001),but clopidogrel disintegrated more slowly than ticagrelor([23.00±9.38]min vs.[8.33±1.97]min,P=0.011).Clopidogrel disintegrated faster in alkaline solution than in acidic and neutral solution([11.50±4.95]min vs.[28.75±2.50]min,P=0.004),and the disintegration rate of ticagrelor in alkaline solutions is comparable to that in acidic and neutral solutions([7.00±1.41]min vs.[9.00±2.00]min,P=0.285).(2)In vivo study:In the study population,the morphology of clopidogrel and ticagrelor began to change after passing through the esophagus,of which 3 cases(clopidogrel 1 case,ticagrelor 2 cases)were in powder state when passing through the cardia,and the remaining 9 cases were basically intact when entering the stomach and completely disintegrated in the stomach.The complete disintegration time of Clopidogrel varied significantly among individuals,ranging from 8 to 33 min,with an average of(18.80±10.38)min,while the complete disintegration time of ticagrelor ranged from 3 to 6 min,with an average of(4.25±1.26)min.Clopidogrel disintegrated slower than ticagrelor(P=0.034).Conclusions:In vitro study,clopidogrel disintegrated more slowly than ticagrelor in solutions at different pH levels.Compared with clopidogrel,the disintegration rate of ticagrelor was less affected by pH.After oral administration of clopidogrel and ticagrelor,clopidogrel disintegrated more slowly than ticagrelor.The difference of complete disintegration time between individuals of ticagrelor was smaller and the disintegration rate was faster.

One-day-old AA broilers were divided into five groups(15 chickens each,5 replicates per group):control(basic diet),three groups with low,medium,and high doses of crude extract of Flos sophorae and Fructus sophorae(100,150,200 mg/kg),and one group with Macleaya cordata extract(300 mg/kg).The 42-day trial measured intestinal enzyme activity,morphology,antioxidant and immune capacity,barrier function,and microbiota structure and diversity.Compared to the control and Macleaya cordata groups,the high-dose crude extract of Flos sophorae and Fructus sophorae group significantly increased trypsin activity in the duodenum,jejunum,and ileum(P＜0.05).It also reduced reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde levels,increased glu-tathione peroxidase activity,reduced tumor necrosis factor-α,increased interleukin-10,and elevated mRNA expression of tight junction protein-1 and mucin-2 in the jejunum(P＜0.05).Microbial di-versity analysis showed higher Shannon index,increased Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes,decreased Proteobacteria,and more beneficial bacteria in the high-dose group(P＜0.05).Supplementing 200 mg/kg of crude extract of Flos sophorae and Fructus sophorae enhances intestinal morpholo-gy and function,and promotes intestinal health,thereby increasing farming efficiency.

Atherosclerosis is a severe disease threatening human health,leading to tremendous consequences such as acute coronary syndrome,myocardial infarction,and stroke.The onset and progression of atherosclerosis are attributed to a chronic inflammatory process,closely associated with the biological activities of various cells.Calpain,a Ca2+-dependent cysteine protease within cells,plays a pivotal role in this context by regulating a plethora of substrates through restricted catalysis of protein hydrolysis,thereby participating in pathological and physiological processes including endothelial damage,inflammatory response,and lipid metabolism.This review summarizes the role of calpain in the development of atherosclerosis and the latest research progress in the application of calpain inhibitors for treatment of atherosclerosis,offering new insights for the clinical realization of personalized and precise treatment of atherosclerosis.

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is characterized by high programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and abundant infiltration of non-malignant lymphocytes, which renders patients potentially suitable candidates for immune checkpoint blockade therapies. Palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone (PLUNC) inhibit the growth of NPC cells and enhance cellular apoptosis and differentiation. Currently, the relationship between PLUNC (as a tumor-suppressor) and PD-L1 in NPC is unclear. Methods: We collected clinical samples of NPC to verify the relationship between PLUNC and PD-L1. PLUNC plasmid was transfected into NPC cells, and the variation of PD-L1 was verified by western blot and immunofluorescence. In NPC cells, we verified the relationship of PD-L1, activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), and β-catenin by western blot and immunofluorescence. Later, we further verified that PLUNC regulates PD-L1 through β-catenin. Finally, the effect of PLUNC on β-catenin was verified by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP). Results: We found that PLUNC expression was lower in NPC tissues than in paracancer tissues. PD-L1 expression was opposite to that of PLUNC. Western blot and immunofluorescence showed that β-catenin could upregulate ATF3 and PD-L1, while PLUNC could downregulate ATF3/PD-L1 by inhibiting the expression of β-catenin. PLUNC inhibits the entry of β-catenin into the nucleus. Co-IP experiments demonstrated that PLUNC inhibited the interaction of DEAD-box helicase 17 (DDX17) and β-catenin. Conclusions PLUNC downregulates the expression of PD-L1 by inhibiting the interaction of DDX17/β-catenin in NPC.

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is characterized by high programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and abundant infiltration of non-malignant lymphocytes, which renders patients potentially suitable candidates for immune checkpoint blockade therapies. Palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone (PLUNC) inhibit the growth of NPC cells and enhance cellular apoptosis and differentiation. Currently, the relationship between PLUNC (as a tumor-suppressor) and PD-L1 in NPC is unclear. Methods: We collected clinical samples of NPC to verify the relationship between PLUNC and PD-L1. PLUNC plasmid was transfected into NPC cells, and the variation of PD-L1 was verified by western blot and immunofluorescence. In NPC cells, we verified the relationship of PD-L1, activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), and β-catenin by western blot and immunofluorescence. Later, we further verified that PLUNC regulates PD-L1 through β-catenin. Finally, the effect of PLUNC on β-catenin was verified by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP). Results: We found that PLUNC expression was lower in NPC tissues than in paracancer tissues. PD-L1 expression was opposite to that of PLUNC. Western blot and immunofluorescence showed that β-catenin could upregulate ATF3 and PD-L1, while PLUNC could downregulate ATF3/PD-L1 by inhibiting the expression of β-catenin. PLUNC inhibits the entry of β-catenin into the nucleus. Co-IP experiments demonstrated that PLUNC inhibited the interaction of DEAD-box helicase 17 (DDX17) and β-catenin. Conclusions PLUNC downregulates the expression of PD-L1 by inhibiting the interaction of DDX17/β-catenin in NPC.

Background Air pollution remains a critical public health issue, with persistent exposure to air pollutants continuing to pose significant health risks. Currently, research investigating the association between air pollution and myocardial infarction mortality in Shenzhen remains inadequate. Objective To quantitatively assess the association between air pollutants and myocardial infarction mortality in residents. Methods Based on the mortality surveillance system of Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, we conducted a time-stratified case-crossover study of 10089 permanent residents who died from myocardial infarction in Shenzhen between 2013 and 2022. Using residential address information, we obtained individual-level exposure data for air pollutants from the China High Air Pollutants dataset and meteorological factors from the China Meteorological Administration Land Data Assimilation System. A time-stratified case-crossover study design was employed to construct a conditional logistic regression model to assess the association between short-term exposure to air pollutants and myocardial infarction mortality. The exposure-response relationship was visualized, and a comprehensive health risk assessment was performed. Results This study included a total of 10 089 cases of myocardial infarction deaths in Shenzhen. The median [interquartile range (IQR)] concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), inhalable particulate matter (PM₁₀), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O₃) in Shenzhen from 2013 to 2022 were 24.59 (20.19) μg·m⁻³, 42.85 (28.42) μg·m⁻³, 8.53 (3.39) μg·m⁻³, 29.47 (13.56) μg·m⁻³, 0.77 (0.27) mg·m⁻³, and 86.53 (51.39) μg·m⁻³, respectively. The moving average concentrations of PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ over the current day and the previous 2 days (lag02) showed the highest risk of myocardial infarction mortality, with an odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) of 1.004 (1.001, 1.007) and 1.004 (1.002, 1.006), respectively. At lag05, SO₂ demonstrated the strongest association with the risk of myocardial infarction mortality, with an OR (95%CI) of 1.042 (1.019, 1.065). The exposure-response relationships of PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and SO₂ with myocardial infarction mortality were approximately linear, whereas NO₂ exhibited a nonlinear relationship. At lag05, the highest risk of myocardial infarction mortality associated with NO₂ exposure was observed when the NO₂ concentration was ≤21.92 μg·m⁻³, with an OR (95% CI) of 1.024 (1.003, 1.046). The health risk assessment indicated that, using the WHO Air Quality Guidelines as the reference, the local PM_2.5 and NO₂ exposure led to an excess mortality of 398 and 298 cases, respectively. The sensitivity analysis revealed that after adjusting for O₃ and restricting the study period to 2013—2019, the effect estimates for PM_2.5, PM₁₀, NO₂, and SO₂ on myocardial infarction mortality slightly increased. Conclusion Short-term exposure to air pollutants, including PM_2.5, PM₁₀, NO₂, and SO₂, could increase the risk of myocardial infarction mortality. This study provides important scientific evidence for environmental health risk assessment and environmental management in Shenzhen.

Objective To observe the analgesic and rehabilitation effects of non μ-opioids anesthesia/analgesia(NΜOA)based on quadratus lumborum block(QLB)in emergency cesarean section under general anesthesia.Methods The retrospective study method was adopted,50 pregnant women undergoing hysterectomy under emergency general anesthesia in Langfang People's Hospital from January 2023 to December 2024 were selected as the study objects.The patients were divided into μ-opioids anesthesia/analgesia(ΜOA)group and NΜOA group according to different anesthesia/analgesia methods,25 cases in each group.ΜOA group received ΜOA;NΜOA group received NΜOA+QLB.Incisional pain and uterine contraction pain numerical rating scale(NRS)at out of the post-anesthesia care unit(T1),intravenous injection of oxytocin(T2),press the palace bottom 24 hours(T3),out of bed activity after operation(T4)and first analgesic time of incision pain,first analgesic time of uterine contraction pain,first no vomiting eating time,first exhaust time was observed and recorded.The incidence of vasoactive agents during the anesthetic period,rescue analgesia,rescue antiemetic,constipation,sleep disturbance after operation within 48 hours after operation were also recorded.Results The NRS scores at T1,T2,T3 and T4 in ΜOA group were significantly higher than those in NΜOA group(incisional pain 3.36±1.25 vs.1.12±0.97,3.68±1.18 vs.2.00±0.91,5.76±1.67 vs.4.20±1.00,4.48±1.29 vs.3.32±0.95;uterine contraction pain 3.72±1.49 vs.1.24±1.05,4.64±1.60 vs.3.04±1.27,7.56±1.71 vs.5.16±1.37,3.56±0.22 vs.2.56±0.16,all P<0.05).The first analgesic time of incision pain,first analgesic time of uterine contraction pain in ΜOA group were significantly less than that in NΜOA group(hours:3.06±2.02 vs.17.48±10.93,2.68±2.22 vs.15.80±11.39,both P<0.05),the first no vomiting eating time,first exhaust time in ΜOA group were significantly longer than those in NΜOA group(hours:8.56±0.57 vs.6.32±0.14,15.44±1.42 vs.10.16±1.14,both P<0.05),the incidence of vasoactive agents,rescue analgesia,rescue antiemetic,constipation,sleep disturbance after operation within 48 hours in ΜOA group were significantly higher than those in NΜOA group[64.0%(16/25)vs.32.0%(8/25),48.0%(12/25)vs.20.0%(5/25),44.0%(11/25)vs.16.0%(4/25),64.0%(16/25)vs.36.0%(9/25),60.0%(15/25)vs.32.0%(8/25),all P<0.05].Conclusion NΜOA based on QLB safely and effectively reduced side effects of μ-opioids and enhanced recovery compared to ΜOA on emergency cesarean section patients undergoing general anesthesia.

Objective:To utilize single-nucleus RNA sequencing(snRNA-seq) technology to investigate the primary cell subpopulations in human limb venous malformations (VMs) tissue and the role of the key gene RhoJ.Methods:Surgical resection specimens of VMs tissues and surrounding normal vein tissues were collected from 100 clinically diagnosed and screened patients with limb VMs at the Department of Hemangioma Surgery of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2021 to December 2023. (1) Transcriptome analysis: Three patient samples were randomly selected for snRNA-seq studies, with the surgically removed VMs tissue serving as the experimental group and the surrounding normal vein tissue as the control group. A gene expression matrix for cell nuclei was established, followed by data quality control, dimensionality reduction, clustering, and cell type annotation. Cell-to-cell communication analysis was performed using the R language CellChat package to identify dominant cell subpopulations. The FindMarkers function was utilized to screen for differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the dominant cell subpopulations of the experimental and control groups, and functional enrichment analysis was conducted. (2) Tissue experiments: An additional 35 patient samples from both the experimental and control groups were randomly selected. The mRNA and protein expression levels of the RhoJ gene were measured using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting, respectively. (3) Validation experiments with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs): HUVECs were transfected with pcDNA3.1-NC (blank control) and pcDNA3.1-RhoJ (plasmid expression vector carrying the RhoJ gene), respectively. The biological behavior differences between the two groups of cells were examined using the CCK-8 cell proliferation assay, Transwell invasion assay, and Matrigel angiogenesis assay. Measurement data conforming to a normal distribution were expressed as Mean±SD, and comparisons between the two groups were performed using an independent samples t-test. Results:Through CellChat intercellular communication analysis, it was discovered that endothelial cells were the predominant cell subpopulation in both the experimental and control groups, exhibiting strong communication links with other cell subpopulations. In the analysis of DEGs, it was found that the RhoJ gene in endothelial cells was significantly involved in the biological processes of angiogenesis and regulation. In tissue experiments, RT-qPCR and Western bloting results indicated that the relative expression levels of RhoJ mRNA (4.48±1.29 vs. 1.01±0.17) and protein (1.22±0.03 vs. 0.51±0.20) in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.01 for both). The results of the HUVECs validation experiment showed that the cell proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis abilities of the pcDNA3.1-RhoJ group were significantly enhanced compared to the pcDNA3.1-NC group. Conclusion:Endothelial cells represent the dominant cell subpopulation during the occurrence and locally invasive progression of VMs, playing a crucial role in this process. The RhoJ gene is significant in regulating the biological behavior of VMs endothelial cells.

Objective The aim of this study was to clarify the role and mechanism of Pseudomonas aeruginosa vaccine subunit OprI in the fusion protein vaccine rePO(PcrV-OprI).Methods The in vitro stability of rePO,PcrV and OprI at 4 ℃,25 ℃,and 37 ℃ was examined.After immunizing mice with rePO,OprI and PcrV,respectively,the specific antibody potency in serum and the proportion of cells secreting IFN-γ and IL-4 in the spleen were examined;Additionally,detection of the levels of protein uptake by DC2.4 cells in vitro using laser confocal microscopy and flow cytometry,and their ability to promote the maturation of mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells(BMDC).Results The heat stability of fusion protein rePO was significantly better than that of PcrV.The induced anti-PcrV IgG and anti-OprI IgG potency of rePO was significantly higher than that of monomeric PcrV and OprI.Additionally,the number of cells secreting IFN-γ and IL-4 induced by immunization with rePO was significantly higher than that of PcrV and OprI.The uptake rate of fusion protein rePO by DC2.4 cells was significantly higher than that of PcrV and OprI.Furthermore,rePO promoted the maturation of mouse BMDC more effectively than PcrV and OprI.Conclusion OprI in the fusion protein rePO can significantly improve its thermal stability and immunogenicity,which lays the foundation for the successful development of Pseudomonas aeruginosa vaccine.

Objective To investigate the effects of low-dose ionizing radiation on the thyroid status and hormone levels of radiation workers. Methods Radiation workers who underwent occupational health examinations at a hospital in Guangzhou from 2015 to 2022 were selected as the subjects of this study. The levels of FT3, FT4 and TSH were analyzed, and the thyroid abnormality status of radiation workers in different groups were compared. Results A total of 1152 participants were included in this study, consisting of 885 (76.82%) males and 267 (23.18%) females, with an average age of (35.26 ± 10.16) years. The prevalence of thyroid abnormalities was 9.38%, which was significantly higher in females (13.86%) than in males (8.02%) (P < 0.05). The TSH level of females [(2.15 ± 1.29) mIU/L] was higher than that of males [(1.85 ± 1.20) mIU/L], while the levels of FT3 [(5.10 ± 0.64) pmol/L] and FT4 [(15.84 ± 2.32) pmol/L] in females were lower than those in males [(5.23 ± 0.63) pmol/L and (16.61 ± 2.75) pmol/L, P < 0.05]. The FT3 of industrial workers [(5.25 ± 0.63) pmol/L] was higher than that of medical workers [(5.10 ± 0.63) pmol/L], while the TSH of industrial workers [(1.80 ± 1.12) mIU/L] was lower than that of medical workers [(2.15 ± 1.37) mIU/L]. FT4 levels decreased with increasing age and duration of occupational exposure. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that sex was a significant independent predictor of thyroid abnormalities among radiation workers. Female workers were more likely to experience thyroid abnormalities (β = −0.62, P < 0.05). Conclusion Low-dose ionizing radiation may have a certain impact on the thyroid status of radiation workers, especially for female workers, which requires further attention and research.