Organ transplantation is a vital means of saving patients with end-stage diseases, and organ donation serves as its foundation. China’s cadaveric organ donation system adopts a dual model that recognizes both individual autonomy and next-of-kin decision-making rights. However, in practice, the next-of-kin decision-making rule faces multiple challenges, including a narrow scope of eligible decision-makers, inefficient decision-making processes, the misuse of revocation rights and the absence of disqualification mechanisms. This article explores the legal nature of next-of-kin decision-making rights and reflects on the existing rules. By integrating the principles respect, ‘non-maleficence, beneficence, and justice’ in medical ethics, it proposes three pathways for reform: hierarchical ordering of decision-makers, limitation of revocation rights, and legal codification of disqualification grounds. The aim is to balance individual autonomy, family ethics and public interest, realign the cadaveric organ donation system with its altruistic essence and public-oriented mission, and promote the development of organ donation in China.

Purpose: Cancer has become a significant major public health concern, making the discovery of new cancer markers or therapeutic targets exceptionally important. Elevated expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 12A (TNFRSF12A) expression has been observed in certain types of cancer. This project aims to investigate the function of TNFRSF12A in tumors and the underlying mechanisms. Materials and Methods: Various websites were utilized for conducting the bioinformatics analysis. Tumor cell lines with stable knockdown or overexpression of TNFRSF12A were established for cell phenotyping experiments and subcutaneous tumorigenesis in BALB/c mice. RNA-seq was employed to investigate the mechanism of TNFRSF12A. Results: TNFRSF12A was upregulated in the majority of cancers and associated with a poor prognosis. Knockdown TNFRSF12A hindered the colorectal cancer progression, while overexpression facilitated malignancy both in vitro and in vivo. TNFRSF12A overexpression led to increased nuclear factor кB (NF-κB) signaling and significant upregulation of baculoviral IAP repeat containing 3 (BIRC3), a transcription target of the NF-κB member RELA, and it was experimentally confirmed to be a critical downstream factor of TNFRSF12A. Therefore, we speculated the existence of a TNFRSF12A/RELA/BIRC3 regulatory axis in colorectal cancer. Conclusion TNFRSF12A is upregulated in various cancer types and associated with a poor prognosis. In colorectal cancer, elevated TNFRSF12A expression promotes tumor growth, potentially through the TNFRSF12A/RELA/BIRC3 regulatory axis.

Purpose: Cancer has become a significant major public health concern, making the discovery of new cancer markers or therapeutic targets exceptionally important. Elevated expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 12A (TNFRSF12A) expression has been observed in certain types of cancer. This project aims to investigate the function of TNFRSF12A in tumors and the underlying mechanisms. Materials and Methods: Various websites were utilized for conducting the bioinformatics analysis. Tumor cell lines with stable knockdown or overexpression of TNFRSF12A were established for cell phenotyping experiments and subcutaneous tumorigenesis in BALB/c mice. RNA-seq was employed to investigate the mechanism of TNFRSF12A. Results: TNFRSF12A was upregulated in the majority of cancers and associated with a poor prognosis. Knockdown TNFRSF12A hindered the colorectal cancer progression, while overexpression facilitated malignancy both in vitro and in vivo. TNFRSF12A overexpression led to increased nuclear factor кB (NF-κB) signaling and significant upregulation of baculoviral IAP repeat containing 3 (BIRC3), a transcription target of the NF-κB member RELA, and it was experimentally confirmed to be a critical downstream factor of TNFRSF12A. Therefore, we speculated the existence of a TNFRSF12A/RELA/BIRC3 regulatory axis in colorectal cancer. Conclusion TNFRSF12A is upregulated in various cancer types and associated with a poor prognosis. In colorectal cancer, elevated TNFRSF12A expression promotes tumor growth, potentially through the TNFRSF12A/RELA/BIRC3 regulatory axis.

Purpose: Cancer has become a significant major public health concern, making the discovery of new cancer markers or therapeutic targets exceptionally important. Elevated expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 12A (TNFRSF12A) expression has been observed in certain types of cancer. This project aims to investigate the function of TNFRSF12A in tumors and the underlying mechanisms. Materials and Methods: Various websites were utilized for conducting the bioinformatics analysis. Tumor cell lines with stable knockdown or overexpression of TNFRSF12A were established for cell phenotyping experiments and subcutaneous tumorigenesis in BALB/c mice. RNA-seq was employed to investigate the mechanism of TNFRSF12A. Results: TNFRSF12A was upregulated in the majority of cancers and associated with a poor prognosis. Knockdown TNFRSF12A hindered the colorectal cancer progression, while overexpression facilitated malignancy both in vitro and in vivo. TNFRSF12A overexpression led to increased nuclear factor кB (NF-κB) signaling and significant upregulation of baculoviral IAP repeat containing 3 (BIRC3), a transcription target of the NF-κB member RELA, and it was experimentally confirmed to be a critical downstream factor of TNFRSF12A. Therefore, we speculated the existence of a TNFRSF12A/RELA/BIRC3 regulatory axis in colorectal cancer. Conclusion TNFRSF12A is upregulated in various cancer types and associated with a poor prognosis. In colorectal cancer, elevated TNFRSF12A expression promotes tumor growth, potentially through the TNFRSF12A/RELA/BIRC3 regulatory axis.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum infections in wild rodents in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of China, so as to provide insights into formulation of technical guidelines for monitoring of and the precise control strategy for S. japonicum infections in wild rodents during the elimination phase. Methods Two administrative villages where schistosomiasis was historically highly prevalent were selected each from Dongzhi County, Anhui Province, and Duchang County, Jiangxi Province as study villages. Wild rodents were captured from study villages with baited traps or cages at night in June and September, 2021. The number of rodents captured was recorded, and the rodent species was characterized based on morphologi-cal characteristics. Liver tissues were sampled from captured rodents for macroscopical observation of the presence of egg granu- lomas, and S. japonicum infection was detected simultaneously using liver tissue homogenate microscopy, examinations of mesenteric tissues for parasites, and modified Kato-Katz thick smear technique (Kato-Katz technique). A positive S. japonicum infection was defined as detection of S. japonicum eggs or adult worms by any of these methods. The rate of wild rodent capture and prevalence of S. japonicum infections in wild rodents were compared in different study villages and at different time periods, and the detection of S. japonicum infections in wild rodents was compared by different assays. Results The overall rate of wild ro- dent capture was 8.28% (237/2 861) in Dongzhi County, and the wild rodent capture rates were 9.24% (133/1 439) and 7.31% (104/1 422) in two study villages (χ² = 3.503, P = 0.061), and were 8.59% (121/1 409) and 7.99% (116/1 452) in June and September, 2021, respectively (χ² = 0.337, P = 0.561). The overall rate of wild rodent capture was 3.72% (77/2 072) in Duchang County, and the wild rodent capture rates were 6.91% (67/970) and 0.91% (10/1 102) in two study villages (χ² = 51.901, P < 0.001), and were 4.13% (39/945) and 3.37% (38/1 127) in June and September, 2021, respectively (χ² = 0.815, P = 0.365). Rattus norvegicus was the predominant rodent species captured in both counties, accounting for 70.04% (166/237) of all captured wild rodents in Dongzhi County and 88.31% (68/77) in Duchang County. No S. japonicum infection was detected in wild rodents captured in Duchang County. Nevertheless, the overall prevalence of S. japonicum infections was 51.05% (121/237) in wild rodents captured in Dongzhi County, with prevalence rates of 50.38% (67/133) and 51.92% (54/104) in two study villages (χ² = 0.098, P = 0.755), and 54.31% (63/116) and 47.93% (58/121) in September and June, 2021, respectively (χ² = 0.964, P = 0.326). Of 237 wild rodents captured in Dongzhi County, there were 140 (59.07%) rodents with visible hepatic egg granulomas, 117 (49.47%) tested positive for S. japonicum eggs by liver tissue homogenate microscopy, 34 (14.35%) tested positive for S. japonicum eggs with Kato-Katz technique; however, no adult S. japonicum worms were detected in mesenteric tissues. In addition, hepatic egg granulomas were found in all wild rodents tested positive for S. japonicum eggs with liver tissue homogenate microscopy. Conclusions The rate of wild rodent capture and prevalence of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents vary greatly in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of China, and the prevalence of S. japonicum infection is slightly higher in wild rodents captured in autumn than in summer. Liver tissue is recommended as the preferred sample for surveillance of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents, and a combination of macroscopical observation of hepatic egg granulomas and liver tissue homogenate microscopy may be a standard method for surveillance of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents.

Ferroptosis of chondrocytes is a significant contributor to osteoarthritis (OA), for which there is still a lack of safe and effective therapeutic drugs targeting ferroptosis. Here, we screen for anti-ferroptotic drugs in Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug library via a high-throughput manner in chondrocytes. We identified a group of FDA-approved anti-ferroptotic drugs, among which vitamin K showed the most powerful protective effect. Further study demonstrated that vitamin K effectively inhibited ferroptosis and alleviated the extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation in chondrocytes. Intra-articular injection of vitamin K inhibited ferroptosis and alleviated OA phenotype in destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) mouse model. Mechanistically, transcriptome sequencing and knockdown experiments revealed that the anti-ferroptotic effects of vitamin K depended on growth arrest-specific 6 (Gas6). Furthermore, exogenous expression of Gas6 was found to inhibit ferroptosis through the AXL receptor tyrosine kinase (AXL)/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT serine/threonine kinase (AKT) axis. Together, we demonstrate that vitamin K inhibits ferroptosis and alleviates OA progression via enhancing Gas6 expression and its downstream pathway of AXL/PI3K/AKT axis, indicating vitamin K as well as Gas6 to serve as a potential therapeutic target for OA and other ferroptosis-related diseases.

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Objective To explore the changes in Th1 cell,B cell and related gene expression during the healing of diabetic foot ulcers(DFU).Methods Lesional skin tissues from DFU patients surgically treated in our hospital from January 2022 to January 2023 were selected.DFU associated gene expression data were collected from GSE80178 and GSE143735 datasets.The expressions of genes(DEGs)between ulcer and no-ulcer patients were identified.Bioinformatics methods were used to identify abnormal immune cells and key genes.Finally,the key results were detected by RT-qPCR and flow cytometry.Results A total of 548 common DEGs were identified in two datasets.In 14 co-expression modules,darkgrey and darkgreen were most related to ulcer,which were mainly associated with the regulation of enzyme activity,immune function and endocrine regulation.Flow cytometry showed that Th1 and B cells were highly infiltrated in ulcer tissue and decreased in healing tissue.MMP13,S100A9 and STAT4 were involved in immune signaling pathways.MMP13 and STAT4 were lowly expressed in healed ulcers,whereas S100A9 was highly expressed.Conclusion Reduced levels of Th1 and B cell infiltration may promote DFU healing.

Objective We aimed to assess the serum levels of the glycolysis-related protein hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α)and cytokines in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis(RRMS)before and after treatment with the traditional Chinese medicine Yishen Daluo Decoction,as well as their correlation with clinical parameters,and explore the immune regulatory mechanism of Yishen Daluo Decoction on multiple sclerosis.Methods Twenty-eight patients with RRMS in remission recruited from May 2018 to January 2022 in the Multiple Sclerosis Clinic at Dongzhimen Hospital,Beijing University of Chinese Medicine were retrospectively included.Comparisons were made with paired samples from 13 of them before and after Yishen Daluo Decoction treatment.A total of 20 gender-and age-matched healthy controls(HCs)were also recruited.Clinical information was collected from all of the subjects,and the neurological impairments of RRMS patients were assessed with the Expanded Disability Status Scale(EDSS)score.ELISA and SP-X multiplex cytokine assays were used to measure the serum levels of HIF-1 α and 10 cytokines(IL-1β,IL-4,IL-5,IL-6,IL-8,IL-10,IL-12p70,IL-22,IFN-γ,and TNF-α),respectively.Spearman's method was used to analyze the correlation between the serum levels of HIF-1α and cytokines,and the correlation between the serum levels of HIF-1α and cytokines and patients'clinical indicators,including disease duration,the number of attacks,and the EDSS score.Results Serum HIF-1α,IL-4,IL-6,IL-8,IL-10,IL-12p70,IFN-γ,and TNF-α levels in the RRMS group were significantly higher than those in the HC group(P＜0.05).Serum levels of HIF-1α,IL-4,IL-6,and IL-12p70 in the Yishen Daluo Decoction-pre group were significantly higher than those in the Yishen Daluo Decoction-post group(P＜0.05).In addition,the serum HIF-1α level was positively correlated with IL-6(r=0.452,P=0.016)and TNF-α(r=0.524,P=0.004)levels in patients with RRMS.The IFN-γ level was negatively correlated with the EDSS score(r=-0.423,P=0.025),the IL-4 level was negatively correlated with disease duration(r=-0.385,P=0.043),and the TNF-α level was positively correlated with disease duration(r=0.397,P=0.037).Conclusion The regulatory mechanism of Yishen Daluo Decoction on immune imbalance in RRMS may be related to its ability to reduce the serum levels of the glycolysis-related protein HIF-1α in RRMS patients.It is also related to the levels of various inflammatory cytokines.

Objective:To summarize the characteristics of color doppler flow imaging (CDFI) of ocular toxocariasis (OT) in children.Methods:A retrospective clinical study. From July 2014 to June 2020, 61 OT patients with 61 eyes diagnosed through clinical and laboratory testing in the Department of Ophthalmology of Beijing Tongren Hospital of Capital Medical University were included in the study. There were 45 males with 45 eyes and 16 females with 16 eye (male: female=2.81:1). Age were (6.93±2.50) years. The right eye and left eye were 29 and 32 eyes, respectively. Both eyes of the patient underwent two-dimensional ultrasound and CDFI examination. Two dimensional ultrasound was used to estimate the axial length (AL) of the affected eyes and healthy eyes on the opposite side. Among them, 52 cases were measured for AL using optical biometry and/or A-mode ultrasound. Vitreoretinal surgery was performed within one week after ultrasound examination. Two-dimensional ultrasound was used to observe the morphology of vitreous opacity, its connection to the eyeball wall, and whether posterior vitreous detachment and retinal detachment have occurred. CDFI examination was used to observe the presence of blood flow signals on the pathological membrane. The detection rates of different forms of vitreous opacity and traction retinal detachment were calculated. The location of proliferative lesions in the eye was analyzed. Paired t-test was performed to compare the AL of the affected eye and the healthy eye on the opposite side. Perform Kappa consistency test on the location of proliferative lesions was used during CDFI examination and vitreoretinal surgery. Results:All affected eyes have varying degrees of vitreous opacity. Among them, 23 eyes (37.7%, 23/61) showed typical "Christmas tree" like turbidity; 27 eyes (44.3%, 27/61) had clustered and striped echoes; 9 eyes (14.8%, 9/61) had weak punctate and strip echoes. Two eyes (3.3%, 2/61) showed a large amount of dense punctate and strip-shaped echoes. There were 50 eyes (82.0%, 50/61) with traction retinal detachment, of which 46 eyes (92.0%, 46/50) had visible blood flow signals on the detached retina, and the remaining 4 eyes (8.0%, 4/50) had no blood flow signals. During CDFI and surgery, there were 5 (8.2%, 5/61) and 4 (6.6%, 4/61) eyes with visible proliferative lesions in the periphery, respectively; 18 (29.5%, 18/61) and 14 (23.0%, 14/61) eyes were distributed in the posterior pole, respectively; there were 38 (62.3%, 38/61) and 43 (70.5%, 43/61) eyes with both peripheral and posterior polar regions, respectively. The consistency between CDFI and surgery in detecting the location of proliferative lesions was good ( κ=0.832, 95% confidence interval 0.691-0.973, P<0.001). The two-dimensional ultrasound measurement results showed that the AL of the affected eye was shorter than that of the contralateral healthy eye in 46 cases (75.4%, 46/61). Among the 52 patients who underwent AL biometry, the AL of the affected eye was shorter than that of the contralateral healthy eye by (0.63±0.68) mm, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=-6.738, P<0.05). Conclusions:CDFI can clearly display various intraocular lesions (vitreous opacity and traction retinal detachment) and eyeball sizes in children with OT. Vitreous opacity is often manifested as "Christmas tree" like, clustered, strip-shaped.